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Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with around 55,200 people diagnosed each year. It starts in the breast tissue, most commonly in cells lining the milk ducts. Breast cancer predominantly affects women, but men can get it too.
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Radiographer looking at a mammogram image

Since the discovery of the BRCA genes 30 years ago, we’ve made huge leaps forward in understanding faulty BRCA-driven cancers – leaps that are saving and improving lives right now​. Since the discovery of the BRCA genes 30 years ago, we’ve made huge leaps forward in understanding faulty BRCA-driven cancers – leaps that are saving and improving lives right now​.

by Amy Warnock | In depth | 1 October 2024

1 October 2024

A sample of a mouse model of a tumour seen through team Rosetta's tools.

Cancer Grand Challenges team Rosetta found how some of the most aggressive and hard-to-treat breast cancers get the energy they need to grow and spread so quickly. Now we can see about slowing them down for good. Cancer Grand Challenges team Rosetta found how some of the most aggressive and hard-to-treat breast cancers get the energy they need to grow and spread so quickly. Now we can see about slowing them down for good.

by Tim Gunn | In depth | 24 September 2024

24 September 2024

A patient preparing for a breast screening (mammogram) with a healthcare professional

Cancer Research UK have included breast cancer in its analysis of smoking and cancer risk for the first time. Here, we take a closer look at what that means. Cancer Research UK have included breast cancer in its analysis of smoking and cancer risk for the first time. Here, we take a closer look at what that means.

by Karis Betts | Analysis | 9 July 2024

9 July 2024

A stack of cigarettes, one of them smoking

The number of cancer cases caused by smoking in the UK has reached an all-time high of 160 cases every day, new analysis shows The number of cancer cases caused by smoking in the UK has reached an all-time high of 160 cases every day, new analysis shows

by Jacob Smith | News | 9 July 2024

9 July 2024

Anna Housley and her husband Tom. The BCAN-RAY project found that Anna has an increased risk of developing breast cancer. She now gets yearly mammograms.

One year in, the research project launched in memory of Sarah Harding is identifying younger women who may have a higher breast cancer risk. One year in, the research project launched in memory of Sarah Harding is identifying younger women who may have a higher breast cancer risk.

by Tim Gunn | News | 30 May 2024

30 May 2024

Breast cancer cells taken as part of a biopsy shown under the microscope

New research we've funded has found that breast cancers can break down molecules in their support system to use as a source of nutrients. As healthy cells can't use this chemical pathway to make food, it could lead to a new targeted breast cancer treatment. New research we've funded has found that breast cancers can break down molecules in their support system to use as a source of nutrients. As healthy cells can't use this chemical pathway to make food, it could lead to a new targeted breast cancer treatment.

by Jacob Smith | Analysis | 17 January 2024

17 January 2024

The album artwork for Veronica's new single, Gone

7 years after her diagnosis, singer-songwriter Veronica is returning with a new single, which catalogues her cancer journey and delivers the message there is life after cancer. 7 years after her diagnosis, singer-songwriter Veronica is returning with a new single, which catalogues her cancer journey and delivers the message there is life after cancer.

by Lynn Daly | Personal stories | 11 January 2024

11 January 2024

Hannah Gretton with Dr Hugo De La Pena

When Hannah Gretton was given the devastating news last Christmas that she had breast cancer, she never imagined it would give her the opportunity to help others enjoy celebrations that they feared they would never see. When Hannah Gretton was given the devastating news last Christmas that she had breast cancer, she never imagined it would give her the opportunity to help others enjoy celebrations that they feared they would never see.

by Elisa Mitchell | Personal stories | 21 December 2023

21 December 2023

Two researchers smiling as they work together in a lab

2023 has been a big year for Cancer Research UK, and there's been a lot to celebrate. So, to end the year, we want to highlight just a few of our most exciting research stories of 2023. 2023 has been a big year for Cancer Research UK, and there's been a lot to celebrate. So, to end the year, we want to highlight just a few of our most exciting research stories of 2023.

by Jacob Smith | In depth | 18 December 2023

18 December 2023

Two Cancer Research UK-funded researchers in their lab.

The MHRA has licensed anastrozole as a way to prevent breast cancer in almost 300,000 women. Our trial showed that it can halve their risk. The MHRA has licensed anastrozole as a way to prevent breast cancer in almost 300,000 women. Our trial showed that it can halve their risk.

by Tim Gunn | News | 7 November 2023

7 November 2023