Faithhorn Farrell Timms

Now the most common form of cancer in the UK, breast cancer rates have increased by more than 50% in the last 20 years. Each year more than 44,000 women will be diagnosed (that is more than 100 women a day), and 13,000 will die of the disease. It is the most common single cause of death amongst women aged 35-54 years; a staggering 1 in 9 women in the UK will develop the disease.

Against Breast Cancer's team of researchers, based at University College London, is leading an innovative research programme which analyses how the cancer cell, patients' natural resistance and their environment interact. Our unique Diet & Lifestyle study, working with women who already have breast cancer to find ways to maximise their survival, is taking place in 50 hospitals across the UK.

The Against Breast Cancer research team has a unique approach to breast cancer in that it looks at the whole woman: her tumour, her response to the tumour and her environment. Our researchers want to know why cancer cells travel to other parts of the body and how this can be prevented; this emphasis on the prevention of secondary spread of the disease is ground-breaking in breast cancer research.

Dr Anthony Leathem MD, who heads the research team at UCL, is committed to achieving the charity's goal: "My team of scientists is working hard to find a vaccine against this terrible disease and I believe that our approach will lead to more accurate cancer diagnosis and treatment. My vision is to see a vaccine available to all young girls in the UK, ensuring them of a future free of breast cancer."

2008 is a very exciting year for Against Breast Cancer, as we mark the charity's 15th anniversary and welcome the 50th hospital and 2,000th patient to our Diet & Lifestyle Study. But our commitment to finding a vaccine against breast cancer needs more vital resources to help realise our dream of a future free of breast cancer - as soon as possible.