Views about early diagnosis and prevention of breast cancer, version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient and GP views about early diagnosis and prevention of breast cancer
IRAS ID
276477
Contact name
Mohamed Hamed
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women worldwide, affecting over 1.5 million patients per year. In the UK, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Early detection through the NHS Breast Screening Programme using mammograms (breast x-ray) reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer by about 1,300 a year in the UK. However, around two-thirds of breast cancers occur in women outside the age range for breast screening in the UK. Researchers at the University of Nottingham are developing a blood test which can pick up the first signs of cancer up to five years before a patient suffers any symptoms. The test looks for antibodies produced by the patient in response to cancer. The blood test provides opportunities for early detection through more frequent mammograms for those with positive tests and for prevention through the use of certain medications e.g. tamoxifen or anastrozole, which can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 50%. The study will involve 30-minute interviews with 40 women who are at variable risk of developing breast cancer (20 women aged 40-59 years with above population risk of breast cancer attending the Familial Cancer Service at the Royal Derby Hospital and 20 women aged 41-80 years will be recruited from primary care in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) and 20 GPs in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The study will explore patients’ and GPs views of such a blood test screening for early detection of breast cancer. It will help us understand how the blood test may be best used and the advice and treatment options for women after having the test. The results may also help doctors and nurses to give better advice and help patients make informed decisions about screening and prevention of breast cancer.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
20/NS/0094
Date of REC Opinion
31 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion