Our research is making an impact

Research funded by the Canadian Cancer Society is making a difference. In 2018 we invested $38.9 million in research. This has allowed our researchers to influence scientific knowledge, program delivery, government policy and clinical practice. The discoveries our researchers make will help us prevent cancer, raise survival rates and enhance quality of life.

Impact Brochure

Our annual Research Impact brochure showcases the remarkable work made possible by your donations. With infographics, images and stories detailing results from CCS-funded research, this report sheds light on the power of research to deepen our knowledge about cancer and transform patient care.

Download the brochure

• Previous research impact reports

  CCS Research Impact Brochure 2017

  CCS Research Impact Report 2016 (download report)

  CCS Research Impact Report 2015 (download report)

  CCS Research Impact Report 2014 (download report)

  CCS Research Impact Report 2013 (download report)

  CCS Research Impact Report 2012

Cancer research highlights

These stories highlight some of our highest impact research of the year. They demonstrate the breadth of our research across the cancer spectrum and its reach all across Canada. We thank our donors for making these important discoveries possible.

Dr Darren Brenner

The impact of lifestyle and the environment on cancer

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Dr Mick Bhatia

Boosting fat cells to improve leukemia treatment

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Dr Maru Barrera

Fostering friendship for childhood cancer survivors

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Dr David Huntsman and Dr Sohrab Shah

Comparing genomes between ovarian cancer subtypes

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Dr Roger Zemp

Improving cancer detection with ultrasound and tiny droplets

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Dr Josie Ursini-Siegel

The tug of war between breast cancer and the immune system

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Dr Michael Taylor

Same brain tumour, different genetic profiles

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Dr Alison Allan

How bones help breast cancers spread

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Dr Paul Demers and Dr Emile Tompa

The cost of asbestos-related cancers

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Dr Robert Day

Targeting an “evil twin” enzyme in prostate cancer

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• Previous top research stories

  2016:

  • Canadian Cancer Trials Group
    Improving glioblastoma survival in the elderly
  • Dr Michael Chaiton
    Understanding how many tries it takes to quit smoking
  • Dr David Malkin
    Boosting patient survival with screening
  • Dr Michael Taylor
    Changing genetics in childhood brain cancer
  • Dr Trang Hoang
    Targeting resistant cells in childhood leukemia
  • Dr Jean Marshall
    A promising new strategy to block breast cancer
  • Canadian Cancer Trials Group
    Extending hormone therapy to keep breast cancer at bay
  • Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control
    A new standard in leukemia testing
  • Dr Réjean Lapointe
    A gel to improve immunotherapy
  • Dr Camilla Zimmermann
    A need to change the stigma of palliative care

  2015:

  • Dr Shana Kelley
    An ultrasensitive blood test for cancer
  • Dr Edward Chow
    A new standard for managing cancer pain
  • Dr David Hammond
    E-cigarettes in Canada
  • Dr Guy Sauvageau
    Progress in leukemias
  • Dr Senthil Muthuswamy
    Pancreatic tumours in a dish
  • Dr David Huntsman
    Genetic risk of aggressive stomach cancer
  • Dr John Dick
    A new understanding of blood cells
  • Dr Lisa Barbera
    Canadian benchmarks for quality of end-of-life care in cancer
  • Dr Daniel De Carvalho
    Tricking cancer stem cells to stop growing
  • Dr Robert Day
    A new treatment strategy for prostate cancer

  2014:

  • Dr Alberto Martin
    Carbs, gut microbes fuel colorectal cancer
  • Drs Samuel Aparicio and Sohrab Shah
    Mapping the evolution of cancer cells
  • Dr John Dick
    Gene mutation could be the trigger for leukemia
  • Dr Robert Bristow
    Genetic test to predict prostate cancer relapse
  • Dr Rayjean Hung
    Gene mutations linked to lung cancer risk
  • Dr Donald Mabbott
    Long-term effects of treatment for childhood brain cancer
  • Dr Michael Chaiton
    Banning patio smoking helps smokers to quit
  • Dr Mick Bhatia
    Not all stem cells are created equal
  • Dr Stuart Peacock
    The costs and benefits of lung cancer screening
  • Dr Claude Perreault
    Making immunotherapies work for more people

