CompletedNot ApplicableObservational

A study to help understand the outcomes of pre-surgical treatment for breast cancer

Some women with breast cancer receive medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy, before having an operation. Giving treatment first can shrink the tumour and reduce the amount of surgery needed. However, practices differ across UK hospitals. The NeST study is a nationwide project looking at how these pre-surgery treatments are currently used in the NHS. Researchers want to find out how well tumours respond, how often cancers disappear completely before surgery, and how doctors decide which operation to perform. Taking part does not change your treatment or add extra hospital visits. Instead, researchers collect anonymous details from your routine medical records. By learning what works best across the country, this study aims to help doctors set high standards and improve breast cancer care for everyone in the future.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Phase

Not Applicable

Sponsor

Queen's University of Belfast

Enrolment target

1,000

Start

01 Dec 2017

Estimated completion

30 Nov 2018

Breast cancer

What is this study about?

When treating breast cancer, doctors sometimes suggest medical therapy before surgery. This is known as pre-surgical or neoadjuvant treatment, and it may include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted drugs. The main goal of giving treatment first is to shrink the cancer. In many cases, shrinking the tumour allows a surgeon to perform a smaller, less invasive operation, helping patients recover more easily.

At present, different NHS hospitals across the UK handle pre-surgery treatments in slightly different ways. For example, doctors might use different checks to see if a tumour is getting smaller, or they may make different choices about which operation is best once the treatment finishes. Because of these differences, researchers created the NeST study to build a clear national picture of how these treatments are used in everyday care.

The study tracks how patients respond to their medication, how often the tumour completely disappears before an operation, and how surgical decisions are made. By gathering this real-world information across many NHS hospitals, the researchers hope to understand best practice and ensure that every patient in the UK receives the highest standard of care.

Key takeaways

The NeST study observes how pre-surgery breast cancer treatments are used across NHS hospitals.
It aims to find out how well these treatments shrink tumours and how operations are planned.
Taking part does not change your medication, surgery, or routine care in any way.
There are no extra hospital visits, blood tests, or scans required.
Your routine health information is collected anonymously to help improve future breast cancer care.

Who may be eligible?

You may be able to join this study if you are a woman aged 16 or over and have received a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer. Your hospital specialist team (the multidisciplinary team, or MDT) must have recommended that you receive drug treatment—such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy—before you have your operation.

You cannot join this study if you are currently taking part in a specific type of research known as a 'window of opportunity' trial. Your breast care nurse or oncologist can tell you whether your current treatment plan makes you eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am a woman aged 16 or older.
I have a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer.
My care team has advised drug treatment (such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy) before my operation.
I am not taking part in a 'window of opportunity' clinical trial.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in the NeST study is very straightforward because it will not alter your medical care in any way. You will receive your standard cancer treatment and planned surgery exactly as arranged with your hospital team. There are no extra hospital appointments, scans, blood tests, or experimental medications required for this study.

Instead, the research team simply collects anonymous details from your routine hospital records. This includes information about your diagnosis, the type of treatment you receive, how your tumour responds, and the surgery you have. Because the study only follows your standard treatment journey, your participation lasts for the normal duration of your care, usually over several months to a couple of years.

Potential risks and benefits

Because this study only collects routine information from your medical files, there are no physical risks, side effects, or extra burdens involved in taking part. All of your personal details are kept strictly confidential and anonymous. While taking part will not change your own treatment outcome, the information gathered will help improve breast cancer care and surgical decisions for future patients. Taking part is entirely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw your data at any time without your medical treatment being affected in any way.

Locations (34)

Belfast City Hospital
Approximate
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Approximate
Aberdeen, Scotland
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Keighley, England
Betsi Calwaladr University Health Board
City only
Bangor, Wales
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Bradford, England
Southmead Hospital Bristol
Unverified
Bristol, England
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals
Unverified
St Helens, England
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Cambridge, England
Birmingham City Hospital
Unverified
Birmingham, England
Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Unverified
Doncaster, England
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Unverified
Glasgow, Scotland
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Winchester, England

Common questions

Will taking part change my treatment plan?

No. You will receive the exact same cancer treatments and surgery that your care team has already recommended for you.

Do I need to come to hospital for extra visits?

No. The study only uses information already gathered during your standard clinic visits and tests, so no extra appointments are needed.

Will my personal details be kept private?

Yes. All data collected for the study is completely anonymised, meaning your name and personal details are removed so you cannot be identified.

What are pre-surgical (neoadjuvant) treatments?

These are cancer medicines—such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapies—given before an operation to help shrink the tumour.

What happens if I decide not to take part?

Taking part is entirely your choice. If you decide not to join, your standard medical care and your relationship with your doctors will stay exactly the same.

How to find out more

Stuart McIntosh

s.mcintosh@qub.ac.uk 2890972986 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.