Cancer research projects are to share funding of £450,000 from the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office and charity Breast Cancer Now.
The first award of £210,000 will go to Dr Stephen Tait from the University of Glasgow’s Beatson Institute, who will carry out a three-year study into breast cancer development.
Health Secretary Shona Robison announced the funding during a visit to Scotland’s newest radiotherapy centre, the £22 million Lanarkshire Beatson at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.
She said: “We are committed to providing the best possible care for those with cancer. This includes supporting ground-breaking research, as well as modern treatment facilities like the new Lanarkshire Beatson.
“Our £450,000 joint partnership with Breast Cancer Now will allow for more Scottish-led research into breast cancer development to take place, helping to further enhance our knowledge and treatment of the disease.
“While research into cancer is vital, we must also continue to invest in the treatment for those with the condition. Demand for radiotherapy is set to increase significantly over the next 10 years as more of us live longer and more cases of cancer are detected at an earlier stage.
“This is why the Scottish Government is determined to see more patients treated in modern facilities like the Lanarkshire Beatson.”
Dr Tait said: “This joint grant from Breast Cancer Now and the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government will enable studies into the pro-cancer protein MCL-1, which has been linked to poor patient outcomes.
“We hope that this research could lead to new ways to make breast cancer treatments more effective.”
Mary Allison, director for Scotland at Breast Cancer Now, added: “Over 1,000 women die from breast cancer each year in Scotland – they are mothers, grandmothers, daughters and friends.
“Every partnership and investment in research gets us closer to our vision that by 2050 no women will die of breast cancer.”