About Us


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Funding


We receive funding from various organisations and industrial collaborators. However, much of our research is supported to two key charities: Prevent Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Now.

Breast Cancer Now

Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, created by the merger of Breast Cancer Now and Breast Cancer Care in 2019.

Breast Cancer Now funded the Research Unit in Manchester from 2008-2019 and currently sponsors the Manchester Breast Centre Seminar Series

Breast Cancer Now also funds the Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research in London and research in many other institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Prevent Breast Cancer

Prevent Breast Cancer provides funding for research projects delivered by exceptional scientists with expertise in breast cancer. Projects are selected through a highly competitive grant application process, with only the best scientists and research projects being awarded funding. This process is overseen by the Scientific Advisory Board, which consists of basic, translational and clinical scientists allied to Manchester Breast Centre, (chaired by Professor Cliona Kirwan). Further expert opinion on the specific field of research proposed is sought from international experts from around the world.
 
It is housed in The Nightingale and Prevent Breast Cancer Centre, a £2million state of the art research and screening centre, based at University Hospital South Manchester (UHSM). Research work is conducted here but also in University of Manchester research labs, and often in collaboration with other UK research centres.
 
Current funded research is conducted by several Manchester Breast Centre Principal Investigators including:

  • Cliona Kirwan
  • Andrew Gilmore
  • Gareth Evans
  • Sacha Howell
  • Michelle Harvie

Between them they have carried out various research studies that are contributing to international recommendations for breast cancer prevention as well as continuing to identify key factors in predicting breast cancer.

The funded research addresses the four 'pillars' of prevention:

  • Gene Research – Examining how changes and mutations in genes can affect someone’s risk of developing breast cancer
  • Early Detection & Screening – Identifying new & unique screening methods to ensure early & accurate diagnoses
  • Preventative Drugs – Investigating drugs that can be used as a preventative measure to reduce an individual’s risk of developing breast cancer
  • Diet & Lifestyle – Research into lifestyle factors that contribute to risk and how diet and exercise can reduce this.

The Prevent Breast Cancer Centre is a world class facility leading the way in breast cancer early diagnosis, prediction and prevention research. Prevent Breast Cancer scientists collaborate nationally and internationally with the very best experts in the field.


Action Against Cancer

Action Against Cancer (AAC) funds the development of cures for cancer at leading institutions in the UK.

In September 2020, AAC announced support for a new key priority project to be undertaken in partnership with The University of Manchester, the Manchester Breast Centre, the Outreach Research and Innovation Group and The Christie Hospital. We are pleased to be part of this innovative project that aims to help patients with HER2+ type breast cancer whose tumours are not responding to treatment.

https://aacancer.org/newsandevents/stoppingbreastcancerinitstracks.html.php


Seminars


Date:  15 April 202400:00
Speaker:  Christine Desmedt
From:  KU Leuven, Belgium
Title:  TBC
Host:  Rob Clarke
 
Date:  24 May 202415:00
Speaker:  Dr Gerald Lip
From:  NHS Grampian & University of Aberdeen
Title:  AI in breast cancer screening - are we there yet?
Host:  Sue Astley