The COVID-19 pandemic created a number of challenges for cancer research. Recruitment was halted, and safety monitoring for patients already participating in trials became difficult as social distancing and isolation measures were employed. Cancer research funding felt the economic impact of the pandemic. These challenges, however, led to innovation around remote procedures across the range of research conducted, which have reduced the cost and travel time for patients. Resources were moved to COVID-19 research, and subsequent research is using those methods to further cancer research. The skill and knowledge of the cancer research workforce were recognised during the pandemic, increasing awareness and making research more mainstream. The additional anxiety related to COVID-19 did not deter some patients from participating in cancer research.