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Groundbreaking research has always been one of the key aims of York Against Cancer. We were co-founded by a university researcher in 1987, and have been supporting scientists at the University of York since our earliest days. In fact, our first project was funded in 1988, just a year after we began! Since then, we have funded more than £5million of research and medical innovations to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.


“Bladder cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in the UK, with over 23,000 people diagnosed each year and over 100,000 people living with it in the UK. It is one of the most expensive cancers for the NHS to treat, yet it receives less than 1% of dedicated UK cancer research funding.”

— Professor Jenny Southgate
Professor Jenny Southgate

This is why the work that we support at the JBU is so vital, as they seek to understand the “how” and “why” of bladder cancer and discover how to stop it before it starts.

The funding that York Against Cancer provides to the JBU also ensures high quality cancer research happens locally, and guarantees that a critical mass of expertise is active in our region to promote NHS collaborations and the training of the next generation of York scientists.



“We are ahead of the curve with this. Other units are interested in this up and down the country. It could lead to us diagnosing cancers urgently and with much more efficiency.”

— Dr James Turvill

Surgical Robot

In 2022, York Against Cancer made a £680,000 donation to fund a brand new robotic surgical system at York Hospital, entitled the da Vinic Surgical System. This innovative technology allows for less invasive procedures then open surgery, and grants more precision in difficult to access areas than traditional key-hole surgery, leading to fewer complications.

The surgical robot is designed to translate the surgeon’s hand movements at the console in real time, moving like a human hand but with a greater range of motion and precision. Combined with a significantly magnified view, it will make difficult operations much easier and allow for an earlier return to function for the patient.

“We’re already seeing the advantages. Patients are more able to return to activity with less post-operative pain.”

— Consultant Urologist, Dr Ben Blake-James
Consultant Urologist, Dr James Turvill

If you would like to find out more about our groundbreaking research and medical innovations, call us on 01904 764466 or email office@yorkagainstcancer.org.uk.