Developing a blood test for breast cancer in the brain

Project title: Developing a Breast cancer brain metastasis extracellular vesicle liquid biopsy (BRAINCELL)

What’s the study about?

Researchers are looking to gather the thoughts and experiences of people affected by secondary breast cancer in the brain.

This information will be used to design a study looking at a blood test to detect and monitor breast cancer that has spread to the brain.

Currently, brain surgery is required to confirm breast cancer in the brain and MRI follow-ups aren’t always accurate for monitoring. So, researchers are working on a non-invasive alternative in the form of a blood test.

Who can take part?

You can take part if you, or a close friend or relative, have secondary breast cancer in the brain.

Why do you want me to be involved?

By sharing your insights and feedback you can help the researchers make sure that the aims and outcomes of the research are relevant to those in the breast cancer community.

You can also help to make sure that the study is accessible and beneficial for participants as possible.

What will you ask me to do?

You'll take part in an online focus group where you'll discuss the proposed study. This will include discussing the design of the study and the main outcomes to make sure they are acceptable to the breast cancer community.

The focus group will take place before the 30 October 2023 and the follow-up session will take place in early November.

The researchers are also looking for 1 person to be more involved in the design and running of the study as a patient advocate.

If you’re interested in being a patient advocate, the researchers will schedule a meeting to discuss your involvement before 30 October 2023.

How do I get involved?

If you're interested in taking part in the focus group or as a patient advocate, please contact Dr Stephen Robinson directly at stephen.robinson@nhs.net.