Breast Cancer Research Trust NZ, gaining knowledge and saving lives

The Importance of clinical trials and research

Breast cancer is not just one disease; there are many types and stages all of which need different treatments. That is why we must continue to drive our research efforts to achieve the best – the best preventative measures and the best outcomes.

Research is ongoing, it never stops in the drive to prevent, treat and cure breast cancer.

The Breast Cancer Research Trust conducts local and international breast cancer research trials to ensure women/wāhine receive the very best treatment for the type of breast cancer they have been diagnosed with. Women participating in good quality cancer trials, on average, do better in responding to treatment, yet only a minority have this opportunity.

Through good quality research and the contribution of wāhine/women, research staff, scientists, and clinicians, steady advances have been made in breast cancer care. These advances have resulted in improved chances of a good outcome for women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Major advances in controlling breast cancer include

our ability to use breast-conserving surgery or less radical mastectomy (removal of the whole breast) for many women/wāhine
saving lives with regular mammography screening
better drug treatments, both chemotherapy and hormonal therapies
the entry into the era of highly targeted therapies aimed at breast cancers which have specific features present e.g. Herceptin for HER2 positive breast cancer
reducing local recurrence with improvements in radiotherapy
developments of breast reconstruction and sentinel node surgical techniques
breast cancer prevention

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