United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study
IRAS ID
203822
Contact name
Eve Roman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
20 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
With the primary aim of investigating potential causes of cancer diagnosed before 15 years of age, the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study (UKCCS) was set-up in the early 1990s. Under the guidance of internationally recognised clinicians and scientists, this ground-breaking study examined the potential aetiological role of a wide-range of biological (e.g. infections), physical (e.g. ionizing/non-ionizing radiation) and chemical (e.g. prescription drugs) agents acting on parents before the child’s conception, as well as the child during pregnancy and early life. Relationships with other illnesses (e.g. allergy), and birth characteristics (e.g. birthweight) have also been investigated, as have symptom profiles prior to diagnosis, and impact of socio-demographic factors on survival. \n\nPredicated on NHS infrastructures and assembling data from multiple sources, the UKCCS remains one of the largest most comprehensive studies of childhood cancer ever undertaken. Nonetheless, because cancer in children is rare (accounting for less than 1% of all newly diagnosed malignancies in the UK), UKCCS researchers have also joined with investigators from around the world, pooling data with that from other studies to produce key insights into several important associations. Thus far, findings from the UKCCS itself, and those emanating from international collaborations, have been reported in over 80 peer-reviewed articles. \n\nAs knowledge advances, the UKCCS continues to provide a unique national/international resource within which to investigate the potential causes and consequences of childhood cancer. With respect to the latter, understanding the healthcare requirements of survivors, and how they change over time, is a growing public health issue. Importantly, using linkages to national healthcare databases, the UKCCS is particularly well-placed to address such questions. Accordingly, the present application seeks to update the study to comply with current ethical standards, to continue with our existing research and collaborations, and to gain approval to study the health of childhood cancer survivors.\n
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0135
Date of REC Opinion
27 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion