Breast cancer research
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. It accounts for more than a quarter of all cancers in women. Each year almost 46,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in the UK and the disease claims around 12,400 lives..
Cancer Research UK is the largest single funder of breast cancer research in the UK. Our work covers all aspects of the disease, from its molecular causes through to the psychological effects of treatment.
Below are some of the highlights of our breast cancer research portfolio.
Or find out more on our breast cancer briefsheet (PDF download, 100kb)
- Biomarkers
- Breast screening
- Cancer biology
- Cancer genes
- Causes of cancer
- Clinical trials
- DNA damage and repair
- Drug resistance
- Genes
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Hormones
- Immunotherapy
- Patient care research
- Screening
- Sex and reproduction
- Stem cells
Biomarkers
Prof Carlos Caldas
Breast cancer functional genomics
Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge
How damaged genes can cause breast cancer
At our prestigious Cambridge Research Institute, Professor Carlos Caldas is leading a team that aims to identify some of the genes that go wrong when a woman develops breast cancer. To achieve this they are screening thousands of tissue samples.
Breast screening
Prof Stephen Duffy
Cancer Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Mathematics and Statistics
Wolfson Institute, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine & Dentistry, London
Evaluating screening and uncovering risk factors
Professor Stephen Duffy is a renowned expert on cancer screening and epidemiology (the study of disease in large populations). He and his team are evaluating cancer screening programmes such as the breast screening programme to see how effective they are. They are also investigating the causes and risk factors for lung cancer.
Cancer biology
Prof Paul Harkin
Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology
Queen's University, Belfast
Understanding more about the BRCA1 gene
Professor Paul Harkin is Professor of Molecular Oncology at Queen's University Belfast. He is investigating the function of an important gene called BRCA1. Faults in this gene cause some inherited breast cancers. The gene is also often found to be damaged in breast cancers that occur by chance. Understanding more about how BRCA1 works may help scientists to design better cancer treatments.
Cancer genes
Prof Alan Ashworth
Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre
Institute of Cancer Research, London
Understanding the genes that increase breast cancer risk
Professor Alan Ashworth is director of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre based at The Institute of Cancer Research. He leads the Gene Function team, which is studying how certain faulty genes can increase an individual's risk of developing breast cancer.
Prof Carlos Caldas
Breast cancer functional genomics
Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge
How damaged genes can cause breast cancer
At our prestigious Cambridge Research Institute, Professor Carlos Caldas is leading a team that aims to identify some of the genes that go wrong when a woman develops breast cancer. To achieve this they are screening thousands of tissue samples.
Prof Doug Easton
Cancer Research UK Genetic Epidemiology Group
University of Cambridge, Cambridge
Hunting cancer susceptibility genes
Professor Douglas Easton is director of the Cancer Research UK Genetic Epidemiology Group at the University of Cambridge. He is world-renowned for his research into genes that affect our risk of common cancers, particularly breast cancer. His team also works on ovarian and prostate cancer, and melanoma. Their findings will help identify high-risk individuals and could lead to new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating the disease in the future.
Prof Julian Peto
Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology Unit
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London
Epidemiology, genes and cancer
Professor Julian Peto is the Chair of Epidemiology at The Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton, Surrey. His group conducts large population-based studies and genetic research into several cancers, including breast cancer, cervical cancer and mesothelioma.
Dr Paul Pharoah
Department of Oncology, Strangeways Laboratories
University of Cambridge, Cambridge
Genetic variation and cancer risk
Dr Paul Pharoah works at the University of Cambridge, studying how a person's genes, lifestyle and environment interact to determine their cancer risk. In particular, Dr Pharoah is hoping to identify small genetic differences that may affect a person's risk of breast cancer or how they will respond to treatment. He is also investigating the genes and risk factors involved in ovarian cancer.
Prof Bruce Ponder
Cancer Research UK Human Cancer Genetics Research Group
Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge
Hunting cancer genes
Professor Sir Bruce Ponder is Director and Professor of Oncology at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute. He is world-renowned for his pioneering research into discovering genes that affect our risk of common cancers, particularly breast cancer. He is also investigating the genetics of oesophageal cancer.
Prof Nazneen Rahman
Section of Cancer Genetics
The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton
Searching for genes in breast and childhood cancers
Professor Nazneen Rahman is Professor of Human Genetics and Section Chair of Cancer Genetics at The Institute of Cancer Research. She leads two research teams who are making excellent progress identifying genes associated with an increased risk of breast and childhood cancers.
Causes of cancer
Prof Valerie Beral
Cancer Epidemiology Unit
University of Oxford, Oxford
What affects a woman's lifetime risk of cancer?
Professor Valerie Beral directs the Cancer Epidemiology Unit (CEU) in Oxford. Her team is looking at how a woman's lifestyle, including her reproductive and family history, can influence her health and whether she is likely to develop breast cancer.
Prof Doug Easton
Cancer Research UK Genetic Epidemiology Group
University of Cambridge, Cambridge
Hunting cancer susceptibility genes
Professor Douglas Easton is director of the Cancer Research UK Genetic Epidemiology Group at the University of Cambridge. He is world-renowned for his research into genes that affect our risk of common cancers, particularly breast cancer. His team also works on ovarian and prostate cancer, and melanoma. Their findings will help identify high-risk individuals and could lead to new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating the disease in the future.
Prof Valerie McCormack
Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology Unit
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London
Breast cancer risk in different ethnic groups
Valerie McCormack works at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, investigating how lifestyle choices affect breast density in women from different ethnic groups. In turn, this can affect their risk of breast cancer.
Clinical trials
Prof Judith Bliss
Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit
Institute of Cancer Research, London
Improving treatments for breast cancer patients
Professor Judith Bliss leads the Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at the Institute of Cancer Research based in Sutton. Her team conducts clinical trials, which are vital for testing new ways of treating cancer. Professor Bliss is currently involved in a number of breast cancer trials, which aim to improve different aspects of breast cancer treatment.
Prof Robert Leonard
Cancer Services and Clinical Haematology
Charing Cross Hospital, London
Preserving fertility in breast cancer patients
Professor Robert Leonard is researching ways to preserve the fertility of women who are given chemotherapy to treat their breast cancer.
DNA damage and repair
Prof David Phillips
Section of Molecular Carcinogenesis
The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton
Investigating cancer-causing molecules in our environment
Professor David Phillips and his team are investigating how certain chemicals in our environment influence cancer development. They are involved in several national and international collaborations and are renowned in this field. Their research will increase our understanding of how cancer develops, and will lead to better ways of preventing several cancers, including breast and lung cancer.
Drug resistance
Dr Simak Ali
Breast Cancer Research Group
Imperial College School of Medicine, London
Understanding breast cancer resistance to hormone treatments
Dr Simak Ali leads the Breast Cancer Research Group based at the Hammersmith Hospital. The team's research focuses on understanding how and why some breast cancers become resistant to hormone treatments such as tamoxifen and anastrozole.
Dr Jason Carroll
Nuclear Receptor Transcription Laboratory
Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge
Breast cancer: the yin and yang of oestrogen and tamoxifen
Dr Jason Carroll based at our Cambridge Research Institute is exploring the role of the oestrogen receptor (ER) in breast cancer development and treatment. In particular, he is studying how the hormone oestrogen fuels the growth of breast cancer cells by binding to the ER. And his work is focusing on how tamoxifen, a commonly used breast cancer drug, works by blocking the ER. This pioneering work is providing important insights into how some breast cancers become resistant to treatment.
Prof Helen Hurst
Cancer Research UK Gene Transcription Laboratory, Institute of Cancer
Barts & The University of London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London
Understanding how genes are switched on and off in breast cancer
Professor Helen Hurst is investigating the faulty genes and proteins involved in breast cancer. Much of her research focuses on the AP-2 family of 'transcription factors' - proteins that play a key role in switching genes on and off. This work will hopefully help scientists to understand more about how breast cancer develops and how it can become resistant to treatment.
Genes
Prof Helen Hurst
Cancer Research UK Gene Transcription Laboratory, Institute of Cancer
Barts & The University of London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London
Understanding how genes are switched on and off in breast cancer
Professor Helen Hurst is investigating the faulty genes and proteins involved in breast cancer. Much of her research focuses on the AP-2 family of 'transcription factors' - proteins that play a key role in switching genes on and off. This work will hopefully help scientists to understand more about how breast cancer develops and how it can become resistant to treatment.
Hormone replacement therapy
Prof Valerie Beral
Cancer Epidemiology Unit
University of Oxford, Oxford
What affects a woman's lifetime risk of cancer?
Professor Valerie Beral directs the Cancer Epidemiology Unit (CEU) in Oxford. Her team is looking at how a woman's lifestyle, including her reproductive and family history, can influence her health and whether she is likely to develop breast cancer.
