Please note the NCRI ceased to operate in July 2023. The following is for information purposes only.
Running from 2005 to 2022, the NCRI organised an annual conference that convened researchers, clinicians, patients, and industry representatives to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration on diverse topics pertaining to cancer research.
The conference attracted participants from across the UK and around the world, numbering in the thousands. The event featured a comprehensive array of sessions, workshops, posters, and exhibitions, encompassing the latest developments and innovations in cancer research. Moreover, it provided opportunities for networking, mentoring, and career development for attendees.
These conferences welcomed anyone with an interest in cancer research and offered discounted rates for students and patients. Distinguished speakers, including Nobel laureates, globally recognised experts, and influential leaders in the field of cancer research, were regularly featured.
Themes and topics covered in past conferences included:
- Cancer prevention and early detection
- Cancer immunology and immunotherapy
- Cancer genomics and precision medicine
- Cancer biology and mechanisms
- Cancer treatment and clinical trials
- Cancer survivorship and palliative care
- Cancer health inequalities
- Cancer research policy and funding
- Cancer research innovation and technology
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCRI Annual Conferences in 2020 and 2021 were conducted virtually, utilising a combination of live and on-demand sessions. Additionally, the NCRI introduced a series of webinars and podcasts to maintain community connectivity and engagement throughout the year.
The NCRI Annual Conferences served as a pivotal platform for advancing cancer research both within the UK and globally. By facilitating the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences among diverse stakeholders in the cancer research community, these conferences showcased the impact and achievements of the NCRI and its partners, highlighting the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of cancer research.
Past Conferences
2021
Programme
Abstracts
2020
Programme
Press releases
- Artificial intelligence can help to improve prognosis and treatment for glioblastoma
- Study of COVID-19 levels in oncology staff suggests need for more extensive testing
Abstracts
2019
Programme
Press releases
- Deaths from liver cancer have tripled in past 20 years in England
- High levels of two hormones in the blood raise prostate cancer risk
- Simple blood test for early detection of breast cancer
- Researchers identify certain gut bacteria that may be involved in causing bowel cancer </a
- Pattern of hospital visits offers clue to spotting people at risk of myeloma
- AI blood test can spot signs of brain tumour to speed up diagnosis
- Cervical pre-cancer can be detected in self-collected urine or vaginal samples Results of study are a ‘game changer’ for screening
- Blood test can help GPs spot ovarian cancer in women with suspicious symptoms
- 2019 NCRI Excellence Awards Winner Announcement
Abstracts
2018
Programme
Press releases
- Doctors and nurses reluctant to recommend e-cigarettes to cancer patients despite public health guidelines
- Gut stem cells offer clues for preventing tumours in inherited bowel cancer
- Women who are ‘larks’ have a lower risk of developing breast cancer: analyses of genetic variants show the effect of sleep on breast cancer risk
- Gap in research means millions living with long-term consequences of cancer: work needed in ten key areas
- Patients with low risk thyroid cancer can receive lower doses of radiation treatment: new results from the HiLo trial
- Men with prostate cancer are willing to accept lower survival odds to avoid incontinence, impotence and repeat treatments
- Fluorescent marker can help guide surgeons to remove dangerous brain tumour cells more accurately
- Melanoma death rates are rising in men but static or falling in women
Abstracts
Previous years’ press releases
2017
- Big data analysis predicts risk of radiotherapy side effects
- Scientists exploit leaks in blood brain barrier to treat glioblastoma
- Test could diagnose oesophageal cancer 8 years earlier
- Low testosterone levels linked to reduced risk of prostate cancer
- More women than men diagnosed with bowel cancer as an emergency despite extra gp visits
2016
- Researchers find key to drug resistant bowel cancer
- Marker for aggressive prostate cancer doubles-up as a drug target
- Gold nanoparticles help deliver lethal one-two punch to cancer
- One in six women diagnosed with breast cancer have a symptom other than a lump
- Adult weight gain could increase cancer risk
- Gut microbes linked to immunotherapy response in melanoma patients
- Brain tumour characteristics could help predict survival in people over 70
- Understanding cancer worries could break down barriers to seeking help
- Tumour cells in blood samples could predict prostate cancer spread
2015
- Naturally high oestrogen levels may reduce women’s bowel cancer risk after menopause
- Public don’t realise screening can help prevent cancer
- Scotland’s youth missing out on trials of cancer treatment
- Different types of ovarian cancer have different causes
- Scientists discover how to better map brain tumours
- Quarter of Londoners diagnosed with cancer at A&E are dead within two months
- Around a fifth of unvaccinated ethnic school girls think they don’t need HPV jab
- British cancer scientist wins lifetime achievement award
- New funding for pathology is keeping cancer research at the cutting edge
- Women are unaware of alcohol and obesity breast cancer risks
- Heat-activated ‘grenade’ to target cancer
2014
- Scientists uncover potential drug to tackle ‘undruggable’ fault in third of cancers
- Trial results reveal first targeted treatment to boost survival for oesophageal cancer
- Gene switches could predict when breast cancers will spread to the brain
- Swallowing a sponge on a string could replace endoscopy as pre-cancer test
- Half of smokers using liverpool stop smoking services used e-cigs
- Patients with emergency-diagnosed lung cancer report barriers to seeing gp
- Sea sponge drug could boost advanced breast cancer survival by five extra months
- Keeping active in middle age may help cut breast cancer risk, study shows
- Invisible tattoos could improve body confidence after breast cancer radiotherapy
- Step towards blood test for many cancer types
- Ethnic minorities less aware of cancer symptoms
- Cancer cell fingerprints may speed up childhood cancer diagnosis
- Scientists trigger self-destruct switch in lung cancer cells
2013
- Deprivation Responsible For 450 Breasts Cancer Deaths Each Year
- Lower HPV Vaccination Rates Putting Girls From Ethnic Minorities At Risk Of Cancer
- Redirecting Our Immune Cells To Help Fight Children’s Cancer
- Blood Test Reveals Skin Cancer Spread
- New Computer Program To Help GPs Know When To Send Patients For Cancer Tests
- Funding For Cancer Research Increases By Over 60 Per Cent In 10 Years
- New Drug Extends Life In Women With Advanced Ovarian Cancer
- Prostate Cancer Test Can Spot The Difference Between Aggressive And Slow-growing Tumours
- Round The Clock A&E Cancer Doctors Revolutionise Treatment For Patients
- Routine Smear Tests In Women Under 25 Would Cause More Harm Than Good
2012
- Lung Cancer UK Price Tag Eclipses The Cost Of Any Other Cancer
- Smokers Leave A History Of Their Addiction In DNA
- Three-in-one Supermolecule Could Detect Cancer Early, Help Destroy Tumours And Monitor Treatment
- Personalised Prostate Cancer Screening May Save Thousands From Unnecessary Treatment
- First Figures Help Set The Standard For Gynaecological Cancer Surgery
- Bowel Screening Helps To Detect Early Cancers Before They Have The Power To Kill
- HPV Test For Oral Cancers May Improve Patient Outcomes And Treatments