Reasons To Support Us

FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• We are the only charity in the UK entirely dedicated to the prevention of breast cancer.
• We do not fund animal experiments.
• We do not fund chemotherapy development.
• We believe that prevention is better than cure, and could help the next generation live free from breast cancer.

ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR

• We have built Europe's first Breast Cancer Prevention Centre which is the principle focus of breast cancer prevention research in the United Kingdom.
• Research at the Genesis Prevention Centre is run by the top professors in their field, in collaboration with leading global experts.
• Our three professors' research programme has already made a difference to women across the UK.

OUR RESEARCH PROGRAMME

• Breast cancer is caused by a combination of a person's genetic make-up with several environmental and lifestyle triggers. Our research therefore looks at all relevant areas such as predisposing genes, diet, lifestyle, environment, detection, screening methods and the causes and treatment of pre-cancer changes.
• Our research programme is the biggest of its kind in Europe.
• Many of our projects are run in collaboration with other charities.

We have scientists researching breast cancer prevention from all different angles. These expert specialists, together with their teams of researchers and our panel of International Advisers, are regarded as global authorities in breast cancer prevention.

PROJECTS THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Below is a selection of current Genesis projects demonstrating the breadth and application of the work we are doing.

DCIS

The Genesis Prevention Centre has run several studies on pre-invasive cancer (DCIS), finding for example that computer aided diagnosis can improve detection from routine mammograms. Professor Bundred is Chief Investigator on several national and international DCIS studies, looking at how to 'switch off' the progression to cancer.

DIET & BREAST CANCER

The way that diet and lifestyle affects breast cancer continues to be a major research project. It is being carried out by Dr Michelle Harvie and Professor Tony Howell. They have helped to establish the link between the rise of breast cancer in the UK and the rise of obesity. Their findings have helped to shape government policy on tackling obesity. They are now working on a Breast Cancer Prevention Diet that could help reverse the trend.

MR SCANNING

Studies led by the Genesis professors have demonstrated that mammograms alone are not fully effective for young high-risk women. As a result NICE recommended that all women in this category throughout the UK should be provided with additional MR scanning.

IBIS

Professor Tony Howell is heading the International Breast Intervention Study (IBIS), the largest randomised trial in breast cancer prevention ever conducted. This important study investigates women whose family history would suggest that they are at a high risk of developing breast cancer. It is researching the use of hormone tablets as a way to reduce risk, therefore avoiding surgery.

PARABENS

Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used in the cosmetic and food industries. Research by a Genesis research fellow has found these chemicals to be present in human breast tissue. We are now conducting research to see whether the mild oestrogenic effect of such chemicals might be linked to breast cancer, to check the safety of deodorants and to see what other chemicals might be present.

PREVENTION THROUGH BETTER PREDICTION (PROCAS Study)

The Genesis team is helping to co-ordinate a major new national study, the largest of its kind, with a grant from the Department of Health. This aims to improve the prediction of those at high rish of developing breast cancer with a gene test and a lifestyle questionnaire as a part of the NHS screening programme. It is hoped that the results will help to deliver a personalised breast-screening programme directly related to each woman's individual risk.