Today is World Cancer Day and also sees the release of new data about cancer research spending in the UK.

New figures from the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI), a UK-wide partnership of cancer research funders, show increased research funding following five years of growth.

In 2018/19 the NCRI’s membership, comprising both major cancer charities and government agencies, spent over £700 million on research into cancer. This follows five years of spending increases and the highest level of funding since NCRI started collecting data in 2002.

The amount spent on research into brain tumours increased to £15 million with spending also increasing on other cancers with low survival rates, including pancreatic, liver, stomach and lung (which is now second only to breast cancer in terms of research spend).

Started in 2000, World Cancer Day, which takes place every 4^th February is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control. World Cancer Day aims to raise worldwide awareness, improve education and catalyse personal, collective and government action, to avoid millions of preventable cancer deaths. 

Related reading:

• Brain tumour information
• Campaigning

If you found this story interesting or helpful, sign up to our weekly e-news and keep up to date with all the latest from Brain Tumour Research.