SCAN-ME
When children and young people with medulloblastoma or ependymoma finish their treatment, they have follow-up scans to check that they are healthy and that the tumour has not recurred.
These scans aim to detect a tumour before symptoms develop, but it’s unclear whether they improve survival outcomes. In addition, follow-up scans can make families anxious, and 'scanxiety' is common.
Introducing the project
The SCAN-ME project is a mixed-methods study that will explore whether follow-up scans are worthwhile, by considering the experiences of families, the benefits and risks of scans and the extra costs of providing scans to the NHS.
We have created this video to help introduce the project.
Project workstreams
Workstream 1
In the qualitative study, we will speak to children and young people with medulloblastoma and ependymoma and their parents about their experiences and expectations of follow-up surveillance imaging
Workstream 2
We will conduct a systematic review, and use individual participant data from a UK cohort to determine whether detecting a relapse earlier using follow-up surveillance imaging improves survival outcomes and treatment options for children and young people with medulloblastoma or ependymoma.
Workstream 3
We will develop an economic model to determine the cost-effectiveness of follow-up surveillance imaging compared to clinical follow-up alone in children and young people with medulloblastoma.