Involvement news and stories
Smashing poo taboos: How your voice shaped a bold campaign
Discover how patient insights helped shape the Bowelbabe Fund’s impactful campaign to raise awareness and challenge stigma around bowel cancer.
10 years of Patient Involvement at Cancer Research UK
For the past decade, people affected by cancer have helped shape our work in powerful ways. From strategy to research, your voices have guided us every step of the way. Walk through the last decade with us and share the milestones that have got us to where we are now.
Your voice, our impact. A landmark report on research collaboration
With the support of people affected by cancer, we published Nothing Should Stand in the Way, a report created with the University of Southampton. It calls for stronger international research partnerships to improve patient outcomes. Your insights shaped every stage of this work, and now policymakers across the UK and EU are taking notice.
Co-developing Life Beyond Cancer
People affected by cancer co-developed Life Beyond Cancer. This is a new dedicated webpage which hosts information and support specifically for patients who are post cancer treatment and loved ones supporting a family member during this time.
Involving people affected by cancer in shaping our genomics policy work
The Cancer Research UK Policy Development team have been working on a policy statement to inform government and health leaders about the use of genomics in cancer care now and in the future. At the early stages of this project you were consulted to gather a picture of what you understand about genomics and share your experience.
Helping us to understand the role of carers
The Health Information team wanted to gather the experiences of unpaid carers and the barriers they face. You helped them to understand the role of unpaid carers in helping those they look after to access and understand health information about cancer.
Meet Margaret
For ten years, Margaret’s dedication has helped shape how we work with people affected by cancer. Her story reflects the true value of patient involvement and the lasting impact it can have.
Rashmi’s journey through the VOICE course
Meet Rashmi, whose involvement began with personal loss but grew into a mission to make research more inclusive. As a carer and member of our Cancer Insights Panel, he recently took part in the VOICE course, an experience that gave him knowledge, confidence, and something unexpected: hope.
Meet Sue and Patrick
What began with personal loss has grown into a shared mission to make a difference. Over the past decade, they’ve worked side by side to ensure people affected by cancer have a voice in shaping research.
Kes, from patient to presenter
A passionate member of our Involvement Network. Kes brought insight, warmth, and authenticity to our staff annual awards as both a judge and presenter. Her story is one of resilience, advocacy, and deep commitment to improving life for people affected by cancer.
Meet Mike
After his prostate cancer diagnosis, Mike joined the Involvement Network and became a national voice for patients. His decade of commitment shows how lived experience can drive meaningful change.
Meet Nic
"Young people affected by cancer face unique challenges, that demand more attention and support. A wide range of issues arise - from delays in diagnosis and difficulties accessing age-appropriate treatment to a lack of meaningful help for the significant emotional and social impacts cancer has during such a formative stage of life."