Broadcast on 22/09/23
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Young Women was set up in June to fulfil singer Sarah Harding’s dying wish to identify new ways to predict the risk of younger women getting breast cancer. There is currently no routine screening programme for early breast cancer in younger women who don’t have a family history of the disease, despite it being the most common cause of death in women aged 30-55 years. The project will determine risk factors most commonly found in women diagnosed with breast cancer in their early 30s, they will build a model with this data which will in turn help to enable all women to have a risk assessment for breast cancer when they reach the age of 30. Those women identified as high risk could then have access to early screening and opportunities for prevention, to reduce the chances of them developing and potentially dying from the disease. The innovative study has been made possible by funding from the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal with support from Sarah’s family, friends and Girls Aloud bandmates Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh, and Nicola Roberts. Together through various fundraising initiatives, they have raised over £1 million to date. Speaking about the importance of cancer research before her death, 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”.
