Predicting risk of ovarian malignancy improved screening and early detection feasibility study

ISRCTN ISRCTN54246466
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN54246466
IRAS number 208219
Secondary identifying numbers IRAS project ID: 208219
Submission date
05/06/2017
Registration date
20/06/2017
Last edited
16/09/2021
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Cancer
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
Ovarian cancer, or cancer of the ovaries, is one of the most common types of cancer in women. Over 7000 UK women get ovarian cancer every year in the UK and over 4000 die from it. 7 in 10 women still present with advanced disease, which has poor survival. The aims of this study are to assess the feasibility of offering all women the opportunity to find out about their risk of developing ovarian cancer; to assess the interest, acceptability and satisfaction with this process; to assess the impact of providing women with their risk of ovarian cancer; and to assess the use of early detection (screening) and preventive options by women identified to be at increased risk.

Who can participate?
Women aged over 18 who have not had ovarian cancer, tubal cancer, primary peritoneal cancer or a genetic test looking for gene alterations that increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

What does the study involve?
Interested women access a specially designed web-based ‘decision aid’ and have access to a telephone helpline to help them decide if they wish to participate in this study. Women who consent are asked to provide health-related information and a blood sample for genetic testing for known ovarian cancer genes. These include genes which significantly affect risk, as well as a number of other minor faults which have a small effect on ovarian cancer risk. The genetic test results and health information provided are used in a specially developed mathematical model to predict a woman’s ovarian cancer risk. Women found to be intermediate or high risk are offered options of screening (early detection) and prevention through a specialist clinic at Barts Health NHS Trust. Early detection involves a combination of blood tests and an ultrasound scan. Prevention can involve an operation to remove the tubes and ovaries (once family is complete). Participants fill in follow up questionnaires for up to 6 months regarding their satisfaction, acceptability, experience and impact on health and well-being from participating in this study.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
It is hoped that this approach of identifying more women at increased risk and offering options of early detection and prevention can improve outcomes or prevent women from getting ovarian cancer itself. However, it is important to understand the pros and cons as well as the impact of such an approach in a study in a wider population before such a strategy can be introduced. This study will provide information on feasibility and help with the design of a larger study. Possible benefits of participating include the opportunity for women to find out if they are at a ‘high’, ‘intermediate’ or ‘low risk’ of developing ovarian cancer and opt for screening and prevention if found to be at increased risk. Participants also contribute to research efforts to reduce ovarian cancer in women. Drawbacks of participating include the possibility of mixed or negative emotions in some women who receive a positive result, such as feeling frightened, upset, anxious, guilty or depressed, and a potential impact on insurance or marriage prospects. Participants opting for ovarian cancer screening may receive an abnormal marker or ultrasound result despite there being no cancer, causing increased anxiety or upset. Cancer is identified in 1 in 3 to 1 in 10 women who have an operation following an abnormal screening test, so some women may have unnecessary surgery. Removal of the tubes and ovaries prevents ovarian cancer but leads to early menopause in women who are pre-menopausal. This can cause hot flushes, sweats, reduced libido, thinning of the bones and a higher risk of heart disease. These side effects can be minimised by hormone replacement therapy. The operation has a low (3-4%) complication rate.

Where is the study run from?
1. Barts Cancer Institute & Barts Health NHS Trust (UK)
2. Redbridge Primary Care Trust (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
May 2017 to May 2024

Who is funding the study?
1. Cancer Research UK
2. The Eve Appeal

Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Ranjit Manchanda (scientific)
r.manchanda@qmul.ac.uk
2. Dr Faiza Gaba (public)
f.gaba@qmul.ac.uk

Contact information

Dr Ranjit Manchanda
Scientific

Barts Cancer Institute
Queen Mary University of London
Room 4, Basement, Old Anatomy Building
Charterhouse Square
London
EC1M 6BQ
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0003-3381-5057
Phone +44 (0)797 372 3455
Email r.manchanda@qmul.ac.uk
Dr Faiza Gaba
Public

Centre for Experimental Cancer Medicine
Barts Cancer Institute
Queen Mary's University of London
Old Anatomy Building
Charterhouse Square
London
EC1M 6BQ
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)797 372 3455
Email f.gaba@qmul.ac.uk

Study information

Study designMulti-centre prospective pilot cohort study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Other
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titlePredicting risk of ovarian malignancy improved screening and early detection feasibility study: a multi-centre prospective pilot cohort study
Study acronymPROMISE-FS
Study hypothesisIt is feasible to undertake a study to offer all women the opportunity to find out about their risk of developing ovarian cancer as well as offer risk management options of screening and prevention.
Ethics approval(s)London - Central Research Ethics Committee, 30/01/2017, ref: 16/LO/2075
ConditionPrevention of ovarian cancer
InterventionPotential participants who have met the study's inclusion/exclusion criteria and who have expressed interest in the study after receiving a flyer from their GP practice will contact the research team using the contact details (telephone number/email/address) provided on the flyer.

Decision Aid: Interested participants will then be provided access to an online ‘Decision Aid’ which is designed to help the individual decide if she wishes to participate in the study or not. A helpline access is provided for queries. Should the individual wish to participate in the study, telephone consent (consent form-1) will be obtained using a 'telephone helpline'.

Genetic testing: After consent, a blood sample for a panel genetic test will be taken. DNA will be extracted from the blood samples and tested for known ovarian cancer gene mutations: BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51C, RAD51D and BRIP1 as well as the known ovarian cancer SNPs.

