## **ANNUAL REPORT** 

**2021/2022** 

Breast Cancer UK Ltd Charity No. 1138866 | Company No. 7348408 



||**ABOUT BREAST CANCER UK**|**2-10**|
|---|---|---|
||Our charitable objectives|**2**|
|**TABLE OF CONTENTS**|Our guiding principles<br>A word from the Chair and CEO<br>Working towards our strategic goals to prevent breast<br>cancer<br>Overview of the year (April 2021 to March 2022)<br>**OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMME**<br>A new interactive personalised prevention experience<br>Prevention advice<br>BCAM – ’25 Saves Lives’ got people moving to reduce<br>their risk<br>Plans for our education programme<br>**OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS**<br>Our donors and fundraisers<br>Philanthropy, corporate partners and legacies<br>**OUR ADVOCACY PROGRAMME**<br>Advocacy and campaigning<br>Plans for our advocacy and public affairs programme<br>**STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND**<br>**MANAGEMENT**<br>Structure<br>Governance<br>Staff<br>Risk Management<br>Statement of Public Benefit<br>**STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES**<br>**RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED**<br>**31 MARCH 202**<br>**TRUSTEE REPORT: OUR ACTIVITIES AND**<br>**ACHIEVEMENTS**<br>**FINANCIAL REVIEW**|**2**<br>**3**<br>**5**<br>**6-10**<br>**11-18**<br>**19-20**<br>**19**<br>**20**<br>**20**<br>**20**<br>**21**<br>**22**<br>**21-22**<br>**22-25**<br>**25**<br>**22-25**<br>**25-28**<br>**28**<br>**29**<br>**29-30**<br>**30**<br>**30**<br>**28-30**<br>**31**|
||**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE**<br>**32**||
||**TRUSTEES OF BREAST CANCER UK LIMITED**||
||**ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31**|**33-46**|
||**MARCH 2022**||



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## **ABOUT BREAST CANCER UK** 

Around 55,500 women and 370 men in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and it is predicted that 1 in 7 women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives. Yet over 30% of breast cancers can be prevented. That means an estimated 17,000 cases of breast cancer could be prevented, saving millions of lives, avoiding unnecessary suffering, and reducing the cost to the NHS by over £1.5 billion a year. 

We believe there are many opportunities to reduce breast cancer rates in the UK. We give practical advice on how people can reduce their risk of getting breast cancer by making simple changes to their lifestyles. 

A unique aspect of our work focuses on the role played by hormone-disrupting chemicals in increasing the risk of breast cancer and we work with other organisations to make our voice heard on this issue. We also fund research that we believe could be a game-changer in the field of breast cancer prevention. 

Our mission is to prevent suffering caused by preventable breast cancers through funding research, supporting individual behavioural change and campaigning for effective public health and environmental protection. 

We believe our work can have a significant impact on helping women and men reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. 

## **OUR CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES** 

- We educate and raise awareness of the preventable risk factors for breast cancer and provide practical information to help people reduce their risk 

- We campaign for policies that support the prevention of breast cancer 

- We support scientific research that helps to understand and address the preventable risk factors for breast cancer 

## **OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES:** 

We believe prevention is possible:Breast Cancer UK believes prevent more can be done to prevent breast cancers by tackling lifestyle and environmental risk factors. 

We are evidence-based:  We are evidence based: scientific evidence is at the heart of our work with sources clearly identified. 

We champion high environmental and ethical standards:We champion high environmental and ethical standards:   partnering with companies and suppliers whose own ethical and environmental policies match these standards. 

We believe in the right to know:   We believe in the right to know: we want to empower people by giving them the information they need about the preventable risk factors for breast cancer, so they can make informed choices. 

We believe in collaboration:   We believe in collaboration: we will actively identify, seek and establish collaborations with other stakeholders (e.g. charities, think tanks, companies, government and scientific institutions) to ensure we are effective in delivering our goals. 

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## **A WORD FROM OUR CHAIR AND CEO** 

We are delighted to share our Impact Report and Accounts for FY21/22. This extraordinary year which saw us celebrate our 20th anniversary was underpinned by resilience, growth and reflection on how far our charity has come. We emerged from the uncertainty of the Covid crisis with a new confidence and determination to achieve our charity’s goals. 

And we hit the ground running. Our 20th year saw us growing our income by 30%, expanding our services, education and scientific programme resulting in the greatest output and investment in new projects our charity has achieved to date. 

This was all made possible thanks to our growing community of supporters and service users whose belief in our vital breast cancer prevention work means we have never been in a better position to act now to prevent breast cancer in future generations. 

Our digital transformation came to fruition with the launch of our interactive breast cancer Prevention Hub as part of our anniversary celebrations during Breast Cancer Prevention Week in May 2021. By March 2022 the Hub, which offers comprehensive, accessible and personalised advice and support on reducing breast cancer risk, had reached over 31,000 people surpassing our three-year target by 11,000. 

We set a record in our investment in scientific research awarding £200,000 in new grants focused on exploring the links between bisphenols and breast cancer development. Since introducing our scientific research programme in 2015, we have invested over £500,000 in our science programme, growing that investment year-on-year. This year’s new grants will build on existing research to improve our understanding of the causational mechanisms of human exposure to bisphenols and breast cancer development. 


With the growth of our charity and the demand for our services expanding, our small yet dedicated team needed to grow too to keep pace with this demand. We have now begun to reinforce the skills of our team in a gradual and sustainable way ensuring we focus our resources on continuous improvement and access to our prevention advice and impact. 

Our donors and fundraisers have shown incredible commitment and generosity in helping us achieve our goals. We cannot overestimate how important they are to our cause. We thank them wholeheartedly for supporting us and believing in our prevention work and for sharing their passion with others. 

Our highly committed Board of Trustees continues to deliver critical governance and oversight to our team in areas of scientific research, human resources, finance, fundraising, policy development and strategic planning. After four years of serving as Trustee including 12 months as Chair, Wendy Clark stepped down in December 2021. Wendy’s strong leadership skills and experience in public health and digital services were of great value to the charity. We thank Wendy for her contributions and commitment and wish her well in her future ventures. 

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Trustees unanimously supported the appointment of Ruth Freeborough as the new Chair of the Board, and Britta Stordal as Deputy Chair in March 2022. A trustee since July 2017, Ruth brings 20 years of experience as a chiropractor and a further 23 years of corporate experience. 

We welcomed Britta who joined the charity in June 2021 and is a Research Group Leader and Senior Lecturer at the University of Middlesex specialising in biomedical and healthcare science. We said goodbye to Athina Kakavouli who stepped down in June 2021 after 5 years as Trustee of the Board and member of the Science Committee. Athina brought a breadth of research and academic expertise and experience to the board and our science programme. We wish her all the best in the future. We also bid farewell to Sharon Nash who brought timely HR expertise to our team at a time we needed it most. We wish her all the best in the future. We would like to thank all the trustees for their time, effort and commitment to the cause. We would also like to express our deep gratitude to Dr Bana Haddad, Breast Cancer UK Medical Advisor, for generously sharing her expertise and knowledge in support of our prevention education and awareness raising. 

Our dedicated staff showed their talent and grit once again, exceeding all expectations in driving forward our mission to support world-class scientific research, bring high-quality information to people across the country and drive public policy change that improves health protections. We thank them for their continuing dedication, their creativity and hard work. 

Finally, we were pleased to see the return of many critical services for breast cancer, including our own scientists safely returning to the labs. However, the need for action on breast cancer prevention is more urgent than ever as breast cancer diagnosis and treatment services sadly continue to be under strain with alarming numbers of people missing out on early detection and screening services, significantly raising the risk of worsening breast cancer outcomes in the future. 

