Major breast cancer research funding for Belfast

Press release: 27 October 2010 Media Contact: Claire Learner, 020 7749 3705, clearner@breastcancercampaign.org Major breast cancer research funding for Belfast Breast Cancer Campaign has awarded a research grant worth more than £186,000 to Dr Paul Mullan at Queen’s University Belfast to study genes involved in breast cancer development. The grant, part of more than £1.5 million awarded by the charity for research so far this year, will look at how a gene called TBX2 switches off expression of another gene called CST6. As CST6 prevents breast cells becoming cancerous, it is vital that we find out how this happens. Dr Mullan said, “I am grateful to Breast Cancer Campaign for supporting this important research. I hope my findings will provide vital clues about the genes implicated in breast cancer and eventually lead to new treatments.” Arlene Wilkie, Director of Research and Policy, Breast Cancer Campaign said, “In the UK, current figures show that each year nearly 46,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed and around 12,000 women and 90 men will die from the disease. These shocking figures are the reason why it is absolutely vital that we continue to fund the very best breast cancer research, such as Dr Mullan's, that will help save more lives.” 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 • The charity currently funds 99 projects worth over £17.3 million in 37 locations 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 • Wear it pink, supported by Vanish takes place on Friday 29 October 2010. Visit wearitpink.co.uk for a fundraising pack.