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Each year nearly 46,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. Scientists believe more than half of these could be prevented if we fully understood the causes of breast cancer. But the causes of breast cancer are complicated.

Breakthrough intends to find the exact causes of breast cancer by exploring potential genetic, environmental, behavioural and hormonal factors. And through these findings, discover ways to prevent the disease.

To find out what these factors are, and how they combine with each other to cause breast cancer, the Breakthrough Generations Study will follow more than 109,000 women over 40 years. By taking blood samples and asking them detailed questions about their health, lifestyle and experiences, the study will give scientists access to an enormous amount of data.

In it for the long haul

It’s a tremendous commitment considering the length of the study and required follow-up questionnaires. The reasons the participants do it are as varied as the women themselves. Many of them have been personally affected by breast cancer, either themselves or a family member, or for some, both. Like Breakthrough, and like M&S, these women envision a future free from the fear of breast cancer.

For Jacquie Leonard, Community Programme Manager at M&S and part of the Plan A team, what started as part of her job turned into something much more personal. Jacquie first heard about the Generations Study during a tour of the research facility where the blood samples and questionnaires are stored.

"I was struck by how amazing it was. The study is so unique and wide-ranging. I was also inspired by the fact that even though it is a long-term study, some results will come out while it's going on."

These reasons, as well as the fact that the study has the potential to help people with all types of cancer, inspired Jacquie to sign up to be a participant in the study.

"I lost my very best friend to cancer at 31 and had a form of advanced pre-cancer myself. With a busy life it's often easier to give money, but I felt it was time to do more than that. Before finding out about the Generations Study I never knew what that was. This gave me an opportunity to give something back."

Jacquie also asked her 18-year-old daughter to participate in the study when she realised the importance of genetic factors to breast cancer risk.

"We went to get our blood taken together and spent the rest of the morning filling out our questionnaires. We made the time to do it."

To find out more about the Breakthrough Generations Study, click here.