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.

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

Investing in education

Against Breast Cancer are committed to supporting and developing young scientists who perform innovative cancer research into increasing survival rates after diagnosis of breast cancer. Find out more.

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  Are thinking styles associated with physical health after a cancer diagnosis?

  Sarah Beck

  Institution: The University of Surrey

  Location: UK-wide, Online anywhere

  Type of study: Survey, Questionnaire

  Dates: September 2020 – 28 February 2021

  Researchers at the University of Surrey are looking for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer within the last 24 months to complete a short questionnaire exploring thinking styles and physical health after a cancer diagnosis. The findings will help researchers improve ways to support those who are recently diagnosed.

  If you are interested in taking part, please fill out a short questionnaire (15-20 minutes). Follow up questionnaires will be sent out 3 and 6 months later.

  Take part in survey

  Or email sarah.beck@surrey.ac.uk for more information.

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  Living better with advanced breast cancer: LIBERATE

  A study of a supportive, self-management website for women living with secondary breast cancer

  Institution: The University of Leeds

  Location: UK-wide, Online anywhere

  Type of study: Survey, Website testing

  Dates: Until end January 2021

  Researchers from the University of Leeds are conducting a study to assess the use of a new interactive website tailored to the needs of women living with secondary breast cancer. They want to find out whether women living with secondary breast cancer find the website useful and whether it might positively impact their life and how they manage their cancer.

  If you have been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and would be interested in taking part in this study, please email Kathleen Kane for further information.

  Contact research team

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  PRIMROSE Audit: A multi-centre audit of the care provided to patients with secondary breast cancer involving the brain

  Institution: University of Liverpool

  Location: UK-wide

  Type of Study: Observational, audit

  Dates: Jan 2020 – Jul 2022

  Researchers at the University of Liverpool wish to assess how breast cancer patients present with secondary disease involving the brain, how their care is managed across the UK and what impact this has on their survival. With this knowledge, they want to improve the services and care for secondary breast cancer patients.

  The PRIMROSE audit will use anonymised data that is routinely collected from eligible patients diagnosed with secondary breast cancer involving the brain.

  For more information please email the research team; primrose@liverpool.ac.uk

  contact research team

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  Exploring the response to the COVID-19 pandemic with breast cancer participants

  Institution: University of Leeds

  Location: UK-wide (with particular interest in Yorkshire and Humber region)

  Type of study: online interview

  Dates: July 2020 – January 2021

  Researchers at the University of Leeds are looking for people who have received treatment for breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic to talk about their experiences. This will take the format of an online interview with the option of two follow-up interviews later on. They are interested in your thoughts about your safety and wellbeing during this time, as well as how you have found interactions with staff and treatment environments.

  If you are interested in taking part, please email Darci Tillbrook at D.Tillbrook1@leeds.ac.uk for more information.

  Contact research team

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  CANDO-3: Body Composition and chemotherapy toxicity in women with early breast cancer

  Institution: University of Southampton

  Location: Oxford, Exeter, Manchester, Portsmouth, Winchester, Salisbury, Southampton

  Type of Study: Clinical

  Dates: July 2020 – Feb 2022

  Researchers at the University of Southampton wish to investigate how different patterns of body composition affect the response to chemotherapy treatment in women with early breast cancer.

  Chemotherapy doses are currently calculated from a patient’s height and weight. Patients with the same height and weight can have different amounts of blood, muscle and fatty tissue which can all affect the behaviour of chemotherapy drugs. This may be important for optimising chemotherapy treatment.

  Researchers wish to recruit patients from 7 participating hospital sites in the UK. In this observational cohort study they will be collecting bioelectrical impedance body composition data from women receiving routine chemotherapy before or after breast surgery. They will also collect information for each patient about the chemotherapy drugs and doses they receive and the side effects they experience. Information gained from this study will help to improve the future care of women with breast cancer.

  For more information please email: cando3@soton.ac.uk

  Contact research team

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  The role of sleep disturbances in non-adherence to adjuvant hormone therapy in breast cancer survivors

  Institution: University of Strathclyde

  Location: UK-wide recruitment

  Type of study: Interview

  Dates : November 2020 – March 2021

  Researchers at the University of Strathclyde are looking for women who have been prescribed hormone therapy (e.g. Tamoxifen, Anastrozole, Exemestane or Letrozole) post-breast cancer. Participants will be asked to take part in an online interview or focus group to discuss the impact that side effects have had on how they take their medication. One of the most common side effects from hormonal therapy is sleep disturbance. We aim to explore the experience of poor sleep and its impact on adherence to hormone therapy. Information gained from this study will help to consider whether improving sleep would result in improved adherence.

  If you are interested in taking part, please email: Nicola.peddie.100@strath.ac.uk.

  Contact research team

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  Understanding Resilience in Breast Cancer Survivors

  Institution: King’s College London

  Location: UK-wide recruitment

  Type of study: Online assessments, questionnaires

  Dates: November 2020 – February 2021

  Researchers at King’s College London are looking for volunteers who have finished treatment for breast cancer in the last 3 years. The FRAME (Finding Resilient Answers More Effectively) study hopes to find out if a new online treatment will help reduce worry and low mood in cancer survivors, by building new thinking habits that promote resilience.

  The information gained from this study should help us understand more about why some people who have been treated for cancer experience low mood or worry and how we may be able to help them overcome this.

  For more information, please email the research team at frameproject@kcl.ac.uk or read the information sheet for participants here.