Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.7.2, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # CanTest ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.cantest.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [News](https://www.cantest.org/news/) - [CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care 2025 - Applications now open!](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-international-school-for-cancer-detection-research-in-primary-care-2025-applications-now-open/) - Join a 5-day residential intensive course designed for early career researchers to develop cutting-edge skills, gain mentorship, and build international collaborations in primary care cancer detection. What is the CanTest International School? The CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care is a prestigious, 5-day residential course in Cambridge, UK, hosted by the Wolfson Institute of Population Health and will - [CanTest Summit, CanTest School and so much more!](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-summit-cantest-school-and-so-much-more/) - Research fellow Javiera Martinez-Gutierrez recently visited the UK from Australia on a travelling fellowship to attend two CanTest events, as well as collaborating with UK-based research teams. Hear about the trip in her own words: I am an academic GP and started my appointment as a cancer research fellow in the Department of General Practice - [International conference promotes collaboration to improve cancer diagnosis at the earliest possible stages](https://www.cantest.org/news/international-conference-promotes-collaboration-to-improve-cancer-diagnosis-at-the-earliest-possible-stages/) - The Early Detection of Cancer Conference was held this month in Portland, Oregon, formed and hosted by the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University, the Canary Center at Stanford, and Cancer Research UK. The 3-day event attracted speakers and attendees from all over the world, and included engaging discussions, lightning talks and - [Summit set to bring together experts to discuss the future of cancer detection in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/news/summit-set-to-bring-together-experts-to-discuss-the-future-of-cancer-detection-in-primary-care/) - The CanTest Collaborative is proud to be showcasing expertise and knowledge on cancer detection in primary care in London this month as part of a two-day summit focusing on emerging research, clinical advancements and policy changes. The summit will explore the state of the science as it stands for early cancer diagnosis and detection, alongside predictions and visions for the - [Links between mental ill health and time to cancer diagnosis established](https://www.cantest.org/news/links-between-mental-ill-health-and-time-to-cancer-diagnosis-established/) - A new study has investigated mental health morbidities and the timeliness of cancer diagnosis, with a scientific paper published today by CanTest members Georgios Lyratzopoulos, Niek J. de Wit, Becky White, Charles Helsper, Cristina Renzi, and colleagues Sara Benitez Majano, Bernard Rachet and Juliet Usher-Smith. The paper in Jama Network Open, entitled, Mental health morbidities - [Black in Cancer Conference inspires healthcare community to embrace change and celebrate diversity](https://www.cantest.org/news/black-in-cancer-conference-inspires-healthcare-community-to-embrace-change-and-celebrate-diversity/) - This week, a collaboration between Black in Cancer and Cancer Research UK saw the first Black in Cancer Conference held for two days at the Science Museum in London, UK. The conference delivered a packed schedule of panel discussions, workshops and scientific sessions, alongside poster presentations and networking opportunities. The Black in Cancer Conference focused - [Research finds older adults spend longer appraising possible cancer symptoms with a shorter help-seeking period before contacting GPs](https://www.cantest.org/news/research-finds-older-adults-spend-longer-appraising-possible-cancer-symptoms-with-a-shorter-help-seeking-period-before-contacting-gps/) - Exploring the themes of frailty and cancer diagnosis (the basis for Dr Dan Jones’ academic clinical lectureship at the University of Leeds), has this week lead to CanTest core faculty members including lead author Dr Jones publishing a new paper focusing on the primary care part of the cancer pathway, entitled, ‘Factors influencing symptom appraisal - [Developing a framework to understand GPs referral decisions for younger patients with cancer symptoms](https://www.cantest.org/news/developing-a-framework-to-understand-gps-referral-decisions-for-younger-patients-with-cancer-symptoms/) - Cancer diagnosis in younger patients is problematic. As cancer is rare before the age of 50, NICE referral guidelines use patients' age as one of the criteria to help deciding who should be referred via the fast track cancer pathway. Consequently, younger patients may have to visit their GP several times before being referred for - [Faecal immunochemical test (FIT) in English primary care: for whom and for what symptoms?](https://www.cantest.org/news/faecal-immunochemical-test-fit-in-english-primary-care-for-whom-and-for-what-symptoms/) - A new paper published by BMJ Open (British Medical Journal) describes symptoms that prompt a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) request in primary care – it also shows disagreement between patient-reported and GP-recorded symptoms. The use of the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) for patients presenting in primary care with symptoms that may indicate colorectal cancer has - [Genetic risk scores could help triage patients with symptoms of prostate cancer in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/news/genetic-risk-scores-could-help-triage-patients-with-symptoms-of-prostate-cancer-in-primary-care/) - A new research paper published today, has investigated the application of genetic risk scores (GRS) in primary care, with the aim of improving the diagnostic pathway for symptomatic patients. The study which is the first of its kind to apply GRS in primary care to improve the triage of symptomatic patients, looked at how the - [Feasibility of interventions for early cancer diagnosis explored in latest psychological studies](https://www.cantest.org/news/feasibility-of-interventions-for-early-cancer-diagnosis-explored-in-latest-psychological-studies/) - CanTest senior faculty member, Prof Suzanne Scott, recently presented at the 50th Annual Scientific Meeting of the SAPC (Society for Academic Primary Care), on her work with colleagues around ‘Provider perceptions of interventions to encourage prevention and early diagnosis of cancer after a negative diagnosis’. Prof Scott is a Professor of Health Psychology & Early - [CanTest researchers hit new milestone as publications surpass 200](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-researchers-hit-new-milestone-as-publications-surpass-200/) - Members of the CanTest Collaborative reached a significant achievement this month as their author contributions to over 200 scientific papers were celebrated. The team has co-authored a vast range of articles, editorials and reports as part of their research into the early detection and diagnosis of cancers, all of which can be viewed here (and - [CanTest launches scholarships to welcome the next generation of cancer detection researchers](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-launches-scholarships-to-welcome-the-next-generation-of-cancer-detection-researchers/) - One of the principal objectives of the CanTest Collaborative is to increase both the capacity and sustainability of cancer detection research in the UK and internationally. Following five years of successful capacity building within the CanTest programme via four international schools and travelling fellowships, we now wish to offer scholarships to attend our fifth and - [Double PhD achievements for CanTest Clinical Research Fellows](https://www.cantest.org/news/double-phd-achievements-for-cantest-clinical-research-fellows/) - This month we are celebrating the achievements of two CanTest Clinical Research Fellows, who have both been awarded their PhDs. Stephen Bradley (University of Leeds) and Sam Merriel (University of Exeter) already hold the title of Doctor as they are both GPs in local practices, and now following the undertaking of in-depth research into their - [Raising the alarm: early signals of colorectal cancer indicate opportunities for more timely diagnosis](https://www.cantest.org/news/raising-the-alarm-colorectal-cancer-signs-could-be-identified-earlier-enabling-more-timely-diagnoses/) - Medical data from over 7500 people has recently been analysed in an observational study to map out when cancer features might first appear in patients with colorectal cancer. CanTest affiliate member Dr Yin Zhou (GP and clinical research fellow at the University of Cambridge) talks with Euan Lawson from the British Journal of General Practice - [Ethnic inequalities in patients’ cancer journeys identified in new research](https://www.cantest.org/news/ethnic-inequalities-in-patients-cancer-journeys-identified-in-new-research/) - This week vital new research was published in the British Journal of Cancer regarding the differences in cancer diagnostic pathways between Black and Asian patients compared to their White counterparts. The team, which included six CanTest researchers including lead author Dr Tani Martins, examined data from almost ¼ of a million individuals diagnosed with 10 - [Using artificial intelligence to find skin cancer earlier: the technology is not yet ready for use in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/news/using-artificial-intelligence-to-find-skin-cancer-earlier-the-technology-is-not-yet-ready-for-use-in-primary-care/) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) aimed at detecting skin cancer is not yet ready for use in primary care settings, due to a lack of evidence in settings where the prevalence of skin cancer is low, according to CanTest researchers. The researchers emphasise that AI technology demonstrates promising results in detecting skin cancer in images from specialist clinical settings, - [CanTest researchers take centre stage at cancer early detection and diagnosis sandpit workshop](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-researchers-take-centre-stage-at-cancer-early-detection-and-diagnosis-sandpit-workshop/) - Four cutting-edge research projects will be taking on the challenge of developing new approaches to cancer early detection and diagnosis in primary care. The high-risk, high-reward projects will explore innovative areas of research, with multidisciplinary teams each receiving up to £230kto conduct feasibility work. The newly funded teams were formed at a ‘sandpit-style’ workshop held - [A new study on 11 abdominal cancer types reveals differences in contact pattern to general practice in the year prior to diagnosis](https://www.cantest.org/news/a-new-study-on-11-abdominal-cancer-types-reveals-differences-in-contact-pattern-to-general-practice-in-the-year-prior-to-diagnosis/) - A team of CanTest researchers, led by the Research Unit for General Practice in Aarhus, Denmark, has published a study in Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care that explores monthly contact rates and incidence rate ratios of daytime face-to-face, email and telephone consultations in general practice across different abdominal cancers. The study, which included 47,898 - [British Science Week: spotlight on #SmashingStereotypes](https://www.cantest.org/news/british-science-week-spotlight-on-smashingstereotypes/) - The CanTest Collaborative is so named because we value collaboration and everything it brings – shared knowledge, increased creativity and inclusivity. It helps us bring together the best primary care cancer researchers, working alongside patient and public representatives to achieve results that directly impact patients, carers and frontline medical staff. We collectively research early detection - [Coming together for the Society for Academic Primary Care's regional conference](https://www.cantest.org/news/coming-together-for-the-society-for-academic-primary-cares-regional-conference/) - The Society for Academic Primary Care’s regional annual conference was held this month, for clinicians and academics across the Southwest to share their latest activities and findings in primary care research. The conference was hosted virtually by the University of Exeter across two days, with a huge variety of sessions held on topics including mental - [New research to improve diagnosis of prostate cancer](https://www.cantest.org/news/new-research-to-improve-diagnosis-of-prostate-cancer/) - New research will discover how well the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test works to catch harmful forms of prostate cancer in men visiting their GP. CanTest researchers from Cambridge and Exeter, will then try out a new way to combine PSA results with other data to help improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer - [Diagnosing colorectal (bowel) cancer for people with pre-existing chronic conditions](https://www.cantest.org/news/diagnosing-colorectal-cancer-for-people-with-pre-existing-chronic-conditions/) - A new study, entitled Do presenting symptoms, use of pre-diagnostic endoscopy and risk of emergency cancer diagnosis vary by comorbidity burden and type in patients with colorectal cancer? has just been published (online and in print) in relation to the COMORBID CanTest project. What the study found Most people diagnosed with cancer have pre-existing chronic - [Patient and public involvement at the heart of our work](https://www.cantest.org/news/patient-and-public-involvement-at-the-heart-of-our-work/) - Our Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) lead Margaret Johnson has spoken candidly about what motivates her to participate in cancer diagnosis research and how she wants to support more people to get involved in the work of the CanTest Collaborative. Margaret has seen many friends and family members affected by cancer but it was her - [New study reveals differences in how often GPs request chest x-rays](https://www.cantest.org/news/new-study-reveals-differences-in-how-often-gps-request-chest-x-rays/) - A team of CanTest collaborators, led by researchers at the University of Leeds has published a study in British Journal of General Practice that examines how often GPs request chest x-rays for their patients and what factors affect how often these tests are performed. Chest x-ray is an important test for lung cancer, so the - [CanTest CA125 research wins at Royal College of General Practitioners 2020 Research Paper of the Year](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-ca125-research-wins-at-royal-college-of-general-practitioners-2020-research-paper-of-the-year/) - Dr Garth Funston and CanTest colleagues have won the 2020 Research Paper of the Year for Clinical Research, awarded by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), for their paper on detecting cancers in primary care. The research demonstrates that CA125, a simple blood test available in primary care, is useful for ovarian cancer detection - [CanTest researcher wins World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Impact Award](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-researcher-dr-garth-funston-wins-world-ovarian-cancer-coalition-impact-award/) - Dr Garth Funston, CanTest Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge will receive the inaugural Transformational Research Award from the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition for his work on detecting ovarian cancer in primary care. This award recognises Dr Funston’s longstanding commitment to furthering progress in the understanding of ovarian cancer and to developing approaches to benefit those - [Interpreting cancer and inflammatory bowel disease risk in patients with abdominal symptoms](https://www.cantest.org/news/interpreting-cancer-and-inflammatory-bowel-disease-risk-in-patients-with-abdominal-symptoms/) - A team of CanTest collaborators at University College London and the University of Exeter has just published a new paper at PLoS Medicine, on the risk of cancer and of another important illness (inflammatory bowel disease) in primary care patients presenting with common abdominal symptoms (1). The main driver behind the study was to tackle - [CanTest leaders on the move](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-leaders-on-the-move/) - Two CanTest leaders have moved institutions in the last few months. In April Professor Fiona Walter moved to Queen Mary University of London when she was appointed Chair of Primary Care Cancer Research and took on a leadership role as Joint Director of the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine and the Institute of Population Health - [Could Ovarian Cancer Prediction Models Improve the Triage of Symptomatic Women in Primary Care?](https://www.cantest.org/news/could-ovarian-cancer-prediction-models-improve-the-triage-of-symptomatic-women-in-primary-care/) - A CanTest study indicates that a newly developed ovarian cancer prediction model could be used to help select women, with relevant symptoms who are undergoing testing in primary care, for specialist referral based on their cancer risk. Ovarian cancer has the worst prognosis of any gynaecological cancer, accounting for over 4,000 deaths in the UK - [GP views on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer assessment in primary care: results from the CanImpact study](https://www.cantest.org/news/gp-views-on-the-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-cancer-assessment-in-primary-care-results-from-the-canimpact-study/) - New evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on GP assessment of patients who may have cancer indicates need for urgent action. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically influenced different aspects of patients’ cancer pathways, from diagnosis to treatment, mortality and survival. Implications are also likely early in the diagnostic pathway, from symptom presentation to - [CanTest researchers team-up to raise vital cancer research funds](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-researchers-team-up-to-raise-vital-cancer-research-funds/) - Over twenty cancer researchers, from 10 academic institutions worldwide, have teamed up to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK. The team of researchers are part of the CanTest international collaborative, funded by Cancer Research UK, which focuses on improving cancer diagnosis in primary care. They have pledged to cover a whopping 586 miles in - [Biomarkers for the early detection of lower gastrointestinal cancers in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis](https://www.cantest.org/news/biomarkers-for-the-early-detection-of-lower-gastrointestinal-cancers-in-primary-care-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis/) - A new systematic review and meta-analysis investigating biomarkers for the early detection of lower gastrointestinal cancers in primary care found some promising biomarkers, but further research is needed to validate their use in primary care to assess patients presenting with symptoms. Lower gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a substantial public health problem, with over 1.8 million - [£1.75 million to improve cancer diagnosis in people with multiple health conditions](https://www.cantest.org/news/1-75-million-to-improve-cancer-diagnosis-in-people-with-multiple-health-conditions/) - Joining the CanTest project portfolio is a major new grant from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), which will fund studies to help GPs diagnose cancer more swiftly in people who have other health conditions, so that more lives can be saved. The £1.75 million award will fund a five year programme led by - [Results of a feasibility study into the use of electronic decision support tools for the diagnosis of suspected oesophago-gastric cancer published](https://www.cantest.org/news/results-of-a-feasibility-study-into-the-use-of-electronic-decision-support-tools-for-the-diagnosis-of-suspected-oesophago-gastric-cancer-published/) - Much store has been set by the use of electronic clinical decision support (eCDS) as means of supporting GPs in their assessment of symptoms that could be due to cancer. Indeed, their implementation is promoted in the most recent Cancer Strategy for England (Achieving World Class Cancer Outcomes 2015). However, life and health technologies are - [Artificial intelligence techniques could help with earlier diagnosis of cancer in primary care: a systematic review](https://www.cantest.org/news/artificial-intelligence-techniques-could-help-with-earlier-diagnosis-of-cancer-in-primary-care-a-systematic-review/) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques can be applied to primary care data to facilitate the early diagnosis of cancer, according to the first international review of studies on this topic. Promising studies applied AI techniques to some elements of the electronic health record (EHR), but did not incorporate all of the available data. Some commercially developed - [Up and coming CanTest researchers celebrate Cancer Research UK grant success](https://www.cantest.org/news/up-and-coming-cantest-researchers-celebrate-cancer-research-uk-grant-success/) - Cancer Research UK has announced the awarding of grants by their Early Detection & Diagnosis Research Committee, including to several early and mid-career CanTest researchers. This significant funding will not only enable them to carry out new research aimed at improving cancer diagnosis, it also provides an important step in developing their research careers. The - [Simple, cheap test can help save lives from colorectal cancer](https://www.cantest.org/news/simple-cheap-test-can-help-save-lives-from-colorectal-cancer/) - New CanTest research demonstrates that a simple, cheap test can help identify who is at risk of developing colorectal cancer, aiding early diagnosis and potentially saving lives. Led by the University of Exeter, and supported by the Peninsula and the Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon, and Gloucestershire Cancer Alliances and by Cancer Research UK, the new study - [Estimating lung cancer risk from chest X-ray and symptoms](https://www.cantest.org/news/estimating-lung-cancer-risk-from-chest-x-ray-and-symptoms/) - A paper published last month in the British Journal of General Practice provides insight into missed lung cancer diagnoses. The research led by CanTest Faculty Dr Stephen Bradley features the biggest ever cohort of primary care chest X-rays and gives insights into the yield and the number of false-negatives. Lung cancer is the UK's leading - [Prolonged diagnostic intervals as marker of missed diagnostic opportunities in bladder and kidney cancer patients](https://www.cantest.org/news/prolonged-diagnostic-intervals-as-marker-of-missed-diagnostic-opportunities-in-bladder-and-kidney-cancer-patients/) - A new study recently published in Cancers, found that over one-quarter of bladder and kidney cancer patients who met NICE fast-track referral guidelines did not receive a timely diagnosis, suggesting that opportunities exist to improve timely referral. In England, patients with alarm features (symptoms and/or test results) of cancer should be assessed by a specialist - [Leeds gives back to CRUK fundraising effort](https://www.cantest.org/news/leeds-gives-back-to-cruk-fundraising-effort/) - The Leeds CanTest team was recently invited to write an article for Trends in Urology & Men's Health. This discussed the potential application of urine tests to help identify which patients consulting their GP for blood in their urine are more likely to have bladder cancer and therefore require an urgent hospital referral. - [Biomarkers for the early detection of upper-gastrointestinal cancers in primary care: a systematic review](https://www.cantest.org/news/biomarkers-for-the-early-detection-of-upper-gastrointestinal-cancers-in-primary-care-a-systematic-review/) - A new systematic review guided by the CanTest Framework found that while there is a large number of biomarkers being developed for the detection of upper GI cancers, more evidence from evaluations in low-prevalence populations like primary care is still needed before their adoption in clinical practice can be recommended. Cancers of the stomach, oesophagus, - [Capacity Building in a Virtual World](https://www.cantest.org/news/capacity-building-in-a-virtual-world/) - A key element of the CanTest Collaborative is capacity building – with our International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care and Travelling Fellowship scheme. The impact of coronavirus has meant that we have had to move online to enable virtual capacity building. Throughout lockdown we have continued capacity building of our Faculty around - [Identifying Ovarian Cancer in Symptomatic Women: A Systematic Review of Clinical Tools](https://www.cantest.org/news/identifying-ovarian-cancer-in-symptomatic-women-a-systematic-review-of-clinical-tools/) - A new CanTest systematic review, just published in Cancers, found that several existing externally validated symptom-based tools have moderate diagnostic accuracy for ovarian cancer detection. The team concluded that the clinical impact of the most promising tools now needs to be evaluated. Ovarian cancer has the worst prognosis of all gynaecological cancers, accounting for over - [Blood test predicts ovarian cancer better than previously thought](https://www.cantest.org/news/blood-test-predicts-ovarian-cancer-better-than-previously-thought/) - A blood test already available to GPs in the UK is more predictive of ovarian cancer than previously thought and could also help pick up other forms of cancer, according to new research published in PLOS Medicine today and funded by Cancer Research UK and NIHR.* This study was led by Dr Garth Funston at - [The BEST3 trial: is the Cytosponge TFF3 biomarker test oven-ready for primary care?](https://www.cantest.org/news/the-best3-trial-is-the-cytosponge-tff3-biomarker-test-oven-ready-for-primary-care/) - The Cytosponge test could help diagnosis of Barrett’s oesophagus in people who are on medication for long term heartburn. A clinical trial led by Prof Rebecca Fitzgerald in Cambridge was published last Friday in The Lancet. Here, CanTest Chair Prof Greg Rubin, who contributed primary care expertise to the trial, explains more about the test - [Melbourne: Bushfires, Primary Care Cancer Research and COVID-19](https://www.cantest.org/news/melbourne-bushfires-primary-care-cancer-research-and-covid-19/) - Astrid Boennelykke, a GP and PhD student at the Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care at the University of Aarhus travelled to Melbourne in Australia, part-funded by a CanTest Travelling Fellowship. She reflects here on her extended stay with its start and finish marked by turbulent world events. Thanks to a CanTest Travelling - [New perspectives for Swedish primary care](https://www.cantest.org/news/new-perspectives-for-swedish-primary-care/) - Dr Marcela Ewing, a GP and oncologist working in the early detection of cancer in primary care for Cancer Centre West, Gothenburg, Sweden, talks about her recent trip to the Universities of Exeter and Cambridge on a CanTest Travelling Fellowship. “Although one could argue that there are great differences in how primary care is structured - [Developing a ‘yes-no’ pathway for patients presenting with vague abdominal symptoms in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/news/developing-an-abdominal-yes-no-pathway-for-patients-presenting-with-vague-abdominal-symptoms-in-primary-care/) - Nanna Holt Jessen, PhD student at the Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care at the University of Aarhus shares her experiences of visited the CanTest team at the University Medical Center in Utrecht, as part of the ongoing CanTest Travelling Fellowship Scheme. “A CanTest Travelling Fellowship gave me the opportunity to visit Professor - [Visiting medical student from USA publishes with the CanTest Exeter team](https://www.cantest.org/news/visiting-medical-student-from-usa-publishes-with-the-cantest-exeter-team/) - A key aspect of CanTest is developing future capacity in the field of early cancer diagnosis. One aspect of this is working with medical students from around the world. Here, visiting medical student Madeline Carney from the University of South Florida reports on her visit to work with the CanTest team in Exeter and the - [The future of primary care: when, who and how to test](https://www.cantest.org/news/the-future-of-primary-care-when-who-and-how-to-test/) - CanTest researchers have contributed a whopping 3 editorials to the July edition of the British Journal of General Practice! All three pieces focus on different aspects on diagnostic testing in primary care. First, CanTest Director Prof. Willie Hamilton, discusses how diagnosis in primary care is changing as the availability of point of care tests and - [Investigating suspected colorectal cancer with faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) in primary care: a review of international guidance](https://www.cantest.org/news/investigating-suspected-colorectal-cancer-with-faecal-immunochemical-testing-fit-in-primary-care-a-review-of-international-guidance/) - Recommendations for use of the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) for investigating low-risk symptoms of colorectal cancer in primary care vary across the world. Here, CanTest Faculty member Dr Sarah Bailey explains more about clinical practice guidelines for symptomatic patients, in a systematic review published this month in Family Practice. Colorectal cancer is the third most - [Impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on symptomatic diagnosis of cancer – the view from primary care](https://www.cantest.org/news/impact-of-the-covid-19-global-pandemic-on-symptomatic-diagnosis-of-cancer-the-view-from-primary-care/) - The COVID-19 pandemic is predicted to increase cancer deaths. Here, CanTest researcher Dr Dan Jones considers the effects of the pandemic on diagnosis of cancer. Dan has co-authored a paper published today in Lancet Oncology with several others including CanTest Associate Director Professor Richard Neal and CanTest Senior Faculty member Dr Suzanne Scott. As the - [Further evaluation is required for smartphone-aided diagnosis of skin cancer](https://www.cantest.org/news/further-evaluation-is-required-for-smartphone-aided-diagnosis-of-skin-cancer/) - Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and the incidence is increasing. CanTest Director Dr Fiona Walter’s most recent research asks, “could skin cancer detection be transformed by innovative technologies such as digital medicine and artificial intelligence, offering the potential for earlier diagnosis and treatment that could improve survival?” "Recent - [Imaging activity possibly signalling missed diagnostic opportunities in bladder and kidney cancer: a longitudinal data-linkage study using primary care electronic health records](https://www.cantest.org/news/imaging-activity-possibly-signalling-missed-diagnostic-opportunities-in-bladder-and-kidney-cancer-a-longitudinal-data-linkage-study-using-primary-care-electronic-health-records/) - Dr Yin Zhou shares insights from her new paper on how imaging activity can possibly signal missed diagnostic opportunities in bladder and kidney cancer in Cancer Epidemiology. Patterns of events before the diagnosis of cancer may reveal ‘signals’ for missed diagnostic opportunities for patients. Earlier research, including from our CanTest collaborators in Denmark, has shown that - [Presenting symptoms of cancer and stage at diagnosis - evidence from a cross-sectional, population-based study](https://www.cantest.org/news/presenting-symptoms-of-cancer-and-stage-at-diagnosis-evidence-from-a-cross-sectional-population-based-study/) - The science supporting early symptomatic diagnosis of cancer is evolving, this realisation was one of the key drivers supporting the CanTest Collaborative. Here, CanTest Junior Faculty member Dr Monica Koo expands on the story behind her latest research paper in The Lancet Oncology, published as part of the January 2020 issue. There is increasing evidence - [Learning from the US cancer detection experience](https://www.cantest.org/news/learning-from-the-us-cancer-detection-experience/) - Stephen Bradley, a GP and CanTest research fellow at the University of Leeds, recently travelled to Washington DC to learn about research and policy in the United States around cancer detection. As well as my research on lung cancer diagnosis in the UK, I’ve long been interested in what we can learn from research in - [CanTest teams awarded grants to develop quality measures for cancer diagnosis](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-teams-awarded-grants-to-develop-quality-measures-for-cancer-diagnosis/) - Achieving an earlier diagnosis of cancer is a global challenge. To promote early diagnosis, it is paramount that we collaborate and learn from research in other countries and health systems, which is the basis of CanTest’s international collaboration. We are delighted that together with UK CanTest colleagues, both our US CanTest Co-Investigators were recently successful - [Glasgow hosts 2019 NCRI Cancer Conference](https://www.cantest.org/news/glasgow-hosts-2019-ncri-cancer-conference/) - The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) held its annual conference in Glasgow early this month with CanTest colleagues presenting and chairing during the event. CanTest Director of Research, Willie Hamilton, chaired the session on optimising recognition and referral across the patient pathway in primary care, with international CanTest colleague Hardeep Singh. Speakers in this session - [Study shows chest x-rays miss up to a fifth of lung cancer cases](https://www.cantest.org/news/study-shows-chest-x-rays-miss-20-of-lung-cancer-cases/) - Findings from a CanTest study recently published in the British Journal of General Practice shows that chest x-ray, which is the standard test used by GPs to diagnose lung cancer, identifies the disease in approximately 80% of cases. This work, undertaken by a team of researchers at the University of Leeds and the University of - [Examining the evidence for introducing dermoscopy into general practice](https://www.cantest.org/news/examining-the-evidence-for-introducing-dermatoscopy-into-general-practice/) - CanTest Researcher Dr Owain Jones at the University of Cambridge outlines his recently published work on the use of dermoscopy in general practice to improve the early diagnosis of melanoma. