Frequently asked questions

It means two things. First, our goal: to cut the lifetime risk of developing cancer from around 1 in 2 people today to under 1 in 20 by 2050, through prevention, earlier detection and kinder treatment. Second, our approach: we believe information about cancer should be calm, clear and free of fear — never alarmist, never selling false hope.

Not through any single breakthrough. It comes from stacking gains: reducing known risk factors, catching more cancers at stage 1 when they are highly curable, and using tools like imaging biomarkers so treatment is targeted rather than blanket. Each step is modest on its own; together, over decades, they change the whole picture.

There are — and we work alongside them, not against them. Our niche is prevention and plain-English understanding: helping people lower their own risk and navigate a diagnosis with clarity. Much cancer funding goes to treatment research; comparatively little goes to helping the public act on what we already know.

For every £1 donated, roughly 82p goes directly to our charitable work — research grants, free public guidance and support programmes — with the remainder covering fundraising and the running costs that keep us accountable. Our full breakdown is published in our annual report.

If you’re a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid lets us reclaim 25p from HMRC for every £1 you give — at no extra cost to you. A £20 donation becomes £25 for our work. You just need to confirm you pay enough Income or Capital Gains Tax to cover what all the charities you support reclaim in a tax year.

Yes, any time. Regular gifts help us plan long-term research with confidence, but you stay in full control — you can pause, change the amount or cancel from your donor account or by emailing the team, with no questions asked.

Of course. If you donated in error or entered the wrong amount, contact us within 14 days and we’ll refund it in full. Your trust matters more to us than any single gift.

Every guide is written in plain English and medically reviewed by Dr Mohammad Muneeb Khan, our clinical lead, along with relevant specialists. We show the reviewer and the review date on each article so you can see exactly who stands behind the words.

We base guidance on peer-reviewed research, national guidelines (such as NICE and NHS guidance) and established cancer registries. Where evidence is uncertain or still emerging, we say so plainly rather than overstating what is known.

We can’t give personal medical advice or replace your clinical team — everyone’s situation is different. What we can do is help you understand the terms, questions and choices involved, so you can have a more confident conversation with your own doctors.

If you’re in crisis or need urgent help, please contact your GP, NHS 111, or the Samaritans on 116 123. For cancer-specific emotional support, Macmillan’s free line (0808 808 00 00) is excellent. We can also point you toward local support groups — just ask.

Plenty of ways: volunteer at an event, share our guides with someone who needs them, take on a fundraising challenge, or leave a gift in your will. Our Get Involved page lists current opportunities — every kind of help counts.