Participate in a Clinical Trial

Laura McCambridge was in her early 30s when she found a lump in her right breast during a regular examination. She went to her GP who thought the lump seemed benign, but sent Laura for an ultrasound just in case. A month later, she began treatment for invasive ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

Laura didn’t have a family history of breast cancer, however later found out that she has the CHEK2 gene mutation. The CHEK2 gene provides instructions for making a protein that stops tumour growth. An abnormal CHEK2 gene can, at least, double the lifetime risk of breast cancer. It can also increase colorectal and prostate cancer risk.

Laura is a participant in the Breast MRI Evaluation Study, which aims to find out the best way to use breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and if it will improve treatment options and patient outcomes, in women recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Without the money that goes towards marketing, I wouldn’t have been so careful about checking my breasts, and without the funding for research, I wouldn’t have had the treatment that I had!”

“Research helps to improve the lives of others by finding out ways to prevent and treat breast cancer,” she said.

Laura McCambridge is a participant in the Breast MRI Evaluation Study.

• They may be able to access a new treatment before it is routinely available as standard treatment for all breast cancer patients;
• The treatments offered on a clinical trial include the best current standard treatment, compared with a new treatment which earlier research shows may be better;
• Participating in a clinical trial helps to advance medical knowledge;
• Many clinical trial participants are motivated to take part because the results of current clinical trials may help improve treatments and outcomes for future women diagnosed with breast cancer or who are at risk.

Clinical trial participants may be monitored more closely than patients who receive standard treatment and their treatment is rigorously documented. There are usually questionnaires to complete regarding the participant’s feelings or reactions to the treatment. This careful follow up means that the outcomes of the clinical trial are the result of accurate and detailed information which is then published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

If you would like to participate in a breast cancer clinical trial, you should discuss this with your treating doctor.

A list of our current clinical trials that are open for participant entry, is available on the Breast Cancer Trials website at www.breastcancertrials.org.au.

Information about breast cancer clinical trials can also be found on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry website at www.anzctr.org.au.