Fashion designer and Breast Cancer Ambassador for London visits Guy's Hospital cancer research labs

Award-winning fashion designer Zandra Rhodes CBE marked her appointment as the Breast Cancer Ambassador for London with a visit to Guy's Hospital cancer research labs yesterday (Tuesday 9 July).

Zandra, who sells her dramatic and colourful designs around the world, is also a long-standing supporter of research charity Breast Cancer Campaign. In her new role she will help the Mayor of London Boris Johnson raise awareness of the disease. Over 4,600 women in the capital are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and they want to encourage women to regularly check for any changes to their breasts and to seek advice if they see anything unusual or have any concerns. They will also promote London as a leading centre for research into breast cancer and its treatment.

As the largest provider of cancer services in London, Guy's and St Thomas' was the ideal place for Zandra to mark her appointment and to find out more about the capital's cancer services. The Deputy Mayor of London Victoria Borwick joined Zandra Rhodes for a tour of the King's College London research laboratory based at Guy's Hospital, which is investigating genetic variations in thousands of tissue samples that may increase the risk of developing non-invasive forms of breast cancer.

A new £160m Cancer Centre is under construction at Guy's Hospital which will provide the majority of cancer services under one roof when it opens in 2016. The centre will also include research facilities so that Guy's remains at the forefront of research into cancer.

Zandra Rhodes said: 'Breast cancer is a devastating disease and I am pleased to accept the role of Breast Cancer Ambassador, to help raise awareness both of the disease and how we can overcome it through investment in research.'