NIHRDataInsights/HRCSData huggingface dataset:
Title: A randomised controlled trial of a brief psychological intervention to increase the uptake of colorectal cancer screening in Scotland
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Screening is key to early detection. The Scottish programme of CRC screening is running successfully, and involves all adults aged over 50 being invited to post back a faecal sample for testing every 2 years. However, screening uptake is sub-optimal, often below 50%. Recent research has shown that asking people to consider the emotional consequences of not participating in screening (anticipated regret, or AR), can lead to a significant increase in screening uptake. We propose testing a simple AR manipulation, in a large RCT with 60,000 members of the general public. They will be randomly allocated to one of 3 arms, no questionnaire, control questionnaire or AR questionnaire. The primary outcome is test kit return. If this AR intervention leads to a significant increase in CRC screening returns, this would represent a rare example of a theoretically-driven, simple intervention that could result in earlier detection of CRC and many more lives saved.


Research activity codes: 4.4 POPULATION SCREENING
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Cancer diagnosis as an opportunity for increasing uptake of smoking cessation services among families: an exploratory study of patients’, family members’ and health professionals’ views
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Effective smoking cessation services exist but uptake is <10%. Smoking cessation is particularly important for people with cancer, where continued smoking causes significantly worse morbidity and mortality. Evidence suggests that cancer diagnosis can be a powerful catalyst to behaviour change and that smoking cessation interventions are more likely to be effective if families are involved, and health professionals are proactive. This study aims to identify whether and how recently diagnosed cancer patients and their close family members can effectively and appropriately be encouraged to engage with smoking cessation services. In order to design acceptable, feasible and effective ways of engaging patients and families, the emotional demands of the diagnosis and influence of health professionals and family members on smoking cessation must be considered. This qualitative study explores these issues. Findings will be used to identify a number of potential approaches to enable smoking cessation at this sensitive but crucial time.


Research activity codes: 5.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Improving Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer: the role of Candidacy
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: ‘Candidacy’ is a useful concept for better understanding lay risk perception, and provides an aid to the collective estimation of risk. ‘Candidates’ are identified by observing cases within families, social networks, communities and society and are viewed as those who are most, or least, likely to suffer illness. We aim to explore the role of ‘candidacy’ in perceptions of colorectal cancer, and in particular how ‘candidacy’ affects symptom appraisal and participation in bowel cancer screening. Through interviews with invitees to the Scottish Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (participants and non-participants) and a secondary analysis of interviews with colorectal cancer patients we will explore the components of colorectal cancer candidacy. We will consider our findings in the context of how risk information about colorectal cancer is presented to the public and aim to recommend ways that this will improve the early detection of colorectal cancer.


Research activity codes: 4.3 INFLUENCES AND IMPACT
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Geographical differences in the uptake of colorectal and breast cancer screening in Scotland
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Cancer screening can detect disease at an early stage but the benefit depends on the level of uptake and there is a marked gradient in participation by deprivation. Interventions to increase uptake could target areas of high deprivation but evidence shows that identifying populations by deprivation alone can mask spatially varying relationships between uptake and deprivation. We propose a study to examine geographical variations in uptake within and between colorectal and breast screening programmes in Scotland using mapping techniques and geographically weighted regression. The aim would be to identify areas with lower or higher uptake than predicted by deprivation quintile alone and thus allow interventions to be targeted with maximum benefit. The characteristics of any areas with higher than expected uptake could help inform future interventions. It is anticipated that the methodology developed in this study could be used to investigate other health behaviours.


