To beat cancer, we must draw on knowledge from the past...
1851:
Dr William Marsden opens the world's first hospital dedicated to the
fight against cancer - now known as The Royal Marsden, NHS Trust - in
Chelsea, London.
1909:
The Institute of Cancer Research is established, and begins its commitment
to the fight against cancer.
1910:
A specialist department, set up by Dr Robert Knox, starts pioneering
research into radiotherapy.
1920s:
Scientists at The Institute find out information which leads them to
identify the carcinogen in coal tar.
1930s:
The work of Ernest Kennaway suggests a link between lung cancer and
smoking.
1940s:
Alexander Haddow starts work which leads to the synthesis of three anti-cancer
drugs still in use today.
1960s:
Research begins that results in the discovery of the links between cancer
and altered genes.
1980s:
Our scientists continue to discover and develop anti-cancer drugs, including
carboplatin and tomudex.
1991:
Presentation of the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement, for
work on carboplatin.
1995:
The BRCA2 gene is isolated - a critical discovery in the prevention
and treatment of breast cancer.
1997:
Launch of the
Everyman campaign, to bring the
long-neglected problem of male cancers into the open and to raise funds
to build the UK's first dedicated centre of research excellence, at
our Sutton laboratories.
1999:
Completion of the UK's first dedicated breast cancer research centre.
2000:
The Institute leads the Cancer Genome Project, which is set to revolutionize
the search for cancer genes.
Completion of the UK's first male cancer research centre.
Location of the first gene for testicular cancer by Mike Stratton as
a result of a sustained international collaboration led by The Institute,
Imperial Cancer Research Fund and The Cancer Research Campaign.
2003:
HRH The Princess Royal officially opened the Brookes Lawley Building
on the Sutton site. This new building will integrate Institute research
groups working on all aspects of the genetic basis of cancer.
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