Cancer research is the study of cancer, from its basic biology to the effects of treatment. Researchers who study cancer collect and analyse information about every aspect of the disease. This includes:

• What causes cancer
• How cancers form
• The different ways to treat cancer
• How cancer can be prevented

The final goal of cancer research is to produce effective treatment and prevention for the many different types of cancers around today.

The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) bundles all research-related EU initiatives together under a common roof and is the EU's main instrument for funding research in Europe and it will run from 2007-2013. The objective of health research under FP7 is to improve the health of European citizens and boost the competitiveness of health-related industries and businesses, as well as address global health issues.

Citizens will benefit from European health research since its emphasis will be put on: translational research (i.e. the translation of basic discoveries in clinical applications), the development and validation of new therapies, methods for health promotion and prevention including the promotion of healthy ageing, diagnostic tools and medical technologies, and sustainable and efficient healthcare systems.

Clinical research will tackle a number of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, infectious, mental and neurological diseases, and in particular those linked with ageing, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Through international multi-centre trials involving the required number of patients, new drugs and treatments would be developed in a shorter time frame.