Clinical Trials

Challenges and Advancement in Breast Cancer Trials: Case Study

Over the past 30 years, treatment of breast cancer has greatly improved due to lessons learned through clinical trials. Clinical trials test the safety and benefits of new treatments, diagnostic methods and screening tests. People volunteer to take part in these research studies. Whether a new therapy or test becomes part of standard treatment (or diagnosis or screening) for breast cancer depends largely on clinical trial results. For example, clinical trials showed the benefit of hormone therapies and trastuzumab (Herceptin) in breast cancer treatment and these drugs are now part of standard care. Large randomized clinical trials are viewed as the best basis for making treatment guidelines. Clinical trials take place around the world in many types of medical centers and hospitals. Often, trials are funded by a agencies like the National Cancer Institute.