NURSE Iety Bowden has researched the treatment of breast cancer since 2002.

The 49-year-old, originally from Holland, explained the importance of her work: "The Wales Cancer Trials Network (WCTN) has allowed local hospitals to offer patients across Wales the chance to take part in a clinical trial; the more patients that become involved, the sooner we can offer even better treatments to our patients."

Clinical trials are research studies involving patients which compare a different type of medical care with the best existing "gold standard" treatment.

In Newport, post-surgery breast cancer patients can take part in trials looking at new chemotherapy, hormonal, and radiology treatments as well as a genetic study which examines the risks of cancer in the family. All patients who take part are volunteers and are randomly selected for either the "gold standard" treatment or the new one.

They are then regularly assessed to allow the research nurse to gather information.

Iety's role is extensive: as well as acting as the main support to the patient, she informs the patient and family about the illness and treatment, arranges procedures, and performs clinical duties at the same time as managing the research.

"Once I have explained the trial to the patient, more often than not I am touched by their willingness to tak part and help us to make real progression towards finding better treatments for breast cancer."

A minimum of 10 per cent of all newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Gwent are needed for the clinical trials. All are volunteers and have the freedom to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting their future treatment.

"Taking part in a clinical trial means very close monitoring and many patients see this as peace of mind," said Iety, a mother-of-two who is based at Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital.