A major cancer research project that will look for early signs of breast cancer in young women has been established in memory of singer Sarah Harding.
The Girls Aloud singer died from the disease aged just 39 in 2021 and one of her final wishes was to find new ways of spotting breast cancer in the earlier stages, when it is more treatable.
The new Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Young Women (Bcan-Ray) project will become one of the first in the world to identify which women are at risk of getting the disease in their 30s. More than 2,000 women aged 39 and under are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year.
READ MORE: Tourette's symptoms and treatment as Lewis Capaldi cancels tour
Speaking about the study before her death in comments shared exclusively with the PA Media news agency, Sarah said: "Research is incredibly important in the fight against cancer.
"Although this research may not be in time to help me, this project is incredibly close to my heart as it may help women like me in the future."
Catherine Craven-Howe, 33, from Hale in south Manchester, is the first person to take part in the new trial. She is studying medicine at the University of Liverpool while working as a healthcare assistant in an eating disorders unit.
Her first appointment included a low dose mammogram to assess her breast density and a saliva sample for genetic testing.
She said: "I know just how important clinical trials and research are. I hope my participation will help devise a simple test to detect the likelihood of breast cancer for young women like me in the future."
The project aims to examine the risk factors most commonly found in women diagnosed with breast cancer in their 30s with the hope of building a model to identify these women in the future. Researchers hope their findings will enable all women to have a risk assessment for breast cancer when they reach the age of 30, with those deemed high risk given access to early screening and opportunities to prevent cancer developing.
The study will recruit 1,000 women aged between 30 and 39, including 250 with breast cancer but no family history of the disease. The saliva samples will also help experts from the Christie Centre and Cancer Research UK establish which types and patterns of genes are implicated in cancer, with a view to developing personalised risk scores.
These can be combined with other breast cancer risk factors such as when a woman's periods started, alcohol intake and use of the contraceptive pill. The density of breast tissue may also play a part in the level of risk of getting the disease.
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "Even in the darkest days of her cancer journey, Sarah Harding was a fearless advocate for research.
"She bravely faced up to the pain the cancer caused her, undergoing treatment whilst thinking of ways to help other women in a similar position. Since Sarah's death, it has been inspiring to see people coming together in her memory to support life-saving research."
"The Bcan-Ray project will fulfil Sarah's dying wish to help women like her. By harnessing the power of cutting-edge science, we can look forward to the day where all women can live free from the fear of breast cancer."
The first symptom of breast cancer that most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast. The NHS says most breast lumps are not cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by a doctor.
You should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
