Research

CanTest collaborations are identifying and evaluate novel and alternative approaches to cancer detection, particularly for ‘difficult-to-diagnose’ cancers. We aim to influence policy and practice to improve cancer diagnosis and patient outcomes.

CanTest researchers work closely with our Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) team and external partners to evaluate specific tests for cancer detection, gain international perspectives of test provision and usage, and assess patient acceptability and safety for use in primary care.

From this page, you can access the portfolio of CanTest projects. These are approved for inclusion after a two-stage scientific peer review process. This includes assessment against the following principles:

1. The current diagnostic process in primary care is a problem;
2. Improving the triaging and diagnostic process related to (1) may have value to patients and society by having a potential impact on the morbidity, mortality, patient experience or healthcare utilisation of patients with and without cancer;
3. There is at least promising evidence from Phase 1 or later phases of the CanTest Framework, or research from other settings;
4. The diagnostic process is potentially feasible in community or primary care settings.

There are three main types of CanTest research:

• Core projects – this is research formulated and undertaken in the UK within CanTest, or led by a member of CanTest but involving other researchers, and either fully or partly funded by the programme.
• International projects – this is research undertaken at one of the five international CanTest sites, either fully or partly funded by the programme.
• Affiliated projects – this is research formulated and led by a team of researchers involving a member(s) of CanTest, or research led by a member of CanTest that is relevant/related to cancer diagnostics but not core CanTest business, and is funded externally.