iBreast Follow-up Trial
This trial is currently in preparation. Please email the team if you would like to share your experience or views about follow-up for breast cancer.
Background
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK, representing around 30% of all female cancers. There are over 40,000 new cases per year within the UK, of which 70% present with early breast cancer. Screening over a wider age range and increased application of adjuvant systematic therapy following rigorous early loco regional treatment have led to a marked improvement in survival. Continued physical and psychological well being is sustained by appropriate monitoring. A key element in the debate about follow-up is tailoring the strategy to acknowledge individuals' needs and choice with long-term follow-up plans.
Aim
To determine whether innovative alternative follow-up methods (without clinical examination) are equivalent to traditional specialist hospital based follow-up (with clinical examination) in terms of survival and patient perception of living with cancer.
Involving patients in trial design
A patient and consumer consultation day was hosted at Warwick Arts Centre on 26th September 2008. Health professionals, patients and carers, academics and researchers met together to discuss challenging issues in breast cancer follow-up. The day began with a welcome and introduction by Prof Janet Dunn followed by presentations on the latest research evidence and innovative follow-up programs and strategies that are being developed. After lunch the participants joined one of four workshop discussions and professionals debate followed by a workshop feedback session and panel discussion. The findings will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Clinical Trials May 2009.
Design
The proposed trial design is summarised in the flow chart.
Progress
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The funding application to the HTA was unsuccesful. An alternative source of funding is being sort.
Registration of interest
If your hospital based specialist department is interested in taking part in the study please complete a registration of interest form and return it to the email address given and we will keep you informed on the trial progress.
Key People
Professor Janet Dunn
Head of Cancer Trials
Mr Peter Donnelly
Specialist Breast Care Surgeon