DCIS is often detected during breast cancer screening. Because DCIS can progress to breast cancer, almost all women are treated with breast-conserving surgery, often followed by radiation, or even surgical removal of the entire breast. In some countries, hormonal treatment is also administered. However, at least three out of four DCIS abnormalities will not develop into cancer, leading to overtreatment of tens of thousands of women worldwide each year. In an effort to address this, the LORD (LOw Risk Ductal carcinoma in situ) study employs active surveillance, where women with low-risk DCIS are not treated but closely monitored. The LORD study is the only patient-preference trial and well embedded in the Cancer Grand Challenge PRECISION consortium focused on distinguishing harmless from potentially hazardous DCIS, safeguarding synergy in the efforts to conquer overtreatment of DCIS.
With the new funding, the LORD study team aims to research up to 2,500 patients in the Netherlands by the end of 2026. If the active surveillance method proves to be safe, this could lead to a significant reduction in unnecessary treatments, preserving the quality of life for these women and reducing healthcare costs.
The RTFCCR, dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients, underscores the crucial role of the LORD study in discovering new methods for breast cancer prevention. The funding reflects confidence in the potential of this research to have a positive impact on patients' lives worldwide.