Joint programme with government to tackle breast cancer

A new partnership to fund world class research into breast cancer has been announced.

Breast Cancer Campaign and the Scottish Government will offer joint funding of up to £450,000 in a special initiative to fund translational breast cancer research projects in institutions across Scotland.

The programme was announced by John Swinney MSP as experts and leading clinicians gathered at the NHS Research Scotland Conference in Edinburgh.

Specifically, the partnership will focus on funding translational research that bridges the gap between work in the laboratory and breast cancer patients, with project grant applications being required to demonstrate “clear pathways to patient benefit.”

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Campaign, said: “We are incredibly excited by this opportunity to fund translational breast cancer research in Scotland. Whilst we have made great progress through research over the past two decades, breast cancer is by no means a done deal and 4,500 women are still being diagnosed with the disease each year in Scotland.”

Despite major advances in the last 20 years, breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK with 50,000 women and 350 men being diagnosed with the disease each year.

Swinney added: “By investing in research we will be able to provide new insights into the underlying causes and potential new treatments for this common yet devastating cancer.”

Last week the Breast Cancer Campaign announced it was to merge with Breakthrough Breast Cancer to form what will be the largest breast cancer charity in the UK.