Improving early detection of colorectal cancer through simulation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving early detection of colorectal cancer through simulation
IRAS ID
245104
Contact name
Christos Kontovounisios
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
18IC4624, Sponsor Number
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
• Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers accounting for over 16,000 deaths a year in the UK. If detected early, over 90% of patients survive five years from diagnosis, compared to only 6% of those diagnosed with advanced disease. However, only 40% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an early stage. The screening techniques are challenging to learn and diagnosis can be missed or delayed because the symptoms of the disease may be similar to other benign coloproctology conditions. As a result, there is a crucial need for improving the training of colorectal examination and the use of proctosigmoidoscopy instruments.
• This project aims at improving the efficiency of detection and diagnosis of early stage colorectal cancers with the creation of an innovative technology simulated environment based on two distinct aspects. The first one is focused on the sense of touch of the finger when palpating for unsighted cancer cues and the simulation of a wide range of clinical cases. The second one addresses the visual detection of cancer signs with the correct and safe use of proctoscopy and rigid sigmoidoscopy instruments.
• The design of a medical simulator is an interdisciplinary, iterative process with both technical and cognitive aspects. As part of this study, a Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) will be conducted to provide a detailed sequence of the steps needed to successfully perform the assessment of the anal sphincter functions and use of proctoscopy instruments. We will observe, analyse and measure the ways in which expert clinicians use the instruments (e.g. insertion distance, angles, etc.), obtaining metrics on reference gestures to define the parameters and specifications. A concurrent study of anal manometry measurements and pressure profiles will be led to obtain relevant information pertaining to various clinical cases.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
19/NI/0020
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion