How to learn about and find breast cancer clinical trials
Considering a breast cancer clinical trial as an option for your care is an important aspect of managing your healthcare journey. This guide simplifies learning about clinical trials available and finding clinical trials that may be right for you.
A Message from Cynthia
Navigating Your Path Through Clinical Trials
“As someone who’s walked the path of breast cancer, I know how vital information can be. That’s why I’m honored to partner with BreastCancerTrials.org to bring you this resource containing every available breast cancer clinical trial in the U.S. Whether you’re seeking a clinical trial or just want to understand your options, this page is here to help make each step a little easier. Love and support.”
- Cynthia, Stage 2B, Founder of Learn Look Locate
Understanding Clinical Trials
What is a Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate new approaches to breast cancer care in people. These studies help researchers determine the safety and effectiveness of new treatments, diagnostic tools, and preventive measures.
Types of Clinical Trials
Treatment Trials
Study new drugs and interventions such as vaccines, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, radiation, surgery, and more.
Non-Treatment Trials
Study new ways to provide care, such as managing side effects, improving quality of life, and making treatment decisions.
Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM)
Investigate the use of complementary therapies alongside conventional treatments.
Registries and Surveys
Allow patients to share their cancer experience with researchers, helping improve cancer care. Often, no visits are required, making them easier to participate in, and many can be done from home.
Who Can Participate in Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are available for people across the spectrum of care, including those who have not been diagnosed, are at high risk, recently diagnosed, in treatment, completed treatment for DCIS or stage 1-3 breast cancer, or living with metastatic disease.
Benefits and Risks of Clinical Trials
Why Consider a Clinical Trial?
- “Receive tomorrow’s drug today”: Receive innovative treatment that may become the standard of care in the future
- All breast cancer treatments are the result of volunteers who chose to participate in clinical trials
- Receive additional care and monitoring
- Contribute to medical research that may benefit future generations
Risks vs. Benefits
When participating in a breast cancer clinical trial, you will generally receive either the standard of care (the most effective treatment currently available) or the standard of care plus a promising experimental treatment. While you may benefit if the experimental treatment proves to be more effective, it’s essential to weigh the potential risks and benefits carefully.
Debunking Common Misconceptions About Clinical Trials
- Clinical trials are not only a last resort. They are open to anyone at any stage of their care journey.
- Participants are not treated like "guinea pigs." Drugs go through extensive lab and animal testing before being tested in humans, and participants receive extra monitoring and care.
- You are free to change your mind and stop participating at any time for any reason.
Importance of Diversity in Clinical Trials
- Differences in race and sex can affect treatment response. It's important that clinical trials include participants with a variety of experiences and characteristics like race and ethnicity, age, sex, and sexual orientation, so that all communities can benefit from scientific advances.
- If a certain group is not represented in clinical trials, it makes it difficult to know that the research results apply to that group.
- Diverse participation in trials also ensures that all people will have access to the newest, most innovative treatments at the earliest stages.
Finding the Right Clinical Trial
How to Find Clinical Trials
To find the right clinical trial for you, start by asking your doctor about clinical trials when discussing treatment options to be sure you are considering all available options. You can also use BreastCancerTrials.org’s tools and services to find trials that are right for you.
Overview of BreastCancerTrials.org
BreastCancerTrials.org is a non-profit service that empowers individuals affected by breast cancer to consider clinical trials as a routine option for care. Their mission is to help people with any stage of breast cancer learn about and find clinical trials that are right for them.
They offer several programs, including:
- BreastCancerTrials.org: A clinical trial matching tool for stage 0 (DCIS), stage I-III breast cancer, post-treatment survivors, and people who have not been diagnosed
- Metastatic Trial Search: A clinical trial matching tool specifically for stage IV/metastatic breast cancer, developed in collaboration with five breast cancer advocacy organizations and available on many partner websites
- Metastatic Trial Talk: A monthly publication about metastatic breast cancer clinical trials and research news, designed as a companion to Metastatic Trial Search
How to Use BreastCancerTrials.org
1
Answer questions about your diagnosis (as a guest or by logging in)
2
View matched trials in patient-friendly language
3
Sort, search, and filter to narrow your list
4
Log in or register to save your profile and receive updates on new trials
BreastCancerTrials.org is different from other clinical trial matching services because:
- It is a free, unbiased, and non-profit service that includes all breast cancer clinical trials currently recruiting in the US
- All information is provided in patient-friendly language.
