Can We Cure Cancer? – A Question of Science with Brian Cox

Professor Brian Cox and our expert panel are discussing the future of cancer research and treatment. With nearly 1 in 2 of us in the UK now expected to receive a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime, pursuing a cure is more important than ever. Our panel brings expertise from the lab, the clinic and their own experiences to answer audience questions about lifestyle and genetic risks, treatment side effects, and what they see as the biggest areas for hope. Panellists • Gerard Evan – Principal Group Leader, Francis Crick Institute and King’s College London • Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke – Deputy Director, Barts Cancer Institute at Queen Mary University of London • Lauren Mahon – Cancer survivor and former host of You, Me and the Big C • Charles Swanton – Oncologist, University College London NHS Foundation Trust, Chief Clinician, Cancer Research UK and Principal Group Leader, Francis Crick Institute and UCL In this episode 0:00 What's this episode about? 2:27 Why is cancer common and rare? 3:30 Is cancer one disease? 7:30 Why don’t we get cancer all the time? 8:42 What are the next big developments? 12:55 Are there any cancers we won’t cure? 17:45 Will there be a painless cure for cancer? 23:25 Do genetics or lifestyle matter more? 27:24 Are clinical study participants getting more diverse? 29:25 Are cancer rates increasing? 34:50 Should we focus on cure or prevention? 39:21 What can the public do? 44:00 Can we spot cancer in a blood test? 44:40 Will there be a cure? A Question of Science A Question of Science is a groundbreaking series of panel discussions where experts from different fields respond to your questions, sharing the scientific perspective on society’s most pressing questions. A Question of Science is BBC Studios Production for the Francis Crick Institute. The Francis Crick Institute The Francis Crick Institute is one of the biggest research institutes in Europe. We’re an independent lab and registered charity, and home to more than 1,500 scientists working to understand health, disease and how life works. © BBC Studios / Francis Crick Institute 2025