---
title: Research achievements
url: https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/research-achievements
updated: 2026-03-19T12:32:19Z
---
[Back to Our research](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research)

1. [Home](https://breastcancernow.org/)
2. [Our research](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research)

#
                    Research achievements

We’ve invested around £315 million in world-class breast cancer research. See the progress we’ve made.

![A researcher at the ICR using a pipette.](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/pink-hero-large/assets/18293)

We've already invested £315 million in world-class science. And we're not stopping now.

We're discovering how breast cancer grows and spreads. Finding ways to detect it earlier. And developing new and better ways to treat it.

Every day takes us closer to our vision - that by 2050, everyone with breast cancer will live and live well.

##
What we've done so far

- ![An image of the outside of the Sutton ICR building.](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/card/assets/27996)

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                        [The UK’s first research centre](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/research-centres-and-projects/our-research-centre)

We founded the UK’s first dedicated breast cancer research centre. So our scientists could take on the biggest challenges in breast cancer.
- ![Montse and Amy, posing for portraits together in the lab. Montse has shoulder length light brown hair and wears a light grey blouse, and Amy has light blonde hair, dark framed glasses and a black blouse with tiny golden hearts in a pattern.](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/card/assets/27997)

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                        [One of the world’s largest studies of its kind](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/research-centres-and-projects/individual-research-projects/the-generations-study)

Our Generations Study is one of the largest studies in the world into the causes of breast cancer. And it's already uncovered many risk fact...
- ![, Biobank](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/card/assets/13338)

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                        [The UK’s first breast cancer biobank](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/research-centres-and-projects/our-biobank)

We created the UK’s first national breast cancer biobank. So scientists can study the samples they need to perform world-class research.

## Achievements in our key research areas

![Microscope and viewfinder on a monitor](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/card/assets/16721)

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                        [Prevention and early diagnosis](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/research-achievements/our-research-achievements-prevention-and-early-diagnosis)

Uncovering risk factors. Predicting its spread. Quicker, earlier diagnosis. Because by taking on breast cancer early, we can save lives.

![Petri dishes in the foreground being held by blue gloves (with Paloma and Rachel, researchers, in the background)](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/card/assets/16686)

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                        [Better treatments](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/research-achievements/our-research-achievements-better-treatments)

We're working to find new and better treatments. So more people with breast cancer live.

![Professor Matthew Smalley and Giusy Tornillo posing for photos in a laboratory.](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/card/assets/20133)

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                        [Secondary breast cancer research](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/research-achievements/our-research-achievements-secondary-breast-cancer)

We've been funding research into secondary breast cancer for over 20 years. And we’re not stopping there.

![A woman sitting in a garden, looking peaceful](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/card/assets/24002)

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                        [Improving quality of life](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/research-achievements/our-research-achievements-improving-quality-of-life)

More people than ever before are living with and beyond breast cancer. We need to make sure everyone gets the best care and support.

- ![ICR_2022_BCN2310.jpg](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/card/assets/13257)

## Are you a researcher? We'd like to share your research

Your research can inspire people. We'd like to share it with our supporters. So, together, we can fund more world-class research.

[Find out more](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/share-your-work)

## Life-saving research only happens with support

We’re funding some of the world’s best science now, so no one dies of breast cancer in the future. But we can only do it with your help.

[Donate today](https://secure.breastcancernow.org/)