Clinical trials are an essential part of our health system and are necessary to find out if new treatments are more effective than those currently accepted as standard of care. New breast cancer treatments (e.g. surgery, radiotherapy and drug therapies) and care must be thoroughly tested through the clinical trials or research process before they are made widely available to breast cancer patients. Thanks to trials, we’ve developed effective prevention and treatment strategies and breast cancer screening programmes using mammograms.
People take part in trials for a number of reasons. They may receive a new treatment before it is widely available to other breast cancer patients. Evidence shows people can also have better outcomes because they have been involved in a trial, even if they have received standard treatment. This may be because most participants on a clinical trial receive carefully monitored treatment and follow-up.
Is a trial suitable for you? Your surgeon or oncologist may suggest that you consider taking part in a clinical trial that they may be contributing to, or know of one taking place at another centre. If you are interested in taking part in a clinical trial ask your surgeon or oncologist. They will explain a trial to you, including the known benefits and risks of a new treatment or procedure. A patient information sheet giving the details of the research will also be given to you before you agree (consent) to take part in a trial.
All the major milestones in controlling breast cancer worldwide have been discovered through clinical trials, making them vital in increasing the chances of better outcomes and survival from breast cancer. Clinical trials add to our body of knowledge about beating cancer, and the research that happens today will help to benefit future generations of wāhine/women all over the world.
During the week 20-24 May, the Breast Cancer Research Trust (BCRT) will hold an annual appeal, and volunteers will be collecting donations at Chartwell Shopping Centre, Hamilton. If you are in the area, please do come over and say hi/kia ora.
For more information on clinical trials go to https://www.breastcancerresearch.org.nz/clinical-trials-and-research/
Ngā mihi nui, Jenni Scarlet, Breast Cancer Research Nurse (on behalf of the BCRT team)
