A
core clinical research team has been created, led by Dr Thomas entirely self
funded entirely from commercial, lottery and charitable sources. A full report
of our research can be found in the Primose
Research update.|
The Primrose Oncology Clinical Research Unit |
A
core clinical research team has been created, led by Dr Thomas entirely self
funded entirely from commercial, lottery and charitable sources. A full report
of our research can be found in the Primose
Research update.
Translational
research projects have been established via the appointment of Dr Naderi, a
Medical Oncologist who also runs a Lab in
We are now recruit 38% of patients into home grown, NCRN or commercial trials annually. A source of funding in addition to the 100k raised form Dr Thomas leading a team in the London Marathon each year. All team members, including our receptionist, participate in clinical research and have presented work in international meetings each year.
Summary
of completed projects
|
Title
|
Publication:
Journal & date |
Key
improvements |
|
Patient’s
preferences for video recorded information.
Effect of age, sex & ethnic group. |
Thomas
R, Deary A, D. Stockton, |
We learnt from patients how they want information
and discovered deficits in our service.
|
|
Patient
information satisfaction following a diagnosis of cancer. |
Deary
A, Thomas R. Annuls of Oncology. 1999, 9, S4, p143. |
This is initial survey showed that patient were
dissatisfied |
|
Anxiety
& Depression - Effect on patient’s preferences for info. |
Thomas
R, Brown C, Stockton D. Anns of Onc 9, S4, pp 141. |
Poor information is associated with Anxiety and
depression |
|
Epo
for anaemia & qol in patients undergoing chemotherapy |
H
Thomas, R Thomas, K McAdam, |
Epo improved anaemia and qol |
|
Epoeitin:
Attitudes of community and hospital nursing staff. |
A
Deary & R Thomas. EJC. Vol.35. Suppl.4. p.30
(ab. 92). |
Epo use is well accepted by nursing staff |
|
Do
patient's want the same information as the GP? |
Kaminski
E, Deary A, Thomas R. EJC. 1997. 33, S8, 1391. |
Most but not all and may frighten some. |
|
Patient
preferences for a breast care nurse specialist. |
Shingler
G, Smith S, Thomas R. EJC. 1997. Vol. 33, S8, 1397. |
Accepted greater responsibilities of
breast care nurses |
|
Patients
attitudes to a bespoke filofax information system. |
Kaminski
E, Balusu R, Thomas R. EJC.
1997,. 33, S8, 1401. |
Highly acceptable |
|
Patient
information: A new structured information package. |
DeZeeuz
N, Bulusu R, Thomas R. EJC.
1997. 33, S8, 1400 |
Feed back from patients helped us design this file |
|
Where
do patients seek additional information after a diagnosis? |
Shingler
G, Bulusu R, Thomas R. EJC. 1997. Vol. 33, Sup8, 1426. |
Interesting insight into patient behaviour – word
of mouth |
|
Why
Oncologist should provide a web site for their patients. |
L
|
Uncontrolled internet sites. We developed
cancernet.co.uk |
|
Forewarned
is forearmed – preparatory information on video cassette for
chemotherapy & radiotherapy - a randomised trial. |
Thomas
R, Daly M, Perryman B, |
We developed, then evaluated an information film,
free at |
|
Developing
and evaluating a regional information strategy. |
R
Thomas, C.Lockery. EJC 2001 vol 37, supp.2 pp 62 |
This review summarised our information strategies |
|
Lyphpoma
Chemotherapy – an audit of neutrpenia, dose intensity, and gcsf use in
the |
R
Thomas, J.Sweetman, P Hoskins. EJC 2001 vol 37, supp.2 pp119 |
Showed the lack of maintaining dose intensity in
the |
|
Adjuvant
|
R
Thomas and R Leonard. EJC 2001 vol 37, supp.2 pp61 |
Showed the diverse choice of regimens and lack of
maintenance of dose intensity |
|
Lessons
Learnt from Raltitrexed – QA, Patient Education and Intensive Supportive
Drugs |
R.J.
Thomas, M. Williams, J. Garcia-Vargas Clinical Oncology (2003) 00:1-6 |
For
colorectal cancer - Showed how to optimize tolerability, now
AstraZeneca guidelines |
|
Examining
quality of life issues in relation to endocrine therapy for breast cancer. |
Robert
Thomas. American Journal of Clinical Oncology 2003. Vol. 26, No. 4, p
S40-44 |
Showed the importance of letting patients have
greater input into their management. |
|
RTO1
(MRC) |
National
publication |
Conformal Rxt better |
|
Viktor
study (MRC) |
National
Publication |
Trial stopped - cardiac morbidity |
|
Measuring
information strategies – developing an information satisfaction
questionnaire |
Thomas
R, Kaminski E, Stanton E and Williams M. EJCC, 2004, 13, 65-70. |
This questionnaire is now used internationally to
measure patient satisfaction to information |
|
Giving
patients a choice improves qol: A multi-centre, investigator-blind, RCT of
letrozole v anastrozole |
R.
Thomas, S. Godward, A. Makris, D. Bloomfield, A.M. Moody, M. Williams.