Research activity codes: 4.3 INFLUENCES AND IMPACT
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: TreatWELL – a feasibility study to assess the delivery of a lifestyle intervention for colorectal cancer patients undergoing potentially curative treatment
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) survival has improved, but in Scotland, survivors still have notable excess mortality within the first year post diagnosis compared to other European countries. In addition, survivors have high rates of co-morbidities. Evidence suggests that lifestyle improvements have considerable potential to impact on morbidity and recurrence. This study aims to assess the feasibility of delivering an intervention programme (TreatWELL) for CRC patients undergoing potentially curative treatments. It is estimated that 30 patients will commence the programme shortly after diagnosis and continue for 31 weeks (to include the period when habits are being re-established). The programme will facilitate stepped changes towards smoking cessation, increase in activity to 150 minutes moderate intensity/week and caloric intake appropriate to weight status. Feasibility outcomes include recruitment rates, ease of programme implementation, adherence, patient acceptability of the programme (content, delivery and evaluation measures), factors influencing adherence, retention and delivery costs.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL;8.2 HEALTH AND WELFARE ECONOMICS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: A pilot study of the feasibility and patient-related outcomes of performing a walking intervention in patients undergoing treatment for rectal cancer (The REx Trial).
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Rectal cancer is the fourth commonest cancer in the UK and evidence from observational studies suggests that improved physical activity after surgery can improve physical function, quality of life, fatigue, cancer recurrence and cancer specific mortality. This study aims to assess the feasibility, physical and psychological effects of a walking intervention in patients before their surgery (pre-habilitation). Over 2 years, 80 patients with rectal cancer who will be undergoing neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (CRX) followed by curative surgery will be recruited and randomised to either intervention or control groups. The intervention group will undergo a progressive individual walking intervention for 15-17 weeks as they undergo their CRX, whilst the control group maintain their usual activity levels. The primary outcome is to assess feasibility. The secondary aims are: the effect of the walking intervention on number of steps walked per day; peri-operative outcomes; compliance; fatigue; quality of life; active time and sedentary time.


Research activity codes: 6.7 PHYSICAL
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: A phase I-II feasibility trial of Cancer Carer Medicines Management (CCMM): an educational intervention for carer management of pain medication in cancer patients at end of life.
Funder: Marie Curie

Abstract: Pain in people with cancer at the end of life is common, and can cause considerable distress to both patients and family carers. Research into unpaid carers’ needs for practical and nursing skills at the end of life highlights education to help them manage pain medicines is a top priority. Despite this, there has been a lack of research to develop and evaluate a theory-driven, evidence-based, nurse-led intervention for unpaid carers on pain medicines management. We will therefore focus on developing and testing the education and support needed by carers in this important area. First, we will draw together the evidence across previous studies and make conclusions about what might work best – e.g. what information do carers most want, and in what form? We will then ask carers and health care professionals their views about this evidence and what else is important to them. We will use all this to design a prototype education and support package for carers on pain medicines. We will then ask 12 people with experience in pain medicines for cancer (including both unpaid carers and health professionals) to review this. After revisions, we will test whether the package has the potential to improve carers’ experiences of managing pain medicines. We also need to know at this stage whether the research will work: e.g. can we recruit enough carers? How will they feel about being involved in the education? We will address these aims using a feasibility trial. 12 nurses working with patients at end of life and their carers will be recruited: 6 nurses from one centre in Hampshire; and 6 nurses from GP practices in Cardiff. We will train 3 nurses at each site to put the education and support into practice. The other 3 nurses at each site will be our ‘control’ group. Each nurse will recruit 5 carers who will be asked to complete questionnaires to measure their experience in managing pain medicines, as well as their overall feelings. Carers will complete these on first meeting the nurse, and 1and 4 weeks after they receive the package (intervention group) or usual care (control group). A researcher will interview carers about their experiences at 1 and 4 weeks and will interview nurses on study completion. We will then analyse changes in carers’ questionnaire scores and carers’ and nurses’ experiences to assess whether the education and the study might work on a larger scale.


Research activity codes: 7.2 END OF LIFE CARE;7.3 MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Phospholipase D as a target for drug design in advanced prostate cancer
Funder: Prostate Cancer UK

Abstract: Phospholipase D (PLD) is implicated in the survival and invasiveness of cancers because it regulates several signalling pathways including mTOR, Wnt and ERK. Its role in prostate cancer and the development of castrate-resistant disease is not well defined and is the focus of this proposal. To evaluate the potential therapeutic role of PLD inhibitors in advanced prostate cancer, PLD expression and activity will be assessed in primary cultures derived from patients with PCa. The effect of PLD inhibition in reducing PCa cell survival and invasiveness will be tested using primary cells in clonogenic recovery and Matrigel invasion assays and by examining the phosphorylation/expression status of downstream signalling intermediates regulated by or linked to mTOR. These studies will advance knowledge on whether PLD inhibitors could be used therapeutically in PCa to combat advanced disease.


