Project launched in memory of Sarah Harding finds first participant

Sarah’s legacy 

Every day more than 150 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK* and nearly a fifth of all cases are women who are under 50**, most of whom don’t have a family history of the disease. 

Sarah’s consultant, Dr Sacha Howell, from The Christie and The University of Manchester, who is leading on the BCAN-RAY study said:  

“Sarah spoke to me many times about breast cancer research and was really keen for more to be done to find out why young women are being diagnosed without any other family members having been affected by the disease.  

“There are too many young women in their 30s like Sarah tragically dying from breast cancer. Currently the only indicator we have is based on family history, but this only helps predict one third of cases. We need to find out how we can more accurately identify those in whom it will develop.”   

Currently, there is no routine screening programme for early breast cancer in younger women who don’t have family history of the disease, despite it being the most common cause of death in women aged 30-55 years. 

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 money raised in Sarah’s name will go a long way towards diagnosing breast cancer earlier in younger women.  

“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.”