The aim of clinical trials is to find new and/or better cancer treatments or to see if a new treatment is better than an existing treatment. They can be held for drugs as well as radiotherapy and surgery. Clinical trials may also be held to investigate various emotional and physical side-effects of diagnosis and treatment.
Benefits of participating
- Participating in a clinical trial could give you access to a new type of treatment.
- You will receive excellent standard of care -- you will be closely monitored by leading doctors, research nurses and other experts.
- Research shows that patients treated in clinical trials usually fare better than those who are not involved.
- You will be helping researchers develop new treatments for breast cancer that will help women in the future.
- You are free to leave the trial at any time.
Concerns
- Some women worry they will receive no treatment if they are allocated to a control group (the group that provides a comparison by not receiving the new treatment). However, all clinical trials are very carefully regulated to ensure that all patients receive at least the level of treatment that would have been prescribed for them if they did not participate in the trial.
- The side effects may be intolerable (in which case you can always leave the trial).
- You may need to set aside extra time.
- There may be out-of-pocket costs or you might need to travel further.
How to get involved
You have to be eligible first; many criteria are taken into account such as your age, type of cancer, stage of cancer, treatment previously received and any other medical issues.
Clinical trials are run through public and private hospitals, so ask your medical oncologist if they know of any. You should also discuss participation with your doctor to cover the possible benefits and risks in the short and long term.
Clinical trials currently recruiting women
The following clinical trial is open and recruiting.
LATER
The LATER clinical trial is testing the effectiveness of the drug Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, at reducing the risk of breast cancer returning in women who have had a previous diagnosis of breast cancer.
The researchers are currently looking for women who are interested in participating in the trial. You may be eligible to participate if you:
- have been diagnosed with breast cancer;
- were treated with hormonal therapy (e.g. Tamoxifen) for at least four years;
- finished hormonal therapy at least one year ago;
- are post-menopausal; and
- are currently cancer free.
To register your interest or find out more, call the Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group on 1800 039 634 (freecall) or visit their website to view the LATER video.
More information
- The personal stories section includes stories written by women who have participated in clinical trials.
- The clinical trials fact sheet looks at why we need clinical trials, who runs them, how patients are protected and how you can get involved.
- BCNA's position statement on clinical trials.
- The Australian Cancer Trials website has more information about clinicial trials and lists all the latest trials in cancer care, including those that are currently recruiting new participants
- The Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group website also has information about current clinical trials and current trials into breast cancer
- For those who live in Victoria, the Victorian Cancer Trials Link (VCTL) site allows you to search all cancer clinical trials being conducted in Victoria.
