Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive at Cancer Research UK (CRUK), shared a post on LinkedIn:
“At the end of my trip to Sydney and Melbourne, meeting researchers and leaders shaping cancer care, I’ve been reflecting on what this means for our shared future. These conversations reminded me why collaboration matters – and why our work at Cancer Research UK (CRUK) resonates far beyond the UK.
On my flight out, I met a British Sri Lankan woman who told me Cancer Research UK was the first charity she supported 20 years ago. The conversation reinforced to me that our impact is measured not only in breakthroughs but in the trust and hope we inspire. It’s the quality of our science, the lives we improve and save, and the power of giving something back.
The main reason for my trip was to attend the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) World Cancer Leaders’ Summit – a unique opportunity to engage with the global cancer control community and help shape the future of cancer care.
This year’s theme, “Bridging divides, building the future” brought together over 2,000 participants from more than 120 countries – researchers, clinicians, policymakers, advocates, and industry leaders – focused on collaboration, partnership and sharing best practice.
The atmosphere was one of optimism and urgency. We are in a golden age of cancer research with unprecedented opportunities to accelerate translation. But there is also a clear need to act faster for those with the poorest outcomes.
Showcasing Cancer Research UK’s global impact
I was proud to share how the UK continues to lead and learn on a global stage. Highlights included:
Tobacco control legacy: Cancer Research UK helped prove the link between tobacco and cancer – a breakthrough that has prevented millions of deaths worldwide. Today we continue that fight through advocacy for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which we expect to become law soon. I was very pleased to share our progress on this Bill and I urged other countries to follow suit, in the face of resistance from big tobacco.
International partnerships: Our global work in cancer care spans from joint tobacco control programmes in East Africa with UICC, to our leadership of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP), which is currently in its third phase and exploring survival benchmarks, models of care, workforce, and treatment pathways. These collaborations have shaped national cancer strategies and improved outcomes.
Learning through others
My previous conversations with Jesper Finker from the Danish Cancer Society made it clear how much we can learn from how other countries are approaching challenges in cancer research and care. And my visits to world-class centres in Australia over the past few weeks reinforced this.
At the The Daffodil Centre in Sydney – a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney – I was impressed with their influence in lung cancer screening programmes, research on personalised breast cancer screening and the demonstrated effectiveness of self-collection for cervical screening. Their growing emphasis on global collaboration is welcome.
At Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, one of the world’s leading institutes for cancer research, education and treatment, I saw pioneering work in personalised cancer care, advanced clinical trials and a strong focus on patient wellbeing – including mental health, carers and young people. Thank you to colleagues and partners who generously shared their time and insights. Your commitment to improving cancer outcomes is inspiring.
Key takeaways
So what inspired me most?
- The excellence and innovation I witnessed.
- The growing commitment to international partnerships and shared learning.
- The collective ambition to accelerate progress for people with cancer everywhere.
- Challenges remain – including funding pressures, workforce shortages, and unequal cancer outcomes – but the determination I saw gives me confidence we can overcome them.
As I head home, my next stop isn’t a meeting room – it’s the side lines of a school football game. After days of intense discussions about global cancer control, there’s something grounding about watching a group of young people play, full of energy and possibility. It reminds me why this work matters: every breakthrough, every partnership, every policy change is about giving more people the chance to live full, healthy lives. That’s the future we’re building together – and it’s worth every effort. Sleep might have to wait!”
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