Research activity codes: 5.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: How are risks associated with neutropenic sepsis conveyed to and interpreted by patients undergoing chemotherapy?
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Chemotherapy causes a reduction in white blood cells which can lead to a life threatening blood infection called neutropenic sepsis. Some patients present late with neutropenic sepsis, which increases the risk of death. This research aims to understand patients’ knowledge of risk of neutropenic sepsis during chemotherapy and how this impacts on their behaviour should they become unwell. A researcher will follow the patient experience from the time chemotherapy is first discussed to completion of treatment. Data will be collected from patients, carers and healthcare professionals through observation and interviews. This research aims to inform models of care to assist early reporting of neutropenic sepsis.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS;8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Development of a complex intervention to meet the information and support needs of people providing informal care to patients receiving chemotherapy.
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Many cancer patients have chemotherapy as outpatients. They rely on family and friends (informal carers) to support them at home through their treatments. Little is known about informal carer’s experience of this process or how health professionals should help them support patients at home. Informal carers appear to ‘learn on the job’ with little input from health professionals. Supportive interventions that focus on the informal carer’s practical, educational and psycho-social needs are required. This study aims to develop a package of support for informal carers with input from both informal carers themselves and health professionals. The research will use a mixed-method design and follow the modelling and piloting stages of the UK Medical Research Council Framework for Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions. This approach is useful when components of the intervention are not well understood. The modelling phase will collect data through observation of the chemotherapy outpatient unit and from interviewing 25 informal carers and 25 health professionals. Groups of informal carers and health professionals will then be brought together in workshops. They will consider the findings from the observation and interviewing. They will help identify an intervention package that will meet the needs of informal carers. In the piloting phase, the intervention package will be tested in a pilot study to explore whether it is feasible and acceptable. The findings of this study will underpin a larger scale post-doctoral trial.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES;5.9 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (TREATMENT DEVELOPMENT)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Decision Making in Laryngeal Cancer: the role of the multidisciplinary team and developing decision support
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Patients with laryngeal cancer face important treatment choices between surgical and non-surgical therapy which affect survival and physical and psychosocial function. I will use qualitative methods to analyse the treatment decision process and the function of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in this activity. MDT meetings and subsequent patient clinic appointment(s) will be observed. Semi-structured interviews will explore patients’ perspectives of the decision making process before and after treatment. Data collection and analysis will follow the principles of the constant comparative method. The emergent qualitative data will be used to develop appropriate decision support for laryngeal cancer patients.


Research activity codes: 7.3 MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Communicating BRCA1/2 mutation results to patients with breast and ovarian cancer and at risk relatives: description and evaluation.
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Discussing the issues raised by a diagnosis of cancer is an important part of communicating with cancer patients, yet little is known about how these issues are addressed during clinician/ patient communication about genetic mutation testing or whether the discussion with cancer patients differs from the discussion with ‘at risk’ patients. Advancing technology has made genetic testing increasingly important in cancer management. As a result, more genetic testing is likely and nurses and doctors without genetic counselling expertise will increasingly be faced with the responsibility for communicating genetic test results to cancer patients. The objective of this research is to describe and evaluate current practice in communicating BRCA1/2 mutation results with a view to making recommendations for the future as cancer genetic testing becomes more integrated into cancer care. This will be addressed using quantitative and qualitative methods: identifying the evidence base for current practice with a systematic review of the evidence for communicating with cancer patients in general and communicating specifically about cancer genetic testing; describing what takes place in current practice, comparing cancer patients with those at risk of cancer and comparing the findings with the evidence base; in depth analysis of clinician/patient communication; and exploration of the views of patients and clinicians, both on the research findings and about how these results can effectively be communicated in the future. The expected outcomes of the research will be an understanding of what takes place in current practice, the extent to which this is underpinned by evidence and the development of draft guidelines for communicating cancer mutation results to benefit the care of patients undergoing cancer genetic testing.


Research activity codes: 1.2 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC PROCESSES
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Issues related to the economic analysis of genomic diagnostic technologies for multifactorial genetic diseases in the UK NHS: an exploration of methods using data from a study evaluating a targeted array in haematological cancers
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Objectives: Estimate the costs and outcomes associated with using genomic tests to diagnose and direct therapy in haematological cancers. Compare these tests with current practice by conducting three economic evaluations. Design: Test cost and effectiveness will be based on a study translating these tests into clinical practice. Additional cost and outcomes data will be derived from patient surveys and literature reviews. Economic evaluations will be conducted using decision models. Expected outcomes: The costs and outcomes associated with current practice and genomic testing will be estimated. Expected benefits: Results will be useful to healthcare professionals in clinical practice and decision-makers.


