Detecting Cancer Early
About this Priority Setting Partnership
When cancers are detected at an early stage, there is improved survivorship and morbidity due to wider treatment options and less intrusive treatment. Run by the National Institute for Heath and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), the Detecting Cancer Early Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) was established in 2018 to identify unanswered questions about what could improve the early detection of cancer. Over 1,300 people responded to the initial question-gathering survey.
The Detecting Cancer Early PSP Top 10 was published in September 2019.
Key documents
Top 10 priorities
- What simple, non-invasive, painless, cost-effective, and convenient tests can be used to detect cancer early?
- Can a blood test be used to detect some or all cancers early, and how can it be included into routine care?
- Would increasing access to tests to diagnose cancer within General Practices improve the number of cancers detected early, and is it cost effective?
- What cultural, religious, gender (including transgender), and behavioural issues (including stigma associated with illness) prevent a person from reporting early symptoms of cancer?
- How can genetic testing be effectively used to identify individuals at risk of developing cancer?
- Can we use a cancer-relevant diagnostic tool (eg, reminders in medical records) to help recognise patients presenting on multiple occasions with similar symptoms?
- Can effective screening tests be developed for cancers we do not currently screen for (eg, lymphoma, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer)?
- Can we use data from patients who have already been diagnosed with cancer to look for early warning signs that might have been missed or not investigated appropriately at first appointment?
- What is the best way to coordinate information between different health-care sectors and professionals to improve early detection of cancer?
- Can we predict how a tumour develops more accurately, and would this approach help to reduce unnecessary investigations and treatment (ie, overdiagnosis)?