Our work to prevent and reduce breast cancer incidence rates in the future has never been more important. So we end this successful year with a strengthened resolve to - achieve greater impact through a new ambitious three year strategy that will see us further expand our scientific research, further expand our education, step up our calls to government for policy change and most importantly grow an informed and empowered breast cancer prevention community who can take action now to prevent breast cancer in future generations. 


Thalie Martini CEO, Breast Cancer UK 


Ruth Freeborough Chair, Breast Cancer UK 

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## **WORKING TOWARDS OUR STRATEGIC GOALS TO PREVENT BREAST CANCER** 

Our unique appeal as the only breast cancer charity offering accessible and comprehensive advice and support on all risk factors of breast cancer, including environmental risk factors, has brought many new supporters and audiences to our cause. Nurturing and expanding these relationships are of utmost importance to our work and our ability to deliver impact. 

So, this year we invested in the development of a supporter and stewardship journey matrix to ensure our supporters have a relevant and rewarding experience with our cause. Our steady growth as a charity and the increasing passion and dedication from supporters across the country for our vital breast cancer work drives our resolve to deliver on our strategic goals which are to: 

## Deliver a world class scientific research programme to expand our knowledge of environmental chemicals and their links to breast cancer risk 

Our priorities are: 

- Funding high-quality animal-free scientific research on the potential consequences of exposure to low-dose environmental chemicals. 

- Working to identify and address data gaps in our understanding of risk and causation. Collating and sharing new data to understand the potential links between harmful chemicals and breast cancer. 

- Strengthening our independent scientific research panel, to ensure our advice, data and research is of the highest quality. 

- Bringing together a network of researchers and experts in the field of breast cancer prevention to promote understanding of the prevention and causation of breast cancer. Working with others to co-fund research into prevention and causation of breast cancer. 

## Deliver accessible and targeted public education, advice and support to help everybody reduce their risk of breast cancer 

## Our priorities are: 

- Expand our education and awareness offering accessible and engaging experiences to a widening and diverse audience across the UK. 

- Continuing to grow the breadth of information and advice on our website and via social media on all modifiable risk factors for breast cancer and how these apply to different population groups. 

- Offer motivation and tailored support to help individuals adopt and sustain changes to reduce their risk. 

- Monitor and evaluate the impact of our education on risk reduction and sustained life changes. 

- Working with a wide range of organisations, companies, charities and individuals to ensure our messages are reaching those who need them most. 

## Campaign to prioritise breast cancer prevention and protect the public from Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and other harmful chemicals linked to breast cancer 

Our priorities are: 

- Working with a wide range of policymakers and scientific experts to help identify practical policies that promote the primary prevention of breast cancer. 

- Empowering and enabling our supporters to speak out in support of a preventative approach. Generating campaigns that promote the primary prevention of breast cancer. Building meaningful collaborations that help us to secure change for the better. Campaigning for policies, laws and regulations that protect and improve our health and that of the environment. 

- Supporting policies that promote the precautionary principle, restrict hazardous chemicals and prioritise the protection of human health. 

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**OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR (APRIL 2021 TO MARCH 2022)** 

## **QUARTER 1 (APRIL TO JUNE)** 

## **Science & Public Affairs policy submissions** 

- BCUK became a member of the UK Health and Safety Executive, the new UK Chemicals Regulator 

- Our 12 Key Asks for the UK Chemicals Strategy, (along with other NGOs), calls for stronger protections for UK citizens and the environment from harmful chemicals 

## **Supporter events, campaigns and partnerships** 

- 19 supporters skydived for our 20th Anniversary Skydive over one weekend and raised £15,517.24 

- Global Infrastructure Partners Steps Challenge launched and raised £36,506.76 

- £17,570 received from Tibra Foundation for Breast Cancer in Men Resource Connor Lee shaved his head and raised £6,300.17 

- 109 JustGiving pages set up this quarter 

- 20 stories to mark our 20th anniversary of the charity 

## **Education** 

Launched our Breast Cancer Prevention Hub, a new service for people to start their breast cancer prevention journey 

## **IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO MAKE CHANGES TO REDUCE YOUR RISK** 

“If just one person, woman or man, reads this and changes their lifestyle to help prevent them from getting breast cancer, that will be a positive thing.” That’s the hope of Dr Bana Haddad, Medical Advisor for Breast Cancer UK. 

“A few years into my career, I’d started to become really interested in cancer, and two years after that my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was the first time I realised how much the diagnosis and the treatment not only massively affected the patient but the whole family and their surroundings,” she recalls. “I thought, I have to use this experience in a positive way.” 

“That’s when I realised that people, especially women, didn’t realise that drinking and being obese are big risk factors in getting breast cancer and lots of other cancers. People’s awareness of this is really low. 

Dr Haddad believes education is key, and from an early age. “This is what we’re missing. We need to educate people about the risk factors and what you can do to prevent yourself from developing cancer.” 

“I’m a big believer that they have to start from school. The children listen and then bring it home and tell their parents, and their grandparents. Schools teaching the prevention message is key.” 

“That’s why it’s so great having charities like Breast Cancer UK that we, as GPs, can signpost people to. I’m excited about the upcoming launch of their online breast cancer Prevention Hub. It has everything people need to know about how to prevent it. It’s up to them then,” she added. 

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Dr Haddad is passionate about spreading the prevention message “because it’s simple, we can prevent this,” she says. “That’s what’s driving me, why not live a better life if it’s possible? Act now, it’s never too late to make those simple changes.” 

## **QUARTER 2 (JULY TO SEPTEMBER)** 

## **Science & Public Affairs policy submissions** 

- Joint Letter to Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, on the responsibilities of the new Office for Health Promotion to support the prevention of ill health. 

- Joint letter to UK Health Security Agency Chief Executive Dr Jenny Harries on the responsibilities of the new agency to monitor, research and regulate the effects of harmful chemicals on the nation’s health. 

## **Supporter events, campaigns and partnerships** 

- £2,000 from Hospital Saturday Fund for Life Stages Animation 

- £5,000 from Pink Ribbon Foundation for Life Stages Animation 

- £10,026.00 raised by Amanda Nathan and Danielle Burns through a sponsored nighttime walk in memory of their friend Sam Brown 

- 104 JustGiving pages set up this quarter 

- We Launched our brand-new Newsletter – Pulse – providing more individualised prevention support and tips to our service users Plastic Free July 

Organic September 

## **Education** 

12,000 people reached with Prevention Hub 

- 3,200 people took our new quiz and over 320 signed up for prevention planners 

- Over 1,400 used our Chemicals iGuide and Everyday iGuide 

- 2 live webinars were delivered to Neo Health Hub and Inner Wheel, Rotary Wives, Essex, reaching 130 people 

## **THERE’S AN EXPECTATION THAT AFTER TREATMENT YOU MOVE ON** 

Charly was diagnosed with breast cancer in early March 2020, when lockdowns were starting. She had a left mastectomy and full lymph node clearance surgery later that month. Followed by 18 weeks of chemotherapy from May until September, and then five radiotherapy sessions in October. 

Gene test results showed Charly carries a BRCA1 mutation and it was this that led to her having a preventative mastectomy. Together with the removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes. 

Charly’s daughters (ages 5 and 6) have a 50% chance of inheriting the BRCA1 gene mutation. She also has 11 siblings, 4 of whom so far have tested positive for the faulty gene. 

She comments that one of her brothers was waiting on his blood test for prostate cancer which is also increased with BRCA1 mutations: “While his risk may be small, he has a daughter. She has a 50% chance of having the faulty gene. And my sisters are younger than me – I’m 38 – and they are yet to have children.” 

Her sisters and one brother now must take into account the impact of the gene diagnosis, and tough life decisions about having a family. Trying to understand what it all means is so difficult,” she says. 

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“Maybe it takes something as extreme as the gene test result for people to realize that they need to look at their diet, lifestyle, and environmental stresses; and learn how to take away those risks.” 

