A prospective study to assess the value of MMP-9 in improving the appropriateness of urgent referrals for colorectal cancer |
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| Authors: | Angela V Ryan Sue Wilson Michael JO Wakelam Sally A Warmington Janet A Dunn Richard FD Hobbs Ashley Martin Tariq Ismail |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Primary Care and General Practice, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK;(2) Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK;(3) Health Sciences Research Institute, University of Warwick, Gibbett Hill Campus, CV4 7AL Coventry, UK;(4) University Hospital Birmingham Foundation NHS Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, B15 2TH Birmingham, UK |
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| Abstract: | Background Bowel cancer is common and is a major cause of death. Most people with bowel symptoms who meet the criteria for urgent referral
to secondary care will not be found to have bowel cancer, and some people who are found to have cancer will have been referred
routinely rather than urgently. If general practitioners could better identify people who were likely to have bowel cancer
or conditions that may lead to bowel cancer, the pressure on hospital clinics may be reduced, enabling these patients to be
seen more quickly. Increased levels of an enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) have been found to be associated
with such conditions, and this can be measured from a blood sample. This study aims to find out whether measuring MMP-9 levels
could improve the appropriateness of urgent referrals for patients with bowel symptoms. |
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