The SCAN-ME Project Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The SCAN-ME Project: Understanding the Value of Follow-Up Scans for Children and Young People with Brain Tumours - Medulloblastoma and Ependymoma
IRAS ID
325321
Contact name
Lucy Beresford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 8 months, 29 days
Research summary
After treatment ends, children, and young people (CYP) with medulloblastoma and ependymoma undergo surveillance imaging to check for cancer recurrence. Surveillance imaging aims to detect tumour relapse before symptoms develop to improve outcomes, but there is little evidence to support this notion. Notwithstanding, scans are costly, and are an emotional burden for families.
This mixed methods project will explore the value of follow-up imaging for CYP with medulloblastoma and ependymoma in three workstreams. This ethics application focuses on Workstream 1.
Workstream 1: To Explore CYP and their parent’s experiences of follow-up imaging for detecting recurrent medulloblastoma and ependymoma.
CYP with medulloblastoma and ependymoma undergoing surveillance imaging and their parents will be recruited to a qualitative study. We hope to recruit around 24-30 participants altogether. Creative methods will be used with children and young people to facilitate conversations about their experiences of surveillance imaging. Semi-structured interviews will be used to young people's and parent’s experiences of surveillance imaging. Transcripts will be analysed using the ‘following the thread' method.
The other workstreams of this project (Workstreams 2-3) will determine whether detecting a relapse using follow-up imaging in CYP with medulloblastoma or ependymoma improves survival outcomes and treatment options; and evaluate whether surveillance imaging for CYP with medulloblastoma or ependymoma is cost-effective.
Results from each workstream will be synthesised using a convergent parallel approach following data analysis.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0176
Date of REC Opinion
5 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion