Prof Alastair Thompson speaks to ecancer.tv a meeting on breast cancer at NCRI 2010. This meeting will look at the role of pathologists, basic scientists, clinicians and surgeons in a truly multidisciplinary approach to cancer care. Prof Thompson discusses the research he carries out in Dundee and the clinical trials he supervises. These studies include the IBIS I and II trials looking at the prevention of breast cancer or the prevention of recurrence or progression in DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) breast cancer. The IBIS-I study revealed that tamoxifen reduces the incidence of breast cancer by one third in high risk women but this was associated with some serious side effects. Prof Thompson speaks about this trial and explains how positive results must be balanced against the side effects and any reduction in patient quality of life.