“Research is so important,” she adds. “It’s too late for me and my siblings, but people are going to keep having children, people are going to keep having cancer. So how can we eliminate that risk? We need to do as much as we can on the prevention side and education side. 

I want to help educate other people to avoid them falling into a similar situation. 

I want to help move forward with the research and help understand this gene for my siblings, my daughters, and for other women in the future.” 

## **QUARTER 3 (OCTOBER TO DECEMBER)** 

## **Science & Public Affairs policy submissions** 

- Letter to DEFRA Minister Jo Churchill outlining BCUK's position on UK Chemicals strategy 

- Submission to DEFRA on calling for a grouping restriction on bisphenols 

- Awarded 2 scientific grants both exploring the links between bisphenols and breast cancer development Breast Cancer UK awards new scientific research grants Published new fact sheet alcohol and breast cancer risk 

- Published new science briefing on breast cancer in men 

## **Supporter events, campaigns and partnerships** 

- New partnerships with brands including Organibox, Never Fully Dressed, Echelon Fit and Andalucian Olive Oil 

- 126 people downloaded our also new Fundraising pack 

- £17,570 funding from Tibra for Sixth Form Resource 

- £5,114 raised through the Daily Pilates Movement Challenge partnership with Catford Pilates by 25 supporters. 17 supporters signed up for Catford Pilates Mindful Matwork monthly subscription generating a monthly donation of £85. 

- £2,954 raised from the new Christmas Celebrate a Loved One appeal 

- £5,692 through Battle Cancer London Event, 14 teams took part 

- £7,988 raised by Anna Loughborough (a breast cancer patient) who took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks with her friends and family 

- We had 45 people sign up for our online 25 Saves Lives fitness festival 

- 131 JustGiving pages set up this quarter 

## **Education** 

- 7,000 people reached through the Prevention Hub this quarter (19,000 in total) 

- 2,700 people took our quiz (5,900 in total) and 170 (490 in total) were new prevention planners. 

- 700 people read our Chemicals iGuide and Everyday iGuide (3,500 in total) 

- 3,200 views of the new Reduce Your Risk Anytime series short animations 

- 5 live webinars delivered to Well Programme, Belfast, Tibra Foundation, London, UST Global, Gwent College and The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, over 180 professionals, students and community groups 

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## **MY CHANCE MALE BREAST CANCER SAMPLE LED TO 30 YEARS OF RESEARCH** 

“Back in the day, you used to go and stand outside the operating theatre if you wanted some breast tissue samples. One day the theatre nurse appeared and said, ‘oh we’ve got a sample from a male breast tumour; would you like it?’ I said yes, why not, and we found some interesting things. I suppose that was the first hint really that the tumours (between male and female) were different. And that really sparked my interest,” Val said. 

Since that first chance sample donation, Val and her colleagues now have over 500 male breast cancer tissue samples available for further studies. 

Val was part of a consortium that recognised that scientists required access to human breast tissue to help accelerate research. Through this, she helped establish the Breast Cancer Now Tissue Bank. She now leads the Aberdeen centre, where she has been based for about three years. 

Breast cancer is rare in men compared with female breast cancer, but rates are rising. There are about 400 men diagnosed each year in the UK, compared to around 55,000 cases in women. However, despite the increase, there is still a stigma attached to having a predominantly female-orientated illness. 

“Breast cancer is very much associated with women,” said Val. “If you see a man in a breast cancer clinic the obvious assumption is that he’s there to support his partner – and that maybe creates a bit of a stigma for men." 

Explaining the underlying gender difference in breast cancer, Val said: “The interesting thing is that if you take a dyed section of male breast cancer and female breast cancer, they look exactly the same under a microscope. However, if you probe a bit deeper, the gene expression profile shows there are differences.” 

Val said: “For a long-time male breast cancer has been very understudied. There was a belief it behaved the same as breast cancer in women, so studies were very sporadic.” Val, who has been researching breast cancer for almost 25 years, implores men not to delay in seeking help. She said: “Be aware, if you do find something that’s not quite right, visit your GP. Because often men leave it until it’s too late and actually if breast cancer is diagnosed early enough it’s much more treatable.” 

## **QUARTER 4 (JANUARY TO MARCH)** 

## **Science & Public Affairs policy submissions** 

NGO Joint Statement on PFAS 

- Joint letter to Environment Secretary George Eustice on UK Gov’s approach to including substances of very high concern on the UK Candidate list 

- BCUK Submission to HSE call to evidence on PFAS regulatory management options analysis (RMOA) 

- Published a new fact sheet on nutrition and breast cancer risk 

- Published a new fact sheet on pesticides, organic food and breast cancer risk 

## **Supporter events, campaigns and partnerships** 

- Launched our Ditch the Drink campaign with a mocktail recipe book supported by brands including Lyres, Mockingbird, Thomson and Scott and Dragon Fly Tea. 

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- Joined forces with Run For Charity to offer more mass participation events available to supporters 

- Free Wills Scheme launched in collaboration with Irwin Mitchell 

- £6,982.70 raised by Lucy McMann (a breast cancer patient) who shaved her head 91 JustGiving pages set up this quarter 

## **Education** 

- 12,000 people reached through the Prevention Hub (31,000 in total) 

- 2,000 people took our quiz (7,900 in total) and over 160 (650 in total) new prevention planners 

- 7,400 read the Chemicals iGuide (9,150 in total) 

- 630 read the Everyday iGuide (2,370 in total) 

- 550 views of our Learning for everyone webinars playlist on YouTube 

- School talk to Lady Eleanor Holles School, reaching 35 young people and educators 

## **THREE GUYS, THREE BIKES AND 3,000KMS** 

“We started off as just three guys, looking to do some exploring for a worthwhile cause,” says Jack Martin, one of three teammates who make up The Biker Boys. The intrepid team completed a sometimes-gruelling 3,100 kilometres bike adventure from Oswestry to Gibraltar, raising more than £3,000. 

The three men (Matthew Paterson, Andrew Boyce and Jack Martin) have personal familyrelated experiences with breast cancer and decided on the cycle challenge after looking at the suggestions on the BCUK website. 

“When we started, we didn’t really have a route planned but decided we’d camp for most of the trip and end our journey in Gibraltar, ” says Jack. “We thought the whole journey would be about 2,000 kilometres.” 

However, the Covid-19 pandemic caused some changes in their route, and the Biker Boys eventually cycled a thousand kilometres more. “We cycled every day for 57 days, averaging about 60 or 70 kilometres a day, and ended up doing 3,100 kilometres,” Jack says, adding that some of the inclines in Spain were a real challenge. 

The team started from Oswestry in September 2020, and for the first week travelled 413 kilometres from Oswestry to Exmouth. Jack comments they learnt some lessons quickly, such as always stretching before starting out, and that early starts, and some planning were both essential. 

By mid-month, the team had crossed the Channel and were in France. We had a lot of croissants in all the different bakeries. The people were great, and lots of bike shops, which was good because we had some major bike malfunctions, including getting a new wheel for Matt’s bike!” 

By mid-October, the Biker Boys had cycled to Spain and faced a 1,000-kilometre detour. Getting to Gibraltar was “probably the best bit!” according to Jack, especially as they had proven they could do the journey. 

Jack says the team was happy to have raised more funds than they’d originally hoped for, reaching 161% of their original goal, a total of £3,235. 

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## **TRUSTEE REPORT: OUR ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS** 

## **THE SCIENCE PROGRAMME 2021/22** 

Our objectives were to: 

- Support high-quality, independent scientific research projects at universities or research institutes within the UK 

- Bring relevant, high-quality data and new research findings into the public arena 

Grow our scientific expertise and reputation in the field of breast cancer prevention. 

Breast Cancer UK funds scientific research projects which explore the link between breast cancer and potentially harmful chemicals found in everyday products and the environment. 

While there is convincing evidence to show that lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption and obesity can influence breast cancer, there is less research on the effects of environmental chemicals that may be associated with breast cancer. 

