A cancer research project launched in memory of Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding has been helping to identify young women at increased risk of breast cancer. 

The study - known as as BCAN-RAY (Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Younger Women) - was set up in May 2023, in recognition of Sarah's dying wish to find new ways of identifying breast cancer earlier.

Sarah herself passed away from breast cancer in 2021, aged just 39. 

BCAN-RAY is one of the first research studies in the world to identify new ways to predict the risk of younger women getting breast cancer. It is led by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, with support from The Christie. 

The Christie cancer centre has now announced that BCAN-RAY will be entering a second phase later this year.

This phase two will see the creation of 'The Sarah Harding Young Women's Breast Cancer Fellowship'. The fellows will be focused on new ways to prevent and treat breast cancer in young women with the goal of reducing the number who die from the disease.

It is hoped that research findings from the project will enable all women to have a risk assessment for breast cancer when they reach the age of 30. 

Anna Housley, a 39-year-old mother of two, took part in the study and was identified as being of higher risk for breast cancer - she has since been invited for regular screening (Image via The Christie)

"We're really confident that we have a system that is working, from the results so far, which is great news," said Dr Sacha Howell, who was also Sarah Harding's consultant when she was being treated at The Christie. 

"These findings mean that we may be able to offer personalised ways to predict and prevent breast cancer more widely in the population in future.

"We have expanded the recruitment sites for this study beyond The Christie hospital to other cancer units at Lancaster, Wirral, Bolton, Tameside, Leighton, Wigan, and Macclesfield.

"In five years' time we would like to see the risk prediction for breast cancer in young women rolled out across the UK so we can reduce the number of deaths and improve lives.

"The BCAN-RAY study is Sarah's legacy and the first study of its kind for young women which is helping us find out how we can more accurately identify those who may develop breast cancer."

Speaking about the importance of cancer research before her death, Sarah Harding said: "Research is incredibly important in the fight against cancer. Although this research may not be in time to help me, this project is incredibly close to my heart as it may help women like me in the future."

Anyone wishing to donate to The Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal can do so HERE.

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