BBC News | HEALTH | Prince backs breast cancer blitz

BBC News Online: Health

Wednesday, 8 December, 1999, 09:13 GMT

Prince backs breast cancer blitz

The Prince of Wales opened the UK's first dedicated breast cancer research centre on Wednesday.

The Prince met staff at the new Ł25m laboratories at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research, in west London.

Like so many others, I have been profoundly affected by cancer through the experiences of my own family, friends and acquaintances
The Prince of Wales

He urged men to become involved in the fight against breast cancer when he became patron of the charity in December 1998.

Before opening the new centre, he explained how cancer had had a devastating impact on people close to him.

"Like so many others, I have been profoundly affected by cancer through the experiences of my own family, friends and acquaintances," said the Prince.

Prince Charles's grandfather George VI was stricken by lung cancer before his death in 1952.

Eight years ago his friend and cousin Lord Romsey and his wife Penny lost their daughter Leonora Knatchbull to a kidney tumour.

Writer Candida Lycett-Green, 57, a friend of both Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles is currently battling breast cancer, while Amanda Ward, 57, whose husband Gerald is godfather to Prince Harry, is also battling the disease.

Bleak truth

Prince Charles told the Daily Mail: "The statistics illustrate the bleak truth - that we cannot afford to be complacent, in this and many other areas of cancer.

"I believe the wide-spread effects of cancer on all of us can only highlight the importance of work continuing on all fronts - research, diagnosis, treatment and care of those with cancer.

"It is crucial that more effort is now ploughed into laboratory research which is the foundation for clinical work to improve treatment of breast cancer."

Biologists and chemists will be working together in the new complex in a co-ordinated approach to halve the time it normally takes to design and develop new cancer drugs from 10 to five years.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer chief executive Delyth Morgan said: "The challenge now is to deliver the science which will be of practical benefit to people affected by breast cancer."

Professor Alan Ashworth, director of the centre, said: "Breast cancer is a very complex disease with many causes.

"We need to understand the molecular basis of breast cancer. We know it is a disease of genetic origin but we need to understand which genes are disrupted and why.

Related to this story:
Breast cancer factfile (23 Sep 98 | Medical notes)
Microwave hope for breast cancer (25 Nov 99 | Health)
Revolutionary cancer drug arrives in UK (02 Nov 99 | Health)
Breast screening 'should be extended' (19 Oct 99 | Health)
Chemotherapy that beats breast cancer (18 Sep 98 | Health)
Purple ribbon cancer campaign launched (14 Jun 99 | Health)

Internet Links: Breakthrough Breast Cancer Imperial Cancer Research Fund Cancer Research Campaign
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