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer: it is currently the 5th commonest cancer in the UK and accounts for 90% of skin cancer deaths. - [International perspectives on prostate cancer diagnosis and care](https://www.cantest.org/news/international-perspectives-on-prostate-cancer-diagnosis-and-care/) - Following a CanTest Travelling Fellowship award, Dr Sam Merriel, GP and Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, talks about his participation in the 20th Asia-Pacific Prostate Cancer Conference in Melbourne and early outputs from his work. In August 2019, the 20th Asia-Pacific Prostate Cancer Conference was held in Melbourne. Hosted by the - [CanTest contribution to the first Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre Early Detection Programme summer school](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-contribution-to-the-first-cancer-research-uk-cambridge-centre-early-detection-programme-summer-school/) - Members of the CanTest Collaborative made a valuable contribution to the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre Early Detection Programme summer school held in Cambridge in July 2019. Dr Fiona Walter, co-lead of CanTest, presented on the use of cancer diagnostics in primary care and Dr Valerie Sills, the CanTest Cambridge Programme Manager, was the Scrum - [First CanTest Travelling Fellowship awarded](https://www.cantest.org/news/first-cantest-travelling-fellowship-awarded/) - CanTest funded PhD researcher Dr Garth Funston, based at the University of Cambridge, shares his experiences after being awarded the first CanTest Travelling Fellowship. Ovarian cancer is the 7th most common cancer in women worldwide and, with over 4,000 women in the UK dying from the disease each year, the deadliest form of gynaecological cancer. - [Reflections on CanTest Travelling Fellowship visit](https://www.cantest.org/news/reflections-on-cantest-travelling-fellowship-visit/) - CanTest funded clinical PhD researcher Dr Garth Funston, based at the University of Cambridge, reflects on his visit to the University of Exeter earlier this year. Every year in the UK alone 4000 women die from ovarian cancer, a disease which is usually caught late. While tests for ovarian cancer are available in primary care - [Understanding the (not so) Strangeways of primary care cancer research in Cambridge](https://www.cantest.org/news/understanding-the-not-so-strangeways-of-primary-care-cancer-research-in-cambridge/) - The CanTest Travelling Fellowship programme continues. Last week Dr Sam Merriel, CanTest Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, visited the Primary Care Unit at the University of Cambridge. "The CanTest Travelling Fellowships give opportunities for primary care cancer researchers to embed themselves in a primary care research unit at another institution to learn and - [Primary care cancer research ‘down under’](https://www.cantest.org/news/primary-care-cancer-research-down-under/) - Dr Sam Merriel, Junior Faculty and Clinical Research Fellow based at the University of Exeter, talks about his recent trip to Melbourne on a CanTest Travelling Fellowship. The challenges faced by GPs and primary care clinicians within the NHS across the cancer continuum from prevention and early diagnosis to survivorship and end of life care - [Ultrasound in primary care - Learning from the Nordic experience in Aalborg](https://www.cantest.org/news/ultrasound-in-primary-care-learning-from-the-nordic-experience-in-aalborg/) - University of Leeds Research Fellow Dr Erica di Martino talks about her recent CanTest Travelling Fellowship funded trip to Aalborg, Denmark, where she learnt more about the use of ultrasound in primary care. Ultrasound has been described as the stethoscope of the future. Portable units are becoming more affordable and basic training is now included - [Ca-PRI 2019: CanTest FITs travel to Canada](https://www.cantest.org/news/ca-pri-2019-cantest-fits-travel-to-canada/) - University of Exeter Research Fellow Dr Sarah Bailey was awarded a CanTest Travelling Fellowship to visit Canada for Ca-PRI 2019 and presented her work on FITs. “Thanks to a CanTest Travelling Fellowship, I was able to attend the 11th Cancer and Primary Care Research International Network (Ca-PRI) conference in Toronto in May 2019. This meeting - [Improving the timely diagnosis of cancer in patients with pre-existing long term conditions](https://www.cantest.org/news/improving-the-timely-diagnosis-of-cancer-in-patients-with-pre-existing-long-term-conditions/) - Cristina Renzi, Clinical Research Fellow at UCL, shares her experiences from her CanTest Travelling Fellowship to the Julius Center at the University Medical Center Utrecht and discusses her recently published review on co-morbidities and cancer Many people diagnosed with cancer have a pre-existing long term condition (often referred to as a comorbidity). Comorbidities can influence - [CanTest at CRUK Early Diagnosis Conference](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest/) - The Cancer Research UK 5th Biennial Early Diagnosis Research Conference will be taking place on Monday 11th to Wednesday 13th February at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. It seems you won’t be able to move for CanTest Faculty, who will be presenting and chairing throughout the event. On the first day of the conference, CanTest Research - [Back to the future for early diagnosis in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/news/back-to-the-future-for-early-diagnosis-in-primary-care/) - At the CRUK Early Diagnosis Research Conference today, CanTest Director of Research Prof Willie Hamilton CBE, gives a keynote speech on how the diagnosis of symptomatic cancer in primary care has changed over the last 15 years and, using his crystal ball, considers what might happen in the coming years. In the 1990s, before anyone - [Reflections on the CRUK Early Diagnosis Research Conference 2019](https://www.cantest.org/news/reflections-on-the-cruk-early-diagnosis-research-conference-2019/) - CanTest Junior Faculty member Dr Monica Koo reflects on her experiences at the recent CRUK Early Diagnosis Research Conference and its theme of “10 years on: accelerating early diagnosis evidence into practice”. Earlier this month, around 300 delegates gathered in Birmingham for the fifth biennial Early Diagnosis Research Conference organised by Cancer Research UK. The - [PC4 Podcast - Ovarian cancer and the use of CA125 in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/news/research-round-up-july-2019-ca-pri-special-dr-garth-funston/) - GP and CanTest Clinical Research Fellow Dr Garth Funston, based at the University of Cambridge, talks about his current PhD research with Dr Kristi Milley from the Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4) for a Research Roundup podcast recorded at the 2019 Cancer and Primary Care Research International Network (Ca-PRI) Conference held in - [CanTest researcher celebrates grant success](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-researcher-celebrates-grant-success/) - The Mason Medical Research Trust have awarded CanTest Clinical Research Fellow Dr Stephen Bradley, from the University of Leeds, almost £15,000 to support research into more effective diagnosis of lung cancer using chest x-ray. The project will utilise routinely collected data to determine the risk of lung cancer in patients who have symptoms, such as - [Doug Altman Award Success for CanTest Researcher](https://www.cantest.org/news/doug-altman-award-success-for-cantest-researcher/) - GP and University of Leeds CanTest researcher Stephen Bradley has been awarded the inaugural ‘Doug Altman Award’ at the EBMLive 2019 conference. Stephen explains more about the award and what this means for his research. “Doug Altman, who died in 2018, was the statistical editor of the BMJ and a hero of the movement to - [SAPC conference heads to Exeter](https://www.cantest.org/news/sapc-conference-heads-to-exeter/) - The 48th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC) is being held in Exeter from the 3-5 July and will see sessions chaired, and presentations given, by a number of CanTest colleagues. CanTest Associate Director Richard Neal will chair the session on cancer, whilst Senior Faculty member Gary Abel will be - [Which cancer diagnostic tests will work best in primary care? New CanTest Framework published today will help provide answers](https://www.cantest.org/news/which-cancer-diagnostic-tests-will-work-best-in-primary-care-new-cantest-framework-published-today-will-help-provide-answers/) - The CanTest Framework, which provides a conceptual approach for the evaluation of cancer diagnostic tests from development to routine use in primary care has been published today in BMC Cancer. Developed by the CanTest Senior Faculty team, this new framework addresses some key aspects missing from previous approaches. It incorporates a shift in focus away - [Primary cancer care researchers gather in Toronto for Ca-PRI 2019](https://www.cantest.org/news/primary-cancer-care-researchers-gather-in-toronto-for-ca-pri-2019/) - CanTest researchers from around the world have descended on the University of Toronto for the Cancer and Primary Care Research International Network (Ca-PRI) annual conference being held from the 21st to 23rd May. Both Senior and Junior CanTest Faculty are presenting during the event, which includes workshop sessions, oral presentations and an interactive poster session. - [Research focus on World Ovarian Cancer Day](https://www.cantest.org/news/research-focus-on-world-ovarian-cancer-day-2/) - On World Ovarian Cancer Day – a global opportunity to raise awareness – we highlight the work of two of our researchers looking at the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer in primary care. Based at Aarhus University, Dr Marie-Louise Ladegaard Baun has carried out a clinical feasibility study as part of her PhD. Doctors in - [Second successful CanTest School celebrates week of shared learning](https://www.cantest.org/news/second-successful-cantest-school-celebrates-week-of-shared-learning/) - Earlier this month, almost 60 senior academics and early career researchers from across the world gathered at Jesus College Cambridge for the Second CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care. Supporting CanTest’s vision to increase the capacity and sustainability of cancer detection research in the UK and internationally, this year’s School built - [Full steam ahead for the Second CanTest International School](https://www.cantest.org/news/full-steam-ahead-for-the-second-cantest-international-school/) - The Second CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care is in less than a month and preparations are almost complete. A core activity for CanTest, the School aims to build capacity and develop future leaders in the field of early cancer detection research in primary care. This year the School will again - [World Cancer Day - I AM a cancer thriver and I WILL do my best!](https://www.cantest.org/news/world-cancer-day-i-am-a-cancer-thriver-and-i-will-do-my-best/) - On World Cancer Day – a day that unites people, communities and entire countries to raise awareness and take action – CanTest PPI representative Sharon Cooper shares why and how she’s involved in early diagnosis research. In March 2016, just months before my 50th birthday, I heard those words you never want to hear; “I’m - [CanTest heads to NCRI Cancer Conference 2018](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-heads-to-national-cancer-research-institute-ncri-cancer-conference-2018/) - Look out for CanTest at the UK’s largest forum showcasing advances in cancer research, where Senior Faculty will be chairing sessions and presenting at this year’s National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference being held in Glasgow on the 4-6th November 2018. With over 1,500 delegates, the NCRI Cancer Conference is the largest forum in - [Public involvement in CanTest - The patient's voice](https://www.cantest.org/news/public-involvement-in-cantest-work/) - Patients’ views are at the heart of the CanTest programme. Below, Pete Wheatstone, the CanTest PPI representative working with our University of Leeds team, talks about how he is supporting their research and ensuring the voice of the patient is heard. "I was astonished to be diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer in 2014 – I - [Public involvement in CanTest – The researcher’s view](https://www.cantest.org/news/public-involvement-in-cantest-the-researchers-view/) - Patients’ views are at the heart of the CanTest programme. Below, Dr Stephen Bradley, clinical research fellow and PhD candidate at the University of Leeds describes his experience of patient and public involvement (PPI) in the CanTest programme. “Margaret Johnson, PPI lead for CanTest introduced me and my supervisor Prof Richard Neal to Pete Wheatstone - [Dispatches from India - Inaugural India-UK Cancer Researchers’ Summit](https://www.cantest.org/news/dispatches-from-india-inaugural-india-uk-cancer-researchers-summit/) - CanTest Associate Director Richard Neal reflects on the inaugural India-UK Cancer Researchers’ Summit in Delhi. ‘An important moment in the history of India-UK cancer research’. That was the conclusion made by Dr CS Pramesh, co-chair of the Advisory Panel of the India – UK Cancer Research Initiative and Convenor of the National Cancer Grid India, - [Leeds researchers join UKLCC early diagnosis workshop](https://www.cantest.org/news/leeds-researchers-join-uklcc-early-diagnosis-workshop/) - The UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC) hosted an early diagnosis workshop in collaboration with Cancer Research UK on 28th November 2018 in London. CanTest researchers from the University of Leeds, Richard Neal and Stephen Bradley were at the meeting to represent views from Primary Care. UKLCC is an initiative that brings together a whole range - [Opinion Piece – CanTest and the NHS long term plan](https://www.cantest.org/news/opinion-piece-cantest-and-the-nhs-long-term-plan/) - CanTest Directors Prof Willie Hamilton and Dr Fiona Walter discuss the implications of the recently published NHS long term plan to the work of CanTest. The NHS long term plan was published in early 2019 and describes the Government’s views on how the NHS can evolve over the next 10 years. Thankfully it avoids some - [CBE for CanTest Director](https://www.cantest.org/news/cbe-for-cantest-director/) - CanTest Director of Research, Professor Willie Hamilton, has been awarded a CBE in the Queen's New Years Honours for services to Improving Early Cancer Diagnosis. Professor Willie Hamilton, of the University of Exeter Medical School, says his profound deafness created the space in a busy career as a GP to focus on his research. He - [Grant success for CanTest researchers](https://www.cantest.org/news/grant-success-for-cantest-researchers/) - A new study, supported by a grant from the National Institute for Health Research School for Primary Care Research, is the first of its kind to use primary care data to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CA125, a commonly used ovarian cancer blood test. The study will use anonymised data from over 120,000 symptomatic UK - [The First CanTest International School Welcomes Attendees](https://www.cantest.org/news/the-first-cantest-international-school-welcomes-attendees/) - We are delighted to welcome Senior and Junior Faculty to Jesus College, Cambridge UK for the first CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care. Attendees will be joining us from around the globe for a residential week of teaching and networking. Supported by Cancer Research UK’s first ever Catalyst award, CanTest's vision - [First CanTest School hailed a resounding success](https://www.cantest.org/news/first-cantest-school-hailed-a-resounding-success/) - The first CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care has been hailed a resounding success. Held earlier this month at Jesus College, Cambridge, the week-long event saw both seasoned academics and up-and-coming researchers from across the world, come together for a week of shared learning and networking. Supporting CanTest’s vision to increase - [Launch of CanTest Travelling Fellowships](https://www.cantest.org/news/launch-of-cantest-travelling-fellowships/) - Junior Faculty are being invited to apply for the recently launched Travelling Fellowships scheme. These awards will fund visits that enhance skills and expertise in cancer early detection research, as well as fostering links and collaborations across international boundaries. One of the principal objectives of the CanTest Collaborative is to mobilise knowledge across its research - [Junior Faculty review - EuroDEM 2018](https://www.cantest.org/news/junior-faculty-review-eurodem-2018/) - CanTest Research Associate Marije Van Melle looks back on a European conference dedicated to diagnostic error… At the end of August a delegation of CanTest’s Senior and Junior Faculty attended EuroDEM – a conference entirely dedicated to diagnostic error in medicine – in the beautiful, medieval Swiss capital Bern (land of cuckoo clocks, heraldic beasts - [Senior Faculty present at EuroDEM 2018](https://www.cantest.org/news/senior-faculty-present-at-eurodem-2018/) - At this year’s European Conference on Diagnostic Error in Medicine, to be held in Bern, Switzerland at the end of August, CanTest Senior Faculty Prof Hardeep Singh presents one of the keynote speeches, whilst Prof Yoryos Lyratzopoulos leads a workshop and seminar. The conference will present the latest research and policy initiatives on diagnostic quality - [Improving the implementation of new technology in the early detection and diagnosis of cancer](https://www.cantest.org/news/improving-the-implementation-of-new-technology-in-the-early-detection-and-diagnosis-of-cancer/) - A recently published report from the Academy of Medical Sciences and Cancer Research UK summarises the work carried out during a Forum workshop that established priorities for the translation and implementation of early detection and diagnosis (EDD) technologies into the healthcare system. A number of CanTest colleagues presented during the workshop and were joined by - [Senior and Junior Faculty represent CanTest at SAPC conference](https://www.cantest.org/news/senior-and-junior-faculty-represent-cantest-at-sapc-conference/) - The 47th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC) is being held in London on the 10th-12th July and will see sessions chaired, and presentations given, by CanTest colleagues. CanTest Director of Faculty Fiona Walter and Associate Director Richard Neal will co-chair the session on cancer, which includes four presentations by - [UK CanTest colleagues join major policy centre in early cancer diagnosis](https://www.cantest.org/news/uk-cantest-colleagues-join-major-policy-centre-in-early-cancer-diagnosis/) - Professor Willie Hamilton, CanTest Director of Research, has been appointed Early Diagnosis Lead of the £4.75 million National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit in Cancer Awareness, Screening and Early Diagnosis. He will work with CanTest colleagues Yoryos Lyratzopoulos from UCL, Fiona Walter from Cambridge, Richard Neal from Leeds, and a multidisciplinary team - [CanTest Associate Director gives Inaugural Lecture](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-associate-director-gives-inaugural-lecture/) - Professor Richard Neal, CanTest Associate Director, is delivering an Inaugural Lecture at the University of Leeds titled “Cancer Diagnosis in General (Practice) – how good is it, and how much better should it be?’’ Richard is Professor of Primary Care Oncology at the Academic Unit of Primary Care in the Leeds Institute of Health - [Planning for International School gathering pace](https://www.cantest.org/news/planning-for-international-school-gathering-pace/) - Preparations are well underway for our inaugural International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care. A core activity of the Collaborative, the School aims to build capacity and future leaders in the field of early cancer detection and diagnosis research in primary care. Taking place in April at the University of Cambridge, the week-long - [Collaboration in action!](https://www.cantest.org/news/collaboration-in-action/) - The CanTest Collaborative gathered in London last week for a stimulating series of meetings at the Royal College of General Practitioners. Joining UK-based colleagues were international partners from the US and Australia. We were also delighted to welcome back Prof Stephen Taplin from California, to chair CanTest’s first External Stakeholder Group meeting. Over the course - [CRUK Annual Review 2016/17](https://www.cantest.org/news/cruk-annual-review-201617/) - CRUK says "Thanks to you we're beating cancer" CRUK are celebrating another year of life-saving research, giving thanks to their many supporters. Highlights from their success stories, along with their annual report and more can be found here. CRUK's Annual Review 2016/17 is packed with highlights of their work across the UK and the inspiring - [CanTest at Ca-PRI 2017](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-at-ca-pri/) - CanTest are delighted to attend the 10th anniversary Ca-PRI conference, held this year at Surgeons Hall in Edinburgh. The conference opens with a Welcome Reception at Rainy Hall, the Mound, on Tuesday 18th April. CanTest's Peter Vedsted, Greg Rubin, Fiona Walter, Jon Emery and Richard Neal will all be chairing presentations and workshops. Other key - [CanTest at Early Diagnosis Research Conference 2017](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-collaborative-at-naedi-2017/) - CanTest researchers presented one of the keynote speeches at this year’s Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Fourth Biennial Early Diagnosis Research Conference in London. The event attracted speakers and delegates from across the UK and internationally, to share, hear and debate the very latest developments in early diagnosis research. This year’s conference themes included investigating, implementing - [CanTest academics win renowned cancer research award](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-academics-win-renowned-cancer-research-award/) - A paper authored by CanTest academics has won Research Paper of the Year under the cancer category in the Royal College for General Practitioners (RCGP) Research Awards. The paper, published in 2017, found that having a high blood platelet count (thrombocytosis) is a strong indicator of cancer and should be urgently investigated to save lives. - [CanTest at World Cancer Congress 2018](https://www.cantest.org/news/cantest-at-world-cancer-congress-2018/) - Two of CanTest’s Senior Faculty presented at this year’s World Cancer Congress (WCC) held from 1-4 October in Kuala Lumpur. The WCC is an international conference which encourages knowledge transfer and best practice exchange amongst 3,500 cancer control and public health experts from 150 countries. It aims to strengthen participants' action and impact on regional, - [New lung screening trial launches in Leeds](https://www.cantest.org/news/new-lung-screening-trial-launches-in-leeds/) - People at high risk of developing lung cancer have the chance to take part in a pioneering screening trial, which has just been launched in Leeds. The Leeds Lung Health Check, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, will test if screening for early signs of lung cancer can save lives whilst being cost-effective. The multi-million pound ## Pages - [Home](https://www.cantest.org/) - The CanTest Collaborative The CanTest Collaborative, funded by a Cancer Research UK Catalyst Award, is an international team of primary care cancer researchers working on early detection and diagnosis of cancer. CanTest’s rapidly growing portfolio includes over 50 active projects that cover a range of different cancers, with a focus on the ‘common’ cancers such - [CanTest School 2025](https://www.cantest.org/faculty/cantest-school-2025/) - The 2025 iteration of the CanTest School will be held at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, UK from September 8 2025 through September 12. Who Should Apply? Masters & PhD Students Junior Post-Doctoral & Clinical Researchers Researchers from High Income Countries (HIC) & Lower and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) Funding & Fees: HIC Participants: £395 + CRUK - [1st School 2018](https://www.cantest.org/faculty/international-school-2018/) - The first CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care was hailed a resounding success. Held from April 9-13th 2018 at Jesus College, Cambridge, the week-long event, led by CanTest Director Dr Fiona Walter, saw both seasoned academics and up-and-coming researchers from across the world unite for a week of shared learning and - [International School](https://www.cantest.org/faculty/school/) - Click here to find out more information on the latest iteration of the CanTest International School. Since inception in 2017, CanTest has focused on building capacity across primary care cancer diagnostics research, in the UK and internationally. We have delivered learning opportunities for early and mid-career researchers including travelling fellowships and our annual residential International - [3rd School 2021](https://www.cantest.org/faculty/school-2021/) - The start of the pandemic halted our plans for a third International School in April 2020. Instead, we delivered our first full virtual event in collaboration with technology partners Venue AV in April 2021: deemed a great success, CanTest senior faculty and upcoming researchers worked together over three days of shared learning, online networking and - [2nd School 2019](https://www.cantest.org/faculty/school-2019/) - Very positive feedback followed the second CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care. Held in April 2019 at Jesus College, Cambridge, the week-long event, led by CanTest Director of Faculty Dr Fiona Walter, witnessed seasoned academics and upcoming researchers from across the world unite for a week of shared learning, networking and - [4th School Apr 2022](https://www.cantest.org/faculty/school-2022/) - Following two years of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were delighted to hold the fourth CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care in person at The Queen’s College, Oxford in April 2022. The School was led by CanTest Co-Director Professor Fiona Walter. Seasoned academics and faculty researchers, mainly from the - [5th School Nov 2022](https://www.cantest.org/faculty/5th-school-nov-2022/) - The fifth CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care was held at Cripps Court, Magdalene College, Cambridge in November 2022, led by the CanTest Co-Director Professor Fiona Walter. While in previous years the CanTest International School was by invitation for CanTest and CanTest-aligned researchers, the fifth International School was opened up to - [Publications](https://www.cantest.org/research/publications/) - Below is a list of all CanTest publications that acknowledge the support of Cancer Research UK 2022 Barlow M, Down L, Mounce LTA, Merriel SWD, Watson J, Martins T, Bailey SER. Ethnic differences in prostate-specific antigen levels in men without prostate cancer: a systematic review. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2022 Dec 1. doi: 10.1038/s41391-022-00613-7 - [Travelling Fellowships](https://www.cantest.org/faculty/travelling-fellowships/) - As part of CanTest’s Faculty programme, we are supporting the development of our Faculty in two ways - by hosting the annual International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care and through a Travelling Fellowship scheme. The CanTest Travelling Fellowships are specifically designed to enhance the research skills and expertise of our Faculty, as - [Travelling Fellowships Blogs](https://www.cantest.org/faculty/travelling-fellowships-blogs/) - Research fellow Javiera Martinez-Gutierrez recently visited the UK from Australia on a travelling fellowship to attend two CanTest events, as well as collaborating with UK-based research teams. Hear about the trip in her own words: I am an academic GP and started my appointment as a cancer research fellow in the Department of General Practice - [Contact](https://www.cantest.org/contact/) - The CanTest Collaborative has partners working in nine institutions across the UK, Denmark, The Netherlands, Australia and the United States. To contact individual researchers, please view our people pages. Alternatively, please contact one of our lead academics using the appropriate details below: Prof Fiona Walter - Director QMUL & University of Cambridge Email Twitter Prof - [University of Leeds](https://www.cantest.org/about/university-of-leeds/) - The University of Leeds CanTest team is based in the Division of Primary Care, Palliative Care and Public Health within the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, and works closely with the Leeds Centre for Personalised Medicine and Health and NIHR Leeds In Vitro Diagnostics Co-operative - [University of Exeter](https://www.cantest.org/about/university-of-exeter/) - A group of multi-disciplinary cancer researchers and PhD students within a broader group in the Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx) whose research addresses many aspects of cancer diagnosis. Who should be tested for cancer? How should they be tested for cancer? Where should they be tested for cancer? How can the health care system - [Faculty](https://www.cantest.org/faculty/) - One of the key objectives of CanTest is to increase both the capacity and sustainability of cancer detection research in the UK and internationally. As well as via our research portfolio, we are supporting a number of other key initiatives to achieve this: Funding nine PhD Studentships and supporting a further eight with CanTest Senior - [The University of Melbourne](https://www.cantest.org/about/the-university-of-melbourne/) - Our Cancer in Primary Care Research Group conducts research covering the role of primary care across the cancer continuum. This includes studies on cancer screening, cancer diagnosis and survivorship care. We are interested in the application of risk stratification and risk assessment tools to support more tailored and specific care across the cancer continuum. This - [University of Cambridge](https://www.cantest.org/about/university-of-cambridge/) - The University of Cambridge CanTest team is based in the Cancer Group at the Department of Public Health & Primary Care. A group of multi-disciplinary researchers whose research is focused on cancer screening, detection and early diagnosis, in community and primary care settings. - [University of Washington](https://www.cantest.org/about/university-of-washington/) - The University of Washington CanTest team is based in the Department of Family Medicine. Our group of multi-disciplinary researchers involves expertise in diagnostic testing, bioinformatics and qualitative research whose focus is on detection and early diagnosis in primary care settings. - [Aarhus University](https://www.cantest.org/about/aarhus-university/) - The Aarhus University CanTest team are based in the Cancer in Primary Care (CaP) group at the Research Unit for General Practice. The group performs clinical, health services, anthropological and psychological research on the cancer pathway from first symptom until treatment start and on cancer recurrence. - [Baylor College of Medicine](https://www.cantest.org/about/baylor-college-of-medicine/) - Baylor’s “Safer Dx team” conducts research on understanding and reducing diagnostic errors in cancer. This dynamic multidisciplinary research and innovation team leverages cognitive science, informatics, human factors, social science, and the ‘art’ of medicine to understand the “basic science” of diagnostic error. - [Public Involvement](https://www.cantest.org/public-involvement/) - CanTest has had Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) at its heart from the outset. Patient views are at the core of the programme and are represented throughout the research lifecycle, often through co-creation. The CanTest PPI Panel is led by Margaret Johnson and has representatives linked to all four CanTest UK institutions. In addition, the - [People A-Z](https://www.cantest.org/about/people/) - Content to go here. Add team photos from April 2016 taken in Boston US; second from February 2017 taken in London. - [School Report](https://www.cantest.org/faculty/school-2019/school-report/) - Daniel Jones reflects on his experiences at 2019's second CanTest International School In April, I attended the Second CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care at Jesus College, Cambridge. The CanTest vision is to transform the primary care physician’s office into a hub of diagnostic excellence for patients who may have undiagnosed - [University College London](https://www.cantest.org/about/university-college-london/) - The CanTest team at University College London is colocated with the Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes (ECHO) Research Group at the Department of Behavioural Science and Health / Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care. The ECHO research group is a multi-disciplinary team established in 2015, dedicated to understanding variations in intervals and pathways to the - [University Medical Centre, Utrecht](https://www.cantest.org/about/university-medical-centre-utrecht/) - The Utrecht CanTest team is embedded in the Cancer research program of the Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, the primary care division of the University Medical Center in Utrecht. In this multidisciplinary program, epidemiologists, general practitioners, nurses and oncologists jointly work on improving the evidence for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in cancer. - [Research](https://www.cantest.org/research/) - CanTest collaborations are identifying and evaluate novel and alternative approaches to cancer detection, particularly for ‘difficult-to-diagnose’ cancers. We aim to influence policy and practice to improve cancer diagnosis and patient outcomes. CanTest researchers work closely with our Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) team and external partners to evaluate specific tests for cancer detection, gain international perspectives of - [About Us](https://www.cantest.org/about/) - CanTest is a truly international collaborative programme involving Senior Faculty and researchers in the following nine institutions worldwide. CanTest also includes other primary care cancer researchers at other locations. Individual institution pages provide more information about what is happening at each location - click below for details. Please use the People A-Z to locate a - [Framework](https://www.cantest.org/framework/) - The CanTest Framework provides a conceptual approach for the evaluation of cancer diagnostic tests from development to routine use in primary care. Developed by the CanTest Senior Faculty team and published in BMC Cancer in June 2019, the Framework addresses some key aspects missing from previous approaches. It incorporates a shift in focus away from - [Cookies & Privacy](https://www.cantest.org/cookies-privacy/) - This Cookie and Privacy Policy is intended to describe how your personal information is processed and used. Please note that by visiting our site you are accepting the practices described. Visitor Information Every computer connected to the Internet is provided with a domain name and an IP Address. When a visitor requests a web page - [Terms of Use](https://www.cantest.org/terms-of-use/) - By accessing this site, you agree to the following terms and conditions and other applicable laws. If you do not agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, please do not use this website. All the information and material provided on this web site is solely for illustrative purposes. It is not intended to, - [Cantest International Dataset Library](https://www.cantest.org/cantest-international-dataset-library/) - [display-frm-data id=2899] - [IDL DataSet Entry Form](https://www.cantest.org/idl-dataset-entry-form/) - Please use the form below to enter details of your dataset If you have any problems entering data please contact the website administrator (otj24@medschl.cam.ac.uk) [formidable id="10" minimize="1"] ## People - [Dr Sarah Bailey](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-sarah-bailey/) - In her current position as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Exeter Medical School, Sarah is involved in several studies investigating the use of primary care blood tests in detecting cancer, the impact of multi-morbidity on cancer diagnosis, and evaluating the effectiveness of faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) for colorectal cancer in the low - [Dr Sam Merriel](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-sam-merriel/) - Sam is a GP and CanTest Clinical Research Fellow. His PhD will focus on assessing the safety, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of MRI scans for prostate cancer diagnosis in primary care. His research interests include early detection of cancer in primary care, application of genomics in primary care, and preventive medicine. Sam is also a member - [Prof Hardeep Singh](https://www.cantest.org/person/hardeep-singh/) - Hardeep Singh, M.D., M.P.H. is a general internist and Chief of Health Policy, Quality & Informatics Program, Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety based at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. He leads a portfolio of patient safety research in improving the use of - [Prof Richard Neal](https://www.cantest.org/person/richard-neal/) - Richard is an Associate Director of CanTest. He