Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
Shirley was invited to join a surgical trial of sentinel node biopsy after she had been diagnosed with breast cancer (DCIS, ductal carcinoma in situ). (You can read more of Shirley's experience on the healthtalkonline DCIS site, Interview 22).
Shirley is a fruit grower, married, with 4 adult children. Ethnic background/nationality: English/Scottish.
Elvan took part in a trial of medication for hypertension. His blood pressure did not improve much, but he felt well cared for and is glad to have taken part. He has since joined another trial in the same unit.
Elvan is a retired post office delivery worker. He is divorced, and has 4 grown-up children. Ethnic background/nationality: Black Caribbean.
Tom took part in a phase 2 trial of a new chemotherapy drug for lung cancer in 1993. Without the trial, the only other option at the time would have been palliative radiotherapy.
Tom is a retired engineer. He’s married with 2 adult sons. Ethnic background/nationality: White Scottish.
Kate and her husband took part in a trial comparing injections of grass pollen antigen against a placebo as a way to reduce hay fever. Kate was in the experimental group and her husband in the placebo group.
Kate is Operations Director for a charity. She is married with no children. Ethnic background/nationality: White New Zealander.
Celia took part in a randomised controlled trial comparing different periods of radiotherapy for lymphoma. She was would have preferred the shorter course; she was allocated to the longer course but took part anyway.
Celia is a retired health visitor. She is single. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
Phil took part in a trial of medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol. He had some side effects early on, so the medication was changed. He has been very happy with the care provided as part of the trial.
Phil is a retired post office worker. He is single. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
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.
Gill is a primary health care organisations coordinator. She is married with 2 children, aged 20 and 17. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
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.
Polly is a journalist. She is widowed, with 4 grown-up children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
Caroline's first baby was born by emergency caesarean. In her next pregnancy she took part in a trial comparing different types of information and decision aids about birth choices for women after a previous caesarean. She chose to attempt a natural birth.
Caroline used to work as a physiotherapist. She’s married with 2 children aged 5 and 2, to whom she’s now a full-time mother. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
Harry took part in a trial of medication for high blood pressure. He had some side effects early on, but otherwise has been very happy with his care and how well he feels.
Harry is a retired post office worker, widowed with 1 adult daughter. Ethnic background/nationality: White English.
