About Our Research<\/h1><\/div>\nPrevent Breast Cancer funds high quality research into the prediction and prevention of breast cancer.<\/p>\n<\/div>
![\"Trial](\"https:\/\/preventbreastcancer.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/NEW-WEBSITE-IMAGES-1200-\u00d7-800-px-1.png\" "\\"Research\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Our Philosophy<\/h2><\/div>Around the world, a lot of effort is made researching new drugs and treatments for breast cancer. At Prevent Breast Cancer, our philosophy is different, for we believe that prevention is better than cure.<\/p>\n
We want to see a world where there is no before or after diagnosis.<\/p>\n
Breast cancer<\/strong><\/a> is the most common cancer for women in the UK. Every day, 153 people are diagnosed<\/strong><\/a> and despite advances in treatment there are still 11,500 people dying of breast cancer in the UK<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0each year.<\/p>\nThrough our research, we believe we can stop breast cancer before it starts. And being situated at the only\u00a0<\/strong>breast cancer prevention centre<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>in the UK, we\u2019re right at the front line in the fight against the disease.<\/p>\nWe are the only UK breast cancer charity entirely dedicated to funding ground-breaking research solely aimed at preventing the disease for future generations.<\/p>\n
We have been a registered charity since 1997 and since that time have awarded over \u00a34.9 million to breast cancer prevention research.<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s important to mention that we never fund research that involves animal testing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Breast cancer risk<\/h2><\/div>Here at Prevent Breast Cancer, we use the idea of a spectrum when we talk about breast cancer risk, rather than quoting numbers such as 1 in 9, 1 in 8 etc. This is because we believe these numbers are in fact a bit misleading.<\/p>\n
At one end of the scale, there are women who carry a very high-risk gene such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, whose risk can be as high as 85%. At the other end of the scale are women who, as a result of their genetics and lifestyle have only a very low risk of around 1 in 50.<\/p>\n
Most women are somewhere in the middle. For the average woman, who does not carry a high-risk gene, the risk is probably around 1 in 20.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
What areas of breast cancer research do we fund?<\/h2><\/div>Breast cancer is not caused by one factor alone, but a combination of factors<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 the genes you are born with, the environment in which you grow up, and several lifestyle factors.<\/p>\nFor that reason, our research strategy is targeted and specialist, focussed on four pillars of research.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"gene](\"https:\/\/preventbreastcancer.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/2-1.png\" "\\"gene")
<\/span><\/div>Gene Research<\/strong><\/p>\nInvestigating how changes and mutations in genes can affect someone\u2019s risk of developing breast cancer.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nWhat we know so far:<\/p>\n
\n- Gene mutations can cause breast cancer<\/li>\n
- High risk genes currently include BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Our scientists have identified tiny gene fragments\/ variations, which have an impact on breast cancer risk (SNPs<\/strong><\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Early](\"https:\/\/preventbreastcancer.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/3-1.png\" "\\"Early")
<\/span><\/div>Screening & <\/strong>Early Detection<\/strong><\/p>\nIdentifying new and unique screening<\/strong><\/a> methods to ensure early and accurate diagnoses.<\/p>\nWhat we know so far:<\/p>\n
\n- Mammograms<\/strong><\/a> save lives<\/li>\n
- Breast density<\/strong><\/a> is a major risk factor<\/li>\n
- Personalised risk prediction has been one of the most important research achievements of our scientists<\/li>\n
- There is a need improved technology to screen women with high breast density and for younger age groups<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Breast imaging is experiencing a major work force shortage<\/strong><\/a> across the country.<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Risk](\"https:\/\/preventbreastcancer.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/4-1.png\" "\\"Risk")
<\/span><\/div>Lifestyle & Environmental Risk Factors<\/strong><\/p>\nResearch into lifestyle factors and how diet<\/strong><\/a> and exercise can reduce an individual\u2019s risk.<\/p>\nWhat we know so far:<\/p>\n
\n- Diet<\/strong><\/a> and lifestyle affect the risk of breast cancer<\/li>\n
- It\u2019s hard to change lifestyles without support and direction<\/li>\n
- Reducing weight and maintaining a healthy weight can lower risk of breast cancer, 11 other forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia<\/li>\n
