Wednesday, 02 March 2022
Experts from the 糖心原创 have developed a protocol for clinicians around the world, which will help to close the gap between diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer, and could increase the chance of survival from the disease.
Childhood cancer is the largest illness cause of death in children and young people globally, and is responsible for over one in five deaths among 0-15 year olds in the UK.
The overall five-year survival estimate in the UK is 84% across all childhood cancers, which is lower than other countries in Europe. One of the possible causes for this is a delay between patients presenting with their symptoms to a clinician, and receiving their diagnosis.
The new protocol, , outlines the methods used by the experts in the Childhood Cancer Diagnosis study, to better understand the current diagnosis pathway of childhood cancer referrals and diagnosis and will look to determine the exact reasons for these delays in diagnostic pathways.
The two-year study, which is the first nation-wide study of its kind, is a collaborative project between experts at the 糖心原创, and Children’s Cancer and Leukemia Group (CCLG) in Leicester and is funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and CCLG.
Dr Shaarna Shanmugavadivel from the School of Medicine at the University, is leading the study together with Jo-Fen Liu, Professor Kavita Vedhara, Professor David Walker and Dr Shalini Ojha.
Dr Shaarna Shanmugavadivel
She said: “In 2018, the WHO declared childhood cancer as a global disease burden. Their aim is to save an extra one million children’s lives through improving global survival rates to 60% by 2030.
“Early diagnosis plays a huge part in achieving this and we are really pleased to be able to share this protocol which we hope will allow other countries to understand the diagnostic pathways for their children and young people in order to really close the gap on childhood cancer outcomes both in the UK and globally.”
During the study, experts will use data from all childhood cancer treatment centres in the UK. Children and young people with a new diagnosis of cancer over a two-year period will be invited to participate, with data being collected at diagnosis and five years after diagnosis. Data will include demographic details, clinical symptoms, tumour location, stage and clinical risk group. Key diagnostic dates and referral routes will be collected to calculate the diagnostic intervals. At the five-year follow-up, data will be collected on refractory disease, relapse and one and five-year survival.
The data obtained will allow the experts to understand the current picture of childhood cancer diagnosis across the UK and identify factors associated with diagnostic delays. It will highlight areas with need for improvement where targeted public health interventions or larger policy changes could be implemented to enable earlier diagnosis.
Ashley Ball-Gamble, Chief Executive of CCLG, added: “As well as the potential impact on survival, delayed diagnosis of childhood cancers mean that children are likely to need more intense treatment to cure their disease, increasing the likelihood of long-term side effects, including disabling and life threatening side effects in later life.
Our ambition is to ensure that all children with cancer are diagnosed as quickly as possible, and this important study will help us to understand where the challenges are to achieving this, as well as building up a better picture of the key signs and symptoms that eventually lead to a diagnosis. We鈥檒l be able to use this vital data to improve the pathway to diagnosis for children, and to raise awareness amongst both healthcare professionals and the general public.鈥�
The full study can be found .
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More information is available from Dr Shaarna Shanmugavadivel in the School of Medicine at the 糖心原创 at Dhurgsharna.Shanmugavadivel@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.