Information for students

As a research charity, we do not have the resources to help the large number of students who contact us about their project work. But there is a lot of information on the Cancer Research UK website that you will find helpful. Below are links to a range of information sources available to you.

What is cancer?

We have information about:

  • what cancer is
  • the differences between cancer cells and normal cells
  • how cancer starts and spreads

This can be especially useful for school projects. 

Information about specific types of cancer

We have information about most types of cancer. Each section is divided up into sections to help guide people through the information. It is all written in plain English, evidence based and dated. Most of our pages have a list of references at the bottom of the page. For each cancer type we have information about:

  • what the cancer is and where it starts
  • risks and causes
  • symptoms
  • getting diagnosed – tests, seeing the GP, seeing a specialist
  • stages and types
  • survival
  • treatment
  • living with cancer
  • research and clinical trials

We also have a database of clinical trials in the UK. It covers: 

  • trials that are currently open and recruiting patients in the UK
  • trials that have now closed to recruitment and are in follow up
  • trials that have reported results

We started the trials database in 2000 so it does not cover any trials that closed earlier than that.

General information about cancer

There is information about cancer and treatment in our general cancer information section. It includes:

  • cancer tests
  • treatment – the different types of cancer treatment including explanations of what they are and how you have them
  • signs and symptoms – general information

Causes and prevention

4 in 10 cancers could be prevented, largely through lifestyle changes. We have information about the causes as well as what people can do to lower their risk of developing their risk.

Information for Health professionals

We have a section for health professionals. This includes information about statistics, national guidelines and much more.

Our research

We have detailed information about the research we are doing. And you can read about our research strategy. 

Where else to look for information

Check whether your school, college or university has a library and access to any subscriptions and databases. There are different websites you can use to search for published literature. Examples include:

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) produce evidence based guidance and Clinical Knowledge Summaries.

Information about Cancer Research UK

You can read more generally about the charity.

Last reviewed: 
27 Oct 2023
Next review due: 
27 Oct 2024

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