Help Cobalt to fund Breast Cancer Research Nurses
Keeping Gloucestershire ahead - funding Breast Cancer research nurses
Cobalt has supported breast cancer services since the screening programme was launched in 1990. In 2019 we were able to purchase new 3D mammography equipment which enables a more accurate diagnosis of breast cancer at an earlier stage. It is hoped that the introduction of this improved technology will help to reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer. Now, 28,000 screening mammograms are carried out each year and up to 125 symptomatic patients are also seen each week at the Thirlestaine Breast Centre in Gloucestershire.
We now have an opportunity to use the expertise at the Thirlestaine Breast Centre and the new diagnostic equipment to participate in vital research. In order to do this Cobalt are supporting the funding for two breast cancer research nurses. Research is vital to find out which treatments work better for patients, however there is no available funding within NHS budgets for these posts - they only continue with charitable support.
The benefits Breast Cancer Research Nurses bring
Dr Sarah Vinnicombe, Consultant Radiologist talks about the significance of Breast Cancer Research to the work healthcare professionals do.
A big thank you for all your support
Dr Sarah Vinnicombe, Consultant Radiologist thanks our supporters on behalf of her colleagues at the Breast Centre where support for the breast cancer research nurses makes a difference.
Breast cancer research patient Sarah talks to us
Sarah talks about the importance of breast cancer research following her diagnosis
We need to raise funds to make this happen
We need to raise £66,000 each year to enable this to happen. Every donation, no matter the size, is important. We are asking all people who want to support Cobalt’s work, including individuals, community groups, businesses, trusts and foundations to donate what they can.
£128 funds a research nurse for a day to develop and coordinate new and on-going clinical trials, which will in turn give patients access to the best care and treatments.
If you've not yet given, you can still donate to the project here.
Research is essential
Research is essential to find out which treatments work better for patients. It plays an important role in progressing medicine and making sure that we use existing treatments in the best possible way. Research can fill gaps in knowledge and change the way that healthcare professionals work.
The breast cancer research nurses enable breast cancer research trials to take place in the Gloucestershire Hospitals under the direction of Professor Iain Lyburn and Dr Sarah Vinnicombe.
The equipment makes it possible to
Detect breast cancer at an earlier stage
Enable more accurate detections
Make treatment more effective and reduce unnecessary procedures
Advance research into this important area using the latest equipment
Ultimately deliver cost saving for the NHS
We are delighted to be able to offer patients the best chance of early diagnosis, more effective treatment and ultimately save lives.
