Science Talk
With our Science Talk blog, we hope to lift the lid on the black box that is the ICR: to show you inside our labs, to introduce you to a few of the people here who make the discoveries, and to allow them to tell some of the stories behind the science. We try to put our discoveries in a wider scientific context, and give an idea of how our science is actually done. We also give you the view from the ICR of important developments in the wider world of cancer research.
Mental Health Awareness Week: Why a black dog visit is making our staff think about happiness and wellbeing
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. Here at The Institute of Cancer Research, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace has been an important topic of conversation for staff and students over May, as we welcomed the charity SANE’s Black Dog statue campaign to our Sutton and Chelsea campuses as part of a month-long residency.
Can we cure cancer? Nine challenges scientists say we need to overcome
Our Head of Content and Partnerships, Henry French, introduces some of the issues that cancer researchers are considering in the search for cancer cures.
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 2019: Six advances in bowel cancer research
There are over 40,000 new cases of bowel cancer in the UK each year and April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Our Digital Communications Intern Liz Partridge looks back at six noteworthy advances in bowel cancer research involving the ICR.
When it comes to cancer, how does alcohol compare to smoking?
New research into the link between alcohol consumption and cancer tries out a new way of getting the message to hit home.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month 2019: Six of the latest advances in prostate cancer research
March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – and our researchers are renowned for their success in improving treatments for men with prostate cancer. Web Editor Dave Morgan takes a look back at some of the progress made in prostate cancer research at the ICR over the last 12 months.
Supporting women in science: International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, Rose Wu speaks to our researchers to find out more about some of the work taking place across the Institute of Cancer Research to support women across different stages of their research careers.
Knowledge of BRCA2 gene is power
This week marks 25 years since our researchers discovered the BRCA2 gene. Our Cancer Stories Officer, Lydia Brain, spoke to Davina Gardner – a survivor of ovarian and breast cancer – about being a BRCA2 gene mutation carrier and how it has affected her and her family.
Rare Disease Day 2019: What makes a cancer rare and how can research help?
On 28 February organisations around the world will be working to raise awareness of rare diseases for Rare Disease Day. Tilly Haynes looked into what qualifies as a rare cancer, and how researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, are working on some of them.
A summer with the ICR – one student’s experience at the forefront of cancer research
Every year the ICR takes on undergraduate students as part of our 2019 Summer Vacation Scholarship Scheme. These summer studentships involve students working in our research labs and contributing to valuable cancer research. Tilly Haynes spoke to one summer student, Isabelle Atkins, about her experience and her success as first author of a paper in Cancer Research.
From old science to new science - 110 years of cancer research
The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has been conducting world leading research since we opened our doors as The Cancer Hospital Research in 1909. Our former Digital Communications Intern, Francis Newman, takes a look at five of the major advances that took place here during the 20th century, which now form the basis of much of the work done by modern cancer researchers worldwide.
Curing brain cancer – the challenges ahead
Researchers and clinicians from across the world, including our Chief Executive Professor Paul Workman and Professors Raj Chopra and Louis Chesler, have come together to set out how future research can finally deliver major progress against brain cancer in both adults and children. Our Science Communications Officer, Conor McKeever, looks at the group’s recommendations.
Darwin Day 2019: unpicking cancer evolution to beat cancer at its own game
To celebrate Darwin Day, the ICR holds an annual lecture to recognise the ongoing relevance of Darwin’s principles of natural selection in cancer research. This year Professor Joel S. Brown from Florida’s the Moffitt Cancer Center will discuss how figuring out cancer’s evolutionary strategies can help us tackle the problem of cancer drug resistance in an era of personalised medicine. The ICR’s Sarah Wells spoke to him to find out more.
World Cancer Day 2019: how everyone at the ICR helps play their part
Everyone at The Institute of Cancer Research, London plays their role in improving the situation for patients with cancer. This World Cancer Day we are joining the conversation about how we are contributing.
Cancer genomes everywhere: lessons learned from the Festival of Genomics
Cancer featured prominently as scientists from around the world met recently at the Festival of Genomics conference in London. Dr Keith Bradnam, the ICR’s Digital Strategy Manager, was in attendance to see talks by ICR researchers and find out about the latest developments in cancer genomics.
“The future’s bright” – Professor Udai Banerji reflects on the evolution of anticancer drugs
Marking his promotion to Professor after 18 years at The Institute of Cancer Research, Professor Udai Banerji gave his inaugural lecture to packed lecture theatres across our two sites. Conor McKeever, our Science Communications Officer, was there to hear him talk about his work on the development of new anticancer drugs, and where he sees the field going next.
What does the NHS Long Term Plan really mean for childhood cancer?
The NHS released their Long Term Plan this week – and much of the media coverage focused on the news about genetic testing for childhood cancer. We look at the plan and ask whether it will really deliver for children with cancer.
Are older mothers really at higher risk of breast cancer?
Recent headlines reported that older mothers are at higher risk of breast cancer. But that was just one piece of evidence taken from a large study co-led by the ICR looking at a whole range of pregnancy-related factors and their role in breast cancer risk. The ICR’s Sarah Wells dug into the stats to put the headlines into context.
Buckingham Palace and Blue Plaques: ICR’s 2018 year in review
It's been a busy, and exciting, year for the ICR. In this blog post we look back and reflect on some of our highlights that exemplify the broad range of stimulating and thought-provoking work that happens here.
Baroness Tessa Jowell and advances in brain cancer research celebrated at Palace of Westminster event
The ICR’s Tilly Haynes attended an event, hosted by The Brain Tumour Charity, in the House of Commons to hear about the latest progress in brain tumour research and treatment, and how the ICR is contributing to achieving the charity’s strategic goal.
The 100,000 Genomes Project has finished: what were the challenges and what comes next?
This week, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that the 100,000 Genomes Project has reached its goal of decoding 100,000 genomes from NHS patients. We take a look at some of the challenges that had to be overcome to reach this point and ask what happens next?