OUR IMPACT

The report found BCT’s research has helped provide evidence which guides treatments for patients and improves quality of life. And this all adds up to more lives saved than ever before. Thanks to worldwide efforts, today 90% of people are alive five years after a breast cancer diagnosis. That means more women recovering from breast cancer, more women getting to see their children grow up, and more women living long and happy lives.

The report found that Tamoxifen, Herceptin, Letrozole, Exemestane and Goserelin are just some of the many practice-changing treatment and prevention approaches that have been proven in clinical trials research conducted by BCT. These treatments and preventions have saved tens of thousands of lives, increased survivorship, reduced recurrence, and improved the quality of life and symptom management for breast cancer patients, the report has shown.

An analysis of research results found that BCT’s publications are highly cited – over 10 times the world benchmark. These publications have been produced by authors from across 53 countries and been cited in documents from 155 countries, demonstrating the international reach of Breast Cancer Trials research. These citations are indicators of scientific excellence and mean that researchers and clinicians from across the world are referring and reviewing BCT’s work to improve treatments to patients and increase their scientific knowledge.

An economic analysis of the $173 million investment in clinical trials research by BCT since 1978 (up to 2020), showed that there are strong returns from BCT’s research program with a conservative Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.371 and an equivalent value of net health and economic gains created equal to $11.3m annually. A BCR greater than one demonstrates a positive net return for a research investment, so this finding demonstrates that supporting and investing in breast cancer clinical trials delivers tangible and significant health and social benefits for the community.

The report found that 84% of researchers agreed that BCT has been influential in improving breast cancer survival and 76% of BCT members believe that the organisation has influenced clinical practice in the treatment and management of breast cancer. It also found that the outcomes of clinical trials include empowering patients to make better health decisions, ensuring better advice is given to patients, which ensures the families of patients feel more supported because of clinical trials. BCT was also the first clinical trial organisation to start a Consumer Advisory Panel in 1998, to provide a voice to consumers in the research program.

BCT’s clinical trials provide patients with access to new breast cancer treatments and strategies not yet widely available. People participate in clinical trials because they may benefit, and because people in the future can benefit from what is learned. The treatments available today are possible because people have participated in past clinical trials. The report found there are a wide range of social benefits resulting from BCT’s research, including psychosocial well-being, quality of life, survivorship and symptom management.