Ongoing Research
PRiCAN’s research is grounded in primary care and focuses on advancing cancer prevention, risk prediction, and early diagnosis. We design and evaluate real-world interventions that can be embedded in everyday clinical practice, drawing on methodologies from epidemiology, behavioural science, data analytics, health economics, and clinical trials. Working in partnership with GPs, patients, and policymakers, we are currently leading an implementation trial of community-based lung cancer screening, piloting a non-specific symptom pathway for suspected cancer, and analysing the use of rapid access cancer pathways in Irish primary care. Our goal is to reduce cancer inequalities, inform national policy, and embed sustainable innovations in practice.
QUANT
CHeDDAR-1-IE:
This study aims to delineate the landscape of Irish health data resources relevant to primary care cancer research, a significantly under-explored area that holds substantial potential for improving cancer care.
To systematically identify and map primary care EHR databases used globally for cancer research and evaluation, describing their content, accessibility, validation status, governance frameworks, and readiness for data integration.
MODULUS:
Modelling the extent, drivers, and consequences of overdiagnosis in lung cancer screening, by re-evaluating prior estimates, identifying high-risk subgroups, and assessing its impact on screening effectiveness.
BeauLung:
Comprehensive examination of pathways to lung cancer diagnosis in Ireland.
NSS:
Non-specific symptoms, epidemiology, prevalence, risk factors.
Stakeholder Perspectives on the Development of a Non-Specific Cancer Symptoms Referral Pathway in Primary Care (WP2).
PPP:
A series of systematic reviews examining the primary care prescribing patterns which are suspicious for as-yet-undiagnosed cancer
RiSING:
Exploring applications of machine learning tools for lung cancer risk prediction in primary care.
ERUDITE-MedRec:
Validate the reliability of cancer incidence data recorded in Irish general practice by comparing it with gold-standard data from the National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI).
CRADLE-Coverage:
CRADLE-CancerProfile:
LLANERCH-NSS:
LuCOMO is a research initiative focused on assessing the economic implications of introducing a national lung cancer screening programme in Ireland.
The project has three main objectives:
- Estimate Screening Eligibility – Quantify how many people in Ireland would be eligible for lung cancer screening based on criteria such as age and smoking history.
- Stage-Specific Costing Study – Determine the cost of treating lung cancer patients at different stages of the disease within the Irish healthcare system (input to CEA model).
- Systematic review of LCS Cost-Effectiveness – systematic review of published cost-effectiveness analyses for lung cancer screening.
- Cost-Effectiveness Modelling – Evaluate whether lung cancer screening is a cost-effective and affordable intervention for Ireland. This includes exploring different implementation scenarios and assessing the potential value for money.
MELANIE:
Epidemiology of Melanoma in Ireland
QUAL
BioLux
Evaluating whether the integration of non-invasive biomarkers can improve the efficacy of lung cancer screening.
SPARC:
Establishing an inclusive stakeholder group for primary care focused cancer research in Ireland, to coordinate research efforts and build capacity in researchers and institutions by identifying priorities for and achieve consensus on areas of importance for primary care specific cancer research.
Top10:
This study gathers input from patients, carers, healthcare workers, and researchers to identify the top 10 research priorities for early cancer detection in primary care. Using the James Lind Alliance method, the goal is to guide future research towards what matters most to those affected, leading to earlier diagnoses and better outcomes.
Top 10 Shaping the Future of Cancer Detection in Ireland Detecting cancer early gives people the best chance of survival and can lead to better treatment options and lower healthcare costs. Despite this, most cancer research funding is focused on lab-based science and treatment, with far less support for early detection. This study aims to change that by listening directly to people affected by cancer, their caregivers, healthcare professionals, and researchers, we want to find out what questions matter most when it comes to spotting cancer early in the community. Using a process developed by the James Lind Alliance, we will gather and prioritise ideas from the public and professionals, and work together to develop a ‘Top 10’ list of the most important research questions for early cancer detection in Irish primary care. The goal is to guide future research funding and ensure that it reflects what really matters to those on the front lines—patients, carers, and healthcare workers. By identifying the right questions, we can support research that leads to earlier diagnoses, better outcomes, and improved lives for people across Ireland.
Evaluating the effectiveness of enhancing cancer symptom awareness in the population through public awareness campaigns.
CLIMBER- Co-Designing a Recruitment Strategy for Lung Cancer Screening in High-Risk Individuals: A mixed-methods study. This study aims to develop a practical and effective tool to increase lung cancer screening participation among high-risk adults from low-income areas in Ireland. CLIMBER aims to co-design a targeted recruitment strategy for lung cancer screening, tailored to the specific needs and experiences of high-risk individuals, in collaboration with a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) panel and expert stakeholders in Ireland. Building on an ongoing Lung Health Check trial in communities with high rates of lung cancer and deprivation, the research will use behavioural science principles to understand and address the factors influencing people’s decisions to take part. The process includes interviews with eligible individuals and workshops with experts and patient representatives to design and refine the recruitment approach. By gathering evidence, identifying challenges, and seeking feedback from stakeholders, the study will create a well-supported plan focused.
IMPULSE:
Evaluating the barriers and facilitators to implementing lung cancer screening in community settings.
PELICAN:
The PELICAN study aims to design a targeted lung cancer screening program for Ireland, focusing on those at highest risk. It involves patients and healthcare professionals through qualitative interviews, a discrete choice experiment (DCE), and community juries (CJ) to explore views on screening and ethical use of personal risk data. Researchers will identify barriers to participation and use simulation modelling to test different screening strategies. The findings will help create a cost-effective, tailored screening approach and support progress toward a national program.
Ireland-1:
Scoping Review of Primary Care Cancer Research in Ireland prior to October 2022
TRIALS
Develop a primary care cancer research curriculum for medical students using Kern’s 6-step approach.
GRACCHUS-1:
Audit designed to analyse and understand how general practitioners (GPs) in Ireland use Rapid Access Cancer (RAC) referral pathways, with the goal of improving early cancer diagnosis through more consistent and effective referral practices. (Referral patterns)
GRACCHUS-2:
Investigates how Irish GPs refer patients with suspected cancer to Rapid Access Clinics, aiming to understand referral patterns, diagnostic outcomes, and practice-level variation to guide improvements in cancer care. (Referral patterns + outcomes)
Explores how people in South Africa experience the path to lung cancer diagnosis, aiming to identify barriers and opportunities for earlier detection through community engagement and health system analysis.
Explore the efficacy of mHealth interventions in promoting lung cancer screening uptake, focusing on patient demographics, intervention characteristics, and the underlying mechanisms and contexts influencing their effectiveness.
LISTEN:
(“Leveraging an artificial Intelligence Scribe Tool to detect Early Non-specific symptoms of cancer”)
Investigate use and impact of digital scribe technologies within primary care, further develop these technologies to flag NSS during consultations with the aim of facilitating earlier cancer detection.