The other four are University of Nottingham/Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Leeds and The Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London/Barts and the London NHS Trust. But new collaborating centres will be joining the network in the coming months.

From these samples in the Tissue Bank researchers can gather vital information about the cancer and its characteristics, and the patient’s family history, treatments, and over time, their effectiveness, and whether the disease progresses or recurs.

Historically, ready access to suitable tissue samples and materials for breast cancer research has been a major obstacle to translating science into new treatments. Following a wide scale review led by Breast Cancer Campaign and involving over 50 of the world's leading breast cancer researchers, it became apparent that the main barrier to progress in breast cancer research was a shortage of good quality tissue.

Scientists could spend many months tracking down the right tissue samples for their research, increasing the time it takes to translate findings into patient benefit. The Breast Cancer Campaign Tissue Bank resulted from of this review.
 
Baroness Delyth Morgan, CEO, Breast Cancer Campaign said, “Breast cancer researchers in the UKand Ireland have been crying out for this resource for many years.  The Tissue Bank will provide a source of precious human breast tissue and puts an end to the serious access problems of the past.
 
“We are so grateful to all the women and men who have donated their tissue to the Bank and the support from founding partners Asda’s Tickled Pink and the charity Walk the Walk which have both donated £2m to make this project happen. With their help this unique new initiative will revolutionise breast cancer research and ultimately save lives.”

Scientists can apply for tissue samples using an online portal with an advanced bioinformatics facility, whatever their funding stream or location in the UK or Ireland.
 
Minister  Universities & Science, David Willetts said, “The Breast Cancer Campaign Tissue Bank is a fantastic example of how an innovative idea from researchers can become a reality. Collaborative working between voluntary sector, universities and the NHS has culminated in a unique project that will not only make a real difference to scientists, but also has the potential to improve health and save lives.”
 

“We hope that in the next decade the Breast Cancer Campaign Tissue Bank will have the same impact as the use of drugs such as tamoxifen, radio therapy, good quality surgery and chemotherapy in reducing mortality for breast cancer," says Professor Alastair Thompson, chair of the Tissue Bank Management Board and Professor of Surgical Oncology, University of Dundee 

 “Around 48,000 women and 300 men in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. We hope that the day will come when everyone diagnosed with the disease is given the opportunity to donate this precious commodity to our Tissue Bank. It is vital to research and vital to a cure.”
 
The Breast Cancer Campaign Tissue Bank currently houses around 2,500 patient samples in its collection. Women are asked to consent to donate their tissue when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. This does not impact on their diagnosis or treatment in any way as only the tissue not required for diagnosis is donated to the Bank.  Video