Our grants programme aims to help fill the gap in our knowledge and understanding of this area of breast cancer risk. 


## **BREAST CANCER UK’S GRANT FUNDING PROGRAMME** 

Since the launch of our grant funding programme in 2015, we have invested £519,000 in our science programme including £477,256 worth of grants to independent scientific research. 

During the FY2021/22 we supported four research projects, one was completed in December 2021. The Covid-19 pandemic continued to cause serious disruption to laboratory research. As a result, our funded projects were disrupted for a second year, resulting in delays to their completion dates as well as delays to the start of new projects. 

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## **RESEARCH PROJECTS** 

## **Completed projects** 

Cancer-causing potential of bisphenols 


Dr Michael Antoniou and Dr Robin Mesnage, from King’s College London, in collaboration with Dr Elisabete Silva, from Brunel University, were awarded a grant of £45,000 to examine the cancer-causing potential of bisphenols. Work began in April 2018 and was completed in December 2021. 

Different bisphenols are increasingly being used as replacements for bisphenol A (BPA) in the manufacture of certain types of plastics, including those used in food and drink packaging, and in linings of takeaway boxes. As a result, we are regularly exposed to low concentrations of different bisphenols. This study evaluated the carcinogenic activity of bisphenol mixtures in cultures of human breast epithelial cells and monitored changes in gene expression. 

The findings showed that exposure to low concentrations of bisphenols can alter the function of many genes leading to the interference of many biochemical pathways, including the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP); a key pathway involved in the degradation of proteins and regulation of the cell cycle, which has implications for breast cancer development and growth. For more details of their findings see here. A follow-up project (which began in February 2022 and is also funded by Breast Cancer UK) will enable further understanding of biochemical pathways affected by bisphenol exposures (for details see “New grant funding application round 2021” below). 

## **Current projects** 

Breast-on-chip 


Dr Elisabete Silva, from the University of Brunel London, was awarded a grant of £43,360 to examine the impact of mixtures of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and saturated fats (that may result from a high-fat diet) on the early stages of breast cancer. The project uses an exciting new three-dimensional breast cancer model system known as “Breast-on-chip”. 

This method of culturing several types of breast cells more closely mimics how breast cells behave in the body. The project has suffered severe delays because of disruption caused by the pandemic, especially regarding sourcing essential materials such as reagents. 

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## **PhD studentships** 



We currently co-fund two PhD studentships, which began on 1 October 2018 and were due to finish on 30th September 2021. As a result of the disruption caused by the pandemic, we granted extensions to both students. All experimental work is now completed, and each student will submit their PhD thesis in the first quarter of FY22/23. 

Oxysterols and triple negative breast cancer 

One of the PhD studentships was awarded to Dr James Thorne and his student, Mr Alex Websdale, from the University of Leeds, in collaboration with Dr Hanne Røberg-Larsen from the University of Oslo. Alex’s studentship is co-funded by the University of Leeds. 

The project investigated the role of oxysterols in promoting triple negative breast cancer progression. Oxysterols are breakdown products of cholesterol which are thought to be associated with increased risk, recurrence and spread of breast cancer. 

Alex’s results showed that cholesterol is modified by enzymes in breast tumours, to produce specific types of oxysterols that cause triple negative breast cancers to become resistant to chemotherapy. This suggests that triple negative breast cancer patients may benefit from therapies that reduce circulating cholesterol levels (and consequently, oxysterol production inside tumours), such as statin therapy. 

The project has generated several peer-reviewed papers, including a co-authored review article in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition and research articles in Oncogene and Biochemical Pharmacology. Alex is due to submit his thesis in April 2022. For more details about this project see here. 

Breast Density and breast cancer 

Our second PhD studentship was awarded to Professor Valerie Speirs, and her student,  Ms Kerri Palmer, from the University of Aberdeen. Kerri’s studentship is co-funded by Animal Free Research UK, a charity whose purpose is to enable scientists to stop using animals in medical research, consistent with Breast Cancer UK’s policy on animal experimentation. 

The project examines how bisphenol A (BPA) affects breast density and contributes to breast cancer development. For more details about the project see here and see also the section below on Research Funding Impact. 

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## **RESEARCH FUNDING IMPACT** 

Research Project: Research Project:  Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and breast density Award:   Award:  £45,000 to Professor Valerie Speirs Funding partner: Funding partner:  £45,000 to Professor Speirs from Animal Free Research UK PhD studentship recipient: PhD studentship recipient:  Ms Kerri Palmer 

Breast Cancer UK and Animal Free Research UK are proud to jointly fund an exciting research study examining how Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), including bisphenol A (BPA), affect breast density and contribute to breast cancer development, using a 3D breast cell model. 

Apart from ageing, high breast density is the biggest breast cancer risk factor for women. Having a high breast density means having a higher proportion of fibrous and glandular tissue compared to fat tissue within the breast. Breast density increases in response to oestrogen so may be affected by EDCs that mimic oestrogen. 

Kerri initially worked on the effects of BPA on breast cells. How BPA acts to influence breast cancer risk isn’t completely understood. Her work demonstrated errors in the measurement of BPA concentrations used in laboratories around the world and this finding was published as a letter in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. 

Findings from the study indicate fat tissue may be involved in BPA’s potential contribution to breast cancer. BPA may also affect breast density to influence breast cancer risk. The study identified differences in the size of fat cells between breast cancer tissues of high and low breast density. A 3D model of a normal breast, based on animal-free components, was also established and used to assess how chemicals such as BPA may influence breast cancer risk. 

Kerri was invited to deliver a plenary oral talk at the Pathological Society conference in January 2022. She presented her work on 3D modelling and on different methods performed to optimise and produce a fully humanised 3D model of a normal breast. 

She delivered an excellent talk and was one of the runners-up for the best talk presented at the meeting. She also presented her work at the Advances in Cell and Tissue Culture (ACTC) conference and went on to contribute to a paper detailing the conference proceedings, with a focus on how we can produce more predictive and physiological animal-free models. 

The paper was published in the journal Alternatives to Laboratory Animals 

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## **NEW GRANT APPLICATION ROUND, 2021** 

Our most recent grant funding round, which called for applications to investigate the effects of bisphenols on breast cancer risk, was launched in January 2021, with a closing date of September 2021. Thanks to the continuing support of our donors, we were able to increase the maximum funds available for a single project from £45,000 to £100,000. We awarded two grants, both to support 3-year PhD studentships. 

A research grant of £100,000 was awarded to Dr Michael Antoniou and co-investigators Dr Robin Mesnage and Dr Ana Rodriguez-Mateos from King’s College London, to continue their previous research examining the effects of mixtures of bisphenols (used as BPA replacements) on breast cancer. The urine of UK residents will be analysed to identify which bisphenols residents are exposed to. 

The second part of the study will use human breast cells to look at the breast cancercausing and promoting potential of bisphenol mixtures, to gain insight into how mixtures can affect cellular pathways associated with the promotion of breast cancer. The PhD studentship was awarded to Mr Connor Powell, who began in February 2022. The title of his project is Biomonitoring and molecular toxicity profiling of bisphenol mixtures. 

A research grant of £99,272 was awarded to Professor Valerie Speirs and co-investigators Professor Paul Fowler; Dr Felix Grassmann; Ms Beatrix Elsberger and Mr Yazan Masannat from the University of Aberdeen to investigate further the effects of BPA on breast cancer development. This research will investigate the effects of continued exposure to low concentrations of BPA over a sustained period on the development of breast cancer in women. 

The applicants plan to use a combination of approaches beginning with a review of the literature on the effect of BPA on the mammary gland; followed by in silico (computerbased) identification of molecular pathways associated with BPA action; in vitro, (laboratory-based) analysis of specific genes and gene pathways regulated by BPA; and a retrospective analysis of BPA in the plasma of breast cancer patients compared to healthy controls. 

