A SCIENTIST is on the threshold of a major discovery which could save thousands of women's lives -- thanks to the BEN-backed Busting Breast Cancer Appeal.
Dr Rob Clarke has announced an amazing breakthrough in the world of cancer research -- by identifying why some women are more susceptible to breast cancer than others.
And he has praised the BEN's readers for funding his ground-breaking studies into women at high risk of breast cancer.
Working at the Christie Hospital, the team of scientists, headed by Dr Clarke, have discovered what they believe is the key to why women are more susceptible to cancer than others.
Dr Clarke will now be able to continue his studies which will be funded by money raised through the paper's appeal.
The Manchester scientist, aged 36, compared tissue, donated by women at risk but who had not developed cancer, to tissue samples of those women who were deemed "a normal" risk.
The breakthough finding showed that there is a marked difference.
Dr Clarke, based at The Cancer Research Paterson Institute at the Christie, described the discovery as "exciting" and was the result of two to three years hard work by the team.
"It is by no means a cure and we are still a long way off. But this is a very big positive, " he said and added: "We have found the key that could unlock the door.
"It is a very exciting time in research -- and it is thanks to the Bolton Busting Breast Cancer Appeal that we can now go on to develop our ideas."
Volunteers
The work has also been carried out with volunteers coming forward from the Manchester clinic run by the well-known consultant Professor Tony Howell.
Dr Clarke said: "In our research we have discovered there is a difference in the normal tissue of those at high risk of breast cancer compared to those at normal risk.
"This may be important determining why there is a risk and might mean we can find ways of treating those at risk specifically to prevent the disease so they won't have to go through surgery to remove tissue.
"Instead, they could be given some other kind of treatment."
The Bolton Evening News teamed up with the Cancer Research Campaign to find treatments for breast cancer by launching the appeal. Dr Clarke said that it was still important for Bolton women to continue checking themselves as it was still vital that cancer was treated early.
Latest figures show that one in 11 women in Britain are at risk of catching breast cancer.
Dr Clarke said: "If a woman has a lump she should go to her doctor and have it examined.
"There is a good cure rate for breast cancer and it's improving all the time.
"The more women can do to help themselves, the better that cure rate will become.
"Presenting early to the doctor and getting the best treatment available is vital." A SCIENTIST is on the threshold of a major discovery which could save thousands of women's lives -- thanks to the BEN-backed Busting Breast Cancer Appeal.
Dr Rob Clarke has announced an amazing breakthrough in the world of cancer research -- by identifying why some women are more susceptible to breast cancer than others.
And he has praised the BEN's readers for funding his ground-breaking studies into women at high risk of breast cancer.
Working at the Christie Hospital, the team of scientists, headed by Dr Clarke, have discovered what they believe is the key to why women are more susceptible to cancer than others.
Dr Clarke will now be able to continue his studies which will be funded by money raised through the paper's appeal.
The Manchester scientist, aged 36, compared tissue, donated by women at risk but who had not developed cancer, to tissue samples of those women who were deemed "a normal" risk.
The breakthough finding showed that there is a marked difference.
Dr Clarke, based at The Cancer Research Paterson Institute at the Christie, described the discovery as "exciting" and was the result of two to three years hard work by the team.
"It is by no means a cure and we are still a long way off. But this is a very big positive, " he said and added: "We have found the key that could unlock the door.
"It is a very exciting time in research -- and it is thanks to the Bolton Busting Breast Cancer Appeal that we can now go on to develop our ideas."
Volunteers
The work has also been carried out with volunteers coming forward from the Manchester clinic run by the well-known consultant Professor Tony Howell.
Dr Clarke said: "In our research we have discovered there is a difference in the normal tissue of those at high risk of breast cancer compared to those at normal risk.
"This may be important determining why there is a risk and might mean we can find ways of treating those at risk specifically to prevent the disease so they won't have to go through surgery to remove tissue.
"Instead, they could be given some other kind of treatment."
The Bolton Evening News teamed up with the Cancer Research Campaign to find treatments for breast cancer by launching the appeal. Dr Clarke said that it was still important for Bolton women to continue checking themselves as it was still vital that cancer was treated early.
Latest figures show that one in 11 women in Britain are at risk of catching breast cancer.
Dr Clarke said: "If a woman has a lump she should go to her doctor and have it examined.
"There is a good cure rate for breast cancer and it's improving all the time.
"The more women can do to help themselves, the better that cure rate will become.
"Presenting early to the doctor and getting the best treatment available is vital."
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