We conduct several research studies relating to gastrointestinal cancer screening and diagnosis, many of which have been running for several years. Follow the study links below for their research abstracts.
Current research
GEM research abstract
Who is involved? Currently recruiting patients undergoing endoscopy testing who are found to have certain pre-cancerous stomach lesions.
Locations: John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
Dates: Recruitment began mid-2024.
Lynch Syndrome Pilot Registry research abstract
Who is involved? Participants who had previously taken part in the CaPP3 trial.
Locations: Four participating hospitals in England.
Dates: The study began November 2022. Data being analysed.
UKFSST research abstract
Who was involved? 375,744 men and women who were 55 to 64 years of age between November 1994 and March 1999 and registered at a participating GP practice were sent an initial questionnaire or letter. Of these, 170,432 men and women were randomised and either assigned to receive flexible sigmoidoscopy screening or the usual care that was offered at the time of the trial.
Locations: 506 GP practices based in 14 UK centres: 11 in England, 2 in Wales, and 1 in Scotland.
Dates: Registered between November 1994 and March 1999. Follow-up is on-going.
IA-AA research abstract
Who was involved? Retrospective data on clinical and pathology results of bowel examinations, collected on approximately 250,000 men and women from 17 UK hospitals and 10,000 from other screening studies. The Intermediate Adenomas study focused on individuals determined from the bowel exam to be at intermediate risk of bowel cancer (Intermediate Adenomas). The All Adenomas study builds on this to look at patients of all bowel cancer risk levels (All Adenomas).
Locations: UK and abroad.
Dates: The study began in 2006. Data being analysed.
FIT for Follow-Up research abstract
Who was involved? 8,009 men and women aged 61 to 70 years who had a positive stool test in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme and had a large polyp or a few small ones found at subsequent colonoscopy. These patients were told they needed a follow-up colonoscopy at 3 years and were invited to participate in the FIT for Follow-Up study.
Location: England.
Dates: The study began in February 2012. Data being analysed.
Completed research
SIGGAR research abstract
Who was involved? 9,218 men and women aged 55 years or over between March 2004 and December 2007 and were referred to one of the participating NHS hospitals with bowel cancer symptoms at the time of the SIGGAR randomised-controlled trial. 8,484 were eligible for the SIGGAR study and of these 5,448 were randomised to receive investigation of their symptoms by CT colonography or usual care.
Locations: 21 NHS hospitals across England.
Dates: Registered between March 2004 and December 2007. Study closed 17 February 2022.
SOCCER research abstract
Who was involved? Approximately 7,472 men and women who were aged 55 years or over between March 2004 and December 2007 and were referred to one of the participating NHS hospitals with bowel cancer symptoms at the time of the SIGGAR randomised controlled trial.
Locations: 21 NHS hospitals across England.
Dates: Registered between March 2004 and December 2007. Study closed 17 February 2022.
ASCEND research abstract
Who was involved? Approximately 750,000 individuals who were invited to take part in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England. Half received one of four different sets of information and the other received the usual information.
Location: England.
Dates: Intervention occurred between November 2012 and August 2013.
ASCEND2 research abstract
Who was involved? Approximately 370,000 individuals who were routinely invited for screening in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP). Participants were randomly allocated either to receive an invitation letter with a GP endorsement or the standard letter sent out at the time by the BCSP without a GP endorsement.
Location: England.
Dates: February to March 2016.