This research aims to find out more about how cancer grows and survives, as well as how it then spreads around the body.

When cancer spreads from the breast to other parts of the body, such as the bones and brain (known as secondary or metastatic breast cancer), it can be treated and controlled, but not cured. Ultimately, this is the main reason why people die from the disease.

It’s vital that we understand the many different, cunning ways that breast cancer uses to spread. This is the only way to find treatments to stop it in its tracks, predict or halt the spread before it can even begin. We also need to have quick, painless and accurate ways to detect when the cancer has begun to spread and monitor a patient’s responses to treatment, so they can be given alternatives if necessary.

With more patients living with secondary breast cancer, it is also paramount that they get specialist support and information to have the best possible quality of life.