Title: | POSTCARD – The Pathway to Oesophageal and STomach CAnceR Diagnosis Study |
Project Description: | The POSTCARD Study has the overall aim of improving the diagnosis of oesophageal and gastric (stomach) cancer by exploring symptom experience and appraisal, self-treatment behaviours, help-seeking decisions, and the influence of health literacy on the total diagnostic interval in patients with these cancers.
The study is taking place in two 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 gastric cancer are invited to participate by a Specialist Nurse/Researcher at the hospital. They are invited to complete a questionnaire about their symptoms, other illnesses they may have, their confidence with health information and in talking to doctors and nurses (health literacy). We aim to recruit more than 100 participants for this part of the study. We are also conducting face-to-face interviews with up to 40 of these participants within 10 weeks of their diagnosis to better understand their experiences before their diagnosis. The results will contribute to our understanding of patient pathways leading to the diagnosis of oesophageal and gastric cancer. Together with other research, the results will contribute to new strategies for promoting earlier presentation, referral and diagnosis of these cancers, and safety-netting patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms who consult in primary care. |
Project organisation | |
Start date: | 1st July 2015 |
End date: | 30 September 2018 |
Contact person: | Ms Elka Humphrys |
Contact Details: | Primary Care Unit Strangeways Research Laboratory 2 Worts Causeway Cambridge CB1 8RN UK Telephone: (01223) 748692 Fax: 01223 762515 E-mail: esh29@medschl.cam.ac.uk |
Collaborative | Supervisors: Dr Fiona Walter, University of Cambridge Professor Greg Rubin, Durham University Dr Jenni Burt, University of CambridgeAdvisors: Professor Jon Emery, University of Melbourne, Australia Clarissa Penfold, University of CambridgePPI representatives: Mrs Margaret Johnson Mr Anthony RichardsLocal Collaborators and Research Sites: Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge Mr Y Viswanath, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough |
Funding Organisation: | Medical Research Council |
Funding Reference: | School of Clinical Medicine MRC/Sackler Prize PhD |
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Further Information, References and Publications | |