Sisters Natalie and Bridget were diagnosed with breast cancer within a year of each other. Natalie took part in a clinical trial and Bridget didn’t. Despite their different experiences, both are encouraging others to take part in health and care research.
A retired director for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Natalie, 66, was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram in 2013.
Natalie said: “The mammogram didn’t show anything but there was a suspicious area that they weren’t sure about. They did an ultrasound and that didn’t show anything either.
“They then sent me for a biopsy, and it was only when they had done that and an MRI that they actually found the altered cells.”
Luckily the cancer was caught early and following surgery, Natalie was offered the chance to take part in a clinical trial.
The FAST-Forward study tested 1 week of high intensity radiotherapy instead of the traditional 3-5 weeks.
Each year in the UK 37,000 people with breast cancer have radiotherapy treatment, which uses radiation to kill cancer cells.
This treatment is given as a daily dose over 5 to 23 days.
Results from the study showed 1 week to be just as effective and safe as a longer treatment, also significantly reducing the burden for patients.
This is now standard treatment for most breast cancer patients within the NHS.
Natalie said: “This study has changed treatment for everyone affected by breast cancer. I can look back now and think, isn't it amazing that I was involved in a study which has changed medical treatment for people”.
“I felt so safe taking part in the trial. The whole experience was so worthwhile and will make such a difference for cancer treatment in the future.”
After her diagnosis, Natalie encouraged her sister Bridget, 60, to also get checked.
Bridget said: “Natalie rang me and told me her outcome. She suggested I go for an early mammogram because I wasn’t old enough to get them routinely at the time.
“Following the mammogram, they did a biopsy that identified that I also had breast cancer. They were confident it was in the very early stages.”
Bridget had also wanted to participate in the study, she said: “When I was diagnosed I did ask if there were any trials available, as I saw first hand from Natalie how being part of a study gives you a different kind of support following diagnosis.”
“Unfortunately, Natalie’s trial had closed a couple of days beforehand. I would have joined another trial but there wasn’t anything else available for me at the time”.
Bridget had standard treatment including 5 weeks of daily radiotherapy, she said: “It was pretty grim. My skin pierced and then I had a couple of very sore and painful weeks.
“Because of the study Natalie took part in, anyone in my situation going through it now won’t have 5 weeks of radiotherapy, it will only be 1 week. This is such a positive change for future treatment – all down to research".
How you can get involved with research
Sign up to Be Part of Research to be contacted about a range of health and care research. Or check out our full list of studies to see if one is right for you.
And if taking part in a study doesn’t feel right at the moment there are other ways to get involved in research.
