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Cancer breath test evaluation in Primary Care (Panacea): A diagnostic study


Each year in the United Kingdom there are over 44,000 deaths related to gastrointestinal (gut) cancers that include oesophageal (food pipe), stomach, pancreas, liver and bowel cancers. These cancers are difficult to detect as the symptoms are similar to other non-cancer conditions but finding gastrointestinal cancer early can saves lives.

What We Are Doing

We are exploring whether a simple breath test for patients with relevant symptoms can help identify more gastrointestinal cancers early. The breath samples are checked for small molecules that might be the presence of gastrointestinal cancer.  The test results can help GPs decide whether a patient needs urgent investigations, or can be reassured and monitored to see if symptoms persist.

AIMS

  

We are working with researchers at Imperial College London to deliver this project. The aims are to:

  • Confirm the accuracy of our breath test for detecting breath molecules that are specific to gastrointestinal cancers
  • Gather a range of perspectives from patients and GP’s on how breath tests can be used in the NHS
  • Study how breath tests can be introduced in primary care
  • Understand whether it is cost-effective to use breath tests in the NHS

HOW ARE WE INVOLVING PATIENTS AND PUBLIC


We carried out a public survey with over 90% of responders supporting the breath test for cancer. A diverse Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group of 6 members affected by gastrointestinal cancer have also identified clear benefits to patients and GPs and provided us with ways to improve patient recruitment to the research. We have worked with charities and appointed a patient representative to our steering committee.

We will continue working closely with our PPIE group throughout the research project.


How we are planning to implement the research outputs

We will develop guidance on how to best deliver this test in primary care that will be used in future large trials, to make sure that the tests work well for everyone.

This project was funded by

 NIHR

Project members: