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Developing personalised risk prediction for women at increased risk of Vulval Cancer

Safe People

Organisation name

University of Manchester

Organisation sector

Academic Institute

Applicant name(s)

Vanitha Sivalingam - Chief Investigator - University of ManchesterVanitha Sivalingam - Corresponding Applicant - University of ManchesterAlison Wright - Collaborator - University of ManchesterDarren Ashcroft - Collaborator - University of ManchesterEmma Crosbie - Collaborator - University of ManchesterFiona Walter - Collaborator - University of CambridgeGarth Funston - Collaborator - University of Cambridge

Safe Projects

Project ID

CPRD873

Lay summary

Over 1300 women in the UK are diagnosed with vulval cancer each year. The vulva are the external female genitals. Early diagnosis of vulval cancer is important as an early cancer can be cured with an operation. There is no screening programme for vulval cancer, but some women are at increased risk. These are women with chronic skin conditions including lichen sclerosus, lichen planus and vulval intraepithelial neoplasia. Often, these conditions are difficult to diagnose and can go unrecognised by both patients and doctors. Understanding who is at risk of developing vulval cancer is an important research question which was identified as a priority by clinicians, scientists and patients with lichen sclerosus.

Technical summary

Vulval squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is diagnosed in 1300 British women annually. Early detection of vulval cancer reduces surgical morbidity and improves survival. While there is no role for population-based screening, some skin conditions increase the risk of vulval cancer, including lichen sclerosus (LS), lichen planus (LP)] and intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). A priority research question is “What is the risk of developing cancer in lichen sclerosus?'. A cancer risk prediction model will help personalise risk, tailor follow-up to reduce intensity of clinician assessments and design population-based interventions.

Latest approval date

01/02/2021

Safe Data

Dataset(s) name

HES Admitted Patient Care

HES Outpatient

NCRAS Cancer Registration Data

No additional NCRAS data required

ONS Death Registration Data

Patient Level Index of Multiple Deprivation

Practice Level Index of Multiple Deprivation

Safe Setting

Access type

Release