Improving early detection of colorectal cancer through an innovative highly realistic simulation environment

Project title: Improving early detection of colorectal cancer through an innovative highly realistic simulation environment

Funder: CRUK

Project summary:

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers accounting for over 16,000 deaths a year in the UK. If detected early, over 90% of patients survive five years from diagnosis, compared to only 6% of those diagnosed with advanced disease. However, only 40% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an early stage. The screening techniques are challenging to learn and diagnosis can be missed or delayed because the symptoms of the disease may be similar to other benign coloproctology conditions. As a result, there is a crucial need for improving the training of rectal examination and the use of proctosigmoidoscopy instruments.

This project aims at improving the efficiency of detection and diagnosis of early stage colorectal cancers with the creation of an innovative technology simulated environment based on two distinct aspects. The first one is focused on the sense of touch of the finger when palpating for unsighted cancer cues and the simulation of a wide range of clinical cases. The second one addresses the visual detection of cancer signs with the correct and safe use of proctoscopy and rigid sigmoidoscopy instruments.

Project Aims/Objectives:

This research aims at improving the efficiency of detection and diagnosis of early stage colorectal cancers through the creation of an innovative, highly realistic simulated environment that will enhance the training of healthcare professionals in NHS trusts and GPs in the community, allowing them to:

  • Become more familiar with the normal anatomy of the anal canal, rectum and colon
  • Identify various and rare clinical scenarios through the sense of touch and perform a more accurate diagnostic-based DRE
  • Master the technique of insertion and navigation of rigid sigmoidoscope and proctoscope in an efficient and safe manner.
  • Establish a diagnostic with certitude of the early stage of colorectal cancers and/or differentiating between different benign colorectal conditions and early colorectal cancer (e.g. polyps, adenomas, adenocarcinomas)
  • Understand the practice in a systemic way and get feedback improvements
  • Practice in a safe and realistic environment, learning from possible misdiagnosis without risk to patient
  • Receive formative and summative feedback and compare their performance to themselves and their peers