Final Report Summary - AIDIT (Advancing International Co-operation and Developing Infrastructure for Targeted Screening of Prostate Cancer in Men with Genetic Predisposition)
In the EU, approximately 200 000 men are diagnosed annually with prostate cancer, and this figure is likely to increase due to the ageing population, causing a considerable health care problem. Inherited genetic factors are important in this disease, for example the breast cancer predisposition genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been reported to increase significantly the risk of prostate cancer. The European project 'Identification of Men with a genetic predisposition to prostate cancer: Targeted screening in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and controls' (Impact) aimed to put in place networks and infrastructures in 23 countries (18 in Europe) to identify a male population harbouring germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and recruit them into targeted screening programs for prostate cancer.
The main goal of AIDIT was to stimulate cooperation with Associated Candidate Countries (ACCs) in relation to the IMPACT study. It was intended that the project would identify and recruit appropriate research and clinical centres in the ACCs and new Member States (NMSs); stimulate the participation of research teams in these countries and connect expertise in all collaborating countries in this area. Networking was a crucial element of this work, which had the long term aim of enabling centres in the ACCs to join the IMPACT study, thus establishing a larger consortium and research base. AIDIT was also aimed at raising awareness of the need to improve clinical management of prostate cancer, educating the relevant stakeholders, improving quality of life, reducing early mortality and reducing the financial burden of health care.
Although new contacts in the ACCS and NMSs were obtained through a range of means (including attendance at national and international conferences, publications and advertisements about the project) the two most important activities with regard to developing the network were the AIDIT and IMPACT website and conference.
A major achievement of the AIDIT project has been the design, development and successful launch of the website http://www.impact-study.co.uk(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie) to serve as a tool to help raise awareness of the AIDIT project. The website provides a networking forum and information resource for those both new to and already members of AIDIT and IMPACT collaborations. A central information resource is critical to ensure that all centres considering joining the collaborations have easy access to reliable and up to date study information and documents. The website has been translated into seven languages. The website also contains unrestricted information for the general public about prostate cancer, genetics and the IMPACT study. This information was drafted with guidance from patient representatives and has been reviewed by a multicentre ethics committee in the United Kingdom.
A major deliverable of the project was to host an international conference to bring together expert collaborators in the ACCs and NMSs, in all relevant fields, who hoped to take on a future role in IMPACT. The conference was planned and organised by AIDIT with input from IMPACT steering committee.
By increasing the participation of centres of excellence in the IMPACT study, AIDIT has helped to develop an international network that will be the first to examine the utility of targeted screening for men with a genetic predisposition to prostate cancer.
The main goal of AIDIT was to stimulate cooperation with Associated Candidate Countries (ACCs) in relation to the IMPACT study. It was intended that the project would identify and recruit appropriate research and clinical centres in the ACCs and new Member States (NMSs); stimulate the participation of research teams in these countries and connect expertise in all collaborating countries in this area. Networking was a crucial element of this work, which had the long term aim of enabling centres in the ACCs to join the IMPACT study, thus establishing a larger consortium and research base. AIDIT was also aimed at raising awareness of the need to improve clinical management of prostate cancer, educating the relevant stakeholders, improving quality of life, reducing early mortality and reducing the financial burden of health care.
Although new contacts in the ACCS and NMSs were obtained through a range of means (including attendance at national and international conferences, publications and advertisements about the project) the two most important activities with regard to developing the network were the AIDIT and IMPACT website and conference.
A major achievement of the AIDIT project has been the design, development and successful launch of the website http://www.impact-study.co.uk(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie) to serve as a tool to help raise awareness of the AIDIT project. The website provides a networking forum and information resource for those both new to and already members of AIDIT and IMPACT collaborations. A central information resource is critical to ensure that all centres considering joining the collaborations have easy access to reliable and up to date study information and documents. The website has been translated into seven languages. The website also contains unrestricted information for the general public about prostate cancer, genetics and the IMPACT study. This information was drafted with guidance from patient representatives and has been reviewed by a multicentre ethics committee in the United Kingdom.
A major deliverable of the project was to host an international conference to bring together expert collaborators in the ACCs and NMSs, in all relevant fields, who hoped to take on a future role in IMPACT. The conference was planned and organised by AIDIT with input from IMPACT steering committee.
By increasing the participation of centres of excellence in the IMPACT study, AIDIT has helped to develop an international network that will be the first to examine the utility of targeted screening for men with a genetic predisposition to prostate cancer.
