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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
Prof
Colin
Rees
colin.rees@newcastle.ac.uk
Adam
Biran
adam.biran@newcastle.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs
This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.
Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the third commonest cancer and second commonest cause of cancer death in the UK. In England, around 700,000 patients are referred annually by their GPs for investigation of possible CRC symptoms.
Possible CRC symptoms are commonly investigated by colonoscopy or Computerised Tomographic Colonography (CTC). Both investigations are invasive, and have associated risks. Furthermore, the NHS is struggling with colonoscopy and CTC capacity. Only 55% of English units meet urgent cancer wait targets and there is a significant backlog of patients awaiting cancer investigations as a result of the COID-19 pandemic. Improved strategies to define patients by CRC risk are needed so that invasive investigations can be targeted at those most at risk of CRC. Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) may have a role to play in this.
FIT measures blood within stool samples. It is the basis of population-based screening programmes for CRC. In symptomatic patients, FIT might be used in combination with other indicators to help identify those who are most (or least) likely to benefit from more invasive investigations. However, routine use of this strategy would only be possible if it proved acceptable to both patients and health professionals.
This qualitative study will comprise interviews with patients who have undergone colonoscopy or CTC after FIT and with health professionals from different specialisms. We expect to interview around 30 patients and 30 health professionals. Potential respondents will be identified through clinical teams at collaborating NHS sites as well as through professional networks.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
Observational type: Qualitative;
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
Patients will be excluded if they fulfill any of the following criteria (as judged by the referring clinician, if recruited through a clinical site): 1. Have severe psychological or social problems that would make it inappropriate to contact the individual or expect them to take part in an interview 2. Have communication difficulties, cognitive impairment, or memory difficulties that render them unable to take part in an interview 3. Are not sufficiently proficient in English language to take part in an interview, without an interpreter. 4. Are in receipt of end of life care.
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
Prof
Colin
Rees
colin.rees@newcastle.ac.uk
Adam
Biran
adam.biran@newcastle.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
The study is sponsored by SOUTH TYNESIDE AND SUNDERLAND NHS FOUNDATION TRUST and funded by NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Co-ordinating Centre (NETSCC) .
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Read full details
for Trial ID: CPMS 53544
You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.
