DRIVE PROJECT TO IMPROVE PATIENT OUTCOMES AWARDED HMRI GRANT
07/08/2026
Breast Cancer Trials has been granted $4,100 through the Hunter Medical Research Institute’s Cancer Detection and Therapy Research Program, to support its new DRIVE research project into the risks and benefits of hormone blocking tablets for early stage breast cancer patients.
DRIVE Study Chair, Dr Nick Zdenkowski, thanked HRMI for the grant, which will help the project bring together patients and clinicians to improve shared decision-making regarding treatment.
“Patients with hormone sensitive, low-risk, early stage breast cancer are typically offered hormone blocking tablets for five years with the aim of reducing recurrence,” explained Dr Zdenkowski. “Depending on the features of the cancer, the protective benefits of these tablets might be modest. They also often come with a range of side effects, and these risks need to be weighed against the benefits.”
The research will bring together patients with a history of early stage breast cancer, consumer representatives (led by Breast Cancer Trials’ Consumer Advisory Panel Chair Merryn Carter and Deputy Chair Naveena Nekkalapudi) and clinicians in focus groups to discuss this risk/benefit balance under the guidance of a trained moderator, who will then produce an analysis of the considerations raised.
“The ultimate aim of this research is to optimise outcomes for patients who might otherwise feel obliged to persist with hormone blocking medication, despite significant side effects that negatively affect day-to-day life,” Dr Zdenkowski added.
The Hunter Medical Research Institute supports emerging researchers within the Cancer Detection and Therapy Program to develop their research capacity, generate preliminary data and advance innovative projects with the potential to improve cancer detection, treatment and patient outcomes.
Contact: BCT Media & PR Lead, Sara McGregor – sara.mcgregor@bctrials.org.au
Our life-saving breast cancer research is only possible thanks to the continued generosity of our supporters.