A history of these pages

Cancer Research UK's About Cancer pages began life as CancerHelp UK. This was one of the first comprehensive cancer websites based in the UK. 

Our pages include information about:

• the causes of cancer, how to reduce your risk and healthy living
• cancer symptoms and cancer screening
• cancer tests and treatments
• coping with a diagnosis of cancer and the treatment side effects
• research and clinical trials

The information is accessible, comprehensive and easy to read.

Co founders

The co founders of CancerHelp UK were Nick James and Sally Tweddle.

Nick James is a cancer specialist at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. He is also a Professor of Oncology at the University of Birmingham Institute for Cancer Studies.

Sally Tweddle was an educationalist with an interest in literacy. Her husband's cancer and their search for cancer information online inspired CancerHelp UK.

History

To begin with, the Medical School server at the University of Birmingham hosted CancerHelp UK.

The management of the site passed to The Cancer Research Campaign in 2000. In 2002, The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund merged. Together they formed Cancer Research UK. CancerHelp UK is now the About cancer section of Cancer Research UK's website.

Sarah Jane (Sally) Tweddle (1955–1999)

Sally was instrumental in setting up CancerHelp UK in 1994. At the time, most online cancer information was aimed at professionals. There was little information available for patients and relatives.

Sally’s background was in education. She saw how to present effective, detailed online material to the general public. The website launch was a success.

Sally earned a prestigious Fellowship in Cancer Education from the Cancer Research Campaign. In this role, she promoted the transmission of cancer information to the general public and to medical students.

Sadly, in 1999 Sally was diagnosed with a widespread cancer of the duodenum. She died peacefully at her home with her family around her, as she had wished.