My Breakthrough
Clinical trials and hereditary breast cancer
A clinical trial is research into the possible benefits and drawbacks of a new test that either hasn't been used with people before, or is not yet used routinely.
Clinical trials can look at a number of different areas including:
- Screening using new scans or blood tests to diagnose an illness or monitor the progress of treatment.
- Whether a new treatment is better than an older, accepted treatment. In cancer this may mean comparing drugs, radiotherapy or different types of surgery.
- Whether the treatment is being given in the most effective way. An example is comparing how frequently drugs are given - once a week, once a month or continuously.
- New methods of care. This may be a way to relieve symptoms such as pain, nausea or shortness of breath. The researcher may want to discover ways to provide support by finding out how treatment affects everyday life and activities.
Clinical trials are needed to extend knowledge and improve treatment and care, now and for future patients. Doctors use the results of earlier clinical trials when they advise you now. In this way, you and other patients benefit from past research.
This website has more information about clinical trials.
Some clinical trials for hereditary breast and ovarian and cancer are described on this site:
- The early screening study (FH01)
- The BRCA trial: Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Cancer Research UK genetic breast cancer trial
- UK Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study
- IBIS- 2 Prevention trial
Other clinical trials are listed on the Cancer Research UK website.
