Breast cancer research

St John of God Subiaco Hospital provides a range of diagnostic and surgical services for breast cancer patients. This includes innovative reconstruction surgery, medical oncology, supportive care through dedicated breast nurses and specialist physiotherapy and psychology care. The Breast Cancer Research Unit runs a large number of investigator driven and cooperative research group-led cancer studies.

Led by Prof Christobel Saunders, the Breast Cancer Research Unit covers four major aspects to assist and guide patient care, including:

translational research driven by our Biobank in collaboration with national and international researchers
medical and surgical oncology clinical trials from prevention through to survivorship. They cover all aspects of cancer, including prevention, diagnosis, treatments, post treatment, survivorship, fertility, end-of-life care, development of drugs and translation of research practice
supportive care research, such as exercise intervention and enabling young breast cancer survivors to start a family health services research that can help deliver more equitable and effective cancer care to Western Australians

BRCA-P clinical trial is the first clinical trial in prevention of breast cancer, which was launched in April 2020. So far, we have three active participants on this trial and a few potential patients have expressed their interest to participate.

The BRCA-P study is looking at a new cancer prevention option involving a study medication injection (Denosumab or placebo) every six months for five years. In addition, participants will have a visit with their study doctor every six months, and will have their bone health and quality of life assessed every 12 months while receiving the study medication. These assessments are not typically part of standard medical care for women carrying a BRCA1 mutation. Participants will also continue to be checked by their study team every 12 months for a further five years (total of 10 years).

Denosumab is approved in Australia for the treatment of osteoporosis (60mg, Prolia®) and for the prevention of bone-related problems in adults with bone metastases from cancers (120 mg, XGEVA®). It has not been approved as a prevention medication for people with a mutation in the BRCA1 gene. Its use in this study is experimental.

Eligibility:

Women with a confirmed BRCA1 gene mutation
Aged 25-55 years, no evidence of breast cancer clinically and imaging (MRI, mammogram)
No history of mastectomy
No history of ovarian cancer

Surgical Oncologist
Prof Christobel Saunders

Breast Surgeons/Senior Clinical Lecturers
Mr Lee Jackson
Dr Wen Chan Yeow

Clinical Nurse Consultants Breast Care
Gay Refeld
Joan Burgess
Glenys Longman

Medical Oncologists
Dr Daphne Tsoi
Dr Andrew Dean
Dr Tim Clay

Research Officers
Dr Katy Mohammadi

Gay Refeld, Christobel Saunders, Alannah Cooper, Niloufer Johansen, Elizabeth Sorial. A Multimethod Evaluation of a Specialist Breast Care Nurse-Led Survivorship Clinic in Australia. https://doi.org/10.1188/23.onf.753-764