CAMBRIDGE CANCER RESEARCH HOSPITAL NEWSLETTER: APRIL 2026

Along with the usual daffodils and tulips, this spring brings with it the feeling that Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is starting to feel real. Tangible. Milestones are being hit, the necessary endorsements secured, and the Full (very detailed) Business Case will be submitted at the end of the year.

We know that the building will be going up; there will be a thing of concrete and brick. But with it also comes the sense that we have lots and lots to do in order to ensure that the experience patients have inside that building won’t be limited to being diagnosed and treated in shiny new, fit for purpose, accommodation. That would be lovely in itself, but that isn't the only thing this project is about.

Now comes the – in many ways more difficult – work of changing the experience of cancer patients. We want to diagnose earlier, and treat more precisely. We want researchers, patients and clinicians to work together, to shift new developments more quickly into practice. So we have to work out what that looks like, and what we have to do to get there. And when? And how?

This ‘transformation’ work is difficult stuff, but is underway with clinicians, researchers, many other staff from across our partner organisations, as well as patients of course, working hard to identify what we have to do to get from where we are now to where we want to be.

In the meantime, we applaud the Cambridge Half Marathon runners, who have raised over £110,000 for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital during the recent race, and we’re looking forward to taking part in the annual Cambridge Dragonboat Festival. This is a great day at Fen Ditton, and I can vouch for it being both strenuous (albeit briefly) and a good craic. Come!

The Patient Advisory Group (including patients, families and carers) continues to play a vital role in shaping the project, and is deeply involved in various aspects of transformation, from patient pathways to the commissioning of new artwork. If you're interested in getting involved, please email: cuh.ccrh@nhs.net.

With thanks for your continued support.

Fiona Carey,
Co-Chair, Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital Patient Advisory Group

TOP STORIES

New self-referral breast cancer service

Patients from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with worrying breast cancer symptoms can now be referred directly to specialist clinics in hospital, without needing to see a GP. This new service, accessible via NHS 111 online or the NHS App, is designed to accelerate the process of excluding or confirming a cancer diagnosis, while also alleviating pressure on primary care services.

The system builds upon ongoing efforts focused on service improvement and transformation, which are integral to our plans for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. As the breast clinic prepares to relocate to the new facility in the future, these enhancements will help ensure that patients receive streamlined access and innovative care.

Find out more

New podcast highlights Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital

Professor Fiona Gilbert (Academic Radiologist at CUH) and David Bateson (Member of the Patient Advisory Group) are featured in this podcast by Ipsos on advancing cancer care. They discuss the need for the new Cancer Hospital, collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry and why fundraising is so important.

Listen now

Cambridge Digital Health and Surgical Training Centre expands

A Cambridge-based centre for training future healthcare professionals has doubled in capacity to become one of the most technically advanced in the country.

The centre, run by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, opens up extraordinary new possibilities for training staff at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals, as well as staff who will be based at Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital when it opens.

The newly opened additional floor introduces an ecosystem for immersive tuition using Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence, enabling delegates to engage with almost any clinical environment.

Professor Grant Stewart leads national recommendations on kidney cancer care

Addenbrooke’s Consultant Urological Surgeon and Professor of Surgical Oncology at the University of Cambridge, Grant Stewart, has led the development of the first national guidelines on improving the diagnosis and management of kidney cancer.

The guidelines, published in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, provides the gold standard approach to the management of kidney cancer across all stages of the disease.

Find out more

RESEARCH NEWS

Rebecca Fitzgerald elected as Fellow of the AACR

Research Lead for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, has been elected as a 2026 Fellow of the American Association for Cancer Research.

She was awarded the honour for her role in developing the capsule sponge — a quick, simple, and inexpensive test to detect Barrett’s oesophagus and precancerous cells – an innovation that supports our ambition to detect cancer earlier.

Rebecca’s expertise is helping us realise the vision for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital — bringing together clinical and research expertise in a new, world-class facility.

Most detailed map to date of breast tissue changes reveals role of menopause in cancer susceptibility

Scientists have created the most detailed map to date, comprising over 3 million cells, showing how breast tissue changes as women age – including dramatic changes during menopause.

Their findings point to reasons why breast cancer risk increases with age and why tumours in younger women differ biologically.

Find out more

OUR PEOPLE

Trek China

In May, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) will be taking an amazing group of fundraisers to trek a remote section of the Great Wall of China, raising funds for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

If you would like to support the ACT staff participating, please visit their JustGiving page via the link below.

Support Trek China

Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival

Launch celebrations for this year’s Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival kicked off in style, with a full‑size Dragon Boat at the UK head office of sponsors Illumina, who are supporting the event for the third year running.

ACT is also delighted to welcome back for the third year the CCRH project team, and the Rosie Hospital. If you would like to show your support, please check out the CCRH Just Giving page. You can also set-up your own team through the Dragonboat Events website.

Find out more

Cambridge Half Marathon

ACT announced another phenomenal Cambridge Half Marathon fundraising total, raising over £110,000 for cancer services at Addenbrooke’s, and in particular the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.

A huge thank you to all supporters, corporate groups, staff, and volunteers. If you would like to join Team Addenbrooke’s in 2027 sign up here.

Cambridge Half Marathon: Sunita's Story

Fifty-one-year-old Sunita from Essex sums up the resilience of so many of the runners who took part in the Cambridge Half Marathon. After going into acute liver failure overnight, a liver transplant at Addenbrooke's saved her life, and then she was diagnosed with cancer.

“This, for me, is not just a half marathon. It’s a deeply personal way to honour a second chance at life, raise awareness of organ donation and support a future where cancer care improves the lives of many.”

Read Sunita's story

Reflections from Cambridge Festival

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Cambridge Festival to learn more about the progress of the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.

Cambridge Festival is a mixture of online and in-person events covering all aspects of the world-leading research happening in Cambridge.

It was great to inspire the next generation of scientists and to hear from a member of our Patient Advisory Group, Tai, who is using his lived experience of cancer care to improve and shape the plans for the future hospital.

GET INVOLVED

Patients and their families are involved in the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital programme in two groups; the Patient Network and the Patient Advisory Group (PAG). For more information on how to join, please visit our website or email the team.

Fundraising and philanthropy have already transformed global healthcare. Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is your chance to play a powerful part in saving and improving the lives of people with cancer for generations to come. If you would like to know more about how you can change the story of cancer, then please find out about donating and fundraising.