The Sloane Project

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a disease discovered by screening. Fifteen years after the introduction of the UK Breast Screening Programme we have belatedly recognized that it is a fascinating disease about which we, in reality, know very little.

Early trials in DCIS have recruited small numbers and have not delivered definitive results. Nevertheless, thanks to improvements in radiology the detection of new DCIS cases has gone up. In 1996/97, 1468 cases of DCIS were detected; by 2002/03 this had increased to 2416, an increase of 65%.

These numbers represent a significant and as yet untapped resource of data about this group of patients. The aim of the Sloane Project is to audit all screen-detected noninvasive disease.

Over 5 years it should be possible to collect data on over 10,000 patients with noninvasive disease. Data are collected contemporaneously on radiology, pathology and treatment. We aim to audit local recurrence and survival.

With large numbers it should be possible to inform clinicians and thus their patients of the likely risks and benefits of individual treatments.

The Sloane Project does not exclude any screen-detected patient, it actively encourages trial recruitment but its potential is to be the largest audit of noninvasive screen-detected cancer in the world.

In recognition of his seminal contributions to DCIS the project is named after John Sloane. (For details on contributing patients, please contact Karen Clements, Sloane Project Officer. Tel: +44 121 414 7713.)