The Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit at the University of Edinburgh was officially opened in June, 2008 by HRH The Prince of Wales. Led by its directors, Professors David Harrison and Mike Dixon, the unit, situated at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, is the only facility of its kind in Scotland.
The unit focuses on hormone sensitive breast cancer, which, affecting tens of thousands of women each year, is the most common form of the disease. Although there are some excellent treatments available for hormone sensitive breast cancers, some forms become resistant to them. At Edinburgh, our scientists are looking for the causes of drug resistance and ways to
overcome it.
The unit, equipped with some of the world’s most advanced medical research technology, builds on the success of our Research Centre in London, itself a leading force in breast cancer research. Across the two centres, scientists work in close collaboration, sharing specialist knowledge to make our research into breast cancer research really count.
Scientists at the Edinburgh Unit:
- are working on a test to identify cancer cells that have changed form once they've spread. This will help make a more accurate diagnosis and ensure the patient receives the most effective treatment
- have also found ways to help predict which women will benefit from herceptin. This work is a significant step towards personalising breast cancer treatment
- have discovered a potential new way to treat a common form of breast cancer which affects 800 Scottish women and 9,000 UK women each year.
If you would like to learn more about the work of the Edinburgh Research Unit, watch a short video.
