Clinical trials

You may have heard about a clinical trial that you would like to take part in or your doctors may have offered you the opportunity to take part in a trial, if you are eligible.

Whatever your situation, deciding what to do can be very difficult, particularly as information about clinical trials can be confusing. It may also be hard to absorb extra information when you have already been given a lot of information about treatments.

What are clinical trials?

Clinical trials are research studies that look at different aspects of patient care. They are a routine part of the work of specialist breast cancer centres. The results of past clinical trials help doctors give you advice on your current treatment.

There are many different types of trials. Some look at ways to reduce the likelihood of getting  breast cancer and others look at diagnosing or treating it. Other trials may look at the effects a particular treatment has on quality of life.

Many breast cancer trials look at new treatments, or different ways of giving existing treatment, such as surgical techniques or chemotherapy.

Ideas for clinical trials are first tested and researched thoroughly in a laboratory. Before a trial begins it has to be approved, first by a group of independent scientists and then by a research ethics committee often at the hospital carrying out the trial.

How long does a trial take and who is suitable to take part?

The length of time clinical trials take to complete and publish their results varies from a few months to several years depending on what they are looking at. For example, a trial studying the long-term side effects of radiotherapy may collect information from participants over a number of years.

Every clinical trial has strict guidelines about who can be involved. A trial might be for a certain age group or for a particular type or stage of cancer, which means that not everyone is able to take part.

If you are not able to take part in a particular trial, you may be disappointed or feel as if there are limited options for the future. However, it is important to remember that your specialist team will continue to support you and offer the best treatment and care available.

If you are interested in taking part in a trial, it is important to talk it through with your cancer specialist who is most familiar with your medical history. They will be aware of the major breast cancer trials that are currently in progress and which ones are happening in your area. They will be able to advise you according to your situation.