PIONEERING research is to be carried out in Suffolk which could give new hope to women wanting to have children after chemotherapy for breast cancer.Charity Cancer Research UK is funding a groundbreaking trial at Ipswich Hospital which attempts to protect women's fertility during chemotherapy.
PIONEERING research is to be carried out in Suffolk which could give new hope to women wanting to have children after chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Charity Cancer Research UK is funding a groundbreaking trial at Ipswich Hospital which attempts to protect women's fertility during chemotherapy.
Women diagnosed with breast cancer, who are pre-menopausal and set to undergo chemotherapy, can apply to take part.
Chemotherapy damages the ovaries of up to eight out of 10 women who have not yet been through the menopause.
Experts will test a drug called Goserelin (Zoladex) - a type of hormone therapy that usually stops the ovaries working - during the trial.
Doctors hope that if it can stop the ovaries working while women have chemotherapy, their ovaries will be less likely to be damaged during the treatment. They also hope it will prevent early menopause.
Cancer research manager Pam Taylor-Neale, who is co-ordinating Cancer Research UK's OPTION trial at Ipswich Hospital, said: “This important research is vital in helping us better treat women diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Together with Cancer Research UK, we hope to reduce the impact that breast cancer has on the lives of pre-menopausal women, and help return them to full health when treatment ends.
“Women in the Ipswich area have the opportunity to take part in this research and if interested should contact their specialist to see if they are eligible.”
Women can apply to take part in the trial if they have stage one, two or three breast cancer, are due to have chemotherapy and have not yet gone through the menopause.
Cancer Research UK is recruiting for the trials until September 1, 2007.
To find out more, write to The Information Nurses, Cancer Research UK, PO Box 123, 61 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PX. Or telephone 0207 061 8355 or email cancer.info@cancer.org.uk.
What do you think to the trial? Has breast cancer or infertility affected you? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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