Award-winning fashion designer Zandra Rhodes CBE is to be the Breast Cancer Ambassador for London, the Mayor Boris Johnson announced today.
Zandra, who sells her dramatic and colourful designs around the world, is also a long-standing supporter of research charity Breast Cancer Campaign. In her new role she will help the Mayor of London Boris Johnson raise awareness of the disease.
Over 4,600 women in the capital are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and they want to encourage women to regularly check for any changes to their breast and to seek advice if they see anything unusual or have any concerns.
They will also promote London as a leading centre for research into breast cancer and its treatment.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “I am delighted that Zandra Rhodes has agreed to become London Breast Cancer Ambassador. It is a disease that affects thousands of women across the capital, as well as having a devastating impact on their loved ones. We want to help remove the fear factor for women across the capital.
“Early detection is vitally important and we are urging women to get to look out for signs and symptoms and to seek advice if they have any concerns. Research into causes and treatments is advancing. We will also be promoting London as a centre for this work and will lobby for investment to ensure that the capital remains at the forefront of the life sciences.”
Zandra Rhodes said: “Breast cancer is a devastating disease and I am pleased to accept the role of Breast Cancer Ambassador, to help raise awareness both of the disease and how we can overcome it through investment in research.”
The Deputy Mayor of London Victoria Borwick today joined Zandra Rhodes for a tour of a King's College London research laboratory based at Guy's Hospital, which is investigating genetic variations in thousands of tissue samples that may increase the risk of developing non-invasive forms of breast cancer such as DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) and LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ).
The research, led by clinician Dr Elinor Sawyer, is funded by Breast Cancer Campaign.
Deputy Mayor Victoria Borwick said: “It is wonderful that Zandra will be helping us to raise awareness of this critical issue, which affects far too many women. We opened two temporary drop in shops for Londoners wanting to get information and advice about cancer on a drop in a basis, which attracted a large number of people. What we know is that the earlier that women are diagnosed, or a risk is detected, the higher the chance of success with treatments and I would urge any woman over 50 to have regular screenings.”
Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Campaign, said: “Breast Cancer Campaign funds £4.6m of research in the capital and I am delighted we can showcase some of this vital work here today. By working collaboratively, we can all play a part in beating breast cancer.”
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Notes to editors
1. Breast Cancer Campaign's mission is to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure. Our pioneering approach to breast cancer research which trusts scientific experts to help us fund the best projects, so creating the greatest potential to save and improve lives and, ultimately, to find a cure for breast cancer. For more information go to www.breastcancercampaign.org. The Breast Cancer Campaign Tissue Bank is a unique collaboration with four leading research institutions to create a vital resource of breast cancer tissue for researchers across the UK and Ireland. The UK's first ever national cancer tissue bank ensures that tissue samples donated by patients from across the UK will be safely and consistently stored. These samples will then be available to scientists to study how and why breast cancer develops and spreads, and to devise the best possible treatments. There is currently no other large source of breast tissue available to scientists and doctors, like this one, anywhere in the world. The project involves University of Leeds, Bart Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London; University of Dundee; and University of Nottingham. http://breastcancertissuebank.org/about-tissue-bank.php
2. Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust is the largest provider of cancer services in London. A new £160m Cancer Centre, designed by internationally renowned architect Lord (Richard) Rogers, is under construction at Guy's Hospital which will provide the majority of cancer services under one roof when it opens in 2016. The centre will also include research facilities so that Guy's remains at the forefront of research into cancer.
3. The Mayor of London supported the opening of two 'pop-up' Get to Know Cancer shops, which were set up in Croydon and Enfield shopping centres. The aim was to change attitudes to cancer and increase early detection rates and the shops offered shoppers and other local people an opportunity to get information and advice from medical staff and trained volunteers.