Prince William and fashion designer Ralph Lauren visit new breast cancer centre at Royal Marsden Hospital

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Laura Proto18 May 2016

Prince William joined forces with Ralph Lauren to learn about the treatment of breast cancer at a new research facility named after the fashion designer.

The Duke of Cambridge and Mr Lauren were given a guided tour of the £3.9 million world class centre at the Royal Marsden Hospital after the American businessman made an undisclosed donation.

The pair were told about a pilot study beginning at the end of the year which, if successful, could lead to a blood test being used to detect if any cancer remains in a woman's body once she has been given the all clear.

Another project is the trial of a new drug which puts the tumour into "suspended animation", in combination with a standard drug which lowers oestrogen levels - a hormone known to benefit tumours - in post-menopausal women.

During the visit to the Chelsea hospital, the Duke told one patient that friends of his had suffered with cancer and told another that he was trying to “sort out schools” for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Mr Lauren, who has also supported cancer care in the US, said it was wonderful to see how the centre works.

He said: “I could see the dedication and the care of the people and then the patients, so I got a picture of what's going to be done and what's working.

“A good friend of mine in America had breast cancer, and she said 'Ralph you deal with so many women, it would be a wonderful thing [to help]'. She said 'I haven't gotten any support from anyone' and I said 'I'm going to help you'.

"She didn't make it, but I got hooked into feeling really strong about breast cancer.

"I have a daughter and a wife and it's a family situation. The mother might have it, the sister might have it, but ... the family goes through it, it involves everybody.”

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