30 August 2006

Visit to Breast Cancer Campaign

Breast Cancer Campaign’s Media contact: Claire Learner D: 020 7749 3705, M: 07736 313698, E:clearner@breastcancercampaign.org

Ms Kate McLean, MSP and Mr Jim McGovern, MP for Dundee West will visit Breast Cancer Campaign’s research project at Ninewells Medical School, Dundee on Thursday 31 August between 12.30 and 1.30pm.

On Thursday 31 August 2006, Kate MacLean MSP and Jim McGovern MP for Dundee West will accompany Breast Cancer Campaign, the only charity that specialises in funding independent breast cancer research throughout the UK, to meet Campaign’s scientists, Dr Thomas Friedberg and Mr Euan Polson at one of the Charity’s research projects based at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee.

Dr Friedberg and Mr Polson are studying a gene called CYP1B1, which can appear in slightly different forms (polymorphisms) in different people and has been shown to affect an individual’s ability to deal with carcinogens (cancer causing agents) and how they respond to breast cancer treatments.

The Dundee researchers hope their investigations into the different types of CYP1B1 genes could help in the screening of people who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Additionally they hope to be able to identify those with the disease that will respond poorly to certain types of breast cancer treatments.

Notes to editors

Press wishing to attend should contact Claire Learner, Science Media Officer on 020 7749 3705 or email clearner@breastcancercampaign.org

For press enquiries on the day call Claire Learner on 07736 313698

The Charity currently funds 72 projects throughout the UK worth over £9.4 million in 47 centres of excellence across the UK

Over the past 11 years Campaign has awarded 141 grants with a total value of over £14.5 million to universities, medical schools/teaching hospitals and research institutes across the UK

For more information about Breast Cancer Campaign visit www.breastcancercampaign.org