PREDICT-EC: A risk prediction tool to streamline diagnostic pathways for suspected endometrial cancer
Closing date: 15/11/2024
Clinical Research Training Fellowship Project: PREDICT-EC: A risk prediction tool to streamline diagnostic pathways for suspected endometrial cancer
Lead Supervisors: Prof. Emma Crosbie
Co-Supervisors: Dr Jamie Sergeant, Prof. Caroline Sanders
Applications Deadline: Friday 15th November 2024
Interviews: Friday 17th January 2025
Clinical Research Training Fellowship start date: September 2025
Project Keywords: Endometrial cancer, Risk prediction, Triage tool
Research Opportunity: Clinical Research Training Fellowship leading to the award of PhD
Project Outline
In the UK, nearly 10,000 women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer every year. The red flag symptom for endometrial cancer is postmenopausal bleeding (PMB). PMB prompts urgent referral on the ‘suspected cancer’ pathway for transvaginal ultrasound followed by hysteroscopy and/or biopsy if cancer cannot be ruled out. These are invasive tests that are uncomfortable for many, painful for some and unnecessary for most since only 5 out of 100 women with PMB have endometrial cancer. A tool to help decide which women need invasive testing and which women do not, would improve patient care. It could save thousands of women every year in the UK alone from the harms of invasive testing and ensure an efficient use of healthcare resources.
We have developed a tool called PREDICT-EC. It uses age, BMI, symptoms, scan results and a simple urine test for blood. We showed that PREDICT-EC identifies women for invasive testing better than standard care. It identified 99/100 women with endometrial cancer whilst sparing an additional 24/100 women from invasive testing.
This project will validate PREDICT-EC in around 3,000 women referred to hospital with suspected endometrial cancer. We will record patient demographics, test results and clinical outcomes. Women will be managed according to routine clinical practice. Alongside routine care, we will calculate their PREDICT-EC score. The score could be used to help identify women for invasive testing or no testing. We will see how well the tool would work across people from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and for all types of endometrial cancer. We will ask women and patients from a range of backgrounds, as well as doctors from primary and secondary care, what they think of the tool. The results of this study will be used to design a digital clinician-facing calculator to generate PREDICT-EC scores for use in the NHS.
Applications for this project are now open. Please complete your application on The University of Manchester website.
About Professor Emma Crosbie (project Lead Supervisor)
Professor Emma Crosbie is an NIHR Research Professor and Honorary Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist at the University of Manchester. Her research focuses on the screening, prevention and early detection of gynaecological cancers. She has a strong track record in postgraduate degree supervision and has been awarded several local (University of Manchester FBMH Postgraduate Supervisor of the Year, 2020) and national awards (BMJ Role Model, 2019; FindAPhD Postgraduate Supervisor of the Year, 2024). Her team won the American Association of Cancer Research Team Science Award (2024) and was Highly Commended in the BMJ Cancer Care Team of the Year Awards (2022) for their work in Lynch syndrome associated endometrial cancer.
Key information
Before submitting an application, please ensure you have read the information below about the funding arrangements and eligibility for the Leeds-Manchester Clinical Research Training Fellowships.
We also encourage you to get in contact with the lead supervisor to discuss the project and any particulars.
Further information is available on the Clinical Research Training Fellowships webpage.
The clinical fellowships are usually tenable for three years, although in certain circumstances they may be four years duration.
The Fellowship covers:
- running expenses,
- an appropriate salary in line with the applicant’s current salary and grade
- full coverage of University PhD fees at the UK/home fee rate.
International Candidates
The University of Manchester aims to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK.
We are able to offer a limited number of bursaries to high-performing EU and international candidates, covering PhD fees only. Bursaries do not include financial support for visa/health surcharges.
We assess each EU and international candidate’s suitability for a bursary at the application and interview stages.
You must be a post-registration clinician, and ideally have a specialist post in a related subject, to apply for our Clinical Research Training Fellowships.
You should also hold, or be about to obtain, a minimum upper second class (or equivalent) undergraduate degree in a relevant subject. A related master’s degree would be an advantage.
It is generally expected that CRTFs will return to a training programme in the UK upon completion of their research degree.
International applicants (including EU nationals) must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English Language) before contacting potential supervisors to express an interest in their project. Eligibility information can be found on the University’s Country Specific information page.
Key dates
- Applications open: 11th October 2024
- Application deadline: 15th November 2024
- Interviews: 17th January 2025
- Start date: September 2025
Useful Links
Submit your application
Interested in applying for this opportunity? Go to The University of Manchester website to submit your application.
Clinical Research Training Fellowships
Discover our various opportunities for clinicians looking to undertake a period of PhD training in a cancer-relevant field.
Get in Touch
Contact Dr Georgina Binnie-Wright, Postgraduate Programme Manager.
Researcher Stories
Read first-hand experiences of from cancer scientists from across Manchester.
Why Manchester?
Find out why postgraduate students choose to study in Manchester.
A Day in the Life of a Clinical PhD Student
Watch our short video to see what it's like to be a Clinical Research Training Fellow in Manchester.