- Your data is never sold or shared
- They have a Help Desk available to assist you in finding a trial that's right for you
Find a clinical trial that's right for you
Types of Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
Explore the various types of breast cancer clinical trials and find the ones most relevant to your unique situation.
At Learn Look Locate, we understand that finding the right clinical trial can be overwhelming. That’s why, in partnership with BreastCancerTrials.org, we have made it our mission to simplify the process and provide you with direct access to the most current and comprehensive list of breast cancer clinical trials available.
We believe that everyone affected by breast cancer should have the opportunity to easily find and consider clinical trials that may be suitable for their unique situation. To make this possible, we have gathered direct links to each type of clinical trial currently available, ensuring that you can quickly and effortlessly access the information you need to make informed decisions about your care.
Treatment Trials
Chemotherapy
Investigate new chemotherapy drugs or combinations for effectiveness.
Hormone Therapy
Study new hormone therapy approaches for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
Radiation
Evaluate new radiation techniques or schedules to improve outcomes and minimize side effects.
Surgery
Explore new surgical techniques or approaches for breast cancer treatment.
Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC)
Study the effectiveness of ADCs in targeting and treating breast cancer cells.
Anti-HER2 Targeted Therapy
Investigate new targeted therapies for HER2-positive breast cancer.
CDK Inhibitor
Evaluate the effectiveness of CDK inhibitors in treating breast cancer.
PARP Inhibitor
Study the use of PARP inhibitors for treating breast cancer, particularly in patients with BRCA mutations.
Vaccines and Immunotherapy
Explore the potential of vaccines and immunotherapies in treating or preventing breast cancer.
Non-Treatment Trials
Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM)
Explore the use of complementary therapies alongside conventional treatments.
Treatment Decision Support
Find studies that help patients make informed decisions about their breast cancer treatment.
Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Investigate new methods or technologies for diagnosing breast cancer.
Genetic Testing
Study the role of genetics and family history in breast cancer risk and treatment.
Having Children/Fertility
Explore options for preserving fertility during breast cancer treatment.
Imaging
Evaluate new imaging techniques for detecting and monitoring breast cancer.
Managing Side Effects
Discover new ways to manage the side effects of breast cancer treatments.
Predicting Response to Treatment
Investigate methods for predicting how a patient will respond to specific treatments.
Preventing Breast Cancer
Study new approaches to reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.
Preventing Recurrence
Explore methods to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Support/Education
Find studies that offer support or educational resources for breast cancer patients and their families.
Surveys/Interviews/
Registries
Participate in surveys, interviews, or registries to help advance breast cancer research.
Other Trials
Trials for People at High Risk of Breast Cancer
Access studies designed for individuals with a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Trials for People with Brain Metastases
Find trials specifically tailored for breast cancer patients with brain metastases.
Trials for People with BRCA Mutations
Explore studies focused on individuals with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations.
Empowering Patients Through Knowledge
A Conversation with BreastCancerTrials.org
In this enlightening video, Cynthia Jordan, founder of Learn Look Locate, sits down with Alexandra Burd, Outreach & Operations Lead at BreastCancerTrials.org, to discuss the importance of clinical trials and how their partnership aims to empower breast cancer patients.
Discover the various types of trials available, the benefits of participation, and how BreastCancerTrials.org is making it easier for individuals to find and consider clinical trials as a routine part of their care journey.
A Partnership for Empowerment
Learn Look Locate and BreastCancerTrials.org
At Learn Look Locate, we are dedicated to providing accurate and accessible information to help individuals affected by breast cancer make informed decisions about their care. Our partnership with BreastCancerTrials.org reflects our commitment to empowering patients and their loved ones with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate their breast cancer journey.
Through this comprehensive guide on learning about and finding breast cancer clinical trials, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of clinical trials in advancing breast cancer care and help you understand the various options available. Together, Learn Look Locate and BreastCancerTrials.org are here to support you throughout your journey, providing the information and tools you need to make informed decisions and access the best possible care.