Cancer Patienthood in the Post-Genomics Era v.1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  ‘Translations and transformations in patienthood: Cancer in the post-genomics era’

• IRAS ID

  200072

• Contact name

  Anne Kerr

• Contact email

  e.a.kerr@leeds.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Leeds

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 6 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Medical detection and treatment of cancer is improving as we learn more about its genetic causes. Today, rather than focusing on changes or mutations in single genes which allow tumours to grow and spread, scientists are exploring how sets of genes, called ‘genomes’, contribute to cancer. This has led to the development of new tests to detect and screen for cancer, and the potential for treatments to be more tailored to individual patients. More people are now taking part in clinical trials and the public are actively involved in informing and influencing cancer services and research.

  This five year research programme will explore what these medical and scientific developments mean for people with cancer as well as those around them. We’ll interview cancer patients, their families, scientists, healthcare professionals and the wider public. We’ll also observe the work being done at cancer research centres, and in clinics and observe how cancer and genomics are discussed in public meetings and on-line. We want to see how these new developments in the scientific understanding of cancer influence how doctors treat people - and in turn influence people’s experiences of cancer and treatment, their relationships with health professionals and researchers, and their hopes and concerns for the future.

  We’ll conduct the research around four main themes:

  • The potential offered by advances in tailored treatment
  • How early screening for cancer, and testing after cancer, is changing a patient’s experience
  • What it’s like for patients involved in cancer research, especially clinical trials
  • How patients influence research and care, including via the media, on-line and as part of support or campaign groups

  We hope that this work will help change health policy for the better, and improve the care cancer patients get at all stages.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/YH/0229

• Date of REC Opinion

  19 Aug 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion