Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in Ireland with over 3000 people diagnosed each year. According to the Irish National Cancer Registry, it accounts for 17% of all cancer deaths in women. Depending on subtype, treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy.
Abnormal cancerous cells arise most commonly from the glands or ducts of the breasts. If these cells spread beyond their initial site into surrounding tissue, they are classed as invasive. Invasion is an important prognostic factor, as it increases the risk of spread to other areas of the body. For this reason, detection of cancerous lesions at an early stage can greatly improve outcomes.
Breast cancer is divided into five different molecular subtypes based on mutational changes which alter the expression of receptors and other proteins. These subtypes are Luminal A, Luminal B, Triple Negative/Basal-like, HER2 and Normal-like. The molecular subtype of a cancer can affect how quickly it progresses, for example, Luminal B is generally more aggressive than Luminal A. It also influences what therapies are available.
These molecular changes that occur in certain types of cancer are called markers. In this project, I will characterise these markers and also measure changes in the structure of cancer cells in biopsy samples taken from patients with lobular breast cancer. This research may lead to improved screening methods for earlier detection and potentially enhanced treatments and overall better outcomes for patients.
