Breast Cancer Studies & Research Findings
Breast Cancer Studies & Research Findings - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
| The Peter Mac Breast Cancer Service is leading international research in this area; and has active investigators in a broad range of research studies. A number of the members are also leading investigators with an established national and international standing who chair large-scale research initiatives focusing on breast cancer prevention, management of early-stage and advanced disease as well as survivorship issues. |
| The Breast Service is actively progressing a strategic planning and service development framework to establish national and international leadership in research driven multidisciplinary clinical program for optimal patient outcomes. Our strong and diverse research program draws on the collective academic strengths of our members in collaboration with other leading Peter Mac researchers and major national and international clinical trials groups. Dr Prue Francis is an international study chair for the SOFT (Suppression of Ovarian Function Trial) randomized trial which is due to complete worldwide recruitment during 2010 of 3000 premenopausal women with early breast cancer. The SOFT trial will test if suppressing ovarian oestrogen production in addition to standard hormonal therapy with tamoxifen can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence in young women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer patients. A/Prof Boon Chua is the international study chair of a randomised clinical trial that is actively recruiting in Australasia, Canada, Europe and the UK. The trial aims to individualise radiation therapy for women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast and is underpinned by a strong translational research program that investigates the biological profiles of tumours predictive of a high risk of invasive cancer recurrence. By drawing on the collective strengths of international collaboration, it also enables high quality research to develop evidence-based psychosocial support essential for optimal patient care. The Peter Mac Breast Service has been established as the Australasian reference centre for partial breast irradiation using external beam 3D conformal radiation therapy for women with early breast cancer under the leadership of A/Prof Boon Chua, Prof Tomas Kron and Mr David Willis. There is strong international interest in this treatment approach which improves patient convenience and access to breast conserving therapy by reducing the overall treatment time of radiation therapy. In collaboration with the Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group, the results of the successfully conducted and completed study of partial breast irradiation was presented at the ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium in San Francisco in 2009. A survey of women living with advanced breast cancer about their needs for supportive care and experience of care coordination was conducted by Dr Linda Mileshkin and Ms Lisa Sheeran in collaboration with BCNA and BreaCan. 800 responses had been received and analysis is in progress. The results will inform future work aimed at improving the experience of care for women with advanced breast cancer. Breast cancer SNP study and PARP inhibitors in BRCA-associated cancers: Refer report from the Familial Cancer Centre. |