Coming to the Science & Industry Museum this October 2021, ‘Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope‘ is the first major exhibition to reveal the past, present and future of how cancer is prevented, detected and treated.
Created with support from expert partner Cancer Research UK, this world-first exhibition, explores how, at a pivotal moment when one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, more of us than ever before are living longer, and better with the disease and beyond.
The exhibition will present the stories of people affected by cancer, together with those who study and treat it, revealing how researchers, clinicians, policymakers and patients are fuelling progress in a powerful expression of shared hope.
From busting myths about the causes of cancer, to exploring how the disease isn’t unique to humans and how the latest cancer science, early detection technologies and immunotherapies are advancing cancer care today, Cancer Revolution shows how far we have come. The exhibition also shows how cancer has been treated over the centuries, from high-risk surgeries to the discovery of the first chemotherapy drugs, and also the important challenges that remain to be solved.
With further information and tickets to be released this autumn, Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope has been shaped through collaboration with people living with, treating and affected by cancer. Hear the scientists, clinicians and patients in their own words as they determinedly work together to help people live longer and better with cancer.
Highlights include seldom and never-before seen objects and stories, cutting edge treatment, live research and reflection, new artist commissions and installations, film, photography and a breadth of personal stories including from those living with chronic and advanced cancer.
The exhibition brings together a fascinating tapestry of historic objects documenting how far cancer care has come, including key collections loaned from the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Canada, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Wellcome Trust, Manchester University Museum of Medicine and Health, Natural History Museum, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, displayed alongside objects from the Science Museum Group Collection.
Displays also feature the latest technologies advancing cancer science and therapy today, from mini-tumours engineered to study cancer, virtual reality tumour maps and laboratories, to developments in immunotherapies.
The exhibition shares stories of the scientists and clinicians advancing cancer science and care, from institutions as diverse as CRUK Manchester and Cambridge Institutes, the Institute of Cancer Research, The Christie Hospital, The Francis Crick Institute, Moffitt Cancer Centre Florida, International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Royal Marsden Hospital amongst many others.
Katie Dabin, Lead Curator of Cancer Revolution says: ‘Despite the advances in survival that have been made there are still big questions to address. Why do treatments sometimes stop working? Why does cancer come back in some people but not others? How can we help more people with cancer live better and longer?’
Cancer Revolution will introduce visitors to the researchers and remarkable science that is transforming our understanding of the disease and ways of treating it – particularly in its more advanced stages.
It also focuses on new technologies to detect the disease in its earliest stages. From constructing mini-tumours, to creating virtual reality ones, cancer scientists are studying how cancers grow and change in more detail than ever before. Visitors will be introduced to therapies that re-engineer immune cells to better recognise cancer and novel technologies that are helping to detect cancer earlier.
Katie Dabin added: ‘What we’ll show is that the revolution happening in cancer care is also about more than just science. There’s a profound shift in expectations and attitudes – cancer is no longer regarded as a terminal disease or as a disease that can’t be mentioned by name. Today more people than ever before can be treated or live with the disease for a long time. Hope has broken the silence that surrounded cancer. Whilst we can’t cancer-proof our lives, we can take agency in the face of it – from speaking more openly about it, being aware of its causes and symptoms, dispelling misconceptions and stigma, and by being open to finding out more about it.”
Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, says: “This major new exhibition will show how cancer care is being revolutionised, thanks to research which is making transformative steps in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer – a disease that has such a devastating impact on millions of people and families.”
“The last 16 months have highlighted the value of investing in science and medical research, and what can be achieved with collective focus and collaboration. Just like science is our route out of the pandemic, science is our route to beating cancer. So much progress has been made in the global fight against the disease and this inspirational exhibition will show our optimism for the future.”
At the Science and Industry Museum, the exhibition is supported by principal sponsor Pfizer and major sponsor QIAGEN, with support from Redx Pharma Plc.
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Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope
Dates: 22nd October 2021 – March 2022
Cost: FREE
Venue: Special Exhibitions Gallery, Science & Industry Museum
