BRAcED: The BRAin tumour Early Detection study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
BRAcED: A qualitative study of patient perspectives on factors affecting timely diagnosis of primary brain tumours
IRAS ID
195095
Contact name
Fiona Walter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
In the UK, nearly 10,000 new brain, other CNS and intracranial tumour cases are diagnosed annually. Despite accounting for ≤2% of all primary cancers, brain cancer is responsible for 7% of cancer deaths before age 70, with an average of >20 years of life lost per patient. NCIN data on routes to diagnosis show that between 2006 and 2013, 61% of within-brain tumours were diagnosed following emergency presentation, with only 1% diagnosed following two-week urgent referral for suspected cancer.
Emergency presentations to specialist care are more likely to include multiple symptoms, and despite a faster time from presentation to surgical intervention and histological diagnosis, are associated with a poorer overall survival. There is thus a need for improving diagnosis of adult brain tumours in primary care. The effectiveness of the HeadSmart campaign in improving diagnosis of paediatric brain tumours through a combined approach, including a detailed understanding of early symptoms, to increase awareness and drive service change has established an important precedent for this rationale.
Little is known about the processes of symptom detection and help-seeking decisions of patients presenting with brain tumour symptoms.
Aim: This qualitative study aims to improve understanding and ultimately streamline timely diagnosis of brain cancer by exploring the total diagnostic interval (TDI) from the perspective of patients recently diagnosed with a primary brain tumour.
Method: The study consists of two stages:
(1) Qualitative in-depth interview study of up to 40 adult patients recently diagnosed with a primary brain tumour to develop a richer understanding of patient experiences, symptoms, and decision-making along the pathway to diagnosis.
(2) Findings arising from analysis of the interviews will be presented at a stakeholder workshop to discuss their implications policy, practice and future research and to validate, refine and optimise recommendations for dissemination and publication.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0179
Date of REC Opinion
19 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion