Scientists at work, with the MAPI and straws
A UK cohort study of more than 100,000 women.
The purpose of this study is primarily to investigate environmental, behavioural, hormonal and genetic causes of breast cancer, and secondarily to investigate the causes of other cancers and diseases, by means of a UK cohort study to be established of more than 100,000 women in the UK aged 18 years and older at entry.

Supported by Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Institute of Cancer Research, every five years, participants will fill out a detailed questionnaire and provide a blood sample. The completeness of this information makes this study unique and will provide powerful information for studying breast cancer aetiology.

By spring 2008, over 94,000 women had joined the Breakthrough Generations Study, and the wealth of information generated by the study will facilitate both case-control and larger prospective investigations into the genetic, hormonal and environmental risk factors for breast cancer.

Since the study began in 2004, hundreds of generous supporters of Breakthrough Breast Cancer have provided over £12 million towards this study.

The study is led by Anthony Swerdlow (The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton Campus) and Professor Alan Ashworth (Breakthrough Research Centre).

Find out more:
  • Visit the public website of the Breakthrough Generations Study