Sam Dudley in work mode at a University of Canterbury laboratory. Former Ashburton College student. Photo suppliedNearly 3000 New Zealand women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year but former Ashburton College student, Sam Dudley, is among scientists out to lower the rate.

Sam, 25, is finishing her PhD in biochemistry at the University of Canterbury and her research project is understanding the role of estrogen-mimicking compounds in the development of breast cancer.

Breast cancer needs estrogen to grow; some foods we eat and some cosmetics we use mimic the hormone, so knowing more about them is important.

Breast cancer has affected Sam’s family and she lost a great-aunt to the disease in 2010, her final year at Ashburton College.

She was studying all three sciences at the time.

“I always knew that I wanted to do something ‘sciencey’, but never decided on biochemistry until halfway through Year 13.

“Interestingly physics was always my best science subject.”

She says family form teacher and chemistry teacher Keith Gunn was a big inspiration.

Outside the classroom, Sam played netball for the college and cricket in the summer.

She was also part of lip sync, Festival of the Spoken Word and music evenings.

Moving to Christchurch to study at the University of Canterbury has led to research trips to Amsterdam and the United Kingdom.

Her focus is on prevention rather than treatment or detection.

“My hope is that we can get some funding which would allow me to continue my research, particularly as the results are proving extremely fascinating.

“My dream job would be to set up a charity or foundation for cancer prevention.”

She says people are exposed to estrogen-mimicking compounds in their day-to-day lives through things like food and personal care products.

“By understanding the contribution of these compounds to breast cancer risk, I hope to be able to help women reduce their risk of developing it by making simple lifestyle changes.

“If women are provided with this information, I hope it may lead to a reduction in the incidence of breast cancer around New Zealand.”

Sam says people are keen to know more about her research.

“Everyone knows someone who either has or has had breast cancer.

“It’s definitely something people are very aware of and there is more of a base knowledge compared to other scientific fields.”

While Christchurch is now home, Sam says having family – parents Sue and Richard, and brothers Jack and Tom – close by is important.

By Linda Clarke © Ashburton College Alumni - 1 November 2017