Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Hazel - Interview 05

Hazel learnt she had breast cancer (DCIS) after screening in 1991. After surgery she was asked to be in a trial comparing no further treatment with radiotherapy, tamoxifen, or radiotherapy and tamoxifen combined. She declined to take part. (You can see Hazel talking more about her experiences on the Healthtalkonline site on Breast cancer screening, Interview 17 & DCIS, Interview 26).

  • Background

    Hazel was formerly a company secretary, and is now an independent advocate for quality in research and healthcare. She is widowed with 2 grown-up children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 74
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Polly - Interview 09

    Polly was invited to be in a trial comparing tamoxifen against a placebo for breast cancer in the 1990s. She decided not to take part, because she felt there was already good evidence to support the use of tamoxifen.

  • Background

    Polly is a journalist. She is widowed, with 4 grown-up children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 61
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Gill - Interview 10

    Gill discovered she had breast cancer in 2007. She would have liked to take part in a trial to help other women with breast cancer in future, but none was available.

  • Background

    Gill is a primary health care organisations coordinator. She is married with 2 children, aged 20 and 17. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 54
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Marie - Interview 25

    Marie was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in 1992. She was recently invited to take part in a clinical trial of a new monoclonal antibody. At first she thought she would take part but after reading all the details decided against it.

  • Background

    Marie is a housewife, married, with two grown-up children.

  • Age at interview 69
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Elizabeth - Interview 27

    Elizabeth was invited to join a trial of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, but decided not to take part as she knew which treatment she would prefer and did not want to be randomised to another group. She felt the consultant was cross about her decision.

  • Background

    Elizabeth is a nurse. She is married with 2 grown-up children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 53
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Charles - Interview 29

    Charles volunteered for two trials, but ended up unable to take part in either of them. The first time he did not meet the eligibility criteria. The second time was because of an administrative mix-up about his age, and he feels it was not well handled.

  • Background

    Charles is a retired chief engineer. He is married with 5 adult children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 68
  • Sex/Gender Male

    • Lesley - Interview 44

    Lesley slipped and fractured her heel. She was invited to take part in a trial comparing surgery with letting the bones heal naturally. She decided not to take part because she wanted the consultant to make a decision about treatment.

  • Background

    Lesley works as an employer engagement manager. She is single. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 54
  • Sex/Gender Female