The NHS is looking for volunteers as part of the three cancer projects that have been selected as part of the NHS DigiTrials initiative. Almost 150,000 volunteers will take part in these trials to help transform cancer treatment
The NHS is looking for these volunteers as part of the three cancer projects that have been selected as part of the NHS DigiTrials initiative.
The NHS DigiTrials initiative will sign up these volunteers over the next two years with the hopes of improving cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Clinical trials to detect and treat cancer
From this month, anyone who is eligible for this trial will receive either a text or letter from the NHS encouraging them to volunteer to join the research projects.
One of the trials supported by this initiative is BEST4 Heartburn Health, 120,000 volunteers are required for this trial to help test a new screening technique for oesophageal cancer. This will involve swallowing a compressed sponge on a string to extract cells from the food pipe.
The second trial, MyMelanoma, requires 20,000 volunteers. This will be the largest study of melanoma to be performed to date. The results of this trial will improve understanding of melanoma skin cancer and its treatment.
The third trial is PROTECT-C, which is funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research. For this trial, 5,000 women will be recruited. They will take part in saliva-based genetic tests which will be used to check their genetic risk of developing ovarian, breast, endometrial and colorectal cancer.
NHS’ plans to revolutionise cancer treatment
The NHS DigiTrials recruitment service managed by the NHS, will select patients who are a suitable fit for each certain trial. These patients will then be contacted and have the option to take part in this initiative or not.
Vin Diwakar, National Director of Transformation at NHS England, explained that these three initiatives will help to detect and treat cancer.
Children’s Surgery Outcome Reporting project focusing on the care given to children who received complete surgery after birth will also be supported by DigiTrials.
Vin Diwakar continued to explain that this study could ultimately save lives.