The overall aim is to conclusively determine the role of BPA in breast cancer. Ms Katharina Kusserow was awarded the studentship, which will begin in February 2023. The title of her project is Evaluating the effects of BPA on breast cancer development. 

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## **About our grant programme** 

Breast Cancer UK is committed to funding high-quality research that will help us to better understand the causes and risk factors for breast cancer. To ensure we only fund research of the highest quality, we have a rigorous grant application process. 

- We typically have one grant funding round each year. 

- We do not fund research that involves animal testing. 

- We only fund projects that are ethically approved. 

- We have clear application criteria and only fund research into breast cancer prevention. 

- We prioritise research that helps us to understand the link between environmental chemicals and breast cancer. 

- All grant applications are peer-reviewed by two members of our Independent Scientific Panel or an expert in the relevant field. 

- The Panel members review the applications based on merit. 

- The Panel includes independent experts in the field of oncology, public health, endocrinology, epidemiology, toxicology and other biological sciences. Successful grant applicants must abide by certain criteria – failure to do so could result in a grant being withdrawn. 

- The Science Committee makes the final decision on which applications will receive an award. The Committee includes Trustees with a scientific and research background and our Head of Science, who is a former research scientist. 

## **Independent Scientific Review panel** 

Breast Cancer UK’s Independent Scientific Review Panel was established in September 2016 to help strengthen our science and grant funding programme by providing expert scientific advice, specialist knowledge and expertise to staff and Trustees on subjects and themes relating to the various risk factors for breast cancer, including the links associated with exposure to harmful chemicals and those associated with diet and lifestyle. 

Panel members independently peer review all grant applications and the organisation’s body of scientific literature to ensure it is of a good scientific standard, meets Information Standard criteria and is based on sound scientific principles. The panel currently comprises 16 members, all independent scientists or clinicians. Details of panel members. 

## **BRINGING SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION INTO THE PUBLIC ARENA** 

As well as producing research-based publications, leaflets and content on our website and social media, Breast Cancer UK believe it is important to help people make sense of the often complex and sometimes contradictory scientific information before them. This year we have continued to provide plain English guides to explain the science behind our message on prevention. 

We introduced a new area on the website called “Key Facts sheets” which summarises the main points of a topic. Topics include: Pesticides, Organic Food and Breast Cancer Risk, Alcohol and breast cancer risk, Nutrition and Breast Cancer risk 

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To provide more comprehensive information for those with a scientific background, we released scientific briefings on Alcohol and breast cancer, Pesticides, organic food and breast cancer and Breast Cancer in Men. These were generated using our Information Production Process, which includes evaluation by two members of our Independent Scientific review panel. 

Our science blogs are intended to provide easy-to-read information about the science behind breast cancer risk and prevention. They are written by our science team, grantfunded researchers and, occasionally, guest scientists. Topics range from vitamin D and breast cancer to the impact of microplastics on breast cancer risk. 


To mark our 20th anniversary, we posted interviews with several of our past and current researchers including BCUK science panel member, former grant recipient and long-time supporter, Professor Philippa Darbre, who reflected on her extensive career studying chemicals and breast cancer and how important it is to translate research findings into policy and education. 

Current grant recipient Dr Michael Antoniou discussed how constant exposure to bisphenols found in plastics can affect health and another of our researchers, Professor Valerie Speirs, told us about breast cancer in men and what led her to work in this field. Chief Executive of Animal Free Research UK, Carla Owen, explained why animals are poor models for human diseases, and talked about the two charities' collaborative research project with Professor Valerie Speirs. Finally, we wrote a blog reflecting on our research programme including what research we have funded and why we fund it. 

To celebrate International Women’s Day and British Science Week, we interviewed Dr Britta Stordal, Senior Lecturer at Middlesex University, and one of our trustees, about her work as a cancer researcher and as part of Pesticide Action Week 2021, we discussed the links between pesticides and breast cancer. 

We continued our series “Meet the Scientist”, which features interviews with grant holders, who explain the background of their research. This year we featured Ms Bonnie Chatterji, who was awarded a grant to assist with our new breast cancer in men resource. 

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## **PLANS FOR THE SCIENCE PROGRAMME** 

## Breast cancer prevention meeting 

In 2018 Breast Cancer UK organised an inaugural UK Round Table meeting on breast cancer prevention hosted by Professor Philippa Darbre at the University of Reading. Two follow-up meetings in 2020 were planned but were cancelled due to the pandemic. 

Plans are now in place to host a second Breast Cancer Prevention meeting in the first half of 2023. The meeting will bring together scientists, clinicians, students and members of other charities who share an interest in breast cancer prevention. The conference will include scientific talks on all aspects of breast cancer prevention, take place over two days and will be held at Middlesex University and hosted by our trustee and deputy chair, Dr Britta Stordal. 

## Grant application round 2022 

In future, we plan to continue to grow our grants programme, increasing the number and value of grants that we fund. In our 2022 grant application round, we will continue to offer a maximum amount of £100,000 per project and will support projects which investigate the effects of environmental chemicals, including Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals or carcinogens, on breast cancer. 

## Scientific literature 

We will also strengthen our literature associated with nutrition and breast cancer by writing about the effects of low vitamin D on breast cancer risk and how high fibre intake and a healthy gut microflora can be protective against breast cancer. Our expert in the science of nutrition will compile a recipe book comprising simple and healthy recipes, along with explanations about why they are healthy and how they might help reduce breast cancer risk. 

We will update our literature on bisphenol A (BPA) and publish a new brief on bisphenols (used as BPA substitutes), which will support our future campaigns. We will publish a commissioned brief in a peer-reviewed scientific journal on how breastfeeding and early pregnancy can help reduce the risk of breast cancer in later life and publish a key fact sheet on our website about breastfeeding. 

We will update our information on in-utero (in the womb) exposures and their impact on breast cancer risk later in life. Finally, we will publish a short brief and key facts sheet on the role of mammography screening in detecting breast cancer and discuss the benefits and harms of the NHS screening programme. 

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## **OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMME** 

Our objectives were to: 

- Develop educational advice for members of the public who want to know more about lifestyle and environmental risk factors for breast cancer 

- Improve access to practical solutions that help people take direct action to reduce their risk 

- Reach and engage more young women with our message 

- Grow and consolidate our ambassador programme so that we help more people understand how to reduce their risk. 


## **A NEW INTERACTIVE PERSONALISED PREVENTION EXPERIENCE** 

This 20th anniversary year we rolled out our commitment to digitally transform our education services with the launch in May of our Breast Cancer Prevention Hub as part of Breast Cancer Prevention week. The hub includes a variety of interactive tools and resources to help people take practical action to reduce their risk.  It has attracted 31,000 users in the first year, significantly exceeding our three-year target of 20,000. 

We are thrilled with the hub’s popularity which shows the importance of our service to reach more people with our prevention advice. High-quality and accessible education is how we believe we can provide easy access to prevention information and help people take action to reduce their risk. 

We believe the success of the hub is down to its usability, interactivity and unique personalised approach making prevention action possible for everyone. None of this would have been possible without our supporters and their belief in our prevention education. We thank all our supporters including our funding partners Ecclesiastical Movement for God and the Tibra Foundation. 

Alongside the Prevention Hub, we released a new personalised prevention quiz which was taken by 7,900 people in the first year. We had 630 people sign up for their own personalised prevention plan. They received additional support and tips from us to keep them motivated to make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of ever developing breast cancer. 

A feature of the hub is the two new interactive learning guides packed full of accessible tips on the environmental and lifestyle risk factors of breast cancer. Our Chemicals iGuide attracted 9,150 users and our Everyday Life iGuide attracted 2,700 users. 

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## **PREVENTION ADVICE** 



We delivered 10 digital and face-to-face talks across the country to over 300 professionals, high school students, health care providers and GP Practise for staff and patients. 