Baseline Questionnaire: Participants will also be given a baseline questionnaire to fill in and return by free post. This will gather information about their medical, reproductive and family history.

Epidemiological information gathered from the baseline questionnaire along with results of the panel genetic test will be used by a computerised risk prediction algorithm developed in the PROMISE programme to calculate an individual’s absolute risk of developing ovarian cancer. Women will be categorised based on their absolute risk of ovarian cancer as high, intermediate or low risk of ovarian cancer.

Women found to be at intermediate risk (>5% - <10% life time risk of ovarian cancer) or high risk (≥10% life time risk of ovarian cancer) will be informed of their results at a face to face consultation at a specialist Familial Cancer Clinic. Various options will be discussed:
1. Lifestyle advice
2. Ovarian screening: based on transvaginal ultrasound scan and 4 monthly longitudinal biomarker analysis
3. Prevention: Risk reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO)
4. BRCA1/BRCA2 carriers identified will also be offered breast screening (mammography/MRI)

If required, specialist input from a psychologist, menopause specialist or breast clinician will be available for the individual.

All moderate/high penetrance mutations detected in the research study will undergo confirmatory testing in a NHS genetics laboratory.

Low-risk women (0-5% life time risk of ovarian cancer) will be posted their results. A small proportion will be randomly selected to be told their results in clinic. They will not require any follow up.

Follow up Questionnaires: Follow-up questionnaires will be posted to out to volunteers at 7 days, 3 months and 6 months post results to evaluate attitude, risk perception, cancer worry, satisfaction, impact on psychological health and quality of life as well as their views on the decision aid and telephone helpline. The follow-up completion rate will be assessed.

Women who chose not to participate in the study after viewing the Decision Aid will be given the option to sign consent form 2 to enable the research team to collect additional information on the volunteer’s views of the decision aid, telephone helpline and reasons for not wishing to participate in the study. This is optional.
Intervention typeMixed
Primary outcome measureAcceptability and uptake of the study:
1. Acceptability measured by responses to the decision aid questions and overall score (prior to consent)
2. Uptake measured as number of individuals who express interest in participating in the study (by post/email/telephone) who sign consent form 1
Secondary outcome measures1. Use of helpline, measured by the proportion of individuals using the helpline during the study and by the helpline evaluation questionnaire
2. Risk perception and cancer worry, measured using cancer risk perception and ovarian cancer worry scale questionnaires at baseline, 7 days post results, 3 and 6 months post results for participating individuals (consent form 1), and at study exit for those declining participation (sign consent form 2)
3. Psychological health and quality of life, measured using HADS and EQ5D-5L at baseline, 7 days, 3 and 6 months post results for participating individuals (consent form 1), IES (Impact of Events Scale) used at 7 days, 3 months and 6 months post results for participating individuals, and measured using HADS and EQ5D-5L questionnaires at study exit for those declining participation (consent form 2)
4. Usefulness of decision aid, measured using decision aid evaluation questionnaire post recruitment for participating individuals (consent 1) and at study exit for those declining participation (consent 2)
5. Stratification of ovarian cancer risk category: individuals stratified as high/intermediate/low risk by risk prediction algorithm (post panel genetic test results)
6. Uptake of risk management options, measured as the number of individuals who are intermediate/high risk who accept screening/risk reducing surgery post risk prediction algorithm stratification
7. Satisfaction/regret, measured using decision regret scale questionnaire 3 months post results for participating individuals (consent 1), and using decision regret scale questionnaire at study exit for those declining participation (consent form 2)
8. Follow-up completion rate, measured at study end as the number of individuals who after consenting to participate in the study (consent 1), have the panel genetic test and receive the ovarian cancer test result. The proportion of completed and returned questionnaires is also measured
Overall study start date09/06/2017
Overall study end date01/05/2024

Eligibility

Participant type(s)All
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexFemale
Target number of participants140
Participant inclusion criteriaWomen aged ≥18 years
Participant exclusion criteria1. Past history of tubal cancer/ovarian cancer/primary peritoneal cancer
2. Personal history of genetic testing for ovarian cancer predisposing genes
Recruitment start date09/06/2017
Recruitment end date20/11/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centres

Barts Cancer Institute & Barts Health NHS Trust
Charterhouse Square
London
EC1M 6BQ
United Kingdom
Redbridge Primary Care Trust (PCT)
Beckett House
2-14 Ilford Hill
Ilford
London
IG1 2QX
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Queen Mary University of London
University/education

Joint Research Management Office
QM Innovation Building
5 Walden Street
London
E1 2EF
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)20 7882 7260
Email sponsorsrep@bartshealth.nhs.uk
Website http://www.qmul.ac.uk/jrmo/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/026zzn846

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Cancer Research UK
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
Alternative name(s)
CR_UK, Cancer Research UK - London, CRUK
Location
United Kingdom
The Eve Appeal

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2019
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planResults of the research will be presented at scientific conferences and published in scientific journals. They will also be made available through cancer charities, patient support groups and the Queen Mary University of London website.
IPD sharing planThe current data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Abstract results qualitative results presented at the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) conference 01/11/2019 20/01/2021 No No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

16/09/2021: Cancer Research UK lay results summary link added to Results (plain English).
20/01/2021: Publication reference added.
11/08/2020: Contact details updated.
25/07/2017: The overall trial start date was changed from 01/05/2017 to 09/06/2017 and the recruitment start date was changed from 20/05/2017 to 09/06/2017.