Does Participation in Clinical Trials Influence the Implementation of New Techniques? A Look at Changing Techniques in Breast Radiotherapy in the UK

Abstract Aims To examine the effect of UK breast radiotherapy trials on the adoption of new radiotherapy techniques over the last 15 years. Materials and methods The data were taken from questionnaires returned to the national radiotherapy quality assurance team for each of the major trials (START,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)) 2012-10, Vol.24 (8), p.e100-e105
Main Authors: Venables, K, Tsang, Y, Ciurlionis, L, Coles, C.E, Yarnold, J.R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy
Breast Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Breast radiotherapy
clinical trials
Clinical Trials as Topic - methods
Clinical Trials as Topic - standards
Female
Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine
Humans
Quality of Life
Radiology
Radiotherapy - methods
Radiotherapy - standards
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic - methods
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic - standards
Surveys and Questionnaires
United Kingdom
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Summary:Abstract Aims To examine the effect of UK breast radiotherapy trials on the adoption of new radiotherapy techniques over the last 15 years. Materials and methods The data were taken from questionnaires returned to the national radiotherapy quality assurance team for each of the major trials (START, Supremo, FAST, IMPORT) with additional information sought from heads of radiotherapy physics departments where needed. Results The peak years for the introduction of three-dimensional radiotherapy corresponded to the opening of new trials requiring these techniques. Some non-trial centres had still not implemented three-dimensional techniques for breast cancer patients at the time the most recent questionnaire was completed (2009). Conclusion Clinical trials provide the framework and impetus for introducing more accurate radiotherapy for UK women with early breast cancer.
ISSN:0936-6555
1433-2981
DOI:10.1016/j.clon.2012.06.010