Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Breakthrough Breast Cancer was envisioned by Bill Freedman and his children. Freedman's wife, actress Toby Robins (1931–1986), died from breast cancer in 1986. With Barry Gusterson of the Institute of Cancer Research, Freedman concluded that a new approach was needed to tackle that disease. They set out to establish a centre of excellence for breast cancer research under one roof, working on a coordinated programme of research. The organisation was founded to make this a reality, and in 1999 the Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre, at the Institute of Cancer Research, opened.{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/me-and-my-breasts-1278660.html | title=Me and my breasts | work=The Independent | location=London | date=1997-02-15 | accessdate=2016-01-01 | archive-date=2016-03-05 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305153736/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/me-and-my-breasts-1278660.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url= http://rdfunding.org.uk/Queries/ListCharityDetails.asp?CharityID=2025 | title= RDFunding | accessdate= 2006-06-27 | url-status= dead | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100124043154/http://www.rdfunding.org.uk/queries/ListCharityDetails.asp?CharityID=2025 | archivedate= 2010-01-24 }}

In addition to the research centre, Breakthrough provides expert information about breast cancer and campaigns for better breast cancer services. In November 2003, their "Campaigns & Advocacy Network" was formed when they merged with the UK Breast Cancer Coalition (UKBCC). The organization works in partnership with other cancer research organisations and is a member of the National Cancer Research Institute.{{cite web | url= http://someonedies.com/index.php/featured/breakthrough-breast-cancer/ | title= What to do when somebody dies | accessdate= 2009-02-11 | url-status= dead | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20111028063815/http://someonedies.com/index.php/featured/breakthrough-breast-cancer/ | archivedate= 2011-10-28 }}

The "Breakthrough Generations Survey" aims to survey 100,000 women and "plans to be the largest, most comprehensive scientific study into the causes of breast cancer".{{cite web| url=http://www.breakthroughgenerations.org.uk/index.html| title=Breakthrough generations| accessdate=2007-11-08| archive-date=2007-11-03| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103090613/http://www.breakthroughgenerations.org.uk/index.html| url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=http://www.library.nhs.uk/genepool/ViewResource.aspx?resID=60108 | title=Breakthrough Generations Study | author=NHS National Library for Health, Clinical Genetics Specialist Library | accessdate=2007-11-08 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The survey is being carried out in association with the Institute of Cancer Research. It asks women taking part to complete a comprehensive questionnaire about a wide range of health and lifestyle topics, and to have a blood sample taken, to then be followed up by investigators over the next 50 years.

The charity ran fundraising campaigns throughout the year, including Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, £1,000 Challenge, Pink Bake Off,{{cite web | url=https://www.myhealth.london.nhs.uk/news-events/events/great-pink-bake | title=The Great Pink Bake Off | author=myhealthlondon | accessdate=2013-10-13 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318151433/https://www.myhealth.london.nhs.uk/news-events/events/great-pink-bake | archive-date=2014-03-18 | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=http://blog.lauraashley.com/at-home/the-great-pink-bake-off/ | title=The Great Pink Bake Off | author=Laura Ashley | accessdate=2013-10-31 | archive-date=2014-03-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318135109/http://blog.lauraashley.com/at-home/the-great-pink-bake-off/ | url-status=live }} running events, treks and others.

Marks & Spencer has sold a wide range of charitable women's clothes for them.[http://breakthrough.org.uk/about-us/our-work/our-story Fashion Targets Breast Cancer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216074315/http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/about-us/our-work/our-story |date=2013-12-16 }} – Breakthrough Breast Cancer for many years, and Avon have supported the charity for over 20 years with a range of fundraising products and campaigns.[http://avonpinkpamper.org.uk/how_your_fundraising_helps.html Avon and Breakthrough: A Beautiful Partnership] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722202051/http://avonpinkpamper.org.uk/how_your_fundraising_helps.html |date=July 22, 2013 }}

Breakthrough Breast Cancer's TLC (Touch, Look, Check) breast cancer awareness campaign [https://web.archive.org/web/20081207003231/http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/tlc/] encourages women to be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer launched 'iBreastCheck' [http://www.ibreastcheck.com] as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 2010.{{cite web| url=http://www.simply4doctors.co.uk/healthcare-news/UK/000135_005992?itemId=11592275| title=iBreastCheck application launched| accessdate=2010-10-03}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web | url= http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipod-itunes/news/index.cfm?newsid=3242270 | title=iBreastCheck puts boobs on Apple iTunes for good cause | accessdate=2010-10-04}}{{cite web | url= http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/Article/1033713/digital-campaign-week-breakthrough-breast-cancer/ | title= Digital campaign of the week: Breakthrough Breast Cancer | accessdate= 2010-10-07 | url-status= dead | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120311173815/http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/Article/1033713/digital-campaign-week-breakthrough-breast-cancer/ | archivedate= 2012-03-11 }} iBreastCheck is a mobile app that is an extension of the TLC campaign (see above), incorporating a TLC video, slideshow and reminder service, personalised breast cancer risk report, and information on Breakthrough's activities and how to get involved. Initially available for iPhones, an Android version was released in 2012.{{cite web| url=http://www.hellawella.com/5-medical-apps-that-can-save-your-life/15838#2| title=5 medical apps that can save your life| accessdate=2012-12-14| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231041709/http://www.hellawella.com/5-medical-apps-that-can-save-your-life/15838#2| archive-date=2012-12-31| url-status=dead}}

In 2013 Breakthrough Breast Cancer launched a 'NHS Breast Screening: The Facts' website [https://web.archive.org/web/20140502002012/http://breastscreeningfacts.org/] to support women aged 50–70 in making an informed choice about whether to attend breast screening, after controversy in the UK media regarding the efficacy of breast screening for women.{{cite web| url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/oct/30/breast-cancer-screenings-damaging-women| title=Breast cancer screening causes more damage than previously thought| work=The Guardian| date=30 October 2012| accessdate=2012-10-30| archive-date=2024-07-26| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726181926/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/oct/30/breast-cancer-screenings-damaging-women| url-status=live| last1=Boseley| first1=Sarah}}{{cite web | url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9641609/Breast-cancer-screening-harming-thousands.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121030113623/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9641609/Breast-cancer-screening-harming-thousands.html | url-status= dead | archive-date= 2012-10-30 | title=Breast cancer screening 'harming thousands'| accessdate=2012-10-29}} The website was the winner of the 2014 AMRC (Association of Medical Research Charities) Science Communication Awards for 'Communicating controversial topics'.{{cite web| url=http://www.amrc.org.uk/our-work/science-communication-awards/2014-science-communication-awards-the-winning-entries| title=2014 Science Communication Awards: The winning entries| accessdate=2014-03-13| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502001659/http://www.amrc.org.uk/our-work/science-communication-awards/2014-science-communication-awards-the-winning-entries| archive-date=2014-05-02| url-status=dead}}

• List of Marks & Spencer brands

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/ Official website]
• [http://ibreastcheck.com/ iBreastCheck ]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140502002012/http://breastscreeningfacts.org/ NHS Breast Screening: The Facts]
• {{EW charity|1062636}}
• {{Scottish charity|SC039058}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Health charities in the United Kingdom

Category:Former cancer organisations based in the United Kingdom