The doctor at the tube station, pioneering research scientist & co-founder passes away
Dr Anthony Leathem was a man whose compassion, determination and scientific discoveries influenced a generation of research scientists and changed the lives of countless women across the United Kingdom and beyond.
A pathologist at the Middlesex Hospital, Tony – as he was known to all who knew him – became increasingly distressed by the number of post-mortems he carried out on young women dying from breast cancer. Rather than accept the status quo he resolved to act. With the backing of the college Dean – but with no funding available, Tony began his research into breast cancer.
Together with his wife, Pat they began raising funds in support of his research by selling sweet peas and ginger cake from their home in rural Oxfordshire. However, it was the sight of Tony in his white lab coat outside Oxford Circus Tube Station, rattling a tin for his own research that caught the public imagination.
Just one year after launching the charity, The Lancet published the results of Dr Leathem’s early research which described a difference between aggressive and non-aggressive breast cancer cells. His early discovery relating to sugar structures (glycosylation) in primary tumours has matured into a branch of science known today as Glycobiology.
His interest in the impact diet and lifestyle had on breast cancer recurrence led the charity to launch what at the time was the world’s largest clinical study. Together with his small team, they recruited over 3000 patients from 56 NHS hospitals across the UK.
Today, Against Breast Cancer is one of the UK’s most established and respected breast cancer research charities, funding research positions and projects at some of the country’s leading academic institutions. The samples and data collected by Tony and his team were recently transferred to the University of Southampton where they are performing a pivotal role in research dedicated to improving earlier rates of detection of secondary spread, the main cause of breast cancer related deaths.
Dr Leathem’s legacy is one of courage and undimmed enthusiasm. He dedicated himself to support all women living with a breast cancer diagnosis. Even when the charity had barely any funding he remained cheerful and upbeat.
“You have to fight if you believe in it. Even if the world says you are wrong, you have to be pig headed until it is accepted. Once it is, conventional sources [of funding] will come along.”
Tony Leathem
Co-Founder, Against Breast Cancer
Tony is survived by his wife Pat and daughters Caroline and Jenny.
