Three Virginia health systems work together to serve as one of eight groups in the United States to conduct Cancer Screening Research Network research.
NORFOLK, Va. — Groundbreaking research is about to begin to better understand and treat all forms of cancer.
Three Virginia health systems work together to serve as one of eight groups in the United States to conduct Cancer Screening Research Network research. This includes Hampton Roads' own Sentara Health, Sentara Health Research Center, and academic partner Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS).
“You never know what you're going to find,” said Cindy Allen, executive director of the Sentara Health Research Center. “We may end up with new guidelines, new standards of care.”
Allen said the network will be the first to be implemented at such a large scale, with a specific focus on cancer screening.
Clinicians perform cancer screening as part of their daily practice, but screening methods may vary. This includes imaging, biomarkers, and even new tests.
Dr. John Sayles, a colorectal surgeon at Sentara Medical Group, said the goal is to detect cancer in its early stages.
“We're looking for changes in the DNA and different mutations,” Sayles said. “If we can catch it at a very early stage, when the tumor is already starting to change its DNA, if we can catch it early, we can treat it.”
The first study is called the Vanguard study. Up to 24,000 people aged 45 to 70 will be enrolled to inform plans for a larger randomized controlled trial. This will involve approximately 225,000 people to evaluate the benefits and harms of these multiple cancer detection tests.
In Virginia, three selected health organizations are investigating the effectiveness of two liquid biopsy tests compared to standard cancer screening care to help primary care settings integrate the tests into routine practice. We plan to evaluate whether this is possible.
There is already an emphasis on gathering information from a diverse population in Virginia and across the country to get a more accurate picture.
“If you're invited to do this kind of research, I really hope you feel free to participate. It's going to be great research, and it's going to be great research, and I think it's going to be a great study, and I think it's going to be a great study, and it's going to be a great study, and it's going to be a very diverse group of people that we can get, as well as a lot of people. It’s the best we can get.’ That’s it,” Sayles said.
No date has yet been set for the official launch of the Vanguard study.
