Clinical Hub Aberystwyth
Your Health Matters
Welcome to the BECA Study
Omics Approaches to Improve the Diagnosis, Management and Treatment of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and a leading cause of cancer death among women in more than 100 countries. Diagnosis currently relies on mammography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), molecular breast imaging (MBI) and breast biopsy.
BECA is working towards simpler and earlier ways to detect breast cancer using urine and blood samples. By studying thousands of biological signals including proteins, small molecules and microorganisms—and combining this information with advanced data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI), we aim to identify patterns linked to breast cancer and better understand each patient’s condition. We also investigate complications that may occur following breast implant surgery.
Our goal is to develop an affordable, rapid and high-throughput biomarker test that could work alongside mammography. In the future, a simple urine test could help support earlier breast cancer diagnosis and provide clinicians with valuable information to guide more personalised treatment and patient care.
Study Posters
Our patient information posters are available in English and Welsh. Scan the QR code on either poster to learn more about taking part.
English
Cymraeg
Research Context
How BECA moves from patient samples to an early detection test.
We compare urine and blood samples from people newly diagnosed with breast cancer or attending with symptoms, people with breast implant complications, and age matched healthy volunteers. Genomic, proteomic, metabolomic and microbiome data are combined with clinical information and analysed using statistics and AI. The strongest biomarkers will form the basis of a low cost test for early detection.
Figure created using BioRender.com and clipart-library.com
Study Objectives
BECA has three main aims.
01
Find early detection biomarkers
Identify biomarkers for the early detection of breast cancer and breast implant complications in minimally invasive samples, using omics and artificial intelligence (AI).
02
Understand implant rejection
Investigate how these biomarkers relate to the inflammatory responses that can lead to rejection of breast implants after breast cancer surgery.
03
Develop an affordable test
Develop a low cost, high throughput biomarker assay, or panel of biomarker profiles, that shows disease status, stage and type to support diagnosis and treatment.
BECA Recruiting Across the UK
Samples are being collected at seven NHS hospitals across Wales and England. Explore the map to see every site taking part.
Study details
IRAS ID: 306872
REC reference: 21/SC/0411 (South Central, Hampshire A)
Sponsor: Aberystwyth University
Who is included
People newly diagnosed with breast cancer or attending with breast symptoms, people with breast implant complications, and age matched healthy volunteers.
Samples and analysis
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Urine, plasma, serum, biopsy, swab samples collected at partner NHS hospitals.
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Analysed using metabolomics and proteomics, including extracellular vesicles in urine.
Using the map
Select any pin to see the hospital name and its health board.
Research Findings Dissemination
We share BECA results at scientific conferences and breast cancer clinical meetings, so that researchers, clinicians and patients can follow our progress.
Recent Publications
Metabolic Fingerprinting of Urine Reveals Metabolite Changes in Women With Breast Cancer
Zainurin et al., Cancer Medicine (2026). doi.org/10.1002/cam4.72018
The Urinary Proteome Differs with the Presence and Type of Breast Cancer
Zainurin et al., Journal of Proteome Research. doi.org/10.1021/acs.jproteome.5c00229
Meet Our Clinicians and Research Nurses
BECA relies on dedicated research nurses and clinicians at each partner hospital, who recruit participants and collect samples. Swipe through to meet them.
Our research nurse team at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl.
From left: Ms Victoria Whitehead, Ms Heulwen Owens, Ms Lisa Jobes and Ms Louise Ransome.
Site initiation visit at St Albans City Hospital, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals. From left: Prof Luis Mur (CI), Ms Jackie Evans (research nurse), Dr. Lee-Min Lai (PI), Ms Aimi Zainurin and Ms Noura Laziri
Our research nurse team at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl.
Gallery
Moments from BECA meetings, site visits and time spent shadowing in clinic and theatre.
BECA team engagement meeting at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, with Prof. Mandana Pennick (Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and BECA supervisor), radiology and breast implant consultants, and BCUHB research nurses. 14 June 2022.
Postgraduate Seminar Room, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, 13 June 2023. From left: Prof. Luis Mur, Miss Aimi Zainurin, Prof. Mandana Pennick, Dr Mei-Ju Hwang (Consultant Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgeon), Mr Habeeb Yinka and Miss Alekhya Ganti.
Shadowing surgery with Prof. Mandana Pennick and Dr M Haider at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, in November 2022 and April 2024.
BECA team engagement meeting at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, with Prof. Mandana Pennick (Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and BECA supervisor), radiology and breast implant consultants, and BCUHB research nurses. 14 June 2022.
Our Breast Cancer Fundraising Events
We raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer Now, the research and care charity, through its Wear It Pink campaign during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Zumba Fitness Fundraiser
A Zumba session held for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in aid of Breast Cancer Now’s Wear It Pink campaign. A huge thank you to our amazing instructor, Samantha Ackerman, and to everyone who joined in.
25 October 2025, Aberystwyth University Students’ Union
21 October 2023, Aberystwyth University Students’ Union
21 October 2023, Aberystwyth University Students’ Union
Wear It Pink Bake Sale
21 October 2022, Aberystwyth University Students’ Union
A bake sale for Breast Cancer Now’s Wear It Pink campaign, with every slice helping to fund research and care.
Support Our Fundraising
The Aberystwyth Sisters fundraise for Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. Scan the QR code to make a donation.
Meet the Team
The researchers behind BECA at Aberystwyth University.
BECA PROGRAMME MANAGER
Dr Aimi Zainurin
Aimi holds a degree in Biochemical Biotechnology Engineering (Hons, 2017) and an MSc in Biotechnology Engineering (2019) from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), where her research focused on the metabolites and biological activities of natural products. She completed her PhD at Aberystwyth University, where she applied multi-omics approaches and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify novel biomarkers for the early detection of breast cancer.
Aimi is now a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Aberystwyth University and manages the BECA programme. Her current translational research focuses on advancing promising breast cancer biomarkers towards clinical application, including the development of a urine-based lateral flow test (LFT) prototype for breast cancer detection.
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Noura Laziri
Noura is investigating biomarkers linked to extracellular vesicles in urine as part of the BECA postgraduate team.
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Anuradha Udayangani Kumari Hewa Bambarandhage
Anuradha is investigating biomarkers linked to extracellular vesicles in urine, helping to build a clearer molecular picture of breast cancer.
Our Partners
BECA is a collaboration between Aberystwyth University and NHS partners across Wales and England.