- Reducing weight by as little as 10% can reduce breast cancer risk by 40%<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"preventative](\"https:\/\/preventbreastcancer.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/5-1.png\" "\\"preventative")
<\/span><\/div>Preventative Drugs<\/strong><\/p>\nInvestigating drugs that can be used as a preventative measure to reduce an individual\u2019s risk of developing breast cancer.<\/p>\n
What we know so far:<\/p>\n
\n- There are three drugs available now, which are approved for breast cancer prevention \u2013 Tamoxifen<\/strong><\/a>, Raloxifene and Anastrozole<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- These can be prescribed for women at high risk<\/li>\n
- Most drugs have side effects, but they do not affect all women<\/li>\n
- Our intention is to continue to look for other drugs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Prediction and Prevention \u2013 what are our research aims?<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Prevent Breast Cancer funds high quality research into the prediction and prevention of breast cancer.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Our Philosophy<\/h2><\/div>Around the world, a lot of effort is made researching new drugs and treatments for breast cancer. At Prevent Breast Cancer, our philosophy is different, for we believe that prevention is better than cure.<\/p>\n
We want to see a world where there is no before or after diagnosis.<\/p>\n
Breast cancer<\/strong><\/a> is the most common cancer for women in the UK. Every day, 153 people are diagnosed<\/strong><\/a> and despite advances in treatment there are still 11,500 people dying of breast cancer in the UK<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0each year.<\/p>\nThrough our research, we believe we can stop breast cancer before it starts. And being situated at the only\u00a0<\/strong>breast cancer prevention centre<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>in the UK, we\u2019re right at the front line in the fight against the disease.<\/p>\nWe are the only UK breast cancer charity entirely dedicated to funding ground-breaking research solely aimed at preventing the disease for future generations.<\/p>\n
We have been a registered charity since 1997 and since that time have awarded over \u00a34.9 million to breast cancer prevention research.<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s important to mention that we never fund research that involves animal testing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Breast cancer risk<\/h2><\/div>Here at Prevent Breast Cancer, we use the idea of a spectrum when we talk about breast cancer risk, rather than quoting numbers such as 1 in 9, 1 in 8 etc. This is because we believe these numbers are in fact a bit misleading.<\/p>\n
At one end of the scale, there are women who carry a very high-risk gene such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, whose risk can be as high as 85%. At the other end of the scale are women who, as a result of their genetics and lifestyle have only a very low risk of around 1 in 50.<\/p>\n
Most women are somewhere in the middle. For the average woman, who does not carry a high-risk gene, the risk is probably around 1 in 20.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
What areas of breast cancer research do we fund?<\/h2><\/div>Breast cancer is not caused by one factor alone, but a combination of factors<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 the genes you are born with, the environment in which you grow up, and several lifestyle factors.<\/p>\nFor that reason, our research strategy is targeted and specialist, focussed on four pillars of research.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>Gene Research<\/strong><\/p>\nInvestigating how changes and mutations in genes can affect someone\u2019s risk of developing breast cancer.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nWhat we know so far:<\/p>\n
\n- Gene mutations can cause breast cancer<\/li>\n
- High risk genes currently include BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Our scientists have identified tiny gene fragments\/ variations, which have an impact on breast cancer risk (SNPs<\/strong><\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div>
Screening & <\/strong>Early Detection<\/strong><\/p>\nIdentifying new and unique screening<\/strong><\/a> methods to ensure early and accurate diagnoses.<\/p>\nWhat we know so far:<\/p>\n
\n- Mammograms<\/strong><\/a> save lives<\/li>\n
- Breast density<\/strong><\/a> is a major risk factor<\/li>\n
- Personalised risk prediction has been one of the most important research achievements of our scientists<\/li>\n
- There is a need improved technology to screen women with high breast density and for younger age groups<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Breast imaging is experiencing a major work force shortage<\/strong><\/a> across the country.<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div>