Clinical Oncology (2004) 16: 485-491. |
Qol and tolerability can be improved by giving
patients a choice. |
|
Patient
Information materials in Oncology: Are they needed and do they work? |
Thomas
R, and H Thorton. Clinical
Oncology 1999;11: 225-231. |
This review helped us understand the available
literature and improve our service |
|
How
to deal with the complexities of patient consent? |
Robert
Thomas. Pulse Clinical pp42-43
Dec2003. |
This review helped us re-write our consent sheet. |
|
The
changing face of informed consent |
R
Thomas. B Journal of Can |
This review also helped us re-write our consent
sheet. |
|
What
are the costs of not using rhEPO to treat anaemia in cancer. |
R
Thomas. Focus on anaemia in cancer. 2002, 3, 2, pp52-53. |
This review identified the most cost effective
patients for epo |
|
NICE
guidance on supportive and palliative care – Implications for Oncology
Teams. |
Dr
R Thomas and Professor Alison Richardson. Clinical Oncology (2004) 16: 420-424. |
Summarised the NICE guidelines for oncologist |
|
The
NICE guidance on supportive and palliative care. |
R
Thomas and Prof A Richardson. B J CM2004. 1. 3 |
Summarised the NICE guidelines for managers |
|
Anaemia
fatigue and Epoeitin in Oncology |
R
Thomas. British Journal of Cancer Management. April 2005. |
A summary of the evidence helped us write the epo
guidance |
|
PET
saves man |
R
Thomas, M Williams & S Old. BJCM 2004 Vol. 1 No. 1 |
Highlighted the advantages of PET in colorectal
oncology |
|
Information
– Local policies or a national strategy? |
Thomas
R, British Medical Journal, 1999, vol 318. page 462 |
Comment on the importance of give local info for
local patients |
|
The
Role of an Italian Volunteer Organisation. |
F.
De lorenzo, R. Thomas,. L. 1998. Health communications. |
Evaluated the Italian translation of our patient
information film. |
|
An
open randomised trial of second-line endocrine therapy in breast cancer:
comparison of the letrozole and anastrozole. |
C.
Rose, O. Vtoraya, A. Pluzanska, N. Davidson, M. R. Thomas, S. Johnson, et
al. EJC 39 (2003) 2318-2327 |
This head to head comparison suggested letrozole
has some advantages in terms of response. |
|
Dietary
advice combined with a salicylate mineral and vitamin supplement (CV247)- a phase II study |
R
Thomas, M Blades, M Williams Nutrition & Food Science. 2005 35 ,6,
436-451. |
One of the first studies to suggest dietary
intervetion after cancer may affect progression |
|
Avastin
saves the day |
R
Thomas, A Eldin, BJCC, 2006, vol.2,no.2,
20-21 |
Interesting case report on the use of Avastin |
|
Erbitux
the new team player |
Y
Habba, R Thomas, D Skipper, M Rees, BJCM Jan 2006 |
Highlights a potential new role for erbitux |
|
Complementary
& alternative medicine- evidence online |
J
Richardson, K Pilkington R Thomas, BJCM 2005, 2;2,10-14 |
Reviewed the evidence for |
|
Can
we move to a paperless information system? |
A
Deary, R Thomas, M Williams ESMO 2005 |
Evaluated the attitudes & costs of an online
only system |
|
Patients
in trials are more satisfied with their received info |
R
Thomas, M Williams ESMO 2005 |
Reassures patients they are well informed in
clinical trials |
|
Phase
111 study of gemcitabine and capecitabine for pancreas |
National
publication |
Help understand the chemo responsiveness of
pancreatic ca. |
|
Can
switching to letrozole improve hot flushes, qol and patient preference |
R
Thomas, L Walker, C Marshall, |
This study, with Hull & Cranfield Universities
highlights the qol benefits of changing to letrozole |
|
Adjuvant
breast cancer drugs – blockbusters or bankrupters |
R
Thomas, J Green, M Callam. BJCM Jan 2006 |
Reviewed evidence & cost of
Rx for our health economics study with |
| Cost effectiveness of adjuvant exemestane | R
Thomas, M Williams, J Glen |
|
| Cost effectiveness of adjuvant arimidex | R
Thomas, M Williams, J Glen - ongoing |
|
| Cost effectiveness of adjuvant taxotere | R
Thomas, M Williams, J Glen - ongoing |
|
|
Can
switching to exemestane improve hot flushes, qol and patient preference |
R
Thomas, L Walker, C Marshall, |
This study, with Hull & Cranfield Universities
highlights the qol benefits of changing to exemestane |
| Double blind randomised trial of CV247 v sodium salicylate in men with indolent prostate cancer | R Thomas, M Williams etc - ongoing | NCRN trial designed at Bedford. completed and being analysed. |
Further
information The book Lifestyle
After Cancer summarises the lifestyle evidence from around the world
and provides practical advice for all stages in the cancer journey. A detailed
film available in English, Italian, Urdu,
Bengali, Gujarati & Hindi explains Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy. Cancernet.co.uk
is a comprehensive cancer information resource written by an experienced team of
doctors, health professionals and patients. It contains links and information
on: Specific cancers:
Breast |
Prostate |
Bowel. Cancer
treatments: Chemotherapy |
Radiotherapy |
Hormones | Biological
agents | Complementary
therapies . Lifestyle and cancer:
Exercise | Diet |
Smoking | Sunbathing
| Alcohol. Tips to help
with symptoms and side effects. Financial issues: Traveling
| Travel insurance| Links
to support groups | Books | Tests
for cancer | Clinical trials | What
is cancer | How to avoid cancer | Glossary
| About us | Disclaimer.
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