In 2001, breast cancer claimed 13,000 lives. One in nine women will develop the disease and 41,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. The statistics are frightening but, with the help of a Cancer Research UK-backed Southampton project, deaths from breast cancer are finally falling. EMMA JOSEPH finds out more...

IS it any wonder that what has been labelled at The Big C - some cannot even say the name - has become the topic of conversation to be generally avoided?

Well, not any more.

The fear of cancer, and the wish to block it from our minds, is almost as big a hurdle to jump as the disease itself.

A reluctance to face up to it breeds ignorance and allows a killer on the loose to continue claiming victims, many of whom just do not realise they are sitting targets.

Anne Croudass is a Cancer Research UK funded supernurse based at the recently-opened £5.5m Somers Cancer Research Building at Southampton General Hospital, which provides top class facilities for leading cancer scientists.

She is working hard to change the way we think and feel about cancer.

Her message is simple: "It's good to talk."

Awareness is a life-saving ethic which, with earlier detection and improved treatment, has enabled deaths from breast cancer to be reduced by 22 per cent in the last ten years.

That rate is expected to fall by a further two per cent year on year.

Anne, 32, switched to cancer care two years ago after six years as a respiratory nurse and is a perfect example of the new approach aimed at getting results sooner rather than later.

She said: "This is a really exciting time to be involved. There are so many developments going on and I really look forward to every day at work.

"The opportunity is there to really sell what we are doing to the public and to make a difference."

Anne's main aims are to increase patient awareness of all-important clinical trials, promote the benefits of research to staff, patients and the public, and improve communication between the world of research departments and other hospital staff.

Since April 2001, 540 patients have been recruited to the trials, where patients can volunteer to undergo new treatments - 94 of those were breast trials.

The trials are open to anyone who matches the basic criteria set by doctors.

The Somers Cancer Research Building, which became operational last October, was also partly funded by Cancer Research UK.

As well as laboratory space it has facilities for specialised tissue culture and special clean rooms where cancer vaccines are prepared, plus a base for the clinical research team.

Anne believes that most cancer patients who take part in a trial benefit from a feeling of extra support at what is a very difficult time.

"Lots of people tell me that they feel they really get something extra from it," she said.

"They also know that they are doing something to help the next generation of cancer patients.

"In theory, there are no limits to the numbers we could take and of course, that in turn could hasten beneficial results."

For more information, or if you wish to be considered for one of the trials being organised by the Cental South Coast Cancer Research Network, call Anne Croudass on 023 8079 5112.

Information on the work of Cancer Research UK, as well as details of causes, symptoms and treatments of various cancers, along with ways to make a donation, is available by calling 020 7242 0200.

The Hampshire Stride for Life, in aid of Cancer Research UK, takes place at Beaulieu on Sunday, October 12.

Registration costs £6 for adults and £3 for children. For more details, or to register, call the hotline number on 08701 602040.