Breast cancer research and charitable funding

Abstract

Since 1991 many changes have occurred in the government's provision of support to universities. This has created problems for the long-term support of the research infrastructure, particularly in the provision of major pieces of research equipment, the maintenance of buildings and other capital projects. This situation if not addressed could have serious impact on research, as the funding currently provided by medical research charities and industry, e.g. salaries and consumable costs, will diminish. When you consider that such charities fund more research than the Medical Research Council, the significance of this problem is highlighted. Breast cancer is a good example of how diagnosis and treatment will always take priority over research unless money is ring-fenced.