Shape future research into information and support for breast surgery

What’s the project about? 

Everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will see a breast surgeon at some stage, and almost everyone has surgery as part of their treatment.  

In 2021, researchers ran a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Process that asked people with breast cancer, families and healthcare professionals about their questions about breast cancer surgery. 

They did this to make sure that future research in breast cancer surgery is focussed on answering questions that are important to patients, as well as to healthcare professionals.  

A lot of the questions which were important to people related to information and support that people may need before, at the time of, or after breast cancer surgery.  

Researchers now want to know which of these questions should be prioritised in research. They’re asking people affected by breast cancer which are most important to them.  

Who can take part? 

You can take part if you 

• Have or have had breast cancer  
• Have been told that you're at high risk of developing breast cancer  
• Have friends or family who’ve had a diagnosis of breast cancer  

Why do you want me to be involved? 

By completing the survey, you can help researchers make sure that future research will focus on addressing questions that are important to people affected by breast cancer. 

What will you ask me to do? 

You'll be asked to complete 2 online surveys, one now and one in a few weeks' time. This will help the researchers work out what questions are the most important to answer.  

The survey includes a list of questions where people have suggested that more research is needed. The questions are about information and support for people having breast cancer surgery   

You'll be asked to read the list of questions and tick the ones that you think are the most important for researchers to answer based on your own experiences. You can choose up to 10.  

You’ll be sent the same survey in a few weeks’ time to answer again. This will help the researchers understand which questions are important to people.  

You’ll also be able to express interest in taking part in a final in-person workshop in London on 4 March 2024. Here, participants will agree the final research priorities into support and information for people having breast cancer surgery.