The Breast Cancer Research Fund at Velindre Cancer Centre is managed by Professor Peter Barrett-Lee who heads a heads a team of clinical and surgical research fellows. The Team is currently researching why some breast cancer cells become resistant to anti-estrogen therapy and understanding the mechanisms by which the cells become resistant. Anti-estrogen is a very effective method of treatment for some patients and the Team want to understand why some patients become resistant to this treatment.

 

We are also investigating why the molecule E-cadherin, which holds normal healthy cells together, becomes altered in some breast cancer cells and enables the cells to disseminate around the body. This research is receiving much interest and an article was recently published in the Breast Cancer online journal. For the future, we want to understand the important changes that take place, for patients, through the early stages of treatment. We plan to test tissue from primary tumours and subsequently at different stages of the treatment to understand changes and the effectiveness of treatment. The efforts of the Breast Cancer Research Team have been recognised worldwide, in particular, receiving the AACR-AstraZeneca International Scholar-in-Training Award, SABCS, for the last two years. We are determined to increase awareness of Breast Cancer research at Velindre so that we can raise the necessary money to fund our research programme

 

Contributions to breast cancer research at Velindre Cancer Centre will support:

 

Funding for breast cancer research projects. We have had tremendous success in investigating this area of breast cancer research and have presented this work at several international meetings. We are currently writing research papers which will be published in major journals. 

 

Research fellowships. Our future plans are to continue our research on the mechanism of resistance to anti-cancer therapy through src inhibition of breast cancer cells. It is our belief that Velindre has the processes in place to ‘breed the researchers of the future' through the Clinical/Surgical Research Fellowship programme. 

 

Equipment provision. Funding will help purchase lab materials and equipment that will improve our research capacity and help us achieve our ultimate aim: Taking research from the laboratory to the patients’ treatment in the clinic at Velindre Cancer Centre

To support this and other Appeals please donate to Velindre Fundraising.

To find out more or donate to Breast Cancer Research contact the Fundraising team or download our brochure. 

 

In the Pink was formed in 2001 by mother of two, Liz Sullivan and her 5 friends. Since then the group have raised over £600,000 for breast cancer research through a series of canal walks. In 2009 there will be 4 walks taking place in Neath, Swansea, the Wye valley and the original walk in Brecon. The money raised has helped fund the In the Pink Research Team, based at Velindre, headed by leading oncologist consultant Professor Peter Barrett-Lee.

 

The In the Pink group were awarded the 2008 Welsh Volunteer Team of the Year Award, with the nomination reading: “The In the Pink group are a huge inspiration, their positive attitude and determination are a great example anyone who has been touched by cancer”. Last year members of In the Pink met the original ‘pink lady’ Olivia Newton John on a trip to Wales to discover her roots as she has heard so much about their important work.

 

To find out more about In the Pink click below: