Raman spectroscopy and colorectal cancer
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background and study aims
Bowel cancer is one of the commonest cancers worldwide. Earlier detection causes better outcomes for patients and longer survival. Symptoms of bowel cancer are non-specific and are shared by harmless bowel disorders. It is a challenge for doctors in general practice to diagnose bowel cancer and many symptomatic patients are sent to hospital for tests to rule it out. This is normally a colonoscopy, which is expensive, uncomfortable and can be harmful. The current approach to diagnosis causes great anxiety in patients waiting for these tests and is not a prudent approach to diagnosis. To allow earlier diagnosis by GPs we have studied whether a newly designed blood test taken in primary care is accurate and effective in patients with bowel symptoms that could be linked with cancer. This would benefit a large number of patients who are concerned about their bowel symptoms without the need for referral to hospital. It could also lead to diagnosis of bowel cancer at an earlier stage improving survival in the longer term. The aim of this study is to use a newly developed blood test for bowel cancer in primary care to achieve an earlier diagnosis. This would allow more timely appropriate treatment both for patients diagnosed with bowel cancer and those who are cancer free.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 50 years and older who have symptoms of bowel cancer.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group have their Raman spectroscopy blood test done immediately and those in the second grou have their sample tested after they’ve had a diagnosis. The amount of participants who are referred on the USC pathway from each group are assessed after 12 months.
DISEASE(S): Colorectal Cancer
PROVIDER: 2416539 | ecrin-mdr-crc |
REPOSITORIES: ECRIN MDR
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