CANDID

CANcer, DIagnosis Decision rules (CANDID) is the first collaborative project within the School to involve all eight partner universities. The five year study received £2 million – the largest award made to date by the SPCR. The study uses clinical information (supplemented with optional blood or saliva samples and lifestyle information) from 20,000 patients who visit their GP with possible symptoms of early lung or colon cancer. The research aims to develop ways of predicting who is more at risk of getting cancer. It hopes to determine which signs and symptoms are most predictive of those who go on to be diagnosed with the disease and thus reduce referral rates. While improving early referral rates is important, it is essential that the system isn’t overloaded with patients who are at low risk of contracting cancer.