WHAT IS THE TECHNOLOGY?

The majority of individuals who are later diagnosed with cancer, first present in ambulatory settings (e.g. primary care, emergency medicine). Detecting possible cancer in patients presenting in ambulatory care is challenging, and there is evidence that some individuals have symptoms of cancer for periods of time (weeks, months), before they are diagnosed and start treatment. 

Unfortunately there is very little evidence from primary care settings of the performance of existing tests, and a lack of understanding of how new biomarkers that are emerging will fit into these clinical settings.  

This is an international collaboration of researchers with expertise in cancer diagnosis in primary care, led by the Universities of Cambridge and Exeter in the UK, with partners with University College London, Leeds University, Melbourne University, Aarhus University, Baylor College and the University of Washington. 

We are identifying best practices from existing and emerging tests used internationally, and learning from different models of care delivery that will help to improve the prompt diagnosis of cancer in primary care settings.