• Learn about cancer
• Cancers at a glance
• Research highlights
• About cancer research
  • What is 'research'?
  • The scientific method
  • Different areas of research
    • Basic research
    • Translational research
    • Clinical research
    • Behavioural and population research
    • Psychosocial research
• Understanding 'risk'
• Our history and achievements

Different areas of research

The term ‘cancer research’ covers a wide range of activities. But, in general, there are five main areas of research. They are:

• Basic research
• Translational research
• Clinical research
• Behavioural and population research
• Psychosocial research

Cancer Research UK funds over 3,000 scientists, doctors and nurses throughout the UK who work in these different areas.

Discoveries made in one area of research can help researchers working in other fields. Click on the links above to find out more about these different types of research.