The SMALL Study

The study will compare open surgery with a minimally invasive technique called vacuum-assisted excision for the treatment of small breast cancers found at breast screening. Such small breast cancers have usually been treated with open surgery.

The 2012 UK Breast Screening Review showed that breast screening does save lives, but that many women may be having more treatment than is really necessary for their breast cancer. Also, experts do not currently know how open surgery compares with other safe and effective methods to remove small breast cancers. We want to find out what the best treatment is for women, so that in future we can only operate on those women who really need surgery.

Who can take part?

Women who are found to have small breast cancer detected through mammogram screening.

Which treatment will I receive?

You will be chosen at random, much like a coin toss, to either have surgery or the vacuum-assisted excrison. 

What do I need to do to take part?

If you are interested in taking part, please discuss with your doctor at your next clinic appointment.

You have a mammogram every year and either an appointment with, or a phone call from, a member of the trial team every year to see how you are. This should take around 10 to 15 minutes.

You will also be asked to complete questionnaires every year around time of your mammogram for the duration of the study.

More information

Click here to find out more from the study website.