A pioneering Channel 4 programme presented by Davina McCall will be broadcast live from neighbouring Addenbrooke’s Hospital as part of this year’s Stand Up To Cancer 2025.
The programme will highlight the expertise, innovation and dedication of clinicians in Cambridge, as Cancer Clinic: Live broadcasts from a special one-off cancer clinic at Addenbrooke’s on the evening of Friday 12 December.
TV presenters Adam Hills and Davina McCall (Credit: Channel 4)
For the first time on UK television, viewers will see clinical consultations with cancer specialists from Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Addenbrooke’s Hospital unfold in real time.
Viewers will hear from patients and their families whose cancer journeys have been followed for several weeks from diagnosis to results, as they continue through treatment.
The programme is expected to feature the NHS lung cancer screening programme which continues to be rolled out across the East of England. Viewers will be able to see patients from Peterborough start their journey through the programme with North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, before being referred on to specialists at Royal Papworth Hospital.
Producers say the aim of the programme is to demystify what happens inside a cancer clinic, tackle the fear that prevents many from seeking help, and show the life-saving impact of early diagnosis.
Cancer Clinic: Live will be part of a wider series of programmes on Channel 4 for Stand Up To Cancer, fronted by presenter Adam Hills, which will include special editions of Channel 4 shows such as Celebrity Gogglebox and The Last Leg.
This year, a new campaign by Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK will also drive awareness of NHS cancer screening programmes and raise funds for groundbreaking cancer research. A nationwide screening checker is being launched to allow members of the public to find out which NHS and PHA cancer screenings they are eligible for and to get advice on the screening process.
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK’s leading specialist heart and lung centre, receiving 1,200 referrals for lung cancer every year. Working with NHS partners across the East of England, we play a key role in the lung cancer screening programme which is finding cancer sooner.
Addenbrooke’s Hospital, part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is a national and regional centre for many cancers including rarer types of cancer. Its cancer services care for around 6,000 new patients each year, aiming to deliver the highest quality clinical care, supported by world-leading research and innovation.
Both hospitals are located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Cambridge is home to the largest life sciences cluster in Europe and one of the most productive communities of cancer researchers in the world, with academics from the University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre and industry partners.
The campus is also the site for the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital which will bring together academia, industry and clinical excellence under one roof, to transform the way cancer is diagnosed and treated.
Stand Up To Cancer UK is a joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, bringing the nation together to accelerate life-saving research.
TV presenter Davina McCall said: “I want to take the fear out of cancer screening and show everyone that they are not on their own in this. I've been part of Stand Up To Cancer UK since it started in 2012 and I knew for this year's campaign I wanted to step out of the TV studio and speak to real people facing a cancer diagnosis.
She added: “On the night of Stand Up To Cancer I will be with incredible teams of medical professionals to demystify what happens inside a cancer clinic. Cancer Clinic: Live is about showing the reality of the incredible care, science and humanity of a cancer diagnosis, and reminding people that early diagnosis gives you options and hope.”
Cancer Clinic: Live is produced by Bango Studios and HiddenLight and the executive producers are Amy Flanagan, Emma Jay and Emily Hudd.
Find out more information about Stand Up To Cancer 2025 and the new screening campaign.