What we do

Behind every cancer diagnosis is someone hoping for more time, better treatments, or a chance of recovery.

At the University of Dundee, we are determined to turn those hopes into reality. Through Ninewells Cancer Campaign, we bring people together to raise vital funds for our cancer research.

Our researchers work across our Faculties of Health and Life Sciences. Some study how cancer begins inside the cell. Others test new treatments with patients at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School. All of them are working to change what a cancer diagnosis could mean for patients and their families.

Our work is already making a difference. In December 2024, a patient at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School became the first person in Europe to receive a new treatment designed specifically for her tumour. She is now cancer free. Our researchers led the clinical trial, working with NHS Tayside. What began here in Dundee could change lives around the world.

Our research includes:

• More personalised cancer treatments: Every person and every cancer is different. We are exploring how the genetic makeup of a person’s cancer could help doctors choose treatments that are more likely to work.
• Finding cancer earlier: Cancer is most treatable when caught early. We are developing new tools and imaging techniques to spot it sooner.
• Using data to make new discoveries: By studying health information and using tools like artificial intelligence, we are learning more about who is at risk of cancer, how it develops, and why some treatments work better than others.

Whether it’s funding new research projects, recruiting leading scientists, or supporting postgraduate researchers, your generosity helps make this work possible.