Understanding decisions around long-term hormone therapy
Take part in an interview about your experience of endocrine therapy and help researchers understand what can influence women’s decisions to continue or stop endocrine therapy after primary breast cancer.
What’s the title of the study?
ExTend: Understanding and supporting extended endocrine therapy decision-making in women with breast cancer
What’s the project about?
For some women with oestrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer, deciding whether to continue hormone therapy beyond 5 years can be difficult.
Extended hormone therapy can help reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back. But it can also mean continuing to live with difficult side effects. For many people, this decision is made harder by gaps in communication and ongoing care.
This study wants to understand women’s experiences of deciding whether to continue or stop hormone therapy after 5 years. The researchers will use what they learn to help co-design practical decision-support resources for patients and healthcare professionals
Who’s organising it?
Name of project lead: Dr Karina Dolgilevica
Job title: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Supportive Cancer Care
Organisation: Oxford Brookes University
Email address: k.dolgilevica@brookes.ac.uk
Who can take part?
You can take part if you:
Are a women with ER+ primary breast cancer
Started hormone therapy (Tamoxifen, Anastrozole, Letrozole, or Exemestane) between 4 and 8 years ago
Are currently deciding whether to extend hormone therapy beyond 5 years, or have passed the 5-year mark and already decided to either stop or continue
Why do you want me to be involved?
At the moment, it’s difficult for women in the UK to find the support and resources to help them make decisions about hormone therapy. By taking part, you can help the researchers develop resources which could improve informed decision-making, quality of life, and long-term health outcomes for thousands of women each year.
What will you ask me to do?
The researchers could like you to take part in an informal interview which can take place online or over the phone. It will take 45 to 60 minutes.
During the interview, you’ll be asked about your experiences, beliefs and preferences about hormone therapy. There may also be an optional opportunity to join two online group co-design workshops in 2027 to help design the resources.
As a thank you, you’ll be offered a £30 shopping voucher for the interview.
How do I get involved?
Please complete the expression of interest form. It should take around 2 minutes and includes a few basic screening questions to ensure the study is right for you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email study researcher Dr Karina Dolgilevica at k.dolgilevica@brookes.ac.uk
When’s the deadline?
31 January 2027
Get involved
Share your experience of endocrine therapy and help the researchers understand what can influence women’s decisions to continue or stop endocrine therapy.