Does the 1939 Cancer Act still work in the internet and social media age?
Official title: Is the 1939 Cancer Act Fit for Purpose in the Modern Technology Era?
Run by Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust · NCT07584824 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This survey asks people treated for cancer and health professionals in England and Wales about online and social media cancer information to see if the 1939 Cancer Act needs updating.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Truro) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 9, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | May 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07584824 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults (18+) who live in England or Wales and have received cancer treatment in the past three years, plus UK-based healthcare professionals who see cancer patients at least monthly.
✕Probably not a fit
People who live outside England and Wales, are under 18, were last treated for cancer more than three years ago, or cannot complete a survey are unlikely to benefit from participating.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational project uses anonymous, single-time surveys of patients treated for cancer within the last three years and of healthcare professionals who regularly consult with cancer patients to gather experiences and opinions about online and social media information. The patient survey asks about encounters with online treatment information, perceived harms or benefits, and how the current law affected their information access; the professional survey asks about clinical experience and regulatory impact. Data collection is anonymous and self-reported, with recruitment through Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust and collaborating institutions. The study aims to map enforcