About Cancer Campaigns

Influencing public policy is one of the charity's core aims and our work ensures that the charity's research, early detection initiatives and other vital work can be carried out effectively, by helping to create a supportive political environment.

We receive no government funding for our research, so we’re able to make sure that our supporters’ voices are heard on the issues that matter.

We campaign on the issues that affect our scientists, supporters and cancer patients, such as access to cancer drugs, screening and reducing the use of tobacco and sunbeds. By influencing national and international politics, we can improve cancer treatment and care, make it easier to carry out world-class research, save us money and improve public awareness of cancer and its symptoms.

Political decisions can save lives, and our campaigners and Cancer Campaigns Ambassadors have been instrumental in a number of important policy changes, such as the smokefree legislation, which saves up to 600 lives a year. More recently over 4,500 people emailed their general election candidates and as a result secured commitments from 261 MPs to 'Commit to Beat Cancer'. This commitment will be vitally important in the coming years. Our Ambassadors work locally meeting their MPs about a range of cancer issues from tobacco control to early diagnosis and make sure that this commitment to beating cancer is upheld.

Through the work of our Ambassadors at our lobby last November, we’ve also helped to secure a £25 million investment in diagnostic testing for cancer and a commitment to collect data on the stage at which cancer is diagnoses to promote best practice across the country.

Your actions do make a difference, whether signing a petition, emailing your MP (or for supporters in the devolved nations, AM/MSP or MLA) or getting more involved locally as a Ambassador. We rely on your time and support to bring about these life-saving changes so thank you all so much for your time and hard work.

The subjects of our campaigns varies over time and take into consideration factors such as the political situation, new research findings and intelligence form the research and public health communities; we make sure that we campaign on those issues where we can have the biggest impact on beating cancer. To align closely with our goals as a charity, our campaigns are focused on the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and support for medical research. As a research based organisation we have a great deal of expertise in these areas so are often well placed to run these campaigns.

Whether you’ve got just one minute or whether you want to make a bigger commitment, your support can make a real difference.

Just a few minutes? Visit the ‘Our campaigns page’ to see what quick actions you can take. By joining others and helping to show widespread support for a campaign, you can really help to drive political change to beat cancer.

Want to do more? If you are interested in getting more involved in our work, why not consider becoming a Cancer Campaigns Ambassador and being the local voice of our campaigns?

The Cancer Campaigns team is Lizzy and Claire, Campaigning Officers and Sophie Jones, Campaigning Manager. If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please do get in touch at campaigning@cancer.org.uk or 07795 334929.

All of our campaigns work complements our lobbying activities with politicians and policymakers across the UK.

Cancer Research UK is the largest single funder of cancer research in the UK and we receive no government funding for our research. Our unique position allows us to inform political debate and provide expert advice on the issues that matter to cancer scientists, doctors, nurses and the thousands of people in the UK living with cancer.

Our Public Affairs team work in Westminster, the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the EU to ensure cancer stays at the top of the political agenda. Cancer Research UK-funded scientists represent us on influential committees and working groups, both governmental and non-governmental. We also work closely with the government on public health initiatives.

For more information on the charity’s work in Westminster, the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly or the EU, please visit our public affairs pages.

If you want to get in touch please email us at campaigning@cancer.org.uk, call 07795 334929 or send us a letter to Freepost RSTC-BCBX-ZBSU, Cancer Campaigns, Cancer Research UK, Angel Building, 407 St John Street, London, EC1V 4AD

Please visit our main website to find out more or to make a donation.