ABSTRACT
Aim: Blood-based biomarkers have shown promise for diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC) and adenomas (CRA). This review summarizes recent studies in this area. Methods: A literature search was undertaken for 01/01/2017-01/03/2023. Criteria included CRC, CRA, liquid-biopsy, blood-based tests and diagnosis. Results: 12,378 studies were reduced to 178 for data extraction. Sixty focused on proteomics, 53 on RNA species, 30 on cfDNA methylation, seven on antigens and autoantibodies and 28 on novel techniques. 169 case control and nine cohort studies. Number of participants ranged 100-54,297, mean age 58.26. CRC sensitivity and specificity ranged 9.10-100% and 20.40-100%, respectively. CRA sensitivity and specificity ranged 8.00-95.70% and 4.00-97.00%, respectively. Conclusion: Sensitive and specific blood-based tests exist for CRC and CRA. However, studies demonstrate heterogenous techniques and reporting quality. Further work should concentrate on validation and meta-analyzes.
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ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Radiation therapists implemented telephone follow-up (TFU) in 2015 as an additional point of care post-treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether TFU identified patients who required additional post-treatment care before the next scheduled review. METHODS: Between January 2015 and July 2016, all patients who were prescribed curative intent treatment aged 18 years or over were called 10 days post-radiation therapy (RT). Eight questions were developed and included asking patients how they were coping, if their side effects were improving, if they needed to contact the hospital and if more dressings were required. Patients who could not be contacted after two attempts were excluded from the study. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) were used to analyse the responses. RESULTS: Data were collected from 850 patients. A total of 28/846 (3%) of patients reported they were not coping after RT, with 26/830 (3%) reporting their side effects were getting worse. A total of 97/826 (12%) of patients felt they needed to contact the hospital because they were unwell. This study identified 104/677 (15%) of patients who responded required more dressings, with 67/104 (65.7%) and 10/104 (9.8%) of this cohort identified in the breast, and head and neck groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Radiation therapist-led TFU has shown to be beneficial in identifying a small cohort of breast and head and neck cancer patients who required additional care post-radiation treatment.
Subject(s)
Head and Neck Neoplasms , Telephone , Cohort Studies , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Parents of babies admitted to neonatal units experience an arduous emotional journey. Feelings of helplessness, fear, sadness, guilt, grief and anger are common. These feelings can lead to anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress which may persist long after discharge from the unit. Support from a parent with first-hand experience able to empathise with problems and challenges may help. This systematic review will identify quantitative and qualitative evidence to address the role of parent-to-parent support interventions for families of babies cared for in neonatal units, and combine the findings in an integrated synthesis. METHODS: We are working in collaboration with a study-specific Parent Advisory Group (PAG) of parents who have relevant and varied lived experience of having a baby in neonatal care and those who have been involved in providing peer support. With the PAG, we will carry out a systematic review bringing together all existing research on parent-to-parent support for parents of babies cared for in neonatal units. This will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The protocol has been produced in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol extension (PRISMA-P). We have co-produced a plain language protocol summary with the PAG which details the different stages of the project, and this is available via our website ( http://clahrc-peninsula.nihr.ac.uk/research/parent-to-parent-support ) for anyone interested in learning more about the detail of the project. DISCUSSION: All outputs will be available on the NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC) website and promoted via PenCLAHRC networks as well as organisations that have been contacted throughout the project. PAG members will be involved in writing and reviewing the academic paper and final report and in co-producing dissemination products such as plain language summaries. The PAG will influence the main conclusions of the systematic review, aid interpretation and help to communicate results in the most appropriate ways. We will hold an impact conference with representatives from neonatal units, national neonatal networks, commissioners of services and parents to discuss what the findings mean for clinical practice and service provision. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018090569.
