A study looking at how to investigate causes of brain tumours in children and young people (UK CYAB)
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This pilot study was done to find out if it would be possible to do a larger study looking at the causes of brain tumours in children and young people.
Researchers are planning a large study to find out more about the causes of brain tumours. They want to look at a variety of possible factors. This study will run alongside similar international studies. Hopefully all these results will be combined to improve our understanding of brain tumours in children and young people.
To help prepare for the full study, the researchers did this pilot study first. The aims were to
- Find out if it is possible to recruit large numbers of young people up to the age of 24
- Test a questionnaire to see if it provides the right information
- Develop ways to collect and store blood and cell samples
- Help the researchers prepare documents for the larger study
Summary of results
The research team were able to recruit people onto this pilot study, and feel the larger study would be possible.
The research team running this study interviewed
- 49 out of 94 people (52%) with a brain tumour who were eligible to take part
- 78 out of 247 people (32%) who didn’t have a brain tumour and were eligible to take part (the control group)
They asked the people taking part about a number of different factors, including
- Whether they were breastfed or not
- Their birth weight
- How many brothers or sisters they have
- Whether they were born by caesarean section or not
- Their mobile phone use
- Whether they have regular contact with animals
They also asked some of the people taking part if they would be happy to give a blood or saliva sample. They found that everyone said they would give a saliva sample, and more than 8 out of 10 would be happy to give a blood sample.
The research team feel that feedback from those people who took part in this pilot study will help them make improvements to the design of the full study.
They concluded that it would be possible to plan and run a full study looking at the causes of brain tumours in children and young people.
We have based this summary on information from the team who ran the study. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists (
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.
Chief Investigator
Professor P. McKinney
Professor J. Birch
Dr R. Feltbower
Supported by
Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG)
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
The Brain Tumour Charity
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040