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.

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  Assessing sleep disruptions, fatigue and mood disturbances in breast cancer

  Institution: University of Strathclyde

  Location: UK-wide recruitment

  Type of study: Online questionnaire (10mins)

  Dates: March 2021 – September 2022

  Have you ever been diagnosed with breast cancer?

  Are you 16 years or older and live in the UK?

  Researchers at the University of Strathclyde are looking for people who meet these criteria to take part in an online questionnaire. The aim of the research study is to understand to what extent sleep disruptions, fatigue and mood disturbances occur in people affected by breast cancer.

  You can take part whether you have had these particular experiences or not. The findings will help to inform future interventions to improve quality of life for breast cancer patients.

  For more information, email Dr. Nicola Peddie.

  Take part in survey

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  PRIMROSE Audit: A prospective multi-centre cohort audit/project to assess the presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with CNS disease secondary to breast cancer.

  Institution: University of Liverpool

  Location: UK-wide

  Type of Study: Observational, audit

  Dates: Jan 2020 – Jul 2022

  This is a prospective observational multicentre audit. Patients with histological confirmed locally advanced breast cancer and who meet the entry criteria will be entered on to REDCap (audit tool) and data will be collected for these patients. The data collected will not be identifiable to anyone outside of the usual clinical treating team and therefore is considered fully anonymous and informed consent is not required.

  Primary objective

  – To audit the overall survival from initial diagnosis of CNS involvement secondary to breast cancer in UK centres

  Secondary objectives

  – To audit the number of cases of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) involving the central nervous system presenting in UK centres per year.

  – To audit the current practice in UK centres regarding the diagnosis and management of CNS disease secondary to BC in relation to national and international guidelines.

  – To audit the outcomes of patients treated for CNS involvement secondary to breast cancer in UK centres.

  If you are interested in this study, please contact your current care team to get in touch with NIHR North West Clinical Research Network to express the care team’s interest in participating in the PRIMROSE Study.

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  Tell us your views on implant-based breast reconstruction

  Institution: Royal Marsden Hospital, London

  Location: UK-wide recruitment

  Type of study: Interview, survey, patient experience

  Dates: May 2021 – October 2022

  Breast cancer researchers and surgeons at the Royal Marsden Hospital are looking for people with experience of implant-based breast reconstruction after breast cancer from 2015 onwards.

  They are designing new research projects and would like to offer patients and public the chance to contribute their experiences and views on this topic to help shape the design of the research project. This helps ensure that new research will be relevant and beneficial to breast cancer patients.

  For more information or to register interest, please contact Dr. Rachel Rolph: rachel.rolph@rmh.nhs.uk.

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  BRCA-DIRECT: Is digitally delivered information about genetic testing feasible, effective and acceptable to women with breast cancer?

  Institution: The Institute of Cancer Research, NHS England, Cancer Research UK, SHORE-C

  Location: London, Manchester

  Type of study: Clinical

  Dates: June 2021 – September 2022

  Researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research are investigating if pre-test information about BRCA-gene testing can be given digitally to women with breast cancer.

  Women with a pathogenic gene variant in the BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 genes have a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers but are not routinely tested for these unless there is a strong family history of cancer. To improve access to BRCA-gene testing, the BRCA-DIRECT platform will allow digital delivery of pre-test information about BRCA-gene testing. 1000 women with breast carcinoma/high grade DCIS will provide a saliva or blood sample and receive information either digitally or by a standard counselling telephone appointment, after which participants can decide whether to proceed with the genetic test. All participants will be offered the genetic test.

  The study will recruit from 2 hospitals in the UK; the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, and the Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester. You will need access to a smartphone/email and internet, be over 18, and have not had BRCA-gene testing in the past.

  If you are interested in taking part, please speak to your current care team, or contact BRCADirect@icr.ac.uk.

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  Personalised nutritional support for breast cancer patients

  Institution: UCL and Option

  Location: UK-wide recruitment

  Type of study: Focus discussion Group

  Dates: Feb – end of May 2022

  Researchers from University College London (UCL) are currently developing a service to provide free evidence-based personalised dietary support to breast cancer patients. We would love to hear your opinion and input on how we might best develop this service. We are setting up focus group discussions for breast cancer patients and/or survivors where we will be discussing your nutritional experiences throughout your breast cancer journey. Participants will take part in one 2 hour session and there will be the opportunity to attend either in person or on a video call.

  To register your interest, please fill out the form or for more information, email jenni.pratita.21@ucl.ac.uk.

  Take part in survey