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Breast cancer unit celebrates first year
The Breakthrough Breast Cancer Unit at the University has marked its first anniversary.
The unit was opened in June 2008 by HRH the Princes of Wales, who is a patron of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
The centre aims to become a leading centre in the fight against the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the UK.
It is based at the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine.
Video report
Watch a short report on the first anniversary of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Unit.
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Improving cancer care
Scientists and doctors work together in the unit, researching new ways of improving breast cancer treatment.
They aim to ensure women are treated in the most effective way for their particular type of breast cancer.
The unit is lead by Professor Mike Dixon, a consultant surgeon at the Western General Hospital and Professor David Harrison, Professor of Pathology at the University.
Pioneering research
The team works on a variety of projects, including:
- Investigating the way cancer cells can become drug resistant.
- Analysing information from tumour cells to find genes that could be targeted by new drug therapies.
- Studying how tumour-suppressing genes can be switched off in cancer patients so that tumours grow uncontrollably.
- Improving diagnostic techniques so that cancer patients can be given personalised treatments for their particular disease.
Every woman deserves to be treated in the most effective way for her type of breast cancer. All of us at the unit are committed to making that happen and to improving patient care in Edinburgh and beyond.
David Harrison
Professor of Pathology
This article was published on Aug 10, 2009