St Bartholomew's Breast Cancer Centre treats 120 patients

More than 120 patients have undergone breast cancer surgery at a new specialist centre at St Bartholomew's Hospital since its launch in March. The Breast Cancer Centre, located in the hospital's Smithfield Wing, is designed to consolidate specialist breast cancer care, imaging services, and research activities in one location. This initiative is particularly significant for East London, an area with notably lower breast cancer survival rates and a higher proportion of patients diagnosed with advanced-stage disease.

Patients treated at Barts Health NHS Trust are also more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age. While nationally around two in 10 breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women under 50, this figure rises to three in 10 at Barts Health. Younger patients can face additional treatment challenges, including concerns about fertility and early menopause.

Early Success and Patient Experience

Since surgery began in March, over 120 individuals have received treatment at the new facility. One patient, Jess, is currently participating in a clinical trial for a new antibody-drug conjugate. This treatment is engineered to target cancer cells more precisely, delivering chemotherapy directly to them while minimising impact on healthy cells. Jess has continued with chemotherapy and immunotherapy alongside the experimental drug. Despite experiencing some difficult side effects, she reported feeling well for much of her treatment, stating, "I feel very blessed that my body’s done such a good job." A halfway scan after five rounds of treatment revealed that her tumour showed almost no traces of the disease. She is awaiting surgery, followed by further chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and feels optimistic about her future.

Fiona Miller Smith, chief executive of Barts Charity, commented on the early impact of the centre. "These first few months give us a glimpse of what the Breast Cancer Centre can mean for people across East London," she said. "Hundreds of patients are already benefiting from surgery in the new centre, and this is only the beginning."

Fundraising and Future Development

Barts Charity has launched its largest-ever fundraising campaign, 'Here For It', to support the Breast Cancer Centre. This campaign aims to build upon the Charity's existing £16.6 million investment in the centre. Funds raised will be directed towards pioneering breast cancer research, specialist staffing roles, advanced medical equipment, and the development of new care approaches. The objective is to provide more individuals in East London with access to the latest advancements in breast cancer treatment.

The centre's development is proceeding in phases. Further enhancements will introduce additional specialist services and foster stronger connections between patient care and research. Recommissioning of the Giltspur Wing is nearing completion, with outpatient clinics scheduled to open in October to support the expansion of oncology research.

Once fully operational, the Breast Cancer Centre is projected to perform approximately 1,800 breast cancer surgeries annually. It will house specialist surgery and reconstruction services, oncology, and imaging, alongside supportive care for issues such as fertility and early menopause. Patients will also have increased opportunities to engage in research and access innovative treatments.

Over the past five years, Barts Charity has invested £19.1 million in efforts to combat breast cancer in East London. The new fundraising campaign seeks to leverage this investment to enable more people in the local community to benefit from pioneering research and care.