Support, Positioning and Organ Stabilisation during Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy: SuPPORT 4 All Study

Dr Heidi Probst

Reader in Radiotherapy

On behalf of the SuPPORT 4 All Project Team

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Today in the UK 125 women will be told they

have breast cancer

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Globally around 1.5 million are diagnosed with the disease annually

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Around 80% will survive the disease beyond 5

years, survival projected to reach 1.7 million by 2040

Hence it is important that radiotherapy when given is given

accurately to ensure side effects are minimised

• The main treatment for breast cancer is surgery, where surgery has involved removal of the lump only retaining the whole breast, radiotherapy will be given to the breast after surgery.

• Traditionally this has been given using basic radiotherapy beams. New technology provides the opportunity to spare sensitive structures that lie close to the breast such as the lung and the heart (where the left breast is treated); these techniques require greater accuracy in patient positioning.

• Set up errors in positioning of the breast for treatment has consequences on the distribution of radiation dose within the breast. Set-up errors may also increase the risk of the cancer coming back within the breast.

Study Aim

The aim of this 31 month study (March 2015-Sept 2017) is to develop a support device that will allow accurate positioning of the breast on a day to day basis, that is acceptable to patients and helps to maintain modesty and dignity during treatment

Design Refinement

Technical Testing

Health Economics and Service Integration

Clinical Testing

Stages of the Study

We need your help

Patient and public involvement is central to this study and critical to refining the design of the support device for comfort and functionality to ensure patient compliance once the product is embedded in radiotherapy practice. The study would like to invite 2 user representatives (local to Sheffield) who have had experience of breast cancer and radiotherapy treatment from Breast Cancer Care Voices to become part of the project steering committee (meeting to be held in Sheffield 3 times a year) for the duration of the project. These local representatives will be reimbursed for their input into the steering committee (£25 per meeting) and travel time (£10).

Patient and Public Involvement

• Additionally, as part of the initial stages of the development of the prototype we would like to seek the views of between 8-10 women (local to Sheffield) who have had experience of breast cancer and radiotherapy treatment (within 5 years).

• We intend to run a user workshop in Sheffield in May 2015 to elicit the views of women regarding their radiotherapy experiences and specifically their views about the product design. User representatives will be reimbursed for their input into the workshop (£25) and travel time (£10).

Patient and Public Involvement

If you would like to know more details about our study and are interested in helping us please contactDr Heidi Probst h.probst@shu.ac.uk (01142254359)

Are you interested?

Finally…

SuPPORT 4 All study bringing accuracy and dignity to breast

radiotherapy.