We produced a new series of animations called Reduce Your Risk Anytime helping people understand what they can do throughout the different stages of their life to reduce their risks. 

We launched a series of EDC education videos offering detailed information on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and the impact they have on our health and the environment, and what you can do to reduce exposure. 

We published a series of interviews, talks and animations on breast cancer prevention on our YouTube channel. 

## **BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH – ’25 SAVES LIVES’ GOT PEOPLE MOVING TO REDUCE THEIR RISK** 

In October we renewed our Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) campaign ’25 Saves Lives’. Highlighting the importance of exercise and regular physical activity to help protect us from developing breast cancer. 

63 people got active for our cause, walking, running and taking on our Daily Pilates Challenge which saw over 2,000 people sign up for the 30-day challenge. We topped up the month with our very own fitness festival, a weekend-long festival featuring a range of fitness, yoga and dance classes to keep people moving. 


## **PLANS FOR OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMME** 

We will continue to expand the variety of content through stories, videos, live events and campaigns to inform an active prevention community of people taking charge of their health and that of future generations. 

To do this we will continue to produce new, relevant information and advice tailored to the needs of diverse audiences including young people, men, pregnant women and those planning to have children and trans and non-binary people. 

Now that we are able to go back into communities, we will rebuild our face-to-face education programme to ensure we reach people in settings across the country. Ensuring Breast Cancer UK is the one-stop breast cancer prevention community. 

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## **OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS** 

## **OUR DONORS AND FUNDRAISERS** 

Our supporters came out to help our cause in the highest ever numbers taking part in numerous events and giving generously to help our vital work happen. We showed our gratitude and recognition for our amazing supporters on our Donation Wall. 

We thank them all for sharing our passion and determination to reduce the suffering and devastation caused by breast cancer and to help reduce the amount of people who hear the words ‘you have breast cancer’. 

We’ve selected a snapshot of the fantastic achievements of our fundraisers. 

- We thank Amanda Nathan and Danielle Burns who raised £10,026.00 through a sponsored night-time walk in memory of their friend Sam Brown 

- We thank the 19 brave skydivers who jumped for our 20th Anniversary on the same weekend in 5 different locations across the UK and raised an incredible £15,517.24 

- We thank Anna Loughborough (a breast cancer patient) who took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks with her friends and family and raised £7,988.75 

- We thank our dedicated Daily Pilates Movers who together, with Catford Pilates and Rebecca Trowbridge (pictured right), raised an amazing £5,114 by completing 25 days of Pilates during Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

- Jane Allen talks about why she took part in the BCUK Pilates Challenge in 2022: "I'm a huge BCUK fan for a start. For me, prevention is crucial, and I love that BCUK is not just about healthy eating, but a whole chemical-free lifestyle." Read more here 

- We thank Connor Lee who shaved his head and raised £6,300.17 

- We thank Lucy McMann (a cancer patient) who shaved her head and raised £6,982.70 and you can also read her story here 





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## **PHILANTHROPY, CORPORATE PARTNERS AND LEGACIES** 

We were very pleased to continue our partnership with Boody UK who sponsored our BCAM campaign. We were thrilled to work with four new partners; Organibox, Never Fully Dressed, Echelon Fit and Andalucian Olive Oil who supported us during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and throughout the year. 

We were equally excited to be offered two grants valued at £35,140 from the Tibra foundation to develop tailored advice for breast cancer in men and prevention advice for sixth-form students. Finally, this year we were grateful to receive £162,652 in generous gifts left for our charity in Wills. 

We thank all our partners, sponsors and donors for their continued generosity. 

## **OUR ADVOCACY PROGRAMME** 

Our objectives for the last year were to: 

- Encourage a preventative approach by campaigning to improve legislation and public health policy which helps to promote the primary prevention of breast cancer. Work at UK levels for policy and regulatory changes that help to protect against breast cancer. 

- Raise the profile of our key messages amongst political decision-makers by establishing a network of activists to help us make our message heard. 

This year, we continued to campaign for improved public health and environmental protection from harmful chemicals with links to increased breast cancer risk. We sought to shape government policymaking following the UK’s departure from the EU and the introduction of a new UK chemical regulation regime. Our aim has been to ensure Brexit is seized upon as an opportunity to improve consumer protections, promote cancer prevention policies and retain a precautionary approach to prevent breast cancer. 

## **ADVOCACY AND CAMPAIGNING** 

Our public affairs work has focused on lobbying for improvements in legislation and public health policy to reduce public exposure to harmful chemicals linked to increased breast cancer risk. This includes exposure to chemicals that are either carcinogenic or endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals found in everyday products and the environment. 

Despite being dogged by significant political uncertainty and a paucity of services due to the ongoing effects of Covid-19, we pressed forward by forging an alliance of concerned environmental and health NGOs working together to engage ministers and government officials on the need to strengthen public protection from harmful chemicals linked to breast cancer. 

The Impact of Brexit on Chemical Protections 

Following the UK’s EU departure, the future of public protection from harmful chemicals remains uncertain. The new UK Chemicals regime ‘UK REACH’ (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) came into force in January 2021, introducing a whole new policy environment where EU protections which are considered a ‘gold standard' no longer apply in the UK where chemicals regulation will now occur independently from the EU. 

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Our key concern is the risk of divergence from the health and environmental protections the UK public previously enjoyed. The first year of UK REACH has sadly shown that the restriction of substances that pose a risk to human health and the environment is not keeping pace with EU REACH and is at risk of falling further behind as far fewer substances of very high concern have so far been identified and proposed for restriction in the UK than in the EU. 

The ultimate risk is that substances banned for health and environmental reasons in the EU will remain in our products, in our homes and our environment, leaving the UK public more exposed to chemicals that harm our health and that of future generations. That is why we are actively engaging with government officials and working in collaboration with public health and environmental NGOs to ensure our hard-won public health and environmental protections are maintained and enhanced post-Brexit. 

## UK Public Health Policy 

Now that the focus of public health policy is moving away from the impact of Covid-19 and that services are going back to normal, the NHS cancer backlog is sadly all too evident with high numbers of patients continuing to experience delays in cancer treatment with Breast Cancer Now estimating in May 2021 that 12,000 people may be living with undiagnosed breast cancer. 

The pressure on the NHS and the impact this has on people’s cancer outcomes highlights the critical need to put prevention first by prioritising action to address lifestyle and environmental risk factors. And this is something we have continued to raise with policymakers. 

We were pleased to see the Government’s commitment to producing a new 10-year cancer plan. We submitted evidence as part of the consultation on this plan calling for an explicit commitment towards the primary prevention of cancer, with measures to enhance education on prevention, strengthen research into the environmental causes of cancer and deliver ambitious policy interventions to address the impact of harmful chemicals on the nation’s health to reduce breast cancer risk. 

We remain committed to speaking up for and underlining the urgency of prevention. We are the only UK cancer charity advocating for a greater focus on breast cancer prevention by addressing exposure to harmful chemicals in everyday products and the environment. 

## Public Affairs Initiatives 

## **February 2022** February 2022 

- We signed an open letter  to Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg MP calling for the UK to remain a world leader in public health and environmental protection. We wrote a joint statement with Health and Environmental NGOs calling for urgent action to address the public health and environmental impacts of PFAS pollution. 

## **January 2022** 

- We wrote a policy submission to the Health & Safety Executive consultation on regulatory options for the management of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We wrote a joint letter to Environment Secretary George Eustice on proposed changes to identifying substances of very high concern. 

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## **November 2021** 

- We submitted our policy paper to DEFRA on the UK Chemicals Strategy We wrote to DEFRA Minister Jo Churchill MP. 

## **October 2021** 

- 

- We co presented our 12 Asks to UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum in partnership with our friends at CHEM Trust and Fidra calling on DEFRA to use the chemicals strategy to strengthen public protection from harmful chemicals linked to breast cancer and other public health conditions. 