  2013:

  • Drs John Bell and Jean-Simon Diallo
  • Killing cancer cells with designer viruses
  • Dr Sheila Singh
    Brain cancer detectives
  • Dr John Lewis
    Tracking prostate cancer
  • Propel Centre for Population Health Impact
    Candy-flavoured tobacco study influences government policy
  • Dr Harvey Max Chochinov
    Simple question helps restore patient dignity
  • Dr Eugene Wong
    The right dose for liver cancer
  • Dr Jérôme Lavoué
    Preventing workplace cancer
  • Dr Shawn Li
    Targeting hard-to-treat breast cancer
  • Dr Jean-François Côté
    Stopping the spread of cancer
  • Dr David Perrin
    A sharper image
  • Dr Rebecca Auer
    Boosting the immune system to stop the spread of cancer
  • Dr Camilla Zimmermann
    Caring for our caregivers
  • Dr Carolyn Gotay
    Mapping the obesity problem
  • Dr Lorenzo Ferri
    When your own blood cells turn against you

  2012:

  • Dr Sam Aparicio
    
  • Decoding a deadly form of breast cancer will lead to more personalized treatments
  • Dr Michael Taylor
    MAGIC team finds new ways to treat malignant childhood brain cancer
  • NCIC Clinical Trials Group
    Improving survival for patients with rare form of pancreatic cancer
  • NCIC Clinical Trials Group
    Trial finds Hodgkin lymphoma patients live longer with chemotherapy alone
  • Dr Camilla Zimmermann
    Barriers delay referral to palliative care
  • Dr Imed Gallouzi
    Natural sea sponge product prevents cancer-induced muscle wasting
  • Dr Mick Bhatia
    Study shows drug destroys human cancer stem cells but spares healthy ones
  • Dr Torsten Nielsen
    Developing smarter treatments for rare young adult cancer
  • Dr John White
    Vitamin D controls proteins to stop cancer development and growth
  • Dr Aaron Schimmer
    Drug shows promise in fighting acute myeloid leukemia

  2011:

  • NCIC Clinical Trials Group
    Landmark trial finds exemestane significantly reduces risk of breast cancer 
  • Dr David Malkin
    New surveillance protocol improves survival for individuals at high risk for cancer 
  • Dr John Dick
    Discovery of human blood stem cell could end search for bone marrow
  • NCIC Clinical Trials Group
    Practice-changing trial shows additional radiation decreases cancer recurrence
  • Dr Sherif Abou Elela
    New insight into genetics of ovarian cancer development 
  • NCIC Clinical Trials Group
    Drug “holiday” will change standard of care for men with recurring prostate cancer
  • Dr Haishan Zeng
    New imaging method could more accurately detect lung cancer 
  • Dr Gang Zheng
    Researcher develops tumour-killing nanoparticles
  • Propel Centre for Population Health Impact
    Survey finds more young men using smokeless tobacco 
  • Dr Ali Ahmad
    Findings may provide new treatment option for childhood leukemia

  2010:

  • Dr Timothy Whelan
    Shorter course of radiation effective for some breast cancer patients
  • Dr Mick Bhatia
    Scientists convert skin into blood cells, heralding potential new stem cell source
  • Dr Michael Taylor
    Researchers discover new types of childhood brain cancer
  • NCIC Clinical Trials Group
    Combined therapy best treatment for aggressive prostate cancer
  • Dr Benjamin Blencowe
    Cracking the hidden genetic code
  • Dr Ming Sound Tsao
    Study zeroes in on those who can benefit most from lung cancer treatment
  • Dr Peter Forsyth
    Common virus may yield new treatment for prostate cancer
  • Dr David Malkin
    Changing the standard of care for rare childhood brain cancer
  • Mary McBride
    Childhood cancer survivors have higher odds of hospitalization
  • Canadian Cancer Society study
    Breast cancer incidence drop linked to decline in use of HRT