Case study: Taking part in cancer research: Nigel's story

Nigel Edward-Few, 70, of Chesham, Buckinghamshire is taking part in the Add-Aspirin trial, which plans to recruit 11,000 people in the UK, Ireland and India to help find out whether regular aspirin use after treatment for an early stage cancer can prevent the cancer from coming back and prevent deaths. Participants take aspirin or a placebo dummy drug. Trial staff and participants do not know which they are taking, to prevent bias.

Talk to your healthcare professional about taking part in research or search for studies seeking volunteers at Be Part of Research.

How did you come to take part in the trial? 

I was invited having had colo-rectal surgery for the removal of a tumour in April 2021.

Why did you choose to take part in the trial? 

I was very happy to do so and to assist in the advancement of research. Doing so has been a very easy experience. All that has been required is for me to have periodic blood tests and scans and to take the aspirin or placebo tablet once a day.

What was your experience of taking part in the trial? 

Taking part in the trial has been very easy indeed. All I need to do is take the trial tablets issued one day and to record that I have done so on a card provided. 

Up until now, I have received my tablets by collecting from High Wycombe Hospital every three months. I believe I have now been switched to a six month collection regime, again still returning my record cards for the preceding period. I continue though having 3 to 4 month blood tests. 

What would you say to other people about taking part in this study? 

Do it! It is so easy. Nothing extraordinary is required of you. It is absolutely painless, you have all you need to have to remind you to take the tablets, to record. Furthermore by participating in the trial you are monitored regularly to ensure that there have been no adverse effects from participating in the trial. Lastly, by doing so, you are contributing to research which will benefit everyone with cancer going forward. The results will either be positive and the necessary medication for the future can be reviewed and licensed. If the trial does not give a positive result, it will at least give clinicians the knowledge to rule that out and to investigate another path.

Talk to your healthcare professional about taking part in research or search for studies seeking volunteers at Be Part of Research.