is a part-time GP and Professor of Primary Care at the University of Exeter. Richard relocated to the South-West in August 2021 from Leeds, where he was Professor of Primary Care Oncology at the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences. His research focuses around the interface of primary - [Dr Cristina Renzi](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-cristina-renzi/) - Cristina is a public health physician and clinical epidemiologist with a specific research interest in the evaluation of diagnostic pathways and factors influencing the timely diagnosis of cancer. Cristina has dedicated increasing attention to studying the complex links between pre-existing chronic diseases and the diagnosis of cancer. In her role as principal investigator of a - [Dr Stephen Bradley](https://www.cantest.org/person/stephen-bradley/) - Stephen is an academic GP interested in improving lung cancer diagnosis in Primary Care. As a Clinical Research Fellow with CanTest, he will be undertaking a PhD at the University of Leeds. This will involve examining the pathway to diagnosis for patients with lung cancer, who have been investigated by their GP with a chest - [Dr Erica di Martino](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-erica-di-martino/) - I am a biologist with a strong background in medical genetics and cancer biology. I am interested in the molecular changes that occur whilst a normal cell turns into a cancer cell, and in using this information to develop biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis or new therapies. My doctoral studies at the University of Leeds - [Dr Bethany Shinkins](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-bethany-shinkins/) - Beth leads the University of Leeds hub of CanTest. She leads a team who specialise in test evaluation research in Leeds and is an Associate Professor of Health Economics at the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences. Her research focuses on the evaluation of medical tests, and she is specifically interested in the evidence used to - [Prof Willie Hamilton](https://www.cantest.org/person/willie-hamilton/) - Willie co-leads CanTest with Fiona Walter. The responsibilities have been split such that Willie leads on the research aspects, whilst Fiona leads on faculty. A GP and lead of the DISCOVERY group in Exeter, Willie was also clinical lead for the 2015 NICE guidance, as well as being a member of the Department of Health’s - [Prof Matthew Thompson](https://www.cantest.org/person/matthew-thompson/) - Matthew's research has focussed on improving the diagnosis of serious illness in primary care settings, initially with a focus on childhood illness, and now expanding to the shared issues in diagnosis for cancer. His research has examined the role of clinical features to improving diagnosis, the use of clinical prediction rules and new methods around - [Prof Fiona Walter](https://www.cantest.org/person/fiona-walter/) - Fiona co-leads CanTest with Willie Hamilton – while she leads on faculty, capacity-building and educational aspects, Willie leads on research. Director of the Wolfson Institute of Population Health at Queen Mary University of London, Fiona joined in April 2021 after serving as Reader in Primary Care Cancer Research in the Primary Care Unit, Department of - [Prof Gary Abel](https://www.cantest.org/person/gary-abel/) - A statistician with particular interests in the use of routine data, variation in cancer diagnostic activity, timeliness and outcomes, and the measurement of patient experience in primary and secondary care. - [Prof Yoryos Lyratzopoulos](https://www.cantest.org/person/yoryos-lyratzopoulos/) - Yoryos is a Professor of Cancer Healthcare Epidemiology and leads the Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes (ECHO) group and the CanTest team within the University College London (UCL) Department of Behavioural Science and Health. He joined UCL in 2015, at the start of his Cancer Research UK Advanced Clinician Scientist Fellowship. He has a - [Prof Peter Vedsted](https://www.cantest.org/person/peter-vedsted/) - Peter is a GP and Professor in primary care and innovative health care delivery. He is director of the Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), a cross‐disciplinary research group for primary cancer diagnosis investigating the pathway from symptom to treatment of cancer. Follow Peter on Twitter @PVedsted View Peter's LinkenIn profile. - [Prof Niek de Wit](https://www.cantest.org/person/prof-niek-de-wit/) - Niek de Wit is professor in Primary Care and head of department at the Julius Center of Health Sciences and Primary Care of the University Medical Center in Utrecht, the Netherlands (www.juliuscenter.nl). He is medical director of the Julius health centers, the academic primary care practice in Leidsche Rijn (www.lrjg.nl). His initial research focussed on - [Dr Garth Funston](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-garth-funston/) - As a Senior Clinical Research Fellow with CanTest, Garth has recently completed his PhD at the Department of Public Health and Primary Care in Cambridge. He is continuing his research, which focusses on improving the detection of gynaecological cancer in primary care. This work will evaluate the performance of current tests for gynaecological cancer and - [Dr Natalia Calanzani](https://www.cantest.org/person/natalia-calanzani/) - Natalia joined the CanTest team as a Research Associate within the Primary Care Unit, which forms part of the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge. She is a mixed-methods, health services researcher with a background in psychology and business administration, and research experience in palliative care, cancer screening and - [Dr Michael Messenger](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-michael-messenger/) - Michael is Head of the new Leeds Centre for Personalised Medicine and Health, matching population health and care needs with excellent science and innovation, as part of the Leeds Academic Health Partnership. The Partnership identifies, attracts and implements innovation and inward investment that responds to the challenges facing health and care, including reducing health inequalities across - [Dr Alice Forster](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-alice-forster/) - Alice is a Senior Research Associate with the CanTest team at UCL, based in the ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes) Research Group led by Professor Yoryos Lyratzopoulos. Her background is in behavioural science and she is particularly interested in whether diagnostic tests and strategies are acceptable to patients and their doctors, and the - [Prof Anne Spencer](https://www.cantest.org/person/anne-spencer/) - Associate Professor of Health Economics at the University of Exeter Medical School, Anne has over 20 years’ experience of leading health economic evaluations of clinical trials and research into the measurement and valuation of health. She also has over 11 years’ experience of teaching Health Economics and Microeconomics, and has co-authored a Health Economics book, - [Becky White](https://www.cantest.org/person/becky-white/) - Becky works as a research assistant and PhD student in the ECHO group at UCL, led by Yoryos Lyratzopoulos. She supports the management and curation of health records data, and researches their use in helping to diagnose cancer earlier in symptomatic patients. She has previously worked as an Analytical Manager for Cancer Research UK’s partnership with - [Dr Bianca Wiering](https://www.cantest.org/person/bianca-wiering/) - Bianca is a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Exeter. Her main focus is a CanTest study exploring the utility of population-level consultation rates in primary care before cancer diagnosis as a measure of diagnostic timeliness across groups of patients with different multimorbidity burdens. She is also still working on a Cancer Research UK funded - [Dr Meena Rafiq](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-meena-rafiq/) - [Dr Yin Zhou](https://www.cantest.org/person/yin-zhou/) - [Prof Jon Emery](https://www.cantest.org/person/jon-emery/) - Jon is the inaugural Herman Chair of Primary Care Cancer Research and an NHMRC Practitioner Fellow at the University of Melbourne, an innovative role within the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC). He is also Director of the Australian Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4). He was previously Professor of General Practice and Head - [Dr Owain Jones](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-owain-jones/) - Owain works as a Clinical Research Associate with the CanTest team in the Primary Care Unit at the University of Cambridge in the Cancer group led by Dr Fiona Walter. He is looking at the use of dermoscopy in UK primary care for the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Dermoscopy is a non-invasive technique using polarised - [Nanna Holt Jessen](https://www.cantest.org/person/nanna-holt-jessen/) - [Debbie Vermond](https://www.cantest.org/person/debbie-vermond/) - Debbie is a researcher working in Niek de Wit’s research group in the Julius Center at the University Medical Center Utrecht. During her masters in biomedical sciences, vitality and ageing, and science communication, she developed an interest for the combination of the social and (bio)medical sciences. Her main research focus is on collaborating, communicating and/or - [Dr Steph Archer](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-steph-archer/) - [Dr Dan Jones](https://www.cantest.org/person/3351/) - [Prof Greg Rubin](https://www.cantest.org/person/greg-rubin/) - A Professor of General Practice and Primary Care at Newcastle University, Greg was a co-applicant on the successful bid for the CanTest CRUK Catalyst Award and now chairs the CanTest Steering Group. Greg has been active in early diagnosis research for over 20 years and was closely involved in many of the activities that resulted - [Dr Valerie Sills](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-valerie-sills/) - Valerie has operational responsibility for the strategic delivery of CanTest’s objectives, in partnership with the Exeter Programme Manager. She has overall responsibility for CanTest finances, Faculty and the annual International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care – working closely with the Director in Cambridge, Fiona Walter. In addition, she works on Patient and - [Prof Suzanne Scott](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-suzanne-scott/) - Suzanne Scott is Professor of Health Psychology & Early Cancer Diagnosis at Queen Mary University of London. Using an array of methodological approaches, and studying a range of cancer types, her work has advanced the understanding of symptom perception, symptom appraisal and help-seeking behaviour for symptoms suggestive of cancer. With CanTest Senior Faculty members Dr - [Ben Cranfield](https://www.cantest.org/person/ben-cranfield/) - Ben is a CanTest PhD Candidate in the Department of Behavioural Science and Health at University College London. His PhD studies aim to help understand how to appropriately facilitate the use of non-specialist tests in primary care, to support the diagnostic process in patients with possible symptoms of undiagnosed cancer. Previously Ben worked at the Nuffield Department - [Rebekah Hall](https://www.cantest.org/person/rebekah-hall/) - Rebekah is a PhD student based at the University of Exeter. Her research will explore patient and practitioner preferences towards different diagnostic test strategies and associated risk-benefit trade-offs. The research involves three phases: a systematic review; analysis of observational data and choice-based experiments. Rebekah has a background in Health Economics with a particular focus on - [Dr Evangelia (Evie) Papavasiliou](https://www.cantest.org/person/evangelia-evie-papavasiliou/) - Evie joined the CanTest team as a Research Associate in May 2021, based at the Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge. She is an experienced qualitative researcher and systematic reviewer with a background in psychology and research experience in pain and symptom management, palliative care and end-of-life care. Evie’s PhD explored the concepts, controversies and - [Dr Monica Koo](https://www.cantest.org/person/monica-koo/) - Monica is a postdoctoral Research Associate based in the ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes) research group led by Professor Yoryos Lyratzopoulos at UCL. She studied Biomedical Sciences (BSc) and Public Health (MPH) at Imperial College London before joining UCL in 2015 to undertake a PhD in presenting symptoms and diagnostic timeliness funded by - [Victoria Hardy](https://www.cantest.org/person/victoria-hardy/) - Victoria is a PhD candidate based in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge. Her PhD aims to identify how diagnostic tests and testing strategies can be optimised to improve the early detection of upper gastrointestinal cancer. Prior to joining the CanTest team, Victoria worked at the University of - [Astrid Boennelykke](https://www.cantest.org/person/astrid-boennelykke/) - [Kerry Hope](https://www.cantest.org/person/kerry-hope/) - Kerry joined the CanTest Collaborative in 2021, based at the University of Exeter. She focuses on research facilitation and managing the ever-expanding portfolio of projects that form the basis of the CanTest Framework. With a background in coordinating healthcare research centres, (as well as working within the wider HE research sector), Kerry is dedicated to - [Dr Lesley Smith](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-lesley-smith/) - [Dr Tanimola Martins](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-tanimola-martins/) - [Dr Sara Hayes](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-sara-hayes/) - Working within the DISCOVERY team based at the University of Exeter Medical School, Sara has operational responsibility for the strategic delivery of CanTest’s objectives, including capturing and reporting on all programme outputs, as well as developing and maintaining governance and administrative functions across the programme. She has overall responsibility for devising standard operating protocols for - [Dr Marie-Louise Ladegaard Baun](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-marie-louise-ladegaard-baun/) - Marie-Louise is a member of the CanTest Junior Faculty and a PhD fellow at the Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care at Aarhus University, led by Professor Peter Vedsted. Marie-Louise’s PhD focuses on earlier detection of ovarian cancer in primary care. She has conducted a clinical feasibility study in Denmark, providing GPs direct - [Margaret Johnson](https://www.cantest.org/person/margaret-johnson/) - Based in the Primary Care Research Unit at the University of Cambridge, Margaret has been passionately involved as a patient,carer and lay representative in cancer services and research since 1997. She is the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) lead for CanTest and has supported the programme from its inception. As well as bringing expertise in - [David Holden](https://www.cantest.org/person/david-holden/) - [Jennifer (Hunt) Bovaird](https://www.cantest.org/person/jennifer-hunt-bovaird/) - Jenny had a long and varied nursing career in clinical practice, research, education and senior nurse management. She has served on a wide range of professional, hospital and research committees and working groups at local regional and national level including being the nurse member on CSM. She is known for her research on translating research - [John Lancaster](https://www.cantest.org/person/john-lancaster/) - John's wife, Joyce Lancaster, died from pancreatic cancer in 2002, only six months after diagnosis. Since then he has been actively involved in cancer service improvement, at local, regional and national levels as well as PPI involvement in Palliative and Supportive Care locally. He was the PPI member of a team which submitted a proposal - [Dr Elizabeth Sarma (NCI)](https://www.cantest.org/person/elizabeth-sarma/) - [Dr Lesleigh Kowalski Frank](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-lesleigh-kowalski-frank/) - Lesleigh Kowalski Frank, PhD, MOT, OTR/L, ATP, is a Research Scientist in the Department of Family Medicine and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Washington. She received her PhD in 2020 in which she researched lung cancer detection in Alaska throughout the patient, provider, and system continuum. Current research - [Paige Druce](https://www.cantest.org/person/paige-druce/) - [Dr Javiera Martinez Gutierrez](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-javiera-martinez-gutierrez/) - [Andy Cowan](https://www.cantest.org/person/andy-cowan/) - Andy helps with the day to day running of the CanTest programme, helping it meet its research objectives, alongside a wider communications role at the Cambridge Institute of Public Health. - [Dr Stephanie Honey](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-stephanie-honey/) - Stephanie is a research fellow with the CanTest team, based at the University of Leeds. Her background is applied health research in primary and secondary care and she is particularly interested in qualitative research. She is enthusiastic about using diverse approaches to research such as realistic evaluation and co-production. She is working on the CanImpact - [Anam Ayaz-Shah](https://www.cantest.org/person/anam-ayaz-shah/) - Anam is part of the University of Leeds CanTest team. Her work investigates the potential of using point of care tests for improving cancer diagnosis in primary care. Anam has previously worked as a research associate conducting systematic reviews, clinical practice guideline assesments and trial quality appraisals. Anam completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology for - [Dr Sarah Price](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-sarah-price/) - [Monica Zigman Suchsland](https://www.cantest.org/person/monica-zigman-suchsland/) - Monica has worked as a Research Scientist with the Department of Family Medicine at UW Medicine since 2014. She is also a PhD student in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Washington. She is involved in numerous research studies as a project manager and data analyst. Current research topics include self-testing for influenza and - [Dr Kari Stephens](https://www.cantest.org/person/kari-stephens/) - [Dr Morhaf Al Achkar](https://www.cantest.org/person/morhaf-al-achkar/) - [Dr Nicole van Erp](https://www.cantest.org/person/nicole-van-erp/) - Nicole is a GP trainee who is also a PhD student in Niek de Wit’s research group at the Julius Center at UMC. Her research focus is the “DICKENS” project about the diagnostic pathway of symptomatic cancer patients in the Netherlands. - [Emily Habgood](https://www.cantest.org/person/emily-habgood/) - Emily is a CanTest PhD candidate in the Centre for Cancer Research at the University of Melbourne, supervised by Prof Jon Emery and Chris McCormack. She is investigating melanoma risk assessment and tailored prevention in general practice. She previously worked as a research assistant, co-ordinating various multi-site randomised controlled trials from early diagnosis to treatment, - [Dr Merel Pannebakker](https://www.cantest.org/person/merel-pannebakker/) - Merel is a member of the cancer group in the Primary Care Unit, part of the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge. She currently works as a Research Associate on the CanTest project that's looking to establish the diagnostic accuracy, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of haemoglobin in faecal immunochemical tests - [Dr Sjoerd Elias](https://www.cantest.org/person/sjoerd-elias/) - [Tom Ward](https://www.cantest.org/person/tom-ward/) - [Dr Ashley Meyer](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-ashley-meyer/) - [Melissa Barlow](https://www.cantest.org/person/melissa-sampson/) - [Dr Luke Mounce](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-luke-mounce/) - [Dr Traber Giardina](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-traber-giardina/) - [Henry Jensen](https://www.cantest.org/person/henry-jensen/) - [Abigail Lloyd](https://www.cantest.org/person/abigail-lloyd/) - [Lesleigh Kowalski Frank](https://www.cantest.org/person/lesleigh-kowalski-frank/) - [Divvy Upadhyay](https://www.cantest.org/person/divvy-upadhyay/) - [Sibel Saya](https://www.cantest.org/person/sibel-saya/) - [Dr Esther de Groot](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-esther-de-groot/) - [Dr Charles Helsper](https://www.cantest.org/person/charles-helsper/) - [Dr Kristel van Asselt](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-kristel-van-asselt/) - [Leigh Curtis](https://www.cantest.org/person/leigh-curtis/) - Leigh provides administrative support to the CanTest programme and is PA to Co-Director Professor Willie Hamilton. She draws on her background in art and design to support the delivery of graphics materials and the overall CanTest communications strategy. - [Emily Fletcher](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-emily-fletcher/) - [Dr Elizabeth Shephard](https://www.cantest.org/person/dr-elizabeth-shephard/) ## Projects - [Evaluating ethnic differences in blood markers of cancer in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/evaluating-ethnic-differences-in-blood-markers-of-cancer-in-primary-care/) - Project summary Ethnic minority groups in the UK have poorer cancer outcomes than British White groups. Improving cancer detection strategies for this population may boost UK cancer outcomes and reduce health inequality. The majority of cancers are diagnosed following consultation in primary care, where general practitioners have access to a range of blood tests used - [Factors influencing the patient/practitioner decision to investigate or refer older adults with symptoms potentially indicating cancer: a systematic review](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/factors-influencing-the-patient-practitioner-decision-to-investigate-or-refer-older-adults-with-symptoms-potentially-indicating-cancer-a-systematic-review/) - This project aims to identify and understand the factors that potentially indicate cancer in older adults in primary care – from both patient and healthcare professional perspectives. - [Development and pilot testing of measurement tool for diagnosis of lung cancer](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/development-and-pilot-testing-of-measurement-tool-for-diagnosis-of-lung-cancer/) - Project summary This project aims to develop and test a clinical quality measure for lung cancer diagnosis using electronic medical record (EMR) data from a large integrated health care system. The quality measure will incorporate three metrics to lung cancer diagnosis. 1) Time intervals within the diagnostic pathway, including patient interval (from first recognizing a - [Clinical features of lung cancer prior to diagnosis: Case control study](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/clinical-features-of-lung-cancer-prior-to-diagnosis-case-control-study/) - Project summary Some patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer have symptoms that take them to see their primary care clinician long before their time of eventual diagnosis. We want to see whether we can find out which symptoms are most likely to indicate that lung cancer is beginning to develop. To do this, we - [The effect of increasing age, frailty and cognitive impairment on time to diagnosis of suspected cancer: a population based electronic health records study](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/the-effect-of-increasing-age-frailty-and-cognitive-impairment-on-time-to-diagnosis-of-suspected-cancer-a-population-based-electronic-health-records-study-2/) - Project summary As we all get older, we can have different levels of health, independence, and outlooks on life. Older adults are more likely to be frail and to experience other problems such as memory loss or dementia. Older adults often have poorer outcomes following cancer diagnosis as they are less likely to survive the - [Lung Cancer Diagnosis Disparity](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/lung-cancer-diagnosis-disparity-2/) - Project summary The overall purpose of this study is to examine disparity in the diagnostic pathways for men and women of Black/African American descent in the United States. This qualitative study will triangulate the perspectives of cancer patients and their caregivers with those of healthcare providers and community advocates. The study uses Anderson’s Model for - [Evaluation of Capsule endoscopy-2 for possible colorectal cancer](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/evaluation-of-capsule-endoscopy-2-for-possible-colorectal-cancer/) - Project summary Hospital tests for possible colon cancer have been severely disrupted by the coronavirus epidemic. It may now be months before a patient can get a colonoscopy – so patients may suffer from these delays. A new capsule test has been developed. The capsule contains a tiny camera, which can look at the inside - [Using changes in body weight and trends of routine lab tests to identify potential signals of lung cancer prior to diagnosis ](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/using-changes-in-body-weight-and-trends-of-routine-lab-tests-to-identify-potential-signals-of-lung-cancer-prior-to-diagnosis/) - Project summary Most patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer present in primary care with symptoms, often many months before their diagnosis. These early symptoms are often non-specific, meaning that it is difficult for patients and their clinician to differentiate possible lung cancer, from other much more common conditions. We want to find out if - [Covid-19: Impact on recorded cancer incidence in England](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/covid-19-impact-on-recorded-cancer-incidence-in-england/) - Project summary The COVID-19 pandemic changed how patients saw their general practitioner (GP) and how healthcare services were delivered in England. GPs were told to see their patients via telephone, video, or online, and rarely face-to-face. Fewer patients went to their GP because of possible cancer symptoms. Cancer testing in hospitals stopped or was limited - [Pre-diagnostic prescription patterns in bladder and renal cancer: a longitudinal linked data study](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/pre-diagnostic-prescription-patterns-in-bladder-and-renal-cancer-a-longitudinal-linked-data-study/) - Project summary Early diagnosis of cancer is associated with improved survival and patient-reported outcomes. However, timely detection of bladder and kidney cancer within primary care can be challenging as urinary tract symptoms, which can herald cancer, are often non-specific. These symptoms commonly occur in benign conditions such as urinary tract infections, which poses a diagnostic - [Exploring the impact of the NICE guidelines for suspected cancers on diagnostic interval and resource use within GP practices](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/evaluating-the-impact-of-nice-guidelines-for-suspected-cancers-in-respect-of-diagnostic-interval-and-other-outcomes/) - The aims of this research are to explore changes in time to cancer diagnosis and estimate the early impact of the revision of NICE guidelines for suspected cancer on the time to diagnosis of cancer. - [Patterns of clinical features prior to diagnosis in patients with colorectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/patterns-of-clinical-features-prior-to-diagnosis-in-patients-with-colorectal-cancer-a-retrospective-cohort-study/) - Project summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK. Despite the existence of bowel cancer screening programmes, the majority of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed following symptomatic presentation in primary care. Timely diagnosis following symptomatic presentation matters because earlier detection allows - [Abdominal pain in primary care: establishing a clinical profile and diagnostic pathway for identifying cancer](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/abdominal-pain-in-primary-care-establishing-a-clinical-profile-and-diagnostic-pathway-for-identifying-cancer/) - Abdominal pain is a symptom commonly reported to United Kingdom general practitioners. This research will help guide GPs to provide appropriate action for patients with unexplained abdominal pain. - [Safer Dx e-Measures for reducing preventable delays in cancer diagnosis](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/strengthening-the-evidence-base-for-public-health-and-health-system-interventions-for-earlier-symptomatic-diagnosis-of-cancer-a-conceptual-framework/) - The project will use electronic health record data to quantify how promptly clinicians recognize and act on concerning symptoms or test results that may indicate an undiagnosed cancer - [Determining which biomarkers are ready for evaluation in primary care for use in early detection and diagnosis of gastro-intestinal cancers: a systematic review](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/use-of-biomarkers-for-the-early-detection-of-gastro-intestinal-cancers-in-primary-care/) - Introduction General practitioners need to be able to differentiate between potentially life-threatening conditions such as gastro-intestinal (GI) cancers from more common, less serious GI diseases. While GI symptoms are common in primary care, a cancer diagnosis is much less common. Furthermore, initial cancer symptoms are often non-specific, and most patients presenting with them will not - [Primary care models for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer: the ProsDetect study](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/primary-care-models-for-the-detection-of-clinically-significant-prostate-cancer-the-prosdetect-study/) - Introduction Background: Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in UK men, with over 40,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Up to 15% of patients are diagnosed with indolent forms of the disease which do not cause harm or death and which do not require radical treatment. A key challenge is how to - [Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for prostate cancer diagnosis in primary care (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/mri-prostate/) - This PhD project will explore a number of areas relating to whether it would be safe, acceptable, and cost effective for GPs to order MRI scans for men with symptoms suggesting a possible diagnosis of prostate cancer. - [Diagnostic processes and use of investigations before a cancer diagnosis in patients with comorbidities: optimising testing strategies to improve diagnostic timeliness and reduce emergency presentations](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/diagnostic-processes-and-use-of-investigations-before-a-cancer-diagnosis-in-patients-with-comorbidities/) - This project aims to generate evidence for optimising diagnostic strategies in patients with comorbidities experiencing possible cancer symptoms, in order to improve diagnostic timeliness. - [Guideline discordant diagnostic care: when do referrals not reflect guidelines for suspected cancer?](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/guideline-discordant-diagnostic-care-when-do-referrals-not-reflect-guidelines-for-suspected-cancer/) - This study will look at how often GPs follow the guidelines and whether certain types of patients or patients with certain symptoms are more or less likely to be urgently referred when the guidelines suggest they should be. - [Changing healthcare utilisation patterns in cancer patients prior to their diagnosis: A literature review to help determine the length of potential diagnostic windows](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/changing-healthcare-utilisation-patterns-in-cancer-patients-prior-to-their-diagnosis-a-literature-review-to-help-determine-the-length-of-potential-diagnostic-windows/) - Introduction Promptly suspecting the diagnosis of cancer in patients presenting with new symptoms of cancer remains a challenge, and many patients are still diagnosed at a late stage. Ongoing research is needed to identify missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis, to target improvement efforts. Studies using electronic health records have shown that in cohorts of patients - [Understanding missed diagnostic opportunities in bladder and kidney cancer (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/understanding-missed-diagnostic-opportunities-in-bladder-and-kidney-cancer/) - This PhD project will use bladder and kidney cancer as exemplars to identify missed diagnostic opportunities in early cancer diagnosis. - [Exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying pre-diagnostic thrombocytosis in lung cancer patients and evaluating its diagnostic value (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/exploring-the-molecular-mechanisms-underlying-pre-diagnostic-thrombocytosis-in-lung-cancer-patients-and-evaluating-its-diagnostic-value-phd/) - This multi-disciplinary PhD project aims to evaluate the association of pre-diagnostic thrombocytosis within the different histological subtypes of lung cancer using CRPD data sets with Cancer Registry linkage. - [Target Product Profiles for Early Cancer Diagnostics](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/target-product-profiles-for-early-cancer-diagnostics/) - Introduction Despite extensive research efforts, many new tests for cancer fail to enter clinical practice. This is in part because they fail to address a well-defined unmet clinical need, and it is often difficult to see how these tests will fit into existing clinical pathways. There is a need for new methods that ensure that - [Exploring patient, practitioner and general population preferences towards diagnostic tests for cancer (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/exploring-patient-practitioner-and-general-population-preferences-towards-diagnostic-tests-for-cancer/) - This PhD project will develop a set of choice based experiments to explore the preferences of patients, practitioners and the general public towards different diagnostic test strategies and to assess the risk-benefit trade-offs. - [Understanding and implementing artificial intelligence technologies to improve skin cancer assessment in primary care settings (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/understanding-and-implementing-artificial-intelligence-technologies-to-improve-skin-cancer-assessment-in-primary-care-settings-phd/) - Project Summary Skin cancer, including melanoma and the keratocytic carcinomas (basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), previously known as non-melanoma skin cancers), has one of the highest global incidences of any form of cancer. In the UK in 2017 nearly 14,000 people were diagnosed with the deadliest skin cancer, melanoma. Over - [The development of an abdominal ‘yes-no’ pathway for primary care patients with vague and non-specific abdominal symptoms (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/the-development-of-an-abdominal-yes-no-pathway-for-primary-care-patients-with-vague-and-non-specific-abdominal-symptoms/) - The project will provide new important knowledge of the clinical examinations conducted in the year prior to an abdominal cancer diagnosis, plus GPs’ interpretation of symptoms and referral practice and how to improve the diagnostics of abdominal cancers. - [The role of imaging in the diagnosis of lung cancer in primary care (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/the-role-of-imaging-in-the-diagnosis-of-symptomatic-lung-cancer/) - Chest x-ray is the first-line test for the diagnosis of lung cancer in the UK. This PhD will gather evidence on the accuracy of chest x-ray and explore how variation in uptake of chest x-ray might affect lung cancer outcomes. - [Urgent referrals for suspected cancer in England 2009/10-2019/20: temporal trend analysis of population-based routine data](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/urgent-referrals-for-suspected-cancer-in-england-2009-10-2019-20-temporal-trend-analysis-of-population-based-routine-data/) - Project