2022-2026 RESEARCH STRATEGY

To fulfil our mission of savings lives and improving treatments through the conduct of clinical trials, Breast Cancer Trials has developed our 2022-2026 Research Strategy.

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women in Australia and New Zealand, and the most diagnosed cancer worldwide. This year more than 20,640 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia and more than 3,500 people in New Zealand.

To address this, it’s critical that Breast Cancer Trials (BCT) identifies research topics and methods that are likely to make the greatest impact to improvements in outcomes for people affected by breast cancer; ensure that our resources and the expertise of our research community are used optimally; and that we can proactively respond and adapt to future research opportunities and needs.

Because people are at the heart of everything we do – those affected by breast cancer, our supporters who make our research possible, our researchers who ask the important scientific questions and trial participants who help us understand whether a new treatment is working.

It’s a bold plan that is underpinned by the value of consumer involvement in our research and the importance of maintaining a consumer-centered and patient-driven approach. We sincerely thank supporters, who make our research possible – you are making a real impact on lives and futures with your ongoing generosity and commitment.

1. Conducting trials in the areas of greatest patient need and potential impact as identified in the consultation process

Breast Cancer Trials aims to coordinate a diverse portfolio of multidisciplinary trials with the potential to benefit patients throughout their diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Specific areas of need include prevention of breast cancer including DCIS, screening, newly diagnosed early-stage disease, metastatic disease, supportive care, psycho-oncology and survivorship. BCT, as a multidisciplinary group is ideally positioned to develop and conduct trials that represent an integrated approach to patient care.

2. Broad collaboration with the right people and organisations, nationally and internationally

Building and maintaining a network of breast cancer researchers is a key factor in successful research. Part of the strategy is to identify priority areas of unmet need, to be aware of cutting-edge developments in breast cancer, and be agile and responsive to those developments. This will put BCT in a position to foster the development of scientifically competitive and important trials of the latest interventions and treatment methods.

3. Remove barriers and enhance clinical trials participation

Australia and New Zealand have excellent track records of recruitment to clinical trials, however this recruitment is often limited to major metropolitan centres, and patient demographics may not be completely representative of the broader patient population. Equity in the recruitment of a geographically, ethnically and socio-economically diverse and representative population is warranted. Overcoming barriers and being able to recruit trial participants from a wider range of centres may allow faster recruitment, better access to new treatments, improved outcomes, and faster translation of knowledge.

4. Learning the most from every trial

Each trial is a significant investment in financial and human terms. The knowledge gained from trials should be maximised through excellence in the scientific rationale, methodology and conduct. Where possible tissue collection and translational research should be incorporated in each trial with tissue banking for future research a standard. With the rapid pace of biotechnology advancements, there is a wealth of knowledge and potential to be unlocked from the data and tissue samples collected which stretch far beyond the primary goal of the original trial.