## **September 2021** 

- We wrote to Public Health Minister Maggie Throup MP to call for urgent action to put the primary prevention of breast cancer at the heart of public health and cancer plans. 

## **August 2021** 

- We signed a joint letter to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on the Home Office review into the use of animals in medical research, calling on the Government to deliver an action plan to phase out animal experiments and phase in a modern, hightech, human-specific approach to medical research. 

## **July 2021** 

- We wrote a joint letter to UK Health Security Agency Chief Executive Dr Jenny Harris on the responsibilities of the new agency to monitor, research and regulate the effects of harmful chemicals on the nation’s health 

- We wrote a joint letter to Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, on the responsibilities of the new Office for Health Promotion to support the prevention of ill health. 

## **May 2021** 

- We submitted a joint Policy Paper to DEFRA on the forthcoming UK Chemicals Strategy, outlining our 12 key asks for the forthcoming UK chemicals strategy 

- We wrote a joint Letter to the UK Environment Minister highlighting our key calls to action for the UK Chemicals Strategy calling on DEFRA to use the forthcoming UK Chemicals Strategy as an opportunity to maintain and enhance public health and environmental protection from harmful chemicals. 

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Collaboration 

We have continued to attend and actively participate in the UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum engaging with the Forum initiatives and networking with Government, NGO and industry officials. We have become an accredited stakeholder within the Health & Safety Executive as the new UK Chemicals regulator to develop a new working relationship and to influence activities under UK REACH to ensure strong public protections. 

Over the past year, we have increased membership of our UK NGO Working Group on Harmful Chemicals with organisations such as CHEM Trust, Alliance for Cancer Prevention, Cancer Prevention and Education Society, FIDRA, Green Alliance and Marine Conservation Society as part of the group. 

We have developed joint initiatives that have strengthened our ability to influence developments within UK Chemicals policy. We plan to continue to build this alliance with joint initiatives to further highlight to policymakers and the public the need for effective policies to support the prevention of breast cancer. 


## **PLANS FOR OUR ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMME** 

To drive forward our Public Affairs priorities within this new policy environment, we have developed a new Public Affairs Strategy to inform our activities over the next three years. Our goals are derived from our charitable objectives and focus on strengthening collaboration, influencing policy and supporter mobilisation. 

We intend to strengthen our impact by: 

- Building an effective, action-orientated alliance with the NGO Working Group on Harmful Chemicals to deliver collaborative and targeted policy and campaign initiatives to achieve stronger public health and environmental protection. Positively engaging with government and priority stakeholders to protect the public from exposure to harmful chemicals linked to increased breast cancer risk. Launching new public mobilisation campaigns and materials to enable supporters to get our prevention message across to policymakers 

We will continually assess our work, and monitor our impact and progress against agreed targets. We will adjust our activities to maximise our impact with the resources we can commit. 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

The Directors present their report with financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31st March 2022. In preparing this report the Directors have taken advantage of some of the special exemptions applicable to small companies. 

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## **PRINCIPAL FUNDING SOURCES** 

Total funds raised this year were £929,872. This was a welcome annual increase of £216,878 on the previous year and demonstrates the returns to the charity the continued effort to grow its profile and services have achieved. This is despite the uncertainty brought about by the ongoing pandemic. The team managed risk through routine risk assessments and regular budget tracking and forecasting. We continued to develop engaging awareness-raising campaigns reaching wider audiences. We continued to test and learn with funding appeals; we produced a greater number of accessible and engaging education resources aimed at growing our prevention community and we invested in a tailored supporter journey matrix to nurture our donors in order to offer them a rewarding and personalised experience. The balance of effective risk management and innovation is what we believe has led to this sustained growth in support from individual members of the public, trusts and foundations and companies for our work. 

As with the previous year, the largest source of income this year was from community fundraising (£411,113) which was made up of individual fundraising (£254,696), company staff fundraising (£90,801) and fundraising by educational facilities, sports clubs and other clubs/societies (£65,616). The next highest sources of income were from in-memory giving (£118,968) and individual giving (£72,125). 

In all cases, donations are unsolicited and come from those people affected in some way by breast cancer, who choose to donate or fundraise for our cause. £5,986 was received as restricted donations for scientific research, £4,752 was allocated to the Bisphenol research, £723 was allocated to the Breast Density project and £511 to the Oxysterol project. 

This year, we also received generous funding grants (£50,475) with restricted grants gratefully received from the Tibra Foundation (£35,140), Pink Ribbon Foundation (£5,000) and The Hospital Saturday Fund (£2,000) and unrestricted grants gratefully received from the Masonic Charitable Foundation (£5,335), The Higgs Charitable Trust (£2,000) and The Lady Forester Trust (£1,000). Finally, several generous legacies were gratefully received (£162,652).  We continue to partner with smaller companies and individuals too and would particularly like to thank them for their ongoing support. 

## **CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE** 

With financial stability and sustainability remaining a priority, we managed our level of spending cautiously by minimising costs and overheads while ensuring we maximised funds spent on our charitable cause. We set expenditure targets to build investments that would help us achieve the greatest impact on our cause. This year we increased our investment in our core charitable objectives, our education services and our scientific research programme.  We spent 80% (£558,375) on charitable activities this financial year and 20% (£144,174) on raising funds. This year, we made a record investment in our scientific research grant programme, awarding £205,452 in scientific grants with a total investment in our science programme of £321,778. This reflects our objective to fund more research into the causes of breast cancer in order to better understand how to prevent breast cancer. 

Our second largest area of expenditure was on our education programme (£133,601). This expenditure closely matches that of last year reflecting our continuing efforts to drive the digital transformation of our education programme with greater relevant content to reach and engage with a wider and more diverse audience. 

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## **RESERVES POLICY** 

## Purpose of the Reserves 

The charity holds reserves to provide funding to support the continuation of the charitable aims and objectives and the ability to meet financial commitments in the event of a significant unforeseen reduction in income or increase in operational costs. 

## Level of Reserves 

The level of reserves is set by considering the uncertain nature of the charity’s income (which relies entirely on donations, legacies and grants) and the recurrent expenditure and financial commitments the charity has. The charity has limited overheads arising from the accommodation as we do not have a central office space. Hence our main financial commitments and running costs arise from staffing and research grants. 

In the event of a significant reduction in income, the trustees believe that six months is an appropriate period in which to seek new income streams to continue the charity’s work or, if these are not available, to reduce staff numbers and costs. These reserves would also allow for the financial implications of any emergency or need to significantly increase operational expenditure. 

## Designated Funds 

The charity is committed to funding research into the chemical and environmental causes of breast cancer. Research grant applications from independent academic institutions are considered periodically and approved at the Board level. 

Designated funds represent funds approved by the Board for future spending on research grants and other projects that aim to deliver our charitable objectives. The level of designated funds is updated throughout the year to reflect the amount of funds set aside for future projects until the funds are either committed to a project or a decision is made to un-designate them if a project does not go ahead. 

## Free Reserves 

Breast Cancer UK is committed to a programme of activity that meets our charitable objectives. Given the uncertain nature of legacies, budgets are prepared on the assumption that only in cases where we have already been formally notified, are they included in income. 

As a result, sudden large legacies or donations that are received during the financial year can result in reserves being held that are more than Breast Cancer UK’s reserves policy (free reserves) after allowing for designated funds. 

To help us address this, our business plans now include a priority list of research and education projects which align with our strategic priorities and the impact that we want to achieve. Thus, excess legacies or unexpectedly large donations will be directed promptly to these projects. We are continuing to monitor legacy income for trends with a view to assessing the feasibility of including projections in future income target setting. 

## Authority, Monitoring and Reporting 

Ongoing monitoring of the reserves is undertaken during the year by the CEO, Finance Manager and Finance Trustee. At the time mid-year financial results are available when budgets are revisited, the reserve position including how funds are allocated should be reported to the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee meeting and the Board. 

