Nottingham University Hospital Joins National Trial To Improve Breast Cancer Care For Older Women, UK

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Article Date: 22 Oct 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Over half of breast cancers occur in women aged 65 and over and so in a bid to improve treatments and outcomes for women in this age-group, researchers at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) have joined a national research trial which will provide fresh hope for millions of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

The multi-centre trial will study the effectiveness of surgery versus 'anti-hormone medications as treatment of early breast cancer in women over 75.

Alongside this trial, researchers from the Breast Institute at NUH and the University of Nottingham will study the biological features of breast cancer, the long-term outcome and impact on quality of life for different treatment options including surgery and drug therapies.

The Nottingham programme is being led by Mr KL Cheung, Clinical Associate Professor/Consultant Breast Surgeon and Clinical Lead for breast cancer services at NUH, and Professors Ian Ellis and Davina Porock from the University of Nottingham.

"NUH is well placed to take an active role in this nation-wide study," explained KL Cheung, "because we have a great deal of experience in developing services specifically aimed at women over 70. When the Nottingham Breast Unit was established some three decades ago, we recognised the need to develop services targeted specifically at women in this age group and we therefore set up a clinic specifically for this group of patients led by consultants and specialist nurses. This service has recently developed into a combined surgical and oncology service with support from Dr DAL Morgan, Consultant Clinical Oncologist."

"This whole programme and the multi-centre study will help us gain a greater understanding of the development of breast cancer in older women and the effectiveness of the various treatments available. We will then be able to improve treatment and services for the majority of women with breast cancer."

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was named one of the top five teaching Trusts in the UK in the 2007 'Good Hospital Guide' by health information specialist Dr Foster. The guide says that among the key factors of this success were strong partnership working and high quality information. The full guide can be read here.

NUH is one of the largest Trusts in the UK, with an annual budget of more than £630 million. It was formed on 1 April 2006, when two top-rated trusts - Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital - merged in order to develop a range of high-quality, sustainable patient services across the two campuses. As a major teaching Trust, NUH enjoys close links with the city's universities and attracts and develops the highest calibre of staff. It continues to be the hospital of choice for patients, encourage investment and remain at the forefront of research. It has one of the busiest emergency departments in the UK and has over 1,650 hospital beds across both campuses.

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