Cancer diagnosis
A major focus of the Cancer Theme at the HRC Community healthcare is building interdisciplinary teams to deliver projects to improve cancer control in primary care with impact and direct patient benefit. The work of the Cancer Theme is organised into four sub themes: health records data, clinical studies, implementation science, and diagnostic reasoning.
Our work includes the development and clinical validation of novel HealthTech solutions to improve the speed and accuracy of cancer diagnoses, potentially saving lives through earlier intervention.
Key areas of focus:
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Example projects
- SYMPLIFY – Observational study to assess a multi-cancer early detection test in individuals presenting with signs and symptoms of cancer
- SCAN – Suspected Cancer Diagnostic Pathway evaluation and biobank
- PANACEA – PAN Alimentary Cancer Exhaled breath Analysis evaluation
Impact
Our research aims to:
- Increase early-stage cancer diagnoses to improve cancer outcomes
- Reduce the time from symptom onset to cancer diagnosis
- Save patients unnecessary specialist cancer investigations
- Reduce avoidable health inequalities in cancer diagnosis
- Enhance the efficiency of cancer pathways in the NHS
Collaborations:
We work closely with patients, primary care professionals, cancer charities, researchers from other disciplines and institutions, NHS commissioners, diagnostics services and companies, and cancer care in the hospital setting. This multidisciplinary approach enables the team to use the most appropriate research methodologies to address pressing research questions that have arisen out of direct clinical care.
Get Involved
If you're interested in working with us and would like to discuss how we might work together, please contact us on: cancer@phc.ox.ac.uk.
