The POSTCARD Study Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Pathway to Oesophageal and STomach CAnceR Diagnosis (POSTCARD) Study
IRAS ID
176804
Contact name
Fiona Walter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, months, days
Research summary
The POSTCARD Study has the overall aim of improving the diagnosis of oesophageal and stomach (gastric) cancer by exploring symptom experience and appraisal, self-treatment behaviours, help-seeking decisions, and the influence of health literacy on the total diagnostic interval (TDI) in patients with these cancers.
The study will take place in up to three hospitals across two regions (the East and North East of England) to provide geographical and socio-cultural diversity. Adult patients who have recently been diagnosed with oesophageal or stomach cancer will be invited to take part in the study by a Specialist Nurse/Researcher at the hospital. They will be asked to complete a questionnaire about their symptoms, other illnesses they may have, their confidence with health information and in talking to doctors and nurses (known as a person’s ‘health literacy’), and to provide some personal details such as their gender and level of education. We aim to recruit about 200 participants for this part of the study. We will also conduct face-to-face interviews with up to 40 participants within 10 weeks of their diagnosis to better understand their experiences before their diagnosis.
The results will improve our understanding of diagnosing oesophageal and stomach cancer, which can be used with other research to develop strategies for promoting earlier presentation, referral and diagnosis of these cancers, and safety-netting patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms who consult in primary care.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0086
Date of REC Opinion
29 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion