Developing targeted breast cancer treatment to reduce surgery

What’s the title of the study?

Project GENTLE by NovoRadiant

What’s the project about?

Researchers at Cardiff University have designed a new targeted way of treating breast cancer which could mean that fewer people need to have surgery to remove breast cancer tumours.

They’ve created a tiny probe which can treat tumours up to 20mm, using a special type of microwaves to target the tumour. This treatment would be delivered with local anaesthetic and take 5 to 10 minutes.

They hope that this treatment would mean that people can be treated more quickly, increasing the NHS’s capacity. It would also cause fewer side effects and have a quicker recovery time for patients. It could also be an effective treatment option for people who are unable to have surgery under general anaesthetic.

The team is applying for a 3-year funding grant to continue developing the probe. They hope to start a trialling it at the end of the 3 years.

They’re running a focus group to review the application, and make sure that the project is acceptable to people affected by breast cancer.

Who’s organising it?

Name of project lead: Dr Philippa Young

Job title: Consultant Breast Radiologist

Organisation: Breast Test Wales

Email address: philippa@novoradiant.com

Who can take part?

You can attend the focus group if you've had a personal diagnosis of breast cancer, and are aged 40 or over.

Why do you want me to be involved?

By taking part, you can share valuable insight into your experience of breast cancer treatment, and what would matter to you in the new technology. This is important for the researchers’ grant application, as they’d be able to demonstrate that the new treatment meets the needs of people with breast cancer.

What will you ask me to do?

The researchers would like you to attend an online focus group. The 2 possible dates for the focus group are

• Wednesday 5 August at 9.30am 
• Wednesday 9 September at 2pm 

At the focus group, you’ll hear more about the treatment, and how the researchers hope it will benefit people with breast cancer. You’ll be able to share your perspective on it, and whether you feel patients would want this treatment option.

The researchers would also like you to review and give feedback on the grant application and lay summary, to make sure they’re clear and easy to understand.

If the grant application is successful, the researchers will set up a patient advisory group to guide the project over the 3 year grant period. The group will help to shape the development of the treatment, and of the trial which will run at the end of the 3 years. You’ll be able to say in the focus group whether you’re interested in joining the group.

How do I get involved?

If you’re interested in taking part, or have any questions, please contact Phillipa at philippa@novoradiant.com. She’ll then send you a signup form where you’ll be able to state your interest, and answer a few questions about yourself.

It’s important that the researchers hear from a range of different experiences in the focus group. If they get lots of interest, they may not be able to invite everyone to join the focus group.

When’s the deadline?

17 July 2026