UK clinical trial tests five-day breast cancer radiotherapy

The FAST-Forward Boost clinical trial has reached a milestone with more than 1,000 participants enrolled. The study, conducted across 39 hospitals in the United Kingdom, is investigating whether breast cancer radiotherapy can be safely reduced from a conventional three-week course to just five days.

The proposed method involves a shorter radiotherapy schedule combined with an additional targeted dose, referred to as a boost, to help prevent the cancer from returning. If the trial proves successful, patients could potentially avoid 10 hospital visits during their treatment period.

Led by the Institute of Cancer Research in London and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the trial aims to recruit a total of 4,830 participants by 2028. Participants will be monitored for five years, with final results expected in 2033.