Supporting Earlier-stage Diagnosis
Health economic evaluation of early diagnosis interventions, and modelling of natural history of cancer to support earlier-stage diagnosis.

20 June 2024
Background
Several new diagnostic tests are being developed. Evaluation studies are critical to help assess whether and how new test discoveries can be implemented in practice and offered to patients. Test evaluation requires input from health economics to assess cost-effectiveness, mixed methods research to select the most important evaluation outcomes, and natural history modelling to understand how different cancers progress.
Policy Relevance & Dissemination
We will produce generalisable evidence to inform the evaluation of new tests. We will support the implementation of emerging tests, and develop a framework for similar evaluations; generate a core outcomes set to guide the evaluation design of future diagnostic technologies; and inform policy on optimal screening and time-to-diagnosis targets needed for maximising reductions in cancer mortality from new tests.
The findings will be shared with policymakers in the DHSC, NHS England and cancer charities. They will be published in academic journals and websites/blogs/social media, and presented at conferences.
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