Breast cancer patients in the United Kingdom could spend fewer days receiving hospital treatment if an ongoing clinical trial confirms that radiotherapy can be safely delivered over five days instead of the conventional three-week period.
The FAST-Forward Boost trial, involving 39 hospitals across the UK, is examining whether a shorter radiotherapy schedule combined with an additional targeted dose, known as a boost, can reduce the risk of breast cancer returning.
More than 1,000 participants have already enrolled in the study, which is being led by the Institute of Cancer Research in London and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care disclosed the development on Friday, noting that the proposed treatment could save patients 10 hospital visits if the approach proves successful.
The research is designed to assess whether reducing the duration of radiotherapy while including the additional targeted treatment can produce effective outcomes for patients.
The trial is expected to recruit 4,830 participants by 2028, with those enrolled monitored for five years to assess their progress and the effectiveness of the treatment approach.
According to the department’s statement, the findings are expected to be released in 2033.
The 39 participating hospitals
The hospitals involved in the trial are spread across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, providing treatment and research support at several locations.
They include:
1. The Royal Marsden Hospital, London
2. The Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton
3. Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge
4. Christie Hospital, Manchester
5. Royal Surrey County Hospital
6. Churchill Hospital, Oxford
7. Singleton Hospital, Swansea
8. Royal Free Hospital, London
9. James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
10. Royal Berkshire Hospital
11. Charing Cross Hospital, London
12. Southampton General Hospital
13. Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
14. St John’s Hospital, Livingston
15. Barts (St Bartholomew’s Hospital), London
16. The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
17. Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley
18. Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
19. Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth
20. University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
21. Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield
22. Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
23. Belfast City Hospital
24. Peterborough City Hospital
25. Northampton General Hospital
26. Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary
27. Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
28. Borders General Hospital
29. University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock
30. West Middlesex University Hospital
31. University Hospital Hairmyres
32. St James’s University Hospital, Leeds
33. Guy’s Hospital, London
34. Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre
35. Ipswich Hospital
36. Forth Valley Royal Hospital
37. University College Hospital, London
38. Ealing Hospital
39. Mount Vernon Cancer Centre
The five-year follow-up is expected to provide evidence on whether the shortened treatment schedule can offer a reliable alternative to the longer course currently used.
The trial’s final findings, due in 2033, will help determine whether the approach can reduce the number of hospital visits required by breast cancer patients without compromising treatment effectiveness.