Lifestyle & Environmental Risk Factors<\/strong><\/p>\nResearch into lifestyle factors and how diet<\/strong><\/a> and exercise can reduce an individual\u2019s risk.<\/p>\nWhat we know so far:<\/p>\n
\n- Diet<\/strong><\/a> and lifestyle affect the risk of breast cancer<\/li>\n
- It\u2019s hard to change lifestyles without support and direction<\/li>\n
- Reducing weight and maintaining a healthy weight can lower risk of breast cancer, 11 other forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia<\/li>\n
- Reducing weight by as little as 10% can reduce breast cancer risk by 40%<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div>
Preventative Drugs<\/strong><\/p>\nInvestigating drugs that can be used as a preventative measure to reduce an individual\u2019s risk of developing breast cancer.<\/p>\n
What we know so far:<\/p>\n
\n- There are three drugs available now, which are approved for breast cancer prevention \u2013 Tamoxifen<\/strong><\/a>, Raloxifene and Anastrozole<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- These can be prescribed for women at high risk<\/li>\n
- Most drugs have side effects, but they do not affect all women<\/li>\n
- Our intention is to continue to look for other drugs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Prediction and Prevention \u2013 what are our research aims?<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Around the world, a lot of effort is made researching new drugs and treatments for breast cancer. At Prevent Breast Cancer, our philosophy is different, for we believe that prevention is better than cure.<\/p>\n
We want to see a world where there is no before or after diagnosis.<\/p>\n
Breast cancer<\/strong><\/a> is the most common cancer for women in the UK. Every day, 153 people are diagnosed<\/strong><\/a> and despite advances in treatment there are still 11,500 people dying of breast cancer in the UK<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0each year.<\/p>\n Through our research, we believe we can stop breast cancer before it starts. And being situated at the only\u00a0<\/strong>breast cancer prevention centre<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>in the UK, we\u2019re right at the front line in the fight against the disease.<\/p>\n We are the only UK breast cancer charity entirely dedicated to funding ground-breaking research solely aimed at preventing the disease for future generations.<\/p>\n We have been a registered charity since 1997 and since that time have awarded over \u00a34.9 million to breast cancer prevention research.<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s important to mention that we never fund research that involves animal testing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Here at Prevent Breast Cancer, we use the idea of a spectrum when we talk about breast cancer risk, rather than quoting numbers such as 1 in 9, 1 in 8 etc. This is because we believe these numbers are in fact a bit misleading.<\/p>\n At one end of the scale, there are women who carry a very high-risk gene such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, whose risk can be as high as 85%. At the other end of the scale are women who, as a result of their genetics and lifestyle have only a very low risk of around 1 in 50.<\/p>\n Most women are somewhere in the middle. For the average woman, who does not carry a high-risk gene, the risk is probably around 1 in 20.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n Breast cancer is not caused by one factor alone, but a combination of factors<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 the genes you are born with, the environment in which you grow up, and several lifestyle factors.<\/p>\n For that reason, our research strategy is targeted and specialist, focussed on four pillars of research.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Gene Research<\/strong><\/p>\n Investigating how changes and mutations in genes can affect someone\u2019s risk of developing breast cancer.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n What we know so far:<\/p>\n Screening & <\/strong>Early Detection<\/strong><\/p>\n Identifying new and unique screening<\/strong><\/a> methods to ensure early and accurate diagnoses.<\/p>\n What we know so far:<\/p>\n Lifestyle & Environmental Risk Factors<\/strong><\/p>\n Research into lifestyle factors and how diet<\/strong><\/a> and exercise can reduce an individual\u2019s risk.<\/p>\n What we know so far:<\/p>\n Preventative Drugs<\/strong><\/p>\n Investigating drugs that can be used as a preventative measure to reduce an individual\u2019s risk of developing breast cancer.<\/p>\n What we know so far:<\/p>\nBreast cancer risk<\/h2><\/div>
What areas of breast cancer research do we fund?<\/h2><\/div>
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Prediction and Prevention \u2013 what are our research aims?<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"research](\"https:\/\/preventbreastcancer.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/PBC-research-aims-Jan-2023.png\" "\\"\\"")
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