Raman-GynOnc

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Early detection of gynaecological cancers using blood-based technology

• IRAS ID

  359593

• Contact name

  Kerryn Lutchman-Singh

• Contact email

  Kerryn.Lutchman-Singh@wales.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Swansea Bay University Health Board

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 11 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  Gynaecological cancers (such as ovarian, womb and cervical cancer) are often diagnosed at late stage with adverse outcomes. This is largely because of vague symptoms (bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue) and a lack of awareness among health professionals. Existing primary care tests are inaccurate and lack specificity for cancer. Cancer referral pathways are overwhelmed and pressurised, so cancer treatment targets are missed.
  We propose to develop and evaluate a new type of blood test that has shown promise in detecting bowel cancer. It measures light scattering by cancer molecules in blood. Software programmes analyse the test output to return a cancer likelihood result to the healthcare professional.

  Method
  The project will recruit patients being investigated for both ovarian, womb and cervical cancers on existing cancer pathways to determine how accurate the novel blood test is. The study seeks to obtain blood samples for analysis using a spectroscopy in vitro diagnostic device. Outcomes will be used to train and test a machine learning algorithm to allow calculation of the sensitivity and specificity of the device.

  Impact
  The test could be developed into a valuable tool that GPs could use to identify potential cancer patients sooner for improved cancer outcomes. The availability of a simple blood test as an alternative to current invasive diagnostic tools would encourage underserved groups to present sooner with symptoms, and would be a new tool for GPs to use to help risk assess their patients presenting with symptoms towards earlier detection of hard to detect gynaecological cancer.
  

• REC name

  North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1

• REC reference

  25/NS/0078

• Date of REC Opinion

  18 Aug 2025

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion