New Study Aims to Identify Cancer Earlier through Prescription Medication Analysis

A groundbreaking study led by Queen's University Belfast, in partnership with the University of Aberdeen and funded by Cancer Research UK, is set to explore whether changes in prescription medication can act as early warning signs for cancer. The researchers will analyze anonymized prescription data from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank at Swansea University to identify patterns that may indicate underlying cancer conditions. This study aims to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment outcomes by detecting cancer earlier in its progression.

Key Takeaways:

• The study will examine whether changes in prescription medication for symptoms such as pain, indigestion, or bleeding can reflect underlying cancer conditions, enabling earlier diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes.
• The research team will analyze anonymous prescription data from the SAIL Databank at Swansea University, covering eight cancers: multiple myeloma, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian, lung, renal, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• Previous studies have shown that increased use of pain and indigestion medication can occur in women with ovarian cancer up to eight months before diagnosis and in patients with colorectal cancer up to 15 months before diagnosis.
• The study will focus on identifying previously unrecognized medications newly used in the period up to two years before cancer diagnosis, which could act as an alert for doctors to consider earlier cancer investigation.
• The research aims to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment outcomes by detecting cancer earlier in its progression, giving patients the best chance of recovery.
• The study will receive £76,462 from Cancer Research UK and involves a team of experts from Queen's University Belfast, the University of Aberdeen, and Swansea University.
• The study will be the first of its kind to study prescription information comprehensively in the UK, following similar studies conducted overseas and smaller studies looking at fewer cancer types in the UK.
• Cancer Research UK Director Dr. Catherine Elliott emphasized the importance of innovative approaches in tackling cancer, particularly in improving outcomes for patients.
• Professor Peter Murchie of the University of Aberdeen highlighted the potential of using sophisticated health records to identify early warning signals for cancer.

Statistics:

• Nearly one in two people born in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime (based on average annual new cases in the UK in 2017-2019).
• The study will focus on eight cancers with known associations with increased GP consultations prior to diagnosis (multiple myeloma, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian, lung, renal, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma).
• The research will analyze anonymous prescription data from the SAIL Databank, with permission from the Information Governance Review Panel overseeing the safe and responsible use of population health records.
• The study aims to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment outcomes by detecting cancer earlier in its progression, giving patients the best chance of recovery.

Sources:

• M2 PRESSWIRE-June 24, 2025-: Changes in prescription medication could help identify cancer earlier
• Cancer Research UK: *Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence, and information.
• Cancer Research UK's work in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
• The charity aims to see 3 in 4 people surviving their cancer by 2034.