Breast Unit

Clinical Trials

The Bath Cancer Unit participates in national and international cancer research and some patients are offered treatments within clinical trials. However, the choice concerning whether or not to participate in a trial is always left entirely to the patient and there is never the slightest obligation to participate.

Clinical trials are research studies into new types of medical care or combinations of medical care. Trials can be diverse. For instance, they may explore the biological, psychological or financial effects of a new treatment or they may focus on the prevention or diagnosis of an illness.

The development of clinical trials in cancer care is extremely important as a means of exploring and deciding on the most effective and efficient means of treating cancer. This is particularly important in the light of the multitude of new drugs and treatments which are constantly being developed.

Carrying out clinical trials is the only sure way to find out if a new approach to cancer care is better than the standard cancer treatments that are currently available. Without clinical trials, there is a risk that patients could be given treatments which have no advantage, waste resources and might even be harmful to them.

The research team

Tania Allen is a Research/Clinical trials nurse who is based in the Oncology and Haematology department, specialising in Breast Cancer, Colorectal and Upper GI Cancer clinical trials.

Tania is a part of a team which co-ordinates and supports both national and in-house Oncology & Haematology clinical research studies for clinicians involved in cancer care at the Royal United Hospital NHS Trust.

Tania and the Research Team ensures that people who are involved in research studies have relevant information and support during and after treatment and the necessary follow up appointments. We also ensure that research studies are organised and approved according to national regulations and guidelines (National Research Ethics Service, and National Cancer Research Network).

Participating in trials

If you are eligible for a study that we are running, a member of the research team will discuss it with you in detail. Participation is voluntary, and if you decide not to participate, this will not influence your treatment in any way.

Please see the table below to see our current portfolio of Breast Trials that are currently open at the RUH. New trials are constantly being reviewed and will be added to the portfolio once approved.

Further information

If you have any enquiries about any of the above Breast cancer trials or require further information regarding Breast cancer research/clinical trials please contact,

Alternatively call the hospital switchboard on 01225 428331 and ask them to bleep Rachael on 7502.

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