RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Routine Evaluation of People Living With Cancer

This study is for people living with cancer that cannot be cured. We know that cancer and its treatments can cause many challenges, such as losing weight, feeling very tired, and affecting how you feel day-to-day. At the moment, we don't have a full picture of all these changes. This study aims to gather detailed information about things like your symptoms, quality of life, how your body is made up, how active you are, and your body's natural defences (immune system). By understanding these things better, we hope to find new ways to help people with incurable cancer, improve their care, and guide future research. We're looking for volunteers in the UK to help us gather this important information.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

600

Start

15 Jul 2020

Estimated completion

08 Aug 2029

Cachexia; Cancer Advanced Cancer Quality of Life

What is this study about?

When someone has cancer that can't be cured, they often face many physical and emotional challenges. These can include losing weight, feeling extremely tired, dealing with many symptoms, and finding it harder to do everyday activities. All these things can really affect your quality of life.

Currently, many studies look at these problems separately, but they don't give us a complete picture of how all these issues connect and affect a person as a whole. This study aims to bring all that information together. We want to get a thorough understanding of what it's like for people living with incurable cancer. This detailed picture will help us figure out what new research is most needed and important.

Ultimately, this research could lead to new treatments and better ways of supporting people with incurable cancer. By understanding the challenges better, we can work towards improving care and offering more effective support in the future.

Key takeaways

This study aims to understand how incurable cancer affects individuals.
It will collect information on symptoms, quality of life, and physical changes.
No new medications are involved, mainly questionnaires, blood tests, and body measurements.
The goal is to improve future care and guide new research for people with incurable cancer.
Your participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to join this study if you have cancer that doctors say cannot be cured, meaning it has spread or you are receiving treatment to manage it, rather than cure it. You need to be 18 years old or older. You will also need to be able to understand the study information and be willing to give your written consent to take part.

However, you won't be able to join if you have other serious health or mental health problems that your doctor thinks would make it risky for you to participate. Also, if you have a pacemaker or an implanted defibrillator (a device that helps your heart), you won't be able to have certain body measurements taken, which means you can't be part of this study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do you have cancer that your doctors say can't be cured?
Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you able to understand the study information and agree to take part?
Do you *not* have other serious health issues that would make taking part risky?
Do you *not* have a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will be asked to complete some questionnaires about how you are feeling and your symptoms. You will also have some blood samples taken. These blood samples will help us look at things like inflammation in your body. We will also measure your body composition, which means understanding things like your weight and how much muscle or fat you have. This will involve different methods, including some that measure your body's electrical signals. The study does not involve taking any new medications, and the number of visits and the total duration of your participation will depend on the study's specific schedule, which will be fully explained to you before you agree to take part.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may not directly benefit you, but the information we gather will be very valuable in helping doctors understand incurable cancer better and improve care for others in the future. There are minimal risks involved, mainly discomfort from blood tests and the time commitment. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

St Columba's Hospice
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What kind of cancer makes me eligible?

You might be eligible if you have cancer that has spread or is being treated to manage it rather than cure it.

Will I have to take new medicines?

No, this study does not involve taking any new medications.

How long will I be in the study?

The study team will explain the exact time commitment before you decide to join.

Can I stop participating if I change my mind?

Yes, you can leave the study at any time without it affecting your medical care.

What will happen with my blood samples?

Your blood samples will be used to look for signs of inflammation and how your body's immune system is responding.

How to find out more

Barry JA Laird, MBCHB MD

barry.laird@ed.ac.uk 01316518611 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.