Current involvement opportunities

Working with you gives us invaluable insights that can help us develop our work. Whether you've got lots of time to spare or only a little, we hope you'll find an activity that interests you. Below is the list of current involvement opportunities you can take part in to help shape work throughout the charity as well as wider involvement opportunities for other organisations.

We regularly update this page, so please come again to visit soon.

Eligibility

Anyone who has a personal experience of cancer (either personally or through a loved one)
18+ years old
A UK resident

If you have questions about any of our opportunities, or feedback for us, you can contact us by emailing us at involvement@cancer.org.uk or call us on 0203 469 8777. We're always happy to answer questions and receive feedback, so please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Join the Involvement Network

Organised by Cancer Research UK

Help shape the National Cancer Plan

The UK Government has committed to the development of a National Cancer Plan for England.  As part of the plan’s development, the government has launched a call for evidence and is inviting you, the public, to share your experiences and views on cancer research, care, and prevention, to help shape and inform the plan. 

We want to make sure that the experiences of people affected by cancer shape the National Cancer Plan, so we’ve put together some guidance to help you participate in the government’s survey.  

Survey | Closing date: 29 April

Find out more

Join our panel and help our work on children’s and young people’s cancers

If you are a parent, a loved one or have been diagnosed with cancer at a young age, you can join a group of like-minded people affected by children’s and young people’s cancers. As part of the panel, you can provide your views and experiences through this online group to help shape the direction of our work and ensure it represents the needs of all children and young people affected by cancer. No professional experience or scientific knowledge is required, just a willingness to share your personal experiences.

Involvement activity: Panel member | Closing date: Applications reviewed 3 times per year

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Organised by other organisations and charities

Cancer Research UK has not organised the following opportunities. External charities and organisations separate from Cancer Research UK run them. You'll work directly with that organisation when taking part.

If you wish to share positive or negative feedback about your experience participating in these opportunities, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at involvement@cancer.org.uk.

Help Improve Support for People Affected by Breast Cancer

Researchers from The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR-CTSU) and the Cancer Research UK Convergence Science Centre are running online focus groups to understand how the NHS and UK government can better support people with breast cancer and their families. The two online focus groups are 1.5 to 2 hours long and open to people who have had breast cancer, family members, or friends who have cared for someone with breast cancer. You'll also be asked to complete two voluntary short surveys (5-10 minutes) after each focus group session.

Focus group | Closing date: 15 April

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Patients’ experiences during treatment with Immunotherapy

The Royal Marsden would like to hear from people affected by cancer with experience of immunotherapy treatment, and if you developed any side effects. They will use this information to help improve patient care and follow-up.

Share your story via email or online | Closing date: 30 April

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Patient Engagement Day 2025 - Celebrating patient involvement and engagement in clinical research

Cancer Research UK & UCL CTC are jointly organising a Patient Engagement Day on 17 June 2025. This is being organised in collaboration with their patient and public representatives. This day will include talks, workshops and interactive activities.

Event | Date of event: 17 June

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Value of research in improving outcomes for less survivable cancers

The Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce has put together a joint survey to gather insights into how people affected by these cancers perceive the role and value of research in improving outcomes and if they have faced barriers in accessing research opportunities such as clinical trials or research studies.

Survey | Closing date: 15 April

Begin survey

Help deliver a clinical trial for gynaecological cancers

Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) are looking for people who have lived experience of gynaecological cancers to help guide their ongoing cancer research trial, ‘ATARI’.

Patient advocate | Closing date: 14 April

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Experience of people affected by sarcoma across the UK

Sarcoma UK invites you to take part in our 2025 National Sarcoma Survey. The survey will collect information about the experience of people affected by sarcoma across the UK, including adults, children and carers.

Survey | Closing date: 31 March

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Including all voices in our work

Within the Patient Involvement Network at Cancer Research UK, we value diversity, and we're committed to creating an inclusive space where everyone can be themselves and help shape our work. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and cultures and believe that a range of views and experiences will help us represent all people affected by cancer.

Learn about our work in this area