Hartlepool has played a big part in a new breast cancer treatment breakthrough

Clinical trial co-ordinator Lynda Poole, oncology consultant Janine Graham and clinical trial Practitioner Helen Wardle.

A national study, which included North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, has led to significant reductions in the risk of breast cancer returning.

It looked at more than 5,600 people whose early breast cancer was at a high risk of coming back. Six of these patients were recruited by the Trust.

It involved treating patients with a medication known as Verzenio which is used to treat a type of breast cancer called HR+ and HER2.

When it was used instead of the standard endocrine therapy, it showed significant improvements in invasive disease-free survival.

Janine Graham, oncology consultant, said: “Any patient who has had cancer will say that once they have successfully beaten all they then wish for is a healthy future free from cancer.

“This study has shown that patients with breast cancer were seeing a real reduction in this cancer returning – this is really exciting result.”

Helen Wardle, clinical trial practitioner, said: “By participating in trials such as these, we’re offering patients access to potentially life-saving treatments earlier than they would normally get.

“We were the only hospital in the North East and North Cumbria to participate in this trial, something that we are very proud to have contributed to.

“Research is helping save lives and we want to encourage as many people as possible to be a part of it in the future.”

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