A WORLD expert in breast cancer has told a Dorset seminar that encouraging progress has been made in the last decade in tackling the disease, but there is still a long way to go.

Professor Sunil Lakhani, who runs the Lesley Elliott and People of Dorset Laboratory at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Centre in London, spoke in detail about his work in molecular pathology to local Breakthrough fundraisers for the first time since the laboratory was opened 18 months ago in the presence of Cherie and Tony Blair.

The professor said: "The mortality rate from breast cancer in the UK has dropped by about a third in the last ten years, although Britain retains one of the highest death rates in the world from breast cancer."

Mr Lakhani included screening as one of the main factors in the falling death rate. "If the tumour is picked up while it is still small it can reduce mortality, which is the idea behind the screening programme."

He said it would be unrealistic to talk about the eradication of breast cancer in the near future, but one of his early goals is to eradicate the fear of the disease to allow people to live with it more easily.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this year marks the tenth anniversary of the founding of Breakthrough Dorset by Lesley Elliott, the young mother of three from Frampton near Dorchester who died from the disease in 1994.

Lesley inspired thousands by her bravery in allowing television cameras to film the progress of her illness.

Lesley's friends took on the challenge of continuing her campaign in her memory and today the same core of five form the committee of Dorset Break-through.

They are looking for more people to join them in leading the fundraising which has reached more than one million pounds - the largest amount raised by any Breakthrough group in the country.

The dedication of the Dorset fundraisers has touched Professor Lakhani: "I see the plaque at the Dorset laboratory every day. It reminds me of the honour and responsibility I have towards you all and Lesley," he told them, adding: "I hope the work that we do will truly be an honour to Lesley's memory. And I hope the work to which you have contributed in Lesley's name is the kind you want to support in the future."