BeSpoke Programme
Bespoke aims to build and evaluate a risk-stratified prostate pathway for cancer screening, detection, treatment and surveillance.
Previous screening studies using traditional biopsy showed that prostate cancer deaths can be reduced but at the cost of diagnosing harmless cancers whose treatment can cause life-changing side effects.
The UK does not have a formal screening programme, and over 16% of UK men are diagnosed when cancer has spread outside of the prostate and can’t be cured. Hospital-based diagnostic tests for prostate cancer include an MRI scan, but some hospitals are offering poor-quality scans that can miss some cancers.
We are looking at developing a personalised or bespoke pathway which would offer screening and treatment to reduce prostate cancer death but minimise the harm to urinary, sexual and mental health by avoiding unnecessary tests and treatment.
Aims
- Explore community testing for men at the highest risk of aggressive cancer.
- Offer high-quality prostate MRIs across the UK so that cancers are not missed.
- Develop a personalised monitoring schedule to reduce unnecessary procedures and improve mental health.
- Develop a personalised web-based tool to support men in choosing between different treatments and monitoring.
Investigators
- Professor Caroline Moore - Chief Investigator
- Michelle Buckner - Research Manager
- Mr John Withington - Associate Urology Professor
- Dr Francesco Giganti - Consultant Radiologist
- Dr June Joseph - Qualitative Researcher
- Dr Cameron Englman - PhD student
- Dr Joshua Bridge - Medical Statistician
For more information please contact: nctia.bespoke@ucl.ac.uk
Key collaborators
- Professor M.J. (Monique) Roobol
- Trial Network: NCITA Trials unit
- Brigham and Women's Hospital: Associate Professor Alexander Cole
Sponsor:
University College London (UCL).
Funded by:
National Institute for Health Research.
