Every 10 minutes a woman in the UK is diagnosed with breast cancer – totalling around 55,000 every year. Breast cancer survival is improving and has doubled in the past 50 years in the UK due to a combination of improvements in treatment and care – but there is still more to do.

At the Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre (NBCRC), we’re working to transform how breast cancer is understood, diagnosed and treated, and you can be part of the next potential breakthrough.

The centre’s cutting-edge research spans everything from early detection and personalised therapies to understanding how breast cancer spreads and survives in the body. One of those researchers working hard at NBCRC is Dr Sarah Storr, Assistant Professor in Cancer Sciences. 

“I’m very proud to be part of the NBCRC,” said Sarah. “It’s an inspiring community of scientists and clinicians working together with amazing ideas that will help develop new ways of treating breast cancer in the future.”

Pilot Grants 

Your generous donations are used to fund pilot grants – awards of £10,000 to get new research off the ground and provide evidence to further develop new treatments. These pilot grants can then be used to access much larger research grants.

One of those pilot projects – funded by the generous support of donors – is being led by Dr Sarah Storr. The study is exploring how breast cancer cells survive in bone - often the first site of metastasis. Using innovative 3D printing techniques to mimic bone tissue, they are studying how cancer cells interact with their environment, with the goal of developing better treatments for secondary breast cancer.

Researchers of the future

NBCRC also plays a vital role in training the next generation of cancer researchers. Students from PhD and MRes programmes are actively involved in our research, gaining hands-on experience in world-class labs.

“Our students are the cancer researchers of the future, and giving them the chance to engage in world-class research ensures that the future looks bright,” added Sarah.

By supporting NBCRC this Giving Day, you’re helping fund pioneering research, support future scientists, and bring hope to patients and families in Nottingham and worldwide. 

This is your day to change the future of breast cancer.