Research discoveries can’t happen on their own. Scientists need your valued input.

You can play a vital role in breast cancer research by volunteering to take part in a research study.

Studies can range from filling in survey questions, to large scale clinical trials that test the benefit of potential new therapies. All studies help towards developing better support and treatments for patients.

If you are interested in taking part in a clinical trial, you should always consult your healthcare team or GP.

Opportunities to take part in breast cancer research studies are listed below. All projects have been reviewed to ensure they have the appropriate ethical approval. If you wish to list your project on this page, please email info@againstbreastcancer.org.uk.

Disclaimer: Against Breast Cancer receives no financial benefit from advertising these opportunities.

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  Can you help us make better tools for imaging breast cancer?

  Researchers at King’s College London are developing new equipment to diagnose and monitor breast cancer using an imaging technique called high field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – and we want your input!

  💡 We’re looking for people who have had lived experience of breast cancer, and have had an MRI in the past.

  📅 When?  Thursday 12th June 2025 – 12.30-1.30pm

  📍 Where?  Online via Zoom

  ✨ Compensation: £25 for your time

  If you’d like to take part, use our form to let us know or reach out to annie.howitt@kcl.ac.uk for further information.

   

   

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  What is the psychological and social impact of a bilateral risk-reducing masectomy (BRRM) on people at moderate risk of breast cancer?

  Institution: University of Leeds

  Type of study: Online or face-to-face interview (60-90 mins)

  Location: England

  Dates: Recruitment in progress (Feb 2025)

  Research Aims: To understand the impact of BRRMs and inform the psychological care provided prior to a BRRM.

  Participation Involves:

  Attending an online or face to face interview for 60-90 mins

  Sharing your experience of your quality of life since your BRRM

  You may be suitable if:

  You are moderate risk of breast cancer, meaning you may have had several relatives with breast cancer

  You received BRRM with or without reconstructive surgery

  You have not had a diagnosis of breast cancer

  Benefits: Your participation will be used to improve NHS services to benefit for people like you in the future. You will receive a £20 shopping voucher as a thank you for your time.

  Contact Lead Researcher

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  What factors influence uptake of breast screening in women aged 50-70 in England?

  Who are the researchers looking for?

  Women aged 50-70 who are eligible for the NHS England Breast Cancer Screening Programme to assist with the study:

  Examining factors influencing breast screening uptake amongst women aged 50-70 in England as part of the NHS England Breast Screening Programme

  Institution: University of Derby

  Location: England

  Type of study: Online survey (approximately 20 min)

  Dates: Recruitment closes 11th April 2025

  Please see the following link for more information and to access the survey: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

  If you have any questions about the study please contact s.chapman14@unimail.derby.ac.uk

  

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  NIHR Patient Engagement in Clinical Development (PECD) Service: Are you interested in helping to improve healthcare research by assisting the design of a clinical trial for advanced solid tumours?

  Institution: National Institute for Health and Care Search

  Location: UK-wide

  Dates: Deadline for applications – 20th November 2024

  The NIHR is sharing an opportunity for members of the public who have lived or caring experience of cancer to be involved in the shaping of a commercial clinical trial. This will help focus the aims of the trial on the needs of the patient, their family and their community.

  Who is the NIHR looking for?

  Adults (aged 18 or over) who:

  – Live in the UK
  – Have lived experience, as a patient or carer, of advanced (stage 3 or 4) solid tumours, including breast cancer, lung cancer, endometrial cancer, melanoma, liver cancer and pancreatic cancer.
  – Can access and use word processing software like Microsoft Word
  – Participants will be asked to read draft documents and give feedback on how clearly the information is presented.

  Involvement will take up to 2 hours and participants will be reimbursed £50

  For more information and to apply for this opportunity please click on this link: https://forms.office.com/e/76LJt1e1Mz.

  If you have any questions about the PECD Service or the planned activity, please contact the NIHR PECD Service Coordinator by emailing pecd@leeds.ac.uk.

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  Exploring the experience of people living alone as they consider treatment choices following cancer diagnosis

  Institution: Birkbeck, University of London

  Location: UK-wide

  Type of study: Virtual Interview

  Dates: Expression of Interest by 15 June

  Research has shown that marital status affects the outcomes of those diagnosed with cancer, with single individuals having less positive outcomes. It is unclear why this is the case but one possibility is that people living alone opt for different treatments to people living with others. This research project aims to examine the lived experience of people living alone as they consider treatment choices following cancer diagnosis.

  We will be interviewing participants about their experiences of being diagnosed with cancer and considering treatment choices as an individual living alone. There will be one interview which should last no more than an hour.

  To take part we are looking for individuals fitting the following criteria:

  – Age 25 to 65
  – Diagnosed and treated for Stage 1 to 3 cancer
  – In remission
  – Living alone at time of diagnosis and treatment

  As a thank you for taking part all participants will receive £30.

  If you would be willing to participate please contact Julia at: jthurs03@student.bbk.ac.uk for more information.

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  The Associations of Ethnicity and Breast Cancer

  Institution: Oxford Population Health (University of Oxford)

  Location: UK-wide

  Type of study: Patient and Public Involvement Group

  Dates: begins March/April 2024, initial deadline for applications 14th February

  The study will investigate why women of African, Caribbean, Indian and Pakistani backgrounds are less likely to get breast cancer but more likely to have more aggressive forms of the disease when they do.

  For this new research, we would like to invite 20 women with experience of breast cancer to help us shape how this new research is designed, delivered and disseminated. We are inviting 20 women aged 25 years or older living in the UK who are from African, Caribbean, Indian and Pakistani backgrounds to join our group.

  Women who are involved in this group will help us make sure that we support research that is grounded in the needs of patients and their communities. Group members will help us highlight the issues that are important to patients, carers and community members. Members will be supported right from the start and offered training if needed and compensated for their involvement.

  For more information visit the project’s website or email oxfordcancerppi@medsci.ox.ac.uk, or click below to register your interest.

  Register your interest

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  Identifying Barriers to Accessing an Online Pathway for Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer

  Institution: Brighton and Sussex Medical School (SHORE-C)

  Location: UK-wide recruitment

  Type of study: telephone interview

  Dates: date/time of participant’s choice

  Researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School are looking for people with breast cancer to take part in an interview for their views about receiving genetic test information and results online. The findings will help doctors introduce this in their clinics and improve accessibility for under-served patients.

  We are looking for people with breast cancer (past/present diagnosis) who fit one or more of the following criteria: aged 70 years or over, from a non-white ethnic or socioeconomically disadvantaged background (for example, low household income, unemployed or lack of educational qualifications).

  If you are interested, please contact adminshore-c@sussex.ac.uk or 01273 873019. We offer a £25 voucher for participation.