Hormone therapy
Dr Jason Carroll
Nuclear Receptor Transcription Laboratory
Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge
Breast cancer: the yin and yang of oestrogen and tamoxifen
Dr Jason Carroll based at our Cambridge Research Institute is exploring the role of the oestrogen receptor (ER) in breast cancer development and treatment. In particular, he is studying how the hormone oestrogen fuels the growth of breast cancer cells by binding to the ER. And his work is focusing on how tamoxifen, a commonly used breast cancer drug, works by blocking the ER. This pioneering work is providing important insights into how some breast cancers become resistant to treatment.
Prof Charles Coombes
Department of Oncology
Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London
Improving treatment for breast cancer
Professor Charles Coombes is director of the Department of Oncology and heads the Section of Cancer Cell Biology at Hammersmith Hospital. He is working on new treatments for breast cancer.
Hormones
Dr Simak Ali
Breast Cancer Research Group
Imperial College School of Medicine, London
Understanding breast cancer resistance to hormone treatments
Dr Simak Ali leads the Breast Cancer Research Group based at the Hammersmith Hospital. The team's research focuses on understanding how and why some breast cancers become resistant to hormone treatments such as tamoxifen and anastrozole.
Immunotherapy
Prof Peter Selby
Section of Oncology and Clinical Research
Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, Leeds
Developing and testing new ways to treat cancer
Professor Peter Selby is head of the Section of Oncology and Clinical Research at the University of Leeds. Teams in this department are carrying out lab studies into treatments for many types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and melanoma skin cancer. Professor Selby also directs the Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre in Leeds, which brings cancer scientists and doctors together to develop new approaches to cancer care and test these in clinical trials.
Patient care research
Prof Glyn Elwyn
School of Medicine
Cardiff University, Cardiff
The digital age of decision-making
Professor Glyn Elwyn at Cardiff University is pioneering the development of 'online decision explorers' for breast and prostate cancer. These tools will help people make difficult decisions relating to cancer diagnosis and treatment. The questions, information and video clips that make up these web-based aids are designed to guide people through the different options available. By helping people to make well-informed choices, they have the potential to relieve anxiety and improve the well-being of people faced with these life-changing situations.
Prof Robert Leonard
Cancer Services and Clinical Haematology
Charing Cross Hospital, London
Preserving fertility in breast cancer patients
Professor Robert Leonard is researching ways to preserve the fertility of women who are given chemotherapy to treat their breast cancer.
Prof Amanda Ramirez
Cancer Research UK London Psychosocial Group
St. Thomas' Hospital, London
Psychological and social aspects of cancer care
Professor Amanda Ramirez directs the Cancer Research UK London Psychosocial Group based at St Thomas' Hospital. Her research focuses on improving the mental wellbeing of both cancer patients and health professionals that provide cancer care. Her group is also carrying out a project to promote early detection of breast cancer to improve survival rates amongst older women with this disease.
Screening
Prof Jack Cuzick
Cancer Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Mathematics and Statistics
Wolfson Institute, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, London
Cancer prevention and screening
Professor Jack Cuzick runs the internationally renowned Centre for Epidemiology, Mathematics and Statistics at the Wolfson Institute in London. The department carries out a huge range of research on many different cancer types, and is concerned with cancer prevention and screening, especially for breast, cervical and bowel cancers.
Dr Ros Eeles
Section of Cancer Genetics
The Institute of Cancer Research, London
Studying prostate and breast cancer genes
Dr Ros Eeles at the Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton is studying prostate and breast cancer genetics. She is also involved in helping to evaluate the NHS breast screening programme, ensuring that the service continues to improve.
Prof Amanda Ramirez
Cancer Research UK London Psychosocial Group
St. Thomas' Hospital, London
Psychological and social aspects of cancer care
Professor Amanda Ramirez directs the Cancer Research UK London Psychosocial Group based at St Thomas' Hospital. Her research focuses on improving the mental wellbeing of both cancer patients and health professionals that provide cancer care. Her group is also carrying out a project to promote early detection of breast cancer to improve survival rates amongst older women with this disease.
Sex and reproduction
Prof Valerie Beral
Cancer Epidemiology Unit
University of Oxford, Oxford
What affects a woman's lifetime risk of cancer?
Professor Valerie Beral directs the Cancer Epidemiology Unit (CEU) in Oxford. Her team is looking at how a woman's lifestyle, including her reproductive and family history, can influence her health and whether she is likely to develop breast cancer.
Stem cells
Dr John Stingl
Mammary Stem Cell Laboratory
Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge
Studying stem cells in breast cancer
Dr John Stingl runs the Mammary Stem Cell Laboratory at our Cambridge Research Institute. His team is studying stem cells that fuel the growth of breast cancer. Understanding these elusive cells will lead to more effective treatments for this disease in the future.
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