Is The 1939 Cancer Act fit for purpose in the modern technology era?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is The 1939 Cancer Act fit for purpose in the modern technology era?
IRAS ID
358314
Contact name
Priya Joshi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The 1939 Cancer Act in the UK (England & Wales) prohibits advertising of cancer treatments to the public, by anyone but the NHS. The rise of the internet and social media presents new challenges to its enforcement and raises questions about unintended consequences for public health.
Through anonymous surveys, this study aims to understand how patients, healthcare professionals and industry professionals perceive technological changes and their implications for online and social media cancer care information, as well as highlight opportunities for safe and ethical modernisation.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0218
Date of REC Opinion
3 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion