Predicting risk of ovarian malignancy improved screening and early detection feasibility study
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN54246466 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN54246466 |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 208219 |
| Protocol serial number | IRAS project ID: 208219 |
| Sponsor | Queen Mary University of London |
| Funders | Cancer Research UK, The Eve Appeal |
- Submission date
- 05/06/2017
- Registration date
- 20/06/2017
- Last edited
- 30/07/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Cancer
Plain English summary of protocol
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
Scientific
Barts Cancer Institute
Queen Mary University of London
Room 4, Basement, Old Anatomy Building
Charterhouse Square
London
EC1M 6BQ
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0003-3381-5057 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)797 372 3455 |
| r.manchanda@qmul.ac.uk |
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 |
|---|---|
| f.gaba@qmul.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Multi-centre prospective pilot cohort study |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Predicting risk of ovarian malignancy improved screening and early detection feasibility study: a multi-centre prospective pilot cohort study |
| Study acronym | PROMISE-FS |
| Study objectives | It 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 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Prevention of ovarian cancer |
| Intervention | Potential 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 type | Mixed |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Acceptability and uptake of the study: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Use of helpline, measured by the proportion of individuals using the helpline during the study and by the helpline evaluation questionnaire |
| Completion date | 01/05/2024 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | All |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target sample size at registration | 140 |
| Total final enrolment | 123 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Women aged ≥18 years |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Past history of tubal cancer/ovarian cancer/primary peritoneal cancer 2. Personal history of genetic testing for ovarian cancer predisposing genes |
| Date of first enrolment | 09/06/2017 |
| Date of final enrolment | 20/11/2017 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
London
EC1M 6BQ
United Kingdom
2-14 Ilford Hill
Ilford
London
IG1 2QX
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 15/05/2020 | 30/07/2025 | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ||
| Other publications | Qualitative study of unselected population genetic testing for personalised ovarian cancer risk prediction | 19/04/2022 | 30/07/2025 | Yes | No |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
30/07/2025: Publication references added.
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.
