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Protocol for a feasibility study of a cancer symptom awareness campaign to support the rapid diagnostic centre referral pathway in a socioeconomically deprived area: Targeted Intensive Community-based campaign To Optimise Cancer a...

Pamela Smith Orcid Logo, Gwenllian Moody, Eleanor Clarke, Julia Hiscock Orcid Logo, Rebecca Cannings-John Orcid Logo, Julia Townson, Adrian Edwards Orcid Logo, Harriet D Quinn-Scoggins, Berni Sewell Orcid Logo, Daniel Jones, Christina Lloydwin, Sara Thomas, Dawn Casey, Catherine Lloyd-Bennett, Helen Stanton, Fiona V Lugg-Widger Orcid Logo, Dyfed Huws, Angela Watkins, Gareth Newton, Ann Maria Thomas, Grace M McCutchan Orcid Logo, Kate Brain Orcid Logo

BMJ Open, Volume: 12, Issue: 10, Start page: e063280

Swansea University Author: Berni Sewell Orcid Logo

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Abstract

Rapid diagnostic centres (RDCs) are being implemented across the UK to accelerate the assessment of vague suspected cancer symptoms. Targeted behavioural interventions are needed to augment RDCs that serve socioeconomically deprived populations who are disproportionately affected by cancer, have low...

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Published in: BMJ Open
ISSN: 2044-6055 2044-6055
Published: BMJ 2022
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61665
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Abstract: Rapid diagnostic centres (RDCs) are being implemented across the UK to accelerate the assessment of vague suspected cancer symptoms. Targeted behavioural interventions are needed to augment RDCs that serve socioeconomically deprived populations who are disproportionately affected by cancer, have lower cancer symptom awareness and are less likely to seek help for cancer symptoms. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering and evaluating a community-based vague cancer symptom awareness intervention in an area of high socioeconomic deprivation. Intervention materials and messages were coproduced with local stakeholders in Cwm Taf Morgannwg, Wales. Cancer champions will be trained to deliver intervention messages and distribute intervention materials using broadcast media (eg, local radio), printed media (eg, branded pharmacy bags, posters, leaflets), social media (eg, Facebook) and attending local community events. A cross-sectional questionnaire will include self-reported patient interval (time between noticing symptoms to contacting the general practitioner), cancer symptom recognition, cancer beliefs and barriers to presentation, awareness of campaign messages, healthcare resource use, generic quality of life and individual and area-level deprivation indicators. Consent rates and proportion of missing data for patient questionnaires (n=189) attending RDCs will be measured. Qualitative interviews and focus groups will assess intervention acceptability and barriers/facilitators to delivery. Ethical approval for this study was given by the London-West London & GTAC Research Ethics (21/LO/0402). This project will inform a potential future controlled study to assess intervention effectiveness in reducing the patient interval for vague cancer symptoms. The results will be critical to informing national policy and practice regarding behavioural interventions to support RDCs in highly deprived populations. [Abstract copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.]
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Funders: The work was supported by Cancer Research Wales (grant number: 2514). This research comes under the auspices of the Health and Care Research Wales funded Primary and Emergency Care Research Centre (PRIME) (517195) and Wales Cancer Research Centre (517190).
Issue: 10
Start Page: e063280