About Research at CANSA
Through collaborative research, CANSA Research aims to promote and support innovative, effective, and relevant approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, to address the high cancer burden in South Africa. Researchers include scientists, social scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, health professionals, and post-graduate students.
Please explore our website for information on Current news, Cancer projects, Recent publications, and Research funding opportunities.
Different Areas of Cancer Research
The term ‘Cancer Research’ covers a wide range of research activities. But, in general, there are five main areas of research. Read more…
CANSA’s Research
CANSA prioritises its research to ensure that all South African communities benefit. CANSA’s core research focuses on reducing risk, early detection and diagnosis, and optimising patient care and support, including palliation. CANSA uses evidence-based research to inform our advocacy work, our health education programmes, and our service to those living with cancer, their families, and members of the public.
CANSA has three types of Research programmes, called Type A, B, and C Research programmes.
The Type A research projects is aimed at MBChB and PhD cancer researchers based at South African universities and research organisations. The purpose of this funding is to support high-quality research to advance management and improve outcomes for the most common cancers in South Africa.
CANSA often conceptualises our Type B research projects, although this may be in conjunction with other institutions. These projects focus on looking at ways to reduce public exposure to environmental carcinogens.
Our Type C research projects largely focus on aspects of CANSA patient-orientated services including optimising services to cancer patients and addressing their needs. The research is undertaken to strengthen our health promotion, awareness programmes, and support services based on evidence-based findings relevant to the South African population.
Our Type B and C projects support research conducted by post-graduate students with supervision from the host institution. Read more about the Type B and Type C research projects we currently fund at universities across South Africa here.
CANSA accepts and assesses requests from students or researchers from accredited academic institutions, industry or a research agency who seek assistance with the recruitment of study participants for their cancer-related research projects. When approved by CANSA, recruitment advertisements are shared on the CANSA website and social media platforms. Before submitting a request, human research ethics approval from an accredited Human Research Ethics Committee is to be obtained. Download the guidelines here. More information for the public about current studies can be found here.
Funding CANSA’s Research
CANSA has been fortunate in receiving generous bequests from individual members of the public over the years, specifically for funding cancer research. These funds have been grown with considerable success through excellent investment strategies by financial experts serving CANSA on the CANSA Investment Committee.
Our Progress & Achievements
We are one of the largest funders of cancer research in South Africa and the country’s largest charity dedicated to cancer research.
Read the Research sections of our Annual Reports to find out about some of our most important successes, the progress we are making in beating cancer, and the people who make our work possible.
- 2023 2024 Research Annual Report
- 2022 2023 Research Annual Report
- 2021 2022 Research Annual Report
- 2020 2021 Research Annual Report
- 2019 2020 Research Annual Report
- 2018 2019 Research Annual Report
- 2017 2018 Research Annual Report
- 2016 2017 Research Annual Report
- 2015 2016 Research Annual Report
- 2014 2015 Research Annual Report
Who and What We Fund
Click on the links below to find out more about the scientists we fund and how their research projects are of value in the struggle against cancer.
Honouring our Researchers
Every three years CANSA honours exceptional individuals who have made a significant contribution towards cancer research. Read more…
Get Involved with Our Research
Click here to make a secure online donation to support our research projects or make a direct deposit to ABSA Bank, Account: CANSA Research, number: 4079965964, Branch: 632005, Reference: Type A, B or C Research (the programme you choose to support). Please email proof of your deposit to Research@cansa.org.za
