Published: Saturday, 27th June, 2009 3:54pm

MSP Signs Up To Groundbreaking Study

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Cathy Jamieson MSP has joined the world"s most comprehensive study into the causes of breast cancer - the Breakthrough Generations Study.

The study will follow 100,000 women for the next 40 years, providing information about lifestyle, environmental, genetic and hormonal factors which will help identify the causes of breast cancer. In future the findings will enable women to reduce their risk of the disease and hopefully to ultimately prevent it.

The Breakthrough Generations Study has been set up in partnership between Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Institute of Cancer Research.

Participants in the study are asked to fill out a detailed lifestyle questionnaire and give a blood sample every five years for the next 40 years. Such a long study is required in order to understand the complex mixture of factors which may be involved in the development of breast cancer and which may act at different stages of life.

Cathy said: 'I am pleased to take part in the Breakthrough Generations Study and hope that it will play a small part in establishing what actually causes breast cancer. With 4,000 women in Scotland diagnosed with the disease each year and 1,000 women dying it is vital we do everything we can to find out why.'

Audrey Birt, Scotland Director for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: 'The Breakthrough Generations Study is an amazing example of women from all walks of life working together with scientists to try to find answers to breast cancer and we are very pleased to have the support of Cathy and so many other MSPs. We hope that the information collected by the 100,000 participants will lead to significant leaps forward in our knowledge of this disease.'

The Breakthrough Generations Study has been set up in partnership between Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). The ongoing analysis costs of the study are being met in part by Marks & Spencer, through its support of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

The target for recruitment was set at 100,000 women. This target has now been met and the MSPs form part of this figure. As such the Study is not looking to recruit any more participants.

To find out more about the Breakthrough Generations Study, visit www.breakthroughgenerations.org.uk.