Research Archives - MET UP UK - #BusyLivingWithMets

On the trail of a Clinical Trial…

May 9, 2022May 10, 2022 metupuk

METUPUK historically maintained their own in-house clinical trial database for metastatic trials in the UK as there was no one source that contained them all. It used the key sites used across the UK; Cancer Research UK, Be Part of Research, ISRCTN and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Leaping forward to 2022, surely by now one of them must be THE accurate, easily searchable source of breast cancer trials? If not, how do our oncologists quickly and accurately find the best trials for their metastatic patients?

And where do patients start when looking for a metastatic trial themselves?

Why we need MBC research more than ever

May 5, 2022May 4, 2022 metupuk

At METUPUK, we dream of the day when metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is downgraded from an incurable to a chronic illness. The only way this will be possible is through new scientific research. We urgently need more research into this deadly disease.
We need more clinical research into MBC, including clinical trials. These are crucial for determining which are the most effective treatment options and for bringing new drug treatments to patients.

A #TrodelvyNow Update

July 18, 2021September 8, 2021 metupuk

Following on from our #TrodelvyNow post last month, MetUpUk Member Phillippa has appeared in the Daily Mail, alongside other women for who this drug could mean, literally the difference between life and death.

#TrodelvyNow!

June 30, 2021September 8, 2021 metupuk

Of all the subtypes of metastatic breast cancer, metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is the hardest to treat with the worst prognosis. While new advances in the treatment of hormone positive MBC and Her2 MBC have helped some patients live for a number of years, average life expectancy for someone with metastatic TNBC is just 12-18 months.

Statistics for Metastatic Breast Cancer

June 3, 2021June 1, 2021 jotaylor

We started our campaign in Metastatic May with some information about treatment lines and it really caused a bit of a stir, especially on Instagram.

Why? Because people don’t want to think that this disease is going to kill us. We have to remain positive. We have to see the chink of light and I agree we all have to have hope. That was my introduction. We need hope.

A Real Life Accounts of Accessing Clinical Trials

May 6, 2021May 6, 2021 jotaylor

In 2018 I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in my liver, I was 44.

I knew the survival statistics were grim, so decided from the outset, in order to outlive the 2 to 3-year median I’d have to embrace experimental drugs and treatments.

I made this clear during my first oncology appointment, telling my doctor I was keen to sign up for clinical trials right from the start.

Aren’t you a bit young to have a pacemaker

April 16, 2021April 10, 2021 jotaylor

Stage 4 breast cancer with a pacemaker

Most people know someone with a pacemaker, and chances are that person will be elderly. The average age of a first pacemaker implantation in the UK is 72, but pacemakers are actually fitted in people of all ages from newborn babies to the very elderly. I was 39 when I had mine, which was needed as a complication after heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and root.

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