NSABP

The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) was formed in 1971 to conduct clinical trials in breast and colorectal cancer research. The members of this cooperative group had been involved in collaborative research as early as 1958. The cooperative group now comprises the membership of the NSABP Foundation, Inc., which has an operations center is based at Allegheny General Hospital.

Current membership includes nearly 300 medical centers in the United States, Canada and Australia. Over 6000 physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals in the NSABP member institutions and their satellites conduct NSABP treatment and prevention trials. Since 1958, the NSABP has played a vital role in improving the treatment of women with breast cancer. More recently, it has made contributions in the management of colon and rectal cancers. During this 40-year period, over 50,000 women and men were enrolled in NSABP clinical trials.

Two hospitals in the West Penn Allegheny Health System - Allegheny General Hospital and The Western Pennsylvania Hospital - are participating in NSABP's current initiative, STAR, The Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene. STAR is expected to enroll approximately 22,000 post-menopausal women at increased risk of breast cancer to determine whether the osteoporosis prevention drug raloxifene (Evista) is as effective in reducing the chance of developing breast cancer as the drug tamoxifen (Nolvadex) has proven to be. (include link to STAR page)

NSABP is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) supported cooperative cancer research initiative that has been instrumental in altering the standards of breast cancer treatment over the past two decades, from the landmark discovery that lumpectomy - or surgical removal of just the malignant tumor - plus radiation is as effective as radical mastectomy - or complete breast removal, to last year's revelation that the drug tamoxifen can reduce the risk of breast cancer in certain women by almost 50%.

Visit the NSABP web site for more information, including

Descriptions of current prevention and treatment trials, including those open for enrollment;

A historical perspective on NSABP's contributions to breast and colorectal cancer research;

A bibliography of publications of research findings; and

Other resources of interest to researchers;

Dr. Bernard Fisher, Scientific Director of NSABP also maintains a site entitled "Breast Cancer Updates." Visit Dr. Fisher's web site for access to recent publications.

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