On Friday 12 June at 14:00, Kristine Wiborg Høgsbjerg defends her PhD dissertation entitled “Perspectives in DBCG RT trials: Trial participation, pattern of failure, and morbidity”.

The thesis investigates different aspects of radiotherapy for patients operated for breast cancer using data from Danish clinical trials conducted within the Danish Breast Cancer Group (DBCG). The research focuses on treatment-related side effects, treatment quality, and patients’ experiences with participating in clinical trials.

The results show, among other findings, that proton therapy may cause more pronounced short-term skin reddening than conventional radiotherapy, while other early side effects appear comparable. The thesis also demonstrates that both reoperation and additional boost radiotherapy may increase the risk of breast in-duration and negatively affect cosmetic outcomes after treatment. Another important finding is that patients’ decisions regarding participation in clinical trials are influenced by factors such as travel distance and expectations of reduced long-term side effects.

Overall, the research contributes clinically relevant knowledge that may support more individualised breast cancer treatment and help clinicians better balance treatment benefits against the risk of side effects.

The summary is written by the PhD student.

The defence is public and takes place in Auditorium C114-101, Aarhus University Hospital. Please see the press release for more information. 

Contact

PhD student Kristine Wiborg Høgsbjerg
Mail: kwh@oncology.au.dk 
Phone: +45 91179360

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