Around 1 in 5 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK take part in a clinical trial.
A study looking at breath samples to detect cancer early (PAN Cancer Early Detection Study)
Cancer type:
Bladder cancer
Kidney cancer
Liver cancer
Oesophageal cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Prostate cancer
Stomach cancer
Status:
Open
Phase:
Other
This study is looking to see if it is possible to analyse breath samples to spot cancer early.
Cancer Research UK supports this study.
More about this trial
It is easier to treat cancer that is diagnosed early. This is because it might be smaller and won’t have spread to other parts of the body. But finding some types of cancer early isn’t easy as there are very few symptoms.
So, researchers are looking for new ways to spot these types of cancer. In this study they are looking at breath samples.
Early research shows that cells inside the body make substances that end up in the blood and are breathed out from the lungs (exhaled). These studies point out that the substances might be different if someone has cancer. The researchers in this study plan to collect and analyse breath samples to see if the exhaled breath can detect cancer. They’ll compare samples from people who have cancer with people who don’t.
The study is for people who have are having tests at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for one of the following types of cancer:
- kidney cancer
- prostate cancer
- bladder cancer
- stomach cancer
- cancer of the food pipe (oesophagus)
- pancreatic cancer
- liver cancer
The aim of the study is to find out if analysing breath sampling can detect patterns of substances that might help spot cancer early.
Please note – you won’t benefit from taking part in this study. But researchers hope it might help people in the future by diagnosing cancer earlier.
Who can enter
The following bullet points list the entry conditions for this study. Talk to your doctor or the study team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.
Who can take part
This study is for people who are having tests for symptoms that could be one of the following types of cancer:
- kidney cancer
- prostate cancer
- bladder cancer
- stomach cancer
- cancer of the foodpipe (oesophagus)
- pancreatic cancer
- liver cancer
As well as the above, to take part in the study, you must be at least 30 years old.
There are specific entry conditions for each cancer type. The study team will check these to see if you are suitable to take part.
Who can’t take part
You cannot join this study if any of these apply.
Cancer related
You:
- can’t give the breath sample
- have had experimental treatment as part of a clinical trial in the 28 days before giving the breath sample
- have given a tissue sample or had a test called an
endoscopy 
in the 48 hours before doing the breath test - have a type of cancer that doctors aren’t looking at in this study
- have cancer that has come back (recurred)
- have had any other cancer in the last 2 years apart from
basal cell skin cancer , squamous cell skin cancer , CIS of the cervix that was successfully treated at least 1 year before joining this study
Medical conditions
You:
- have had a mild infection in the last 2 weeks or a major infection in the last 6 weeks that needed treatment in hospital, for example hepatitis B hepatitis C or tuberculosis
- have lung problems such as cystic fibrosis or pneumonitis
- have asthma or long term lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and you had treatment in hospital or had to take steroids in the last 6 weeks
- have severe kidney problems
- have had a stay in hospital for symptoms that aren’t related to the tumour in the last 6 weeks
- have HIV with a very low resistance to infection (a severe immune deficiency)
- have had lung surgery or a type of lung surgery called VATS or bronchial termoplasty
As well as the main entry conditions, there are specific exclusion conditions for each cancer type. The study team will check these to see if you are suitable to take part.
Trial design
The researchers need 1,100 people to take part. The study is taking place at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
The breath test
The study team will ask you to perform a breathing test. This is quite easy to do. They’ll ask you to wear a special mask over your nose and mouth and breathe normally for a maximum of 12.5 minutes. You might feel a slight wind blowing in your face as you breathe.
During the procedure, a healthcare professional will check your breathing and whether you are comfortable. If you feel uncomfortable during the procedure you are free to stop it and consider continuing afterwards. You will be able to remove the facemask yourself or a healthcare professional will help you.
The mask is attached to small device that collects the sample. The study team will store your breath in 4 small tubes. They will send these to the laboratory to be analysed.
ReCIVA breath sampler used to collect breath samples
Hospital visits
You have 1 hospital visit to give the breath sample. The research nurse will organise this appointment for you. It takes about 30 minutes.
Before you give the breath sample, the study team:
- ask about your medical history
- check if you have any symptoms
- ask if you take any medication
- ask if any of your close family members have ever had cancer
- ask if you are a smoker and time since your last cigarette
- measure your height and weight
- ask what you had had to eat before the test
You then give the breath sample for 12.5 minutes. The study team might ask you to return for an additional three breath samples if you agree to this.
Side effects
There aren’t any side effects of having the breath test. However, having the face mask might feel uncomfortable as it covers the nose and mouth and may feel claustrophobic in a small number of people . The nurse should be able to adjust the straps, and this should help. You are free to stop the breath test at any time if it feels too uncomfortable.
Location
Cambridge
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
Chief Investigator
Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald
Supported by
Owlstone Medical Ltd
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cancer Research UK
Questions about cancer? Contact our information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
Last review date
CRUK internal database number:
15741
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
Around 1 in 5 people take part in clinical trials
Last reviewed:
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