Research activity codes: 8.2 HEALTH AND WELFARE ECONOMICS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: The impact of the NHS reorganisation on access to high cost cancer pharmaceuticals
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: The National Health Service (NHS) aims to deliver fair access to cancer drugs for patients regardless of age, sex, race or place of residence. Delayed access to treatment is associated with reduced cancer survival.This study investigates the impact of the Cancer drugs Fund on prescribing in England and compares this with Wales, which does not have a Cancer drugs Fund. Doctor and patient interviews will explore experiences of using the Cancer drugs Fund and perspectives on ‘fair’ prescribing. Patients using Exceptional Funding Panels and the Cancer drugs Fund to access costly cancer drugs not available on the NHS are compared with the local population to evaluate whether all patients who could access these medicines are receiving them.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES;8.2 HEALTH AND WELFARE ECONOMICS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Survivorship in people with oral cancer and their partners: a mixed methods study examining the patient and partner journey over twelve months from diagnosis, using diaries, interviews and quality of life measures.
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: This study will investigate how diagnosis and treatment for oral cancer affect the lives of people with oral cancer and their partners during the 12 months after diagnosis. The existing literature will be reviewed and people with oral cancer and their partners will be asked to take part in three semi-structured interviews over the study period. They will also be asked to complete diaries about their experiences over the first nine months. In addition questionnaire data about quality of life will be collected from around 1500 people with oral cancer from the Head and Neck 5000 cohort. Findings from each part of the study will be integrated in order to improve our understanding of what it means to be a survivor or to have a partner who is a survivor of oral cancer. This study will provide us with the evidence to inform the development of interventions to help us to better support this group of people.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Optimising Individual Treatment Regimes and Patient Outcomes through the Use of Patient-Reported Toxicity Assessments in Patients treated with Pelvic Radiotherapy
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: As cancer survival improves the “best” treatments should aim to cure the disease with minimal side effects. This project looks at patients treated with pelvic radiotherapy. Monitoring radiotherapy side effects is challenging as there is currently no consistent way of collecting this information and side effects may develop some time after treatment. This project asks patients to self-report their side effects using an electronic questionnaire, during and after treatment, to enable the healthcare team to identify and deal with their symptoms This project will help predict the long term effects of radiotherapy treatment and improve the treatments of future patients.


Research activity codes: 6.5 RADIOTHERAPY AND OTHER NON-INVASIVE THERAPIES
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: How does involving radiographers in mammography image interpretation and reporting improve the quality of care experienced by patients referred to diagnostic breast clinics? A realistic evaluation.
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: This study uses realistic evaluation methodology and case study design to explore the complex nature of clinical decision making related to breast X-ray (mammogram) image interpretation. The study will identify what processes, resources and conditions work best to bring about improvement in quality of care experienced by people suspected to have breast cancer that are referred to hospital by their family doctor. The study will specifically explore the impact of involving non-medical healthcare practitioners (radiographers) in the clinical decision making process and has the potential to inform changes to professional policy, practice guidelines and workforce planning to improve patient care.


Research activity codes: 4.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (DETECTION)
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS
Title: Statins and oesophageal adenocarcinoma - a prospective cohort study investigating if statins are inversely associated with the risk of the malignant progression of Barrett's oesophagus and a feasibility randomised controlled clinical trial of statin use in preventing cancer recurrence in patients post-oesophagectomy.
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: The first study will investigate if statins are inversely associated with the progression of Barrett’s Oesophagus (BO) to both high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and adenocarcinoma (OAC). The methodology is a nested case-control study of 1293 patients in the UK BO Registry. The second study will assess feasibility aspects of a randomised controlled trial of statin use in preventing cancer recurrence in patients following an oesophagegectomy. Here 36 cancer patients will receive either simvastatin or placebo and measurements made of recruitment and retention rates, adherence, side-effects and absorption. Demonstrating a benefit of statins may help to prevent and treat OAC.


Research activity codes: 6.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS