NHS trial tests five day radiotherapy course for breast cancer

A new UK clinical trial is testing whether breast cancer radiotherapy treatment times can be reduced from three weeks to five days, Birmingham-Now reported. More than 1,000 patients have already joined the government-funded study, which is known as the FAST-Forward Boost trial. The research is testing a condensed course of radiotherapy to reduce hospital visits for patients. [1]

The FAST-Forward Boost trial is running at 39 hospitals across the UK, according to Birmingham-Now. Participating sites include the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The study evaluates whether a shorter radiotherapy schedule combined with an extra targeted dose, or boost, can be delivered safely without increasing risks. [1]

Efforts to safely streamline treatment schedules build on broader efforts in oncology care. As FTMQ Health reported earlier, precision oncology tools are being explored to help identify patients who can safely reduce therapy and avoid overtreatment. Local therapy remains most effective in early stage breast cancer, whereas systemic treatment is typically reserved for advanced disease. [3]

Earlier research has also examined ways to safely lower post-surgery care burdens. As FTMQ Health reported earlier, the Phase III ShortStop HER2 trial evaluated whether early stage HER2 positive breast cancer patients can safely reduce post-surgery treatment if pre-surgery therapy eliminated their cancer. [2]