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Pancreatic Cancer
SuSPECT
SuSPECT – StrategieS to oPtimise Early deteCtion on pancreaTic cancer – aims to determine how existing diagnostic tests can be used more effectively in primary care to manage lower risk upper gastrointenstinal symptoms. By identifying strategies for improving GP testing and referral decisions for these symptoms, a more timely diagnosis of pancreatic cancer should be possible.
Communication of Upper Abdominal Symptoms
An exploratory qualitative study of patients communication of upper abdominal symptoms and GPs interpretation of those symptoms, using archived qualitative data.
For more information please contact: Victoria Hardy
Detecting Barrett’s Oesophagus and Oesophageal Cancer – BEST3 Trial
The BEST3 trial assessed whether the CytospongeTM test – a capsule on a string, which expands into a small sponge in the stomach – was effective in increasing the detection of Barrett’s oesophagus among patients with heartburn. A trial of a GP-based test among patients with heartburn, reflux or indigestion symptoms, presenting in primary care. The trial team found that the Cytosponge helped to diagnose ten times as many cases of Barrett’s oesophagus compared to standard care. In some cases, a positive Cytosponge test also led to a diagnosis of earlier stage oesophageal cancer.
A summary of the trial results can be found here and in this paper in The Lancet.
The POSTCARD Study
POSTCARD – the Pathway to Oesophageal and STomach CAnceR Diagnosis Study – had 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 results will help contribute to our understanding of patient pathways leading to the diagnosis of oesophageal and gastric cancer and contribute to new strategies for promoting earlier presentation, referral and diagnosis of these cancers, as well as safety-netting patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms who consult in primary care. Read more in this 2020 BJGP paper.
ECASS
ECASS – Evaluating a Computer Aid for Assessing Stomach Symptoms – was a multi-site phase II exploratory cluster randomised controlled trial aiming to explore the effectiveness of electronic clinical decision-support tools (eCDSTs) that have been developed for general practice in relation to stomach symptoms. Read the full protocol; the trial results will be published in 2021.