Influencing cancer research policy

Our work to enable cancer research to thrive on behalf of scientists and patients

Our world-class research is dedicated to making the discoveries that defeat cancer. We are committed to sharing our research and scientific knowledge with Parliamentarians and policy makers and working with our scientists to help ensure that policy works to ensure that the UK is the best place to be a cancer researcher and a cancer patient.  

By engaging with parliamentarians and policy makers, we are able to raise awareness of the ICR whilst also advocating for policy outcomes which make our researchers lives easier and help ensure the long-term sustainability of the ICR as an institution.  

Alongside engaging our scientists and research experts with parliamentarians and policy makers, we also work closely with a number of organisations in the science policy sector including as members of the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) and London Higher.  

Defeating Cancer Together:
Our Policy Priorities

Download our policy priorities

Heading reading 'Defeating cancer together: How the Government can enable cancer research in academic institutions to thrive' Followed by an image of scientists and cells

We believe there are three areas the Government could prioritise to enable cancer research in academic institutions to thrive, and help us on our mission to continue making the discoveries that defeat cancer.

Students wearing robe and hats at their graduation ceremony

Creating a sustainable funding model for research in universities

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As PhD student analysing a petri dish

Encouraging international talent to support cancer research

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Joining up the clinical research pipeline

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Image of Alan Mak, Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation & Technology on a lab tour being shown the microscopy research

Contact the Advocacy team at the ICR

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Latest ICR News

Why men fare worse in acute myeloid leukaemia: new study rules out hormone signalling

11/11/25

New research has ruled out hormone signalling as the reason why men with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) tend to have poorer outcomes than women, even when treated with the same intensive chemotherapy – a finding that helps refine future research and could influence clinical trial design.
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Various mathematical formulae and illustrations
Embracing mathematics is key to illuminating cancer cell evolution

10/11/25

A new review explains how turning to mathematics is helping researchers decode one of cancer’s most elusive traits: its ability to evolve and adapt.
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AI-style image illustrating virus particles surrounded by different types of white blood cells
New combination treatment could overcome immunotherapy resistance in difficult-to-treat cancers

07/11/25

A pioneering clinical trial has demonstrated for the first time that two existing treatments can be combined to potentially improve outcomes for sarcoma and melanoma patients with advanced tumours in their limbs.
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An image of bowel tumour organoids on a black background
Bowel cancer’s 'big bang' moment revealed

05/11/25

Like the astronomical explosion that kickstarted the universe, bowel cancer has a 'Big Bang' moment which determines how it will grow, according to new research from scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
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