Celebrating SOFT success – Clinical Trials Coordinator Annette Cubitt, Dr Michelle Nottage, Annette Clutterbuck and Clinical Trials Coordinator Wendy Pritchard.

Dr Michelle Nottage and the Cancer Care Service Team at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) are celebrating their involvement in a breakthrough clinical trial that has improved treatment for young women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer.

Dr Nottage, Principal Investigator for the SOFT (Suppression of Ovarian Function Trial) trial at RBWH, said she and her team are thrilled with the positive result.

“Clinical trials are an important way to build on existing knowledge and find better ways to treat cancer.

“This trial was particularly special for us as it involved 10 years of monitoring and caring for our six patients with hormone-sensitive breast cancer who participated.

“We have such a strong relationship with these women and we are all very proud to be part of a trial that has changed treatment practice around the world”, Dr Nottage said.

For participant Annette Clutterbuck the trial as a wonderful experience that boosted her confidence during care.

“Being on the trial meant I was monitored on a more regular basis and this made me feel more positive about how things were going for me.

“The team was just fantastic and followed up on every question I had, which was so reassuring.

“Clinical trials are so important for improving treatment and I can definitely recommend being involved,” said Annette.

The SOFT trial involved more than 3,000 women worldwide. The RBWH team was part the Australia and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZBCTG) collaboration, which saw 240 women enrolled.

The trial found that ovarian function suppression after chemotherapy reduced the risk of cancer reoccurring in these women delivering a new standard practice for this patient group.

The SOFT clinical trial was recognised as a finalist in the inaugural Australian Clinical Trials Alliance’s (ACTA) Clinical Trial of the Year Awards. ANZBCTG is one of 60 Clinical Trials research groups in Australia affiliated with ACTA.