Interview with Claire Rowney, Director of Cancer Research

1 October 2014

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Director of Cancer Research UK’s Stand Up To Cancer campaign, Claire Rowney explains how the Channel 4 special night of programming can make a big difference.

 

Why is the Stand Up To Cancer campaign so important?

It is exciting times for us. This campaign, started in 2012, is the first time we have had a televised fundraising appeal for cancer. We know more than one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lives. You can’t walk down the street without meeting somebody who has been touched by cancer in some way. All the money raised will fund translational research, which means we will get results really fast. The money raised will be saving lives. It is about finding new treatments more quickly.

 

Is research very expensive?

There is no such thing as an average cost for a research project. Sometimes they can be expensive but they are worth every single penny. We are really ambitious with Stand Up To Cancer. With the money raised in 2012, we are funding the most sophisticated bowel cancer trial that there has ever been in the world. We are trying to crack big problems. We are focusing on where the need is great.

 

How will this year’s money be spent?

In the UK Stand Up To Cancer funds are administrated by Cancer Research UK. 100% of the money raised will go to ground-breaking translational research. This will focus on speeding breakthrough to patients faster. Researchers send us proposals for the research they want to carry out. We then use an expert panel to rigorously examine the projects to make sure we pick only the best research. In this way we can be sure we are putting the funds to the best use.

 

Your big aim is to increase survival rates in the next 20 years isn’t it?

Yes. The cornerstone of CRUK’s strategy is to increase rates to three people in every four surviving in the next 20 years. We want to focus on cancer prevention too. We know that more than four in ten cancer cases could be prevented by lifestyle changes. Stand Up To Cancer is funding that kind of work. Not smoking is a change that can really help reduce the risk. Also keeping in shape, eating a healthy diet, keeping active - all those sort of things are important too.

 

Do you agree cancer is still feared by many in this country?

Yes. Cancer is the most feared disease in the UK. I think people are worried about it. They don’t understand it. Cancer is a big problem. There are over 200 types of cancers and they attack the human body in different ways. They often behave very differently and so it’s a really big thing we are trying to crack. But we have got to the point where we are on the cusp of new cures. If you look at testicular cancer, a generation ago, the survival was much lower. Now more than 95 per cent survive it – that is amazing. There are some really positive stories. I was born in the 70s and only 1 in 4 children survived cancer. Now 3 in 4 children survive cancer.

 

Have you been affected by cancer?

I have worked for Cancer Research UK for ten years and I have met an awful lot of people going through cancer themselves. Personally I have lost friends to cancer as well. But the nice thing is you do hear lovely stories about people who have had treatment for cancer and they have come out the other end. Half a million lives have been saved in 30 years thanks to cancer research. When I came into this job ten years ago, I never thought I would still be here ten years on. But I feel so very lucky to be helping contribute to finding cures for cancer.

 

What would it mean to you if 2012’s target of £8 million were smashed?

If more money were raised than last time, this would be so amazing. We are standing together against cancer. It is about having fun. Looking at the way the show is shaping up, there is going to be room for a lot of humour! It will be a very entertaining show!

 

Stand Up to Cancer is on Channel 4 on Friday 17th October.