Press and media

The number of people under 50 with cancer is increasing in many countries and for many different tumour types. Why this is occurring isn't entirely clear, but it may be due to some aspects of modern life.

Scientists have pinpointed pieces of DNA which act like Bond villains in the way they help cancers spread. They have also been shown to help tumours gain resistance to anti-cancer drugs.

Using virtual reality, the team at Cambridge University's IMAXT Laboratory are offering scientists the chance to "step inside" tumours.

A revolutionary VR map is changing how we look at tumours. Professor and director at Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute Greg Hannon, has incorporated 3D imaging and VR technology to allow us to "step inside" a tumour.

Scientists are exploring novel strategies to treat childhood cancers. These include manipulating immune system cells, proteins and other molecules to design targeted therapies they believe will be more precise and less toxic than conventional chemotherapy.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, announced on Thursday that four international research teams had been selected to receive a total of $100m as part of the Cancer Grand Challenges program. Each team will receive $25 million over five years as it tackles one of cancer’s biggest challenges.

Cancer Research UK will eventually spend £295m with National Cancer Institute on projects to understand and prevent tumour growth.

Scientists will have to rethink how environmental triggers allow tumours to form and develop.