Patient perspective on PARP inhibitors to prevent breast cancer
Categories: No diagnosis | BRCA gene | Family history
Join Yorkshire Cancer Researcher’s review panel to help them fund the best research to understand patient perspective of PARP Inhibitors as preventative treatment.
What’s the title of the study?
Understanding patient preferences in the use of PARP inhibitors as a risk-reducing treatment for BRCA carriers
What’s the project about?
Currently, researchers are looking at whether PARP inhibitors can be used to prevent breast cancer in people who are at high genetic risk of developing the disease, in particular people with BRCA gene mutations.
In this, it’s important to understand how people at higher risk of breast cancer feel about this potential treatment option.
Yorkshire Cancer Research are inviting researchers to apply for funding for projects in this area. They’re looking for one or two people to join they’re review panel to decide which research to fund.
Who’s organising it?
Name of project lead: Leah Holtam
Job title: Head of Cancer Insight
Organisation: Yorkshire Cancer Research
Email address: leah.holtam@ycr.org.uk
Phone number: 01423 501 269
Who can take part?
You can take part if you have a BRCA gene mutation but have not had a personal diagnosis of cancer.
You can also apply if you have a family history / higher risk of breast cancer but have not had genetic testing done.
As part of this role, you’ll need to be able to use your experience and insight, but not let personal preference bias your decisions. For this reason, Yorkshire Cancer Research would like someone who has had experience of sitting on panels previously. However it’s not mandatory
Why do you want me to be involved?
As a member of our review panel you can make sure that the decision is guided by people who this research will benefit. You can help make sure the success research is considering the right involvement from the right people at the right time, asking relevant questions and are demonstrating their expertise in the field.
What will you ask me to do?
As part of the panel, you’ll be asked to read through the funding applications and plan your feedback.
The review panel meeting will take place in early 2026, but the date isn’t confirmed yet. It will likely be held in Harrogate. All travel expenses will be reimbursed.
At the review meeting, you’ll discuss the applications with the other members of the panel and give the applications scores. The scores from all members of the group have equal weighting and will be used to create a recommendation for the trustee board.
You’ll be offered an honorarium for your involvement. The amount will depend on the number of applications received and the likely amount of time required to prepare ahead of the meeting. This will be confirmed at the earliest opportunity.
You may also have the chance to review the document which will invite researchers to apply for funding before it’s published in October
How do I get involved?
To find out more, please contact Leah Holtam at leah.holtam@ycr.org.uk. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can call the head office on 01423 501 269.
When you apply, you’ll be invited to have an informal conversation with the team online or over the phone to tell you more about the panel and check you are happy to be involved.
When’s the deadline?
30 November 2025
Get involved
Join the review panel and help Yorkshire Cancer Research fund research which will ensure that patients’ needs are considered when developing preventative treatment for people at high risk of breast cancer.