A group of passionate campaigners, including individuals from Surrey and Sussex, recently met with Health Secretary Wes Streeting to push for more research into lobular breast cancer — a lesser-known and under-researched type of cancer with no specific treatment options currently available.

Lobular breast cancer, which originates in the milk-producing lobules of the breast, is often difficult to detect because it typically does not form a lump. This makes early diagnosis particularly challenging. The campaigners are calling on the UK government to invest £20 million over the next five years to fund targeted research into the disease.

The meeting was a bittersweet moment for the campaigners as it came just days after the death of Dr Susan Michaelis, founder of the Lobular Moon Shot campaign. Dr Michaelis, who was based in Horsham, West Sussex, had dedicated herself to raising awareness and pushing for better treatment for lobular cancer. She was due to attend the meeting but sadly passed away the week before.

Her husband, Tristan Loraine, said that the day after her passing, leaders from most UK political parties wrote to the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary urging them to fund the project. “Please fund this project and stop other people from dying,” the letter reportedly stated. According to Mr. Loraine, this plea reflected the will of the majority of MPs.

One of the campaigners, Kate Ford from Walton-on-Thames, was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in 2023. She shared her experience of going through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, only to learn that there is no specific treatment developed for this particular type of breast cancer. She pointed out that although lobular cancer has been known for over 80 years and affects approximately 22 women each day in the UK, the basic biology of the disease has not been adequately studied.

Kate highlighted the work of the Lobular Moon Shot project in collaboration with the Manchester Breast Centre, noting that a team of global experts has already been assembled and is ready to begin the research — they are simply waiting on funding.

In a statement following the meeting, Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the importance of the campaign. He expressed gratitude to the Lobular Moon Shot team for attending the meeting, especially in light of their recent loss. He referred to lobular cancer as an “under-researched disease” and emphasized the need to bring together academics, charities, and industry to enhance understanding and improve outcomes.

“This is an under-researched disease, and I was grateful to have the opportunity to speak to campaigners to understand how we can bring together academics, charities, and industry to improve our understanding of lobular breast cancer which goes undetected in too many women and robs too many families of mums, sisters, and daughters,” said Streeting.

He also pledged to work on honoring Dr Michaelis’s legacy by helping to advance the campaign’s goals and stated his intention to find a way forward for better diagnosis, treatment, and awareness of lobular breast cancer.

With political support growing and momentum building, campaigners hope that this meeting marks the beginning of a significant shift in how lobular cancer is approached in the UK healthcare system. Their message is clear: lobular breast cancer has long been neglected, and now is the time for meaningful investment and action

REFRENCE: BBC