3 research projects changing the future of cancer

September 22, 2026

A future without cancer is possible and, together with donors and researchers, the Canadian Cancer Society is leading the way.

2 min. read

Although tremendous advancements have been made, it’s still true that nearly half of Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. That’s why the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is committed to fuelling Canada’s brightest researchers who are driving the progress needed to save more lives.

These 3 research projects are showing exciting promise in achieving earlier diagnoses and better treatments for everyone affected by cancer.

Increasing cancer survival: Finding the deadliest brain cancer's weak point

Glioblastomas are aggressive brain tumours that have a high likelihood of returning after therapy and becoming resistant to existing treatments.

To break this cycle, Dr Tanveer Sharif and his team are exploring the role that metabolism plays in driving glioblastoma’s growth, recurrence and treatment resistance to uncover a new vulnerability in the tumours.

His team’s findings could open a new way to prevent glioblastoma relapse and treatment resistance, offering much-needed treatment options for people with this deadly cancer.

Glioblastoma has shown little improvement in survival rates over the past several decades. That’s why I’m committed to identifying new strategies to improve treatment and save more lives.

Dr Tanveer Sharif, CCS-funded researcher

Stopping cancer before it starts: Bringing AI diagnosis from theory to reality

Early diagnosis is crucial to saving and improving the lives of people facing oral cancer. In fact, many oral growths are pre-cancerous and can be removed before they turn into cancer – but the current oral cancer detection process can be slow and sometimes inaccurate. That’s why Dr Jesse Chao and his team have designed AI software to assist pathologists in analyzing samples to help detect oral cancers earlier, when they are easier to treat.

The team has created and trained an AI tool that has already seen exciting results: 100% of all metastatic oral cancers were found without any false negatives.

Next, the team plans to make their software available online so pathologists can submit their samples remotely and use the AI to help triage samples and give pathologists more confidence in their diagnoses. Dr Chao even hopes it could be expanded to help detect other types of cancer.

Diagnosing cancerous lesions is a laborious and challenging task. We want every pathology department around the world - big and small - to have access to our pathology AI. It can triage samples, provide a second opinion, or even provide a preliminary diagnosis in under-served regions.

Dr Jesse Chao, CCS-funded researcher

Improving the lives of people facing cancer: Surveillance vs surgery

Dr Anna Sawka, Dr David Goldstein and their team are conducting the first and only study in Canada that empowers patients in choosing between active surveillance – regular testing to monitor a slow-growing cancer – or surgery to manage small, low-risk thyroid cancer.

By offering this choice, Dr Sawka is reducing the risk of treatment-related side effects for those who choose to monitor their cancer closely rather than getting immediate surgery and then tracking their quality of life. Already, the team has seen a reduction in unwanted surgeries for those who may not benefit from the procedure and prefer to avoid it.

See your research impact

Powered by the generosity of donors, CCS-funded researchers are leading the way in research advancements to increase cancer survival, stop cancer before it starts and improve the lives of people facing cancer.

Check out this year’s Research Impact Report to see how donor support is making world-leading research possible.

Help create a future without cancer

With support from readers like you, we can continue to make a meaningful impact for people affected by cancer.

We are determined to increase survival, stop cancer before it starts, and improve lives. But we can’t do it without you.

If everyone reading this gave just $5, we could achieve our goal this month to fund the most promising research, compassionate support and transformative advocacy. Please give today because every contribution counts. Thank you.