Annual report and accounts 2024–2025
Discover the impact we made in 2024–25 – from funding pioneering cancer prevention research and influencing policy to providing trusted health information and support, all made possible by our supporters and partners.
Cancer prevention has never been more important. Around 40% of cancer cases could be prevented, yet prevention research remains significantly underfunded.
At World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), we focus on understanding how diet, body weight and physical activity affect the risk of developing and surviving cancer. We fund research, turn the evidence into practical information and guidance, and use it to influence changes that can help everyone live healthier lives.
Our Annual report and accounts 2024–25 looks back at the progress we made during the year – from advancing research and reaching more people with trusted information to influencing policy and building stronger partnerships.
Our year in numbers
Advancing cancer prevention research
We funded new research into some of the most important questions in cancer prevention and survival, including diet, body composition, physical activity and treatment. We also supported three early-career researchers through our INSPIRE Research Challenge and launched CANDO, a major programme investigating how nutrition, lifestyle and body composition could help improve breast cancer treatment and quality of life.
Why it matters
This contributes to societal understanding and impacts policy and future research. It also ensures our own guidance and public messaging is based on scientific evidence.
Reaching more people with trusted information
Our relaunched website reached 1.37 million unique visitors, while demand for our free health information continued to grow. We also worked directly with health professionals, delivering evidence-based training and resources to help them have informed conversations about cancer prevention and healthy living.
Why it matters
Our information, training and support reaches the general public, including people living with and beyond cancer, and the health professionals who support them to prevent cancer and save more lives.
Influencing change
Cancer Prevention Action Week (CPAW) 2025 focused on the link between alcohol and cancer.
We led a coalition of more than 25 organisations, helped secure a parliamentary debate and built public support for stronger alcohol labelling. The UK Government also reiterated its commitment to mandatory health warning labels on alcohol.
Why it matters
This year the power of prevention climbed higher up the agenda of policymakers. Through campaigns, media and digital channels, we helped trusted advice cut through the noise and
reach people with practical, evidence-based information they can act on.
Made possible by our supporters
Almost £12 million was raised during the year to support our research, information and education work. Every donation, partnership and fundraising challenge helps us strengthen the evidence on cancer prevention and put it into the hands of people who can use it.
Why it matters
In a challenging fundraising environment, supporter loyalty and strong partnerships make progress possible. Your support powers the research, information and influence than run through every chapter of our annual report.
Looking ahead
As cancer rates continue to rise, the need for prevention has never been greater.
Over the coming years, we will continue to fund groundbreaking research, strengthen support for people affected by cancer, challenge misinformation, and work with policymakers to create environments that make healthier choices easier for everyone.
Together, we can prevent more cancers and save more lives.
Read the full report
Find out more about our research, campaigns, health information, supporters, finances and governance in our full Annual report and accounts 2024–25. (PDF, 6 MB)
More Annual Reports and Accounts
For previous years’ Annual Report and Accounts please visit the Charity Commission website
Preventing cancer. Saving lives
While society continues to search for a cure, our prevention and survival work helps people to live longer, healthier lives – free from the devastating effects of cancer.