Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx) Blog
Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx) Blog
Posted by jchoules
26 April 2018
Dr Luke Mounce, CanTest Research Fellow
Luke Mounce’s thoughts on attending the CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care …
Two weeks ago, I had the privilege to attend the inaugural meeting of the CanTest International School for Cancer Detection Research in Primary Care, held from 9-13 April at the stunning Jesus College, Cambridge. CanTest is a collaboration of eight institutions (UK: Cambridge, Exeter, Leeds, UCL; international: Washington, Melbourne, Arhus, Baylor) formed through the CRUK’s first Catalyst Award to promote a paradigm-shift in cancer detection research. The aim of CanTest is to establish the evidence-base, feasibility, and acceptability of diagnostic testing for cancer in primary care. Its motto is “Right place, right time, by your family doctor.”
The CanTest team at the School
The School was attended by 15 senior faculty and 30 junior faculty from the collaborating institutions, a PPI representative, and visiting guest speakers. A packed week of excellent teaching from the senior faculty covered topics such as: identifying existing and emerging technologies/biomarkers for potential use in primary care; challenges in the use of such tests; understanding physician and patient experiences, benefits and harms; use of routine data; cost-effectiveness of tests; and the evaluation of diagnostic tests. The teaching was supplemented by specific skills training in research methods and presentation.
Session at the CanTest School
Not only did the School provide a fantastic overview of the landscape of cancer detection research, it created a fertile environment for networking and establishing new collaborations within CanTest. Junior and senior faculty discussed research and envisioned new directions throughout the week, and the School ended with the junior faculty presenting novel ideas in groups. The senior faculty decided to set aside some funds for one such idea; to create a resource that details all the various data sources available to CanTest researchers across participating countries (or indeed beyond).
There was a great sense throughout the week that everyone was aligned with the vision of CanTest, and of faculty, junior and senior, across all the institutions, pulling together to create the paradigm-shift in cancer detection. It was very exciting to be a part of, and I look forward to the second CanTest International School next year, and to getting stuck into the collaborations formed to make progress over this next year.
Also, I got to go punting for the first time!
You can find out more about CanTest on its website, and keep up to date with its progress on Twitter (@CanTest_PC), where you can also follow myself (@LukeMounce).