BREAST CANCER UK

Their Mission

Their mission is to prevent breast cancer through education, scientific research, collaboration, and policy change.

Around 56,000 women and 390 men a year in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet, at least 30% of these cases could be prevented through lifestyle changes. That means an estimated 17,000 cases of breast cancer could be prevented, saving millions of lives, avoiding unnecessary suffering, and reducing the cost to the NHS.

It is raising awareness of these preventable factors which drive us. They believe their work can have a significant impact in helping women and men reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.

Their History

The charity was first registered in 2001 under the name of Breast UK by founding members Heather Goodare, Clare Dimmer, Ann Johnson, and Helen Lynn. Breast UK sought to provide a patient-orientated forum and influence the direction of research on cause and treatment alongside education of patients.

They began campaigning on prevention and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals in 2004 and were renamed Breast Cancer UK in 2006 with Clare Dimmer becoming chair in 2007. They campaigned on endocrine-disrupting chemicals given their links to breast cancer. They launched our ‘No More BPA’ campaign which led to the chemical BPA being banned in baby bottles in 2011. Sadly in 2014, Clare an inspirational driver of the charity passed away after a long battle with breast cancer.

Lynn Ladbrook became Their first CEO and led the charity from 2013 to 2019. During her tenure, they expanded their prevention remit to address environmental and lifestyle risk factors. They lobbied at the EU and UK levels to press for more effective regulation of harmful chemicals. They funded their first scientific research projects and launched our grant funding programme investigating the links between harmful chemicals and breast cancer. They also developed educational campaigns to raise awareness of harmful chemicals found in everyday products.

In 2019, Thalie Martini became their new CEO. In 2021, Breast Cancer UK celebrated its 20th anniversary by releasing ‘Prevention Hub’, a free-to-use digital resource to help individuals start their breast cancer prevention journey.

Their Partnership With WFLA

As part of this exciting partnership, Breast Cancer UK agreed to sponsor the 2025 WFLA Inter League Cup ‘Finals’ trophies. In recognition, the cup competition was renamed ‘Breast Cancer UK WFLA Inter League Cup’.

On the Walking Football Leagues’ Alliance partnership with Breast Cancer UK in December 2024, Derek Murr, WFLA’s Treasurer said, “Everyone has some risk of getting breast cancer, but there are easy everyday ways to help reduce risk and be healthier all-round. The WFLA will be working with Breast Cancer UK to share common values and ambitions about cancer prevention through their focus on education, scientific research, collaboration, and policy change. As a national organiser of walking football competitions, the WFLA will help to reinforce Breast Cancer UK’s messages around healthy lifestyles such as promoting physical activity, eating well, and minimising environmental risk factors., raising awareness to highlight the vital research to save men’s and women’s lives by reducing their risk of developing breast cancer.”

Want to know more about Breast Cancer UK go to their website here.