Summary In England and Wales, an urgent referral pathway for patients presenting to GPs with symptoms suggestive of cancer was introduced in 2000, whereby all patients should be seen by a specialist within two weeks of referral (as known as the Two Week Wait (TWW) pathway). Over the last decade the number of patients - [CanTest Social Network Analysis](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/cantest-social-network-analysis/) - A study to demonstrate the impact of the CanTest Collaborative in strengthening the research community for early cancer diagnosis in primary care – quantitative and qualitative research techniques used in Social Network Analysis will be used to track the growth and development of the CanTest Network throughout the 5-year collaboration - [Cancer referral in younger patients – do age threshold guidelines need updating?](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/cancer-referral-in-younger-patients-do-age-threshold-guidelines-need-updating/) - Introduction The risk of cancer increases with age and some symptoms are less likely to be cancer if the patient is young. Therefore, GPs guidelines often take a patient’s age into account to decide whether they need an urgent referral for cancer tests or investigations. As a result, younger cancer patients are more likely than - [Optimising diagnostic strategies for patients presenting to primary care with upper abdominal symptoms to improve the pathway to the early detection of pancreatic cancer - SuSPECT (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/optimising-diagnostic-strategies-for-patients-presenting-to-primary-care-with-upper-abdominal-symptoms-to-improve-the-pathway-to-the-early-detection-of-pancreatic-cancer/) - By exploring how GPs interpret and act on non-specific upper GI symptoms this project aims to optimise diagnostic strategies for upper abdominal symptoms to improve pathways to the early detection of pancreatic cancer. - [Tests and tools for the detection of ovarian cancer in primary care (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/tests-and-tools-for-the-detection-of-ovarian-cancer-in-primary-care/) - In this multi-stage project, we will use routinely collected data to map how patients with ovarian cancer are currently evaluated and investigated in UK primary care, prior to diagnosis. - [The management of patients with anaemia, the risk of cancer and cancer-related anaemia subtypes (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/the-management-of-patients-with-anaemia-the-risk-of-cancer-and-cancer-related-anaemia-subtypes/) - This project will provide new insight into the management of anaemic patients, the cancer risk for selected anaemia subtypes and the distribution of cancer-related anaemia. - [The clinical utility, feasibility and acceptability of a genomic test to target bowel cancer screening (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/the-clinical-utility-feasibility-and-acceptability-of-a-genomic-test-to-target-bowel-cancer-screening/) - This PhD project seeks to answer questions of clinical utility, feasibility and acceptability of risk stratified population colorectal cancer screening guided by a lifestyle or genomic risk model delivered in general practice. - [Investigating the use of routine blood tests and reflex testing to improve the early diagnosis of myeloma](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/investigating-the-use-of-routine-blood-tests-and-reflex-testing-to-improve-the-early-diagnosis-of-myeloma/) - Introduction Myeloma is one of the hardest cancers to diagnose because it is unlikely to be suspected by a GP. Once suspected, however, myeloma is relatively easy to diagnose. There are many reasons why myeloma is unlikely to be suspected. It is a rare cancer and patients present with a range of non-specific symptoms, including - [Are common blood tests being optimally used for early cancer diagnosis? (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/are-common-blood-tests-being-optimally-used-for-early-cancer-diagnosis-phd/) - This PhD project will seek to understand how common (non-biomarker) blood tests are currently used in primary care for cancer investigations with the aim of identifying opportunities to optimise their use for achieving earlier diagnosis. - [The effect of increasing age, frailty and cognitive impairment on time to diagnosis of suspected cancer: a population based electronic health records study](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/the-effect-of-increasing-age-frailty-and-cognitive-impairment-on-time-to-diagnosis-of-suspected-cancer-a-population-based-electronic-health-records-study/) - Introduction Over 60% of cancer diagnoses in the United Kingdom (UK) are in patients aged 65 and over. Cancer recognition, referral, diagnosis and treatment in older adults is complicated by the presence of frailty and existing co-morbidities, leading to lower survival rates and poorer quality of life. Early cancer diagnosis is associated with higher survival - [A multimodal electronic capsule for identification of visual and biological markers of early-stage colorectal cancer – Samplecam](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/a-multimodal-electronic-capsule-for-identification-of-visual-and-biological-markers-of-early-stage-colorectal-cancer-samplecam/) - Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects up to 5% of the world’s population, being the second most common cause of death in the UK. During the Covid-19 pandemic, access to endoscopy units has been severely compromised. Faecal immunohistochemistry test (FIT) has been proposed as an alternative to stratify those patients at risk of developing CRC who - [Towards a toothbrush sensor for passive biomarker monitoring - "Sens Or Pass"](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/towards-a-toothbrush-sensor-for-passive-biomarker-monitoring-sens-or-pass/) - Introduction Early diagnosis of cancer is a priority for the NHS, with a target of 75% of new cancer diagnoses detected at early stage by 2028. Early stage cancer diagnosis is key to allow a wider range of treatment options which translate in increase survival. Cancer affecting the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts have some - [Lung Cancer Diagnosis Disparity](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/lung-cancer-diagnosis-disparity/) - Project summary This study will examine disparity in the diagnostic pathways for men and women of Black/African American descent in the United States. This qualitative study will triangulate the perspectives of cancer patients and their caregivers with those of healthcare providers and community advocates. The study uses Anderson’s Model for Cancer Diagnosis to develop the - [Experiences along the diagnostic pathway for patients with advanced lung cancer](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/experiences-along-the-diagnostic-pathway-for-patients-with-advanced-lung-cancer/) - Project summary Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, and the second most common cancer type in the United States. A significant proportion of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. With the discovery of driver oncogenic mutations and the advent of oral targeted therapies, the prognosis of many lung cancer patients - [Improving early detection of cancer in primary care (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/improving-early-detection-of-cancer-in-primary-care-phd/) - Project summary The annual number of patients newly diagnosed with cancer in the Netherlands is rising and has recently exceeded 100,000, leading to 45,000 cancer related deaths each year. Cancer survival rates in the Netherlands are low compared to other countries in Central and Northern Europe. One of the reasons might be that in the - [Artificial Intelligence for Detection Of Cancer - AI-DOC](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/artificial-intelligence-for-detection-of-cancer/) - Project summary Earlier detection of cancer has major impact on the prognosis. In countries with a gate keeping system (like the Netherlands and the UK) more than 80% of patients with cancer present themselves in primary care, the majority of them with vague symptoms. The primary care physician (PCP) has to assess the risk for - [The IC3 Trial: Identifying Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer in Primary Care](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/the-ic3-trial-identifying-cirrhosis-and-liver-cancer-in-primary-care/) - Project summary Many patients with a common liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), have undiagnosed cirrhosis. These patients have missed the opportunity for surveillance that could detect HCC earlier and improve chances of survival. We have established an accurate cirrhosis detection pathway and aim to examine its effect and cost on early HCC diagnosis and HCC - [What factors influence the decision to investigate cancer symptoms in older adults: a qualitative study](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/what-factors-influence-the-decision-to-investigate-cancer-symptoms-in-older-adults-a-qualitative-study/) - Project summary People of a similar age can have very different levels of health, independence and outlooks on life. This is especially true for older people such as those over 80 years of age who could have poor health and be dependent on others for care. If a frail, older patient experiences symptoms which could - [Investigating the conversion rate of routine referrals for patients presenting with symptoms of possible cancer](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/investigating-the-conversion-rate-of-routine-referrals-for-patients-presenting-with-symptoms-of-possible-cancer/) - Project summary A delay in cancer diagnosis may have important implications for the type of treatment a patient will need, how much treatment they may need, and whether they will be cured from their cancer. In order to help diagnose patients earlier, guidelines have been developed that advise general practitioners (GPs) which patients should be referred to hospital - [Diagnostic prediction models for ovarian cancer in primary care (Ovatools): an external validation study](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/diagnostic-prediction-models-for-ovarian-cancer-in-primary-care-ovatools-an-external-validation-study/) - Introduction Ovarian cancer is the 6th most common cause of death from cancer in UK women. Most ovarian cancers are not picked up until the disease is advanced when it is harder to treat. Earlier diagnosis may improve outcomes including survival but this remains challenging. The majority of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed after - [Analysis of Emergency Pancreatic Cancer Diagnoses to Inform Interventions to Reduce Diagnostic Delays](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/analysis-of-emergency-pancreatic-cancer-diagnoses-to-inform-interventions-to-reduce-diagnostic-delays/) - Introduction Pancreatic cancer is increasing in incidence worldwide and is currently the number five cancer killer in the U.K. and number three cancer killer in the U.S. Although cancer-related deaths from most cancer types (lung, breast, colorectal, prostate) have fallen over the past several decades due to better prevention, diagnosis and treatment, pancreatic cancer has - [Diagnostic performance of biomarkers for bladder cancer suitable for primary care: a systematic review](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/diagnostic-performance-of-biomarkers-for-bladder-cancer-suitable-for-primary-care-a-systematic-review/) - Introduction Bladder cancer is the 11th most common cancer in the United Kingdom. Early-stage diagnosis is associated with better survival rates. Given that the majority of bladder cancers are diagnosed following a referral (urgent or non-urgent) from a general practitioner in the UK, timely referral of suspected cases is paramount. However, diagnosis also poses challenges, - [What is the clinical-effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of embedded risk-of-cancer assessment of patients in primary care: the ERICA trial](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/what-is-the-clinical-effectiveness-and-cost-effectiveness-of-embedded-risk-of-cancer-assessment-of-patients-in-primary-care-the-erica-trial/) - This is a cluster-randomised controlled clinical trial of electronic clinical decision support tools for six different cancer types in 710 English general practices. - [SCRIPT: an RCT of genomic-based stratified colorectal cancer screening in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/script-an-rct-of-genomic-based-stratified-colorectal-cancer-screening-in-primary-care/) - Project Summary Colorectal cancer screening is a highly cost-effective strategy to reduce mortality and morbidity from this disease. Australian guidelines recommend a risk-stratified approach in which those at near average risk use the faecal occult blood test from age 50, and only those at increased risk of colorectal cancer have more intensive screening, commencing at - [Think Cancer! WICKED Trial (Wales Interventions and Cancer Knowledge about Early Diagnosis)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/wales-interventions-and-cancer-knowledge-about-early-diagnosis/) - Introduction Wales, like other UK countries, has relatively poor cancer outcomes and late diagnosis is a major contributor. Referral from primary care is informed by NICE guidance, but GPs in Wales are less likely to refer or investigate, and cancer guideline adherence is lower. There is an evidence gap relating to effective ways of reducing - [Interventions to encourage early diagnosis of future cancer after a negative urgent referral](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/interventions-to-encourage-early-diagnosis-of-future-cancer-after-a-negative-urgent-referral/) - Introduction When patients visit their doctor with signs/symptoms that could be due to cancer, they may be referred to be seen by a specialist or have a test within two weeks. More than 90% of those referred on this two-week wait (TWW) pathway do not have a cancer diagnosed. They are discharged or treated for - [Establishing which modalities of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) for early detection and diagnosis of cancer are ready for implementation in primary care in the NHS: a Systematic Review](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/ai-technologies-for-cancer-detection-in-primary-care/) - There is accumulating evidence that AI can assist clinicians to make better clinical decisions or even replace human judgement in certain areas of healthcare. In this scoping review we will focus on which modalities of AI for early detection and diagnosis of cancer are ready for possible implementation in the NHS. - [Identifying Symptoms in Women with Ovarian Cancer from electronic medical records](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/identifying-symptoms-in-women-with-ovarian-cancer-from-electronic-medical-records/) - Project Summary Ovarian cancer often presents late, and has one of the worst outcomes of all gynecological cancers. There are no screening tests for ovarian cancer in widespread use, so women are diagnosed after they present to a primary care clinician with symptoms. Unfortunately the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be nonspecific, so cancer goes undiagnosed in - [CanImpact: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer detection in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/canimpact-the-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-cancer-detection-in-primary-care/) - The likely impact of COVID-19 restrictions on cancer diagnosis and management across the UK have been well described recently (Jones et al., 2020). Key issues include: Primary care adapted by switching to remote methods of consultation with few face-to-face consultations taking place. This may lead to important findings being missed. Patients adapted by reduced contact - [Conceptual framework for early symptomatic diagnosis of cancer](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/conceptual-framework-for-early-symptomatic-diagnosis-of-cancer/) - Introduction Identifying cancer at the earliest opportunity can enable timely treatment and optimise outcomes. National cancer control strategies increasingly encompass interventions to support earlier diagnosis of cancer in symptomatic patients, both through awareness campaigns encouraging prompt help-seeking for possible cancer symptoms and healthcare system policies to support prompt and appropriate assessment and diagnostic resolution. - [The failure to follow up abnormal test results associated with undiagnosed prevalent cancer in primary care (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/the-failure-to-follow-up-abnormal-test-results-associated-with-undiagnosed-prevalent-cancer-in-primary-care/) - This PhD aims to determine the prevalence of abnormal test results and the failure to follow-up these results that are associated with undiagnosed prevalent cancer. - [Non-invasive diagnostic techniques for endometrial cancer in primary care (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/non-invasive-diagnostic-techniques-for-endometrial-cancer-in-primary-care-phd/) - Our study hopes to develop non-invasive diagnostic tools for endometrial cancer that can be used as a bedside test in Primary Care that are acceptable to both patients and clinicians. - [BEST3 Trial: Cytosponge-trefoil factor 3 versus usual care to identify Barrett’s oesophagus in a primary care setting: a prospective, multicentre, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/barretts-oesophagus-trial-3-comparing-the-cytosponge-tff3-test-to-facilitate-diagnosis-of-oesophageal-pre-cancer/) - In this trial researchers will examine whether the Cytosponge test can be used safely, accurately and cost-effectively in GP surgeries. - [Development of risk prediction models for breast, ovarian and prostate cancer](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/development-of-risk-prediction-models-for-breast-ovarian-and-prostate-cancer/) - The