Breast cancer's ribbon of hope
Every year more lives are saved thanks to key breast cancer breakthroughs and new treatments like these...
1882
Life-saving radical mastectomies offered to women with breast cancer.
1907
New book encourages women to show breast lumps immediately to their doctor.
1913
Several different types of breast cancer identified.
1927
British surgeon pioneers less disfiguring approach to mastectomy.
1962
ICI scientists discover a new contraceptive: Tamoxifen. It’s licensed 12 years later to treat breast cancer.
1980
Major scientific development paves the way for the discovery of Herceptin.
1982
Aromatase inhibitors proven to halt the growth of breast cancers resistant to Tamoxifen.
1985
The HER2 gene is discovered and cloned.
1988
Department of Health sets up the world’s first national breast screening programme.
1992
Trials find Tamoxifen can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. It is later found to help prevent breast cancer in high-risk women.
1995
Discovery of the BRCA1 and 2 genes. Anastrozole launched in the UK to treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
2002
Herceptin is licensed in the UK to treat advanced breast cancer.
2005
NHS Breast Screening programme introduces digital mammography.
2006
Herceptin licensed for early stage breast cancer.
2010
START trial shows fewer, larger doses of radiotherapy are as effective as standard treatment.
2011
Discovery of new ‘oncogene’ will help target treatments more accurately.
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