Breath Research Narrow Validation for Gastrointestinal Cancer Detection

The investigators of this study are developing a simple breath test to help detect gastrointestinal (gut) cancers earlier, including cancers of the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach, pancreas, liver and bowel. These cancers often cause non-specific symptoms that are similar to benign conditions, making early diagnosis difficult. Delays between the onset of symptoms and referral for a diagnostic test such as an endoscopy or a scan, can allow the cancer to progress. The breath test detects small molecules called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released in exhaled breath. Some of…

• : Adult participants ≥ 18 years old who meet at least one of the following criteria Colorectal arm: 1. Cancer: Histologically-confirmed CRC* 2. Control: Non-specific abdominal symptoms with normal or benign colonoscopy findings Pancreatic arm: 1. Cancer: Histologically-confirmed PDAC* 2. Control: Non-specific abdominal symptoms with a radiologically-normal pancreas Oesophagogastric arm: 1. Cancer: Histologically-confirmed OGC* 2. Control: Non-specific abdominal symptoms with normal or benign upper gastrointestinal endoscopy findings Oesophageal squamous arm: 1. Cancer: Histologically-confirmed OSCC* 2. Control: Non-specific abdominal symptoms with normal or benign upper gastrointestinal endoscopy findings Liver arm: 1. Cancer: Histologically- or radiologically-confirmed HCC or CCC* 2. Control: Non-specific abdominal symptoms with a radiologically-normal liver * Patients with suspected cancer (e.g. based on imaging) but who do not have histological confirmation prior to participating in the study may still be recruited and followed up to determine whether or not a diagnosis of cancer was subsequently confirmed.

Use the source registry for the full inclusion and exclusion criteria before discussing referral or enrolment.