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## Reserve Policy Review 

The Reserves Policy will be reviewed annually by the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee in February and approved by the Board of Trustees in March, reviewing in detail the reserve position and taking into account prevailing conditions in the charity sector and short-term and medium-term plans for the charity. 

At the Board meeting on 28th March 2022, Trustees determined to revisit and adjust the amount in emergency reserves in light of the reduced emergency reserves in 2019/20 which was largely due to reduced staffing and the impact of the pandemic. Trustees resolved that £300,000   should be held in emergency reserve. This represents 6 months of expenditure. The total reserve level is sufficient to allow for the financial implications of a downturn in income or the need to significantly increase operational expenditure. 

Excess Free Reserves on 31st March 2022 amounted to £579,124.  The Board have agreed to designate £200,000 to our science grant application round in FY2023/24 We were pleased to find that the negative impact on income from the pandemic in the previous year did not occur this year, with steady income growth occurring throughout the year. Despite this, we recognised the continued uncertainty and have therefore maintained a precautionary approach to ensure we can weather the storm of any financial crisis ahead. 

## **RESULTS AND CLOSING POSITION** 

The charity’s income exceeded expenditure this year by £227,323. This surplus was welcome given that we had increased investments in the previous year in scientific research and education. This outcome was clearly the result of the growth of our income which rose by 30% compared to last year. Our total expenditure was 3% under budget. Total income exceeded our annual budget target by £369,702 including legacies and grants. 

Given our initial projection of £164,627 in planned deficit at 2021/22-year end, our closing position is extremely positive ensuring we enter the year ahead with confidence to stay on track to grow sustainably and achieve impact for our beneficiaries. 

## **STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **STRUCTURE** 

Breast Cancer UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee (registration number 07348408), registered on the 8th of November 2010 and registered as a charity on the 15th of August 2001 (registered charity number 1138866). The company was established under the Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10. 

Our charitable objectives are as follows: 

- 1.to advance health and save lives by encouraging a preventative approach to breast cancer. 

- 2.to educate and raise awareness of the preventable risk factors for breast cancer and provide practical information to help people reduce their risk. 

- 3.to support scientific research that helps us to understand and address the preventable risk factors for breast cancer. 

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## **GOVERNANCE** 

The Directors of the Company, who are listed on the last page of this report are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the Company’s articles are known as members of the Board of Trustees. 

All members of the Board of Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 3 to the accounts. Several trustees have suffered from breast cancer or are close to people who have suffered from the disease. They use their own experience in this area to assist the charity. 

In recruiting Trustees, the members seek to ensure the charity benefits from a broad range of different skills and expertise. Skills and expertise represented on the board include science and policy, medicine, cancer services, governance, law, accountancy, fundraising, PR, business management and IT. In the event of skills or individuals being lost due to retirements or resignations, the charity advertises for specific skills and interviews are carried out to ensure the most appropriate appointments are made. 

This year we were sad to say goodbye to Wendy Clark, Athina Kakavouli and Sharon Nash. After several years with the charity, Wendy stood down from her position as Chair of the Board of the charity before the end of her second term on 31st March 2022. Sharon Nash stood down part way through her first term due to increasing work demands. Athina Kakavouli stepped down at the end of her second term in June 2021. 

The Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to appoint Ruth Freeborough as Chair of the board on 28th March 2022. We welcome Britta Stordal who joined the charity as a Trustee on the 17th of June 2021 and was unanimously appointed as Deputy Chair of the board on the 28th March 2022. 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Board of trustees<br>Remuneration and  Audit Risk and Scrutiny  Science and Public<br>Appointments Committee  Committee Affairs Committee<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **STAFF** 

Breast Cancer UK’s staff are our greatest asset and we are committed to supporting every employee to achieve their potential and achieve personal goals which in turn will assist the organisation to achieve its objectives. After a change in structure in 2020, we have gradually expanded the team to meet increasing functional needs. 

Introducing four new roles, an Operations Officer to support the smooth day-to-day running of our charity, an additional Fundraising Officer to support the implementation of a new supporter journey matrix, a new Communications Officer to support our internal and external communications and a new Digital Data and Technology Manager to lead the charity’s continued digital transformation. 

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**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
CEO (FT)<br>Digital Content<br>Head of  Fundraising Digital Data and<br>Public Affairs and Finance<br>Science Manager  Technology<br>Officer (FT) Communications  Manager (FT)<br>(0.8 FTE) (0.6 FTE) Manager (FT) Manager  (FT)<br>Science Research Science Research Fundraising Communicaty  Communications Operations<br>Fundraising<br>Officer (FT) Officer (FT) Officer (FT) Officer  (FT) Officer (0.8 FT)<br>Officer (0.5 FTE)<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


This year we began a review of our pay and benefits to be completed over twelve months to ensure we remain competitive in the changing employment market, ensure a good work-life balance and retain our existing staff and attract appropriate talent in future recruitment. 

## **RISK MANAGEMENT** 

A risk register is established. Risk management sits with the CEO and ownership sits with specific Committees and the Board. The Committees of the Board of Trustees and the Board itself review the Risk Register at each meeting and it is updated regularly. Mitigating actions are considered and reviewed regularly. All policies and processes are under rolling review to ensure we are compliant with regulations. 

## **STATEMENT OF PUBLIC BENEFIT** 

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the Charity Commission’s General Guidance on public benefit. Our charitable objectives are enshrined in our Memorandum of Association and Trustees to ensure that the charity’s activities are carried out for the public benefit. In July, these articles were formally amended with a special resolution passed to amend our ‘objects’ clause through our three new strategic approaches: 

- to advance health and save lives by encouraging a preventative approach to breast cancer 

- to educate and raise awareness of the preventable risk factors for breast cancer and provide practical information to help people reduce their risk 

- to support scientific research that helps us to understand and address the preventable risk factors for breast cancer. 

- This report allows us to show how our charitable funds are spent and the impact that this has on those that access our information or use our services, as well as on the wider challenge to reduce breast cancer incidence rates. 

Ruth Freeborough (Chair and Director of the Board of Trustees) 

Breast Cancer UK limited 

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## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

The trustees (who are also the directors of Breast Cancer UK Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to 

   - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is 

- inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Trustees Dr A S Giles (resigned 24.5.22) Mrs R E Freeborough Miss E J Kendall Ms W Clark (resigned 31.3.22) Dr N Taske Mrs O Otukoya Ms S R Nash (resigned 31.3.22) Mr M Jarvis Ms M H Black Dr B Stordal (appointed 17.6.21) Dr A Kakavouli (resigned 17.6.21) Mrs J G M Tolentino-Deludet Ms C Froguel (appointed 30.6.22) C Winstanley (appointed 30.6.22) 

Independent Examiner George Hay Partnership LLP Chartered Accountants St George's House George Street Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 3GH 

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## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BREAST CANCER UK LIMITED** 

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Breast Cancer UK Limited ('the Company') 

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

Responsibilities and basis of the report 

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). 

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. 

## Independent examiner's statement 

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of ICAEW which is one of the listed bodies. 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). 

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

Mrs Toni Hunter ICAEW George Hay Partnership LLP Chartered Accountants St George's House George Street Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 3GH 

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Date: 22nd December 2022 



Breast Cancer UK limited 

## Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Balance Sheet 31 March 2022 

22/12/2022 

Ruth Freeborough 

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## Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


## Notes to the Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Detailed Statement of the Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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## Detailed Statement of the Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 


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info@breastcanceruk.org.uk www.breastcanceruk.org.uk @BreastCancer_UK @breastcanceruk facebook.com/breastcanceruk linkedin.com/company/breast-cancer-uk Breast Cancer UK (2019) BM Box 7767 London WC1N 3XX Tel: 0845 6801322