Breast cancer ribbon
"I saw an article on the IBIS-2 trial in our local paper in November 2005, and got in touch with them to find out more. I’d lost my sister to breast cancer – it was only 13 months from her being diagnosed to her dying, which is really frightening – so I was interested straight away. I’d already been for scans, and this seemed a way of getting regular checks for myself, and doing some good for other people.
"The trial is testing a drug called anastrazole. It’s already used to treat people who have breast cancer. This trial is with people who haven’t got breast cancer, but who have had a close relative with it, to see if it stops them getting it.
"I go to Macclesfield Hospital, about half an hour away, for my checkups. For the first year I went every six months. After that you go once a year, see the breast cancer consultant and get scans and mammograms. I have to take one tablet a week, which is nothing. I’m not having any side effects, but that may mean I’m taking the placebo.
"I have the phone number and email address of the research nurse, Clare, and can call her. There’s always plenty of support, you don’t feel alone. I think it’s absolutely fantastic, with all the benefits you get, and you’re doing something for others.
"I also have DEXA scans every six months, to check on my bones. When I first went they found that I had thinning bones – it was quite bad – and put me on medication to improve the strength of my bones. The next scan showed clear improvement after just 12 months. I’m really pleased, because you don’t get routine DEXA scans. When my GP saw me he said “You’re really lucky, we wouldn’t have picked this up.”
"If this trial provides a way of preventing breast cancer, that’s a real bonus. I’d do it again without hesitation."
The IBIS-2 study
This is a breast cancer prevention study, recruiting women worldwide.
IBIS-2 DCIS will investigate whether anastrozole or tamoxifen is better at preventing the disease from returning in women who have had an early type of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
If you would like to find out whether you are eligible to take part, please click here
Alternatively, call the Cancer Information Nurses at Cancer Research UK, on 020 7061 8355