CanRisk (cancer risk) assessment tool is being designed to assist clinicians in all clinical settings including primary care and genetics clinics. - [The CRISP Trial: an RCT of computer decision support for risk-stratified colorectal cancer screening in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/the-crisp-trial-an-rct-of-computer-decision-support-for-risk-stratified-colorectal-cancer-screening-in-primary-care/) - This trial tests an electronic risk tool which accounts for a person’s age, sex, diet, lifestyle and medicine history and provides personal advice about bowel cancer screening. - [Examination of diagnostic pathways of people with lung cancer (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/examination-of-diagnostic-pathways-of-people-with-lung-cancer-phd/) - The overall purpose of this study is to examine the diagnostic pathways by which people are diagnosed with lung cancer in Washington state. Examining the pathways to diagnosis of patients with lung cancer will help to answer key questions about individuals who are identified by recommended LDCT screening, those diagnosed through symptomatic presentation or through opportunistic diagnosis. - [Melanoma risk assessment and tailored prevention in general practice (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/melanoma-risk-assessment-and-tailored-prevention-in-general-practice/) - This PhD will be the first series of studies in Australia to test and measure the acceptability and usefulness of skin self-monitoring apps for melanoma from a patient perspective. - [International comparison of FIT use across the globe in primary care symptomatic patients: A narrative view](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/international-comparison/) - This project will collect data to see how well FITs perform at diagnosing colorectal cancer in the primary care population, and to recommend a Hb level for further diagnostic testing when patients have a positive FIT. - [Establishing diagnostic accuracy of haemoglobin in faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) and establishing a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for FITs in the English primary care symptomatic population: A cohort study in the South West of England](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/south-west/) - This project will collect data to see how well FITs perform at diagnosing colorectal cancer in the primary care population, and to recommend a Hb level for further diagnostic testing when patients have a positive FIT. - [Conceptualising and measuring patient experience in the diagnosis of cancer](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/conceptualising-and-measuring-patient-experience-in-the-diagnosis-of-cancer/) - This project will aim to explore the theory that a lack of evidence exploring how to optimally measure patient experience of diagnostic tests and strategies reflects a lack of appropriate conceptual frameworks and robust measurement tools about the patient experience of diagnostic tests. - [Establishing acceptability and outcomes for faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) in the English primary care symptomatic population: a mixed-methods study in the East of England](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/east-of-england/) - This project will collect data to see how well FITs perform at diagnosing colorectal cancer in the primary care population, and to recommend a Hb level for further diagnostic testing when patients have a positive FIT. - [A systematic review to evaluate whether dermoscopy can be used accurately and effectively in primary care to improve the timely diagnosis of melanoma](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/dermoscopy-melanoma/) - A systematic review of existing research focusing on whether dermoscopes, with suitable training, can be used accurately and effectively by GPs, to improve early diagnosis of melanoma. - [Examining methodology to identify patterns of consulting in primary care for different groups of patients before a diagnosis of cancer: a matched retrospective cohort study](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/examining-methodology-to-identify-patterns-of-consulting-in-primary-care-for-different-groups-of-patients-before-a-diagnosis-of-cancer-a-matched-retrospective-cohort-study/) - Introduction There are indications that multi-morbidity may affect diagnostic timelines for cancer. However, establishing diagnostic timelines with a degree of certainty may be difficult as a recent study regarding lung cancer suggests that the first symptoms patients visit their GP with may not actually be caused by cancer in up to half of patients. Misattribution - [Direct access to fast transvaginal ultrasound for earlier diagnosis of ovarian cancer (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/direct-access-to-fast-transvaginal-ultrasound-for-earlier-diagnosis-of-ovarian-cancer/) - This project aims to assess the feasibility of implementing direct and fast access to TVUS through general practice for women presenting vague and non-specific symptoms, with a view to diagnosing OC earlier. - [Investigating the impact of changes in the NHS in response to the COVID-19 crisis on cancer diagnosis in the South West of England](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/investigating-the-impact-of-changes-in-the-nhs-in-response-to-the-covid-19-crisis-on-cancer-diagnosis-in-the-south-west-of-england/) - Introduction The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in many important and immediate changes in health policy in the UK National Health Service (NHS), many of which impact upon the process of investigating and diagnosing cancer in primary and secondary care. As of March 2020, such changes across the healthcare system include fewer consultations in primary care, - [Variation in timeliness of diagnostic investigations for symptomatic patients and effect on cancer outcomes: facilitating the implementation of Faster Diagnosis Standards](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/variation-in-timeliness-of-diagnostic-investigations-for-symptomatic-patients-and-effect-on-cancer-outcomes-facilitating-the-implementation-of-faster-diagnosis-standards/) - Introduction Diagnosing cancer at an early stage and before it becomes a medical emergency is paramount for improving survival, patient experience and disruptions to health services. Efforts to improve the timely diagnosis of cancer for symptomatic patients comprise fast-track diagnostic pathways, cancer waiting time targets, including the recent Faster Diagnosis Standards (FDS), rapid access diagnostic - [Associations between co-morbidities, route to diagnosis and stage in lung cancer: a cohort study using routinely collected data](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/associations-between-co-morbidities-route-to-diagnosis-and-stage-in-lung-cancer-a-cohort-study-using-routinely-collected-data/) - Introduction In the United Kingdom (UK), 47,000 patients are diagnosed with lung cancer each year, and the disease is the leading cause of cancer death. The earlier lung cancer is detected the more likely it is that it can be treated effectively and cured – earlier diagnosis of lung cancer has the potential to improve - [Comorbidities among patients diagnosed with cancer & how they influence the diagnostic process in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/4006-2/) - Introduction The majority of cancer patients are diagnosed after symptomatic presentation in primary care. Pre-existing health problems (usually termed morbidities) may influence how symptomatic individuals are investigated for, and eventually diagnosed with, cancer. However, there is little evidence regarding the nature and frequency of morbidities among the population of cancer patients and on how such - [Patterns of clinical investigation before cancer diagnosis in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/patterns-of-clinical-investigation-before-cancer-diagnosis-in-primary-care/) - Introduction Currently, we know little about how often and in what clinical circumstances investigations ordered by GPs tend to be used (or not used); the nature of investigations (including common test combinations); their impact on diagnostic timeliness and other aspects of the diagnostic process; if different GP practices differ in their use of investigations; and - [SPOtting Cancer among Comorbidities (SPOCC) programme: Supporting clinical decision making in patients with symptoms of cancer and pre-existing conditions.](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/the-spotting-cancer-among-comorbidities-spocc-programme-supporting-clinical-decision-making-in-patients-with-symptoms-of-cancer-and-pre-existing-conditions/) - Project Summary Current recommendations for investigating possible cancer do not take into account the presence of other long term conditions, such as obesity or diabetes. There are multiple reasons that may make it harder to spot possible cancer in these patients and lead to delays in diagnosis and worse survival rates. For example thinking the - [Are patients with high-normal platelet counts at increased risk of cancer?](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/are-patients-with-high-normal-platelet-counts-at-increased-risk-of-cancer/) - Our previous work found that cancer risk was greatly increased for people with clinically high platelets (cells in the blood that enable clotting). The NORMA study will investigate whether people with platelet counts at the high end of the normal range are also at increased risk of cancer. - [A review of clinical guidelines on the diagnosis of cancer in older adults](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/a-review-of-clinical-guidelines-on-the-diagnosis-of-cancer-in-older-adults/) - Introduction A definition of the elderly is specific to socio-economic and cultural factors and varies across different world regions, often roughly associated with the national pension age. The United Nations use over 60 to refer to old age. In High income Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries health state and average functioning - [Diagnostic accuracy of FIT in patients urgently referred for colorectal cancer](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/diagnostic-accuracy-of-fit-in-patients-urgently-referred-for-colorectal-cancer/) - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most frequent types of cancer worldwide, and a leading cause of cancer death. Patients presenting with ‘alarm’ symptoms may be referred by their general practitioner. We aim to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and applicability of FIT in this group of patients. - [Future Health Today: A pragmatic 12-month cluster randomised controlled trial of quality improvement activities in general practice (appropriate investigation of people at increased risk of undiagnosed cancer and pharmacological therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk in people with chronic kidney disease) compared to active control](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/future-health-today-a-pragmatic-12-month-cluster-randomised-controlled-trial-of-quality-improvement-activities-in-general-practice-appropriate-investigation-of-people-at-increased-risk-of-undiagnose/) - Project Summary Future Health Today (FHT) is a technology platform that provides audit-and-recall, clinical decision support and monitoring of quality improvement activities. Two disease modules have been developed initially within the FHT platform: Cancer module which searches the electronic medical record (EMR) for patients with abnormal test results (elevated PSA, platelets and anaemia) and additional - [Aids to cancer diagnosis in primary care](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/aids-to-cancer-diagnosis-in-primary-care/) - This study is part of a wider Health and Technology Assessment study whose overall aim is to understand the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and current use of cancer diagnostic tools to aid decision-making in primary care. - [Development of a risk assessment tool for ruling out cancer in patients being referred for possible cancer diagnosis](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/development-of-a-risk-assessment-tool-for-ruling-out-cancer-in-patients-being-referred-for-possible-cancer-diagnosis/) - The aim of this project is to create a “rule-out” test for cancer, using the existing data and “waste” blood that the NH already collects, which can be used by GPs to help identify patients with potential cancer symptoms who do not have cancer. - [Exploring the complex relationships between pre-existing conditions and cancer diagnosis in an ageing population (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/exploring-the-complex-relationships-between-pre-existing-conditions-and-cancer-diagnosis-in-an-ageing-population/) - A multi-disciplinary PhD project, exploring the relationship between pre-existing conditions and cancer diagnostics in symptomatic patients in primary care. - [The economics of cancer: Evaluation of the equity and efficiency trade-offs in colorectal, lung and ovarian cancer (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/cost-effectiveness-of-decision-tools-for-early-diagnosis-further-exploration-of-the-factors-influencing-smarter-referrals-phd/) - Introduction Cancer represents a significant healthcare burden in the UK, where it is associated with an estimated 5% of total medical expenditure. Between 2014 and 2016 there were an estimated 363,000 incident cancer cases each year, with incidence only estimated to increase over the next decade. Although, in recent years there has been a significant - [Impact of decision tools for early cancer diagnosis in general practice on GP workload and patient ‘flow’ during consulting sessions (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/impact-of-decision-tools-for-early-cancer-diagnosis-in-general-practice-on-gp-workload-and-patient-flow-during-consulting-sessions-phd/) - Using information collected on consultation timings of real consulting sessions this project will explore the impact of use of Risk Assessment Tools on GP workload. - [Development of a primary care head and neck risk assessment tool (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/development-of-a-primary-care-head-and-neck-risk-assessment-tool/) - This study will investigate how GPs feel about RATs that are currently in use and what their views on a new tool to help with referrals for suspected head and neck cancer. - [The diagnostic utility of inflammatory markers in primary care: a prospective cohort study (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/the-diagnostic-utility-of-inflammatory-markers-in-primary-care-a-prospective-cohort-study/) - This project aims to find out whether blood tests called ‘inflammatory markers’ could help GPs to diagnose cancer. We will also look at whether they are useful for other important illnesses, such as infections and autoimmune conditions. - [Investigation of potential for using point of care tests for early cancer diagnosis in primary care (PhD)](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/investigation-of-potential-for-using-point-of-care-tests-for-early-cancer-diagnosis-in-primary-care-phd/) - Introduction Early cancer diagnosis is associated with better survival rates and health outcomes. Currently United Kingdom (UK) cancer survival rates need to be elevated and this can be achieved by improving diagnostic pathways and reducing missed diagnosis. Primary care is usually the first point of contact for patients with symptoms suspicious of cancer, which is - [CanRisk - Risk-stratification and prevention](https://www.cantest.org/research-projects/canrisk-2/) ## Categories - [Uncategorized](https://www.cantest.org/news/category/uncategorized/) - [Events](https://www.cantest.org/news/category/events/) - [Project Update](https://www.cantest.org/news/category/project-update/) - [CanTest people](https://www.cantest.org/news/category/cantest-people/) - [Education and training](https://www.cantest.org/news/category/education-and-training/) - [Research Funding](https://www.cantest.org/news/category/research-funding/) - [Awards](https://www.cantest.org/news/category/awards/) ## Tags - [Traveling fellowship](https://www.cantest.org/news/tag/traveling-fellowship/) ## Letters - [A](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/a/) - [B](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/b/) - [C](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/c/) - [D](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/d/) - [E](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/e/) - [F](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/f/) - [H](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/h/) - [J](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/j/) - [K](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/k/) - [L](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/l/) - [M](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/m/) - [N](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/n/) - [P](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/p/) - [R](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/r/) - [S](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/s/) - [T](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/t/) - [V](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/v/) - [W](https://www.cantest.org/people/letter/w/) ## Groups - [Core Team](https://www.cantest.org/people/group/core/) - [Affiliated Researchers](https://www.cantest.org/people/group/affiliated-researchers/) - [Researchers](https://www.cantest.org/people/group/researchers/) - [PPI Representatives](https://www.cantest.org/people/group/ppi-representatives/) ## Project Type - [Core Projects](https://www.cantest.org/research/projects-type/core-projects/) - [Affiliated Projects](https://www.cantest.org/research/projects-type/affiliated-projects/) - [International Projects](https://www.cantest.org/research/projects-type/international-projects/)