In July 2008, BreastCancerTrials.org (BCT), www.breastcancertrials.org, launched its nationwide Web-based service to match breast cancer patients with clinical trials. This project started as a pilot Web-based service to match breast cancer patients with clinical trials in the San Francisco Bay area. The pilot project was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the University of California San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Center of Excellence for Breast Cancer Care.

Patients looking for trials that are potentially right for them are asked to enter information about their cancer history into a confidential and secure online database that builds a Personal Health Record document through a series of forms. The patient's Personal Health Record (PHR) is controlled by the patient and then is used to match the patient with breast cancer trials being conducted across the country. Participating sites that have listed their trials with BCT include both academic and community-based institutions as well as physician practices.

Patients are notified of BCT trial matches through a secure, password-controlled Message Center. They are provided with summary information for each trial matched to their PHR. Interested patients can contact researchers directly for further information about their trials or choose to provide their health information to the investigator through the password-controlled message center.