Breast cancer research funding for Newcastle

Press release 16 April 2010 Media Contact: Claire Learner, Media Relations Officer, Breast Cancer Campaign, 020 7749 3705 email: clearner@breastcancercampaign.org Breast cancer research funding for Newcastle Breast Cancer Campaign has awarded a three year project grant worth £90,000 to Dr David Elliott at Newcastle University to study a molecule involved in breast cancer spread. The grant, which forms part of £5 million awarded by Breast Cancer Campaign in 2009, will allow Dr Elliott to investigate the role a molecule called Tra2β plays in making breast cancer cells move to other parts of body. Dr Elliott said, “I am very grateful for this project grant from Breast Cancer Campaign. Understanding how Tra2β is involved in producing molecules that encourage breast cancer cells spread could help scientists develop new treatments to prevent this happening and stop the cancer in its tracks.” Arlene Wilkie, Director of Research and Policy, Breast Cancer Campaign said, “Despite clinical advances in breast cancer, around 12,000 people in the UK die from this disease each year. Finding effective ways to halt breast cancer spread will help increase the chances of survival for many women in the future.” Ends Notes to editors • Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure • Currently it supports 117 research projects, worth over £17 million, in 40 centres of excellence across the UK and Ireland • Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women • In the UK, nearly 46,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year - that’s 125 a day • Visit www.breastcancercampaign.org • Read Chief Executive Pamela Goldberg’s blog http://pamelagoldbergblog.blogspot.com/