RAMAN spectroscopy and colorectal cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
RAMAN spectroscopy and colorectal cancer: towards early diagnosis and personalised medicine
IRAS ID
238847
Contact name
Dean A Harris
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Bowel cancer is one of the commonest cancers worldwide. Earlier detection causes better outcomes for patients and longer survival. Symptoms of bowel cancer are non-specific and are shared by harmless bowel disorders. It is a challenge for doctors in general practice to diagnose bowel cancer and many symptomatic patients are sent to hospital for tests to rule it out. This is normally a colonoscopy, which is expensive, unpleasant, uncomfortable and can be harmful. The current approach to diagnosis causes great anxiety in patients waiting for these tests and is not cost effective.
We will study whether the use of the blood test improves the current referral pathway by assessing clinical outcomes and exploring patient and doctor satisfaction, health related quality of life and potential for cost savings . Results from the study will be used by the research team to design a subsequent larger multi-site trial to confirm the role of the blood test.
To allow earlier diagnosis by GPs we have studied whether a newly designed blood test taken in primary care is accurate and effective in patients with bowel symptoms that could be linked with cancer. This would benefit a large number of patients who are concerned about their bowel symptoms without the need for referral to hospital. It could also lead to diagnosis of bowel cancer at an earlier stage improving survival in the longer term.REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
17/WA/0415
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion