Cancer Focus Northern Ireland is marking its 50th birthday by investing £100k in pioneering breast cancer research.

The charity works in towns and cities all over Northern Ireland providing support for cancer patients and their families, carrying out cancer prevention work in schools and workplaces, and campaigning for better health policies at Stormont.

The new research project based at Queen’s University Belfast will study local women who’ve developed cancer in their second breast, and aims to develop a test to identify women who are at greatest risk of developing a second breast cancer.

The results will help women not only in Northern Ireland but worldwide avoid unnecessary breast surgery, receive the best, personalised treatment for their cancer and help save lives.

Cancer Focus NI, originally the Ulster Cancer Foundation, has a long history of funding cutting-edge research in local universities as well as caring for patients and their families, working in cancer prevention in the community and advocating for better health policies.

Chief executive Roisin Foster said: “We are delighted to reach this 50 year milestone. We were the first cancer charity to be set up in Northern Ireland and have supported many thousands of local people since then.

“Our charity initially started with the aim of funding locally-based research into cancer and we are proud to say that we are carrying on with that tradition.”

If you are concerned about cancer call the Cancer Focus NI information and support NurseLine 0800 783 3339 and speak to a specialist cancer nurse.

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