Breast cancer type study 'critically under-funded'

Breast cancer type study 'critically under-funded'3 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePhilippa GoymerandEvie Lake,North East and CumbriaPhilippa Goymer/BBCKatie Swinburne said her treatment was designed for another type of breast cancerSilent vigils have been held by groups of women campaigning for more funding for lobular breast cancer research.Katie Swinburne, 50, from near Barnard Castle in County Durham, said when she was diagnosed in 2023 she underwent a treatment programme which was tailored for the more common type - ductal breast cancer.Research group, the Lobular Moon Shot Project, is calling on the government to fund a £20m research project into the basic biology of the disease.A government spokesperson said they had met project members last week and are "determined to back research that could transform outcomes for patients".The lobular form makes up 15% of all breast cancer cases, but campaigners said it was under-studied and under-recognised due to rarely forming a lump in the same way as other breast cancers.Swinburne said she had never heard of the type before she was diagnosed and her mammogram was clear.She had not found a lump, but noticed a slight change to her breast.It was not until after she had an ultrasound and biopsy that she was diagnosed.Philippa Goymer/BBCMelissa Robinson took part in the vigil for the "future generation""It's everybody's worst nightmare," she said.The mum-of-three said she had surgery and found out it was stage three cancer.She had four months of chemotherapy, oral therapy and radiation."We've known since the 70s that lobular breast cancer exists and is different, but it's been critically under-funded and under-researched," Swinburne said.Melissa Robinson, from Guisborough, was also diagnosed with the disease in 2023.The mum-of-three said she was "very thankful" she had found a lump.The 50-year-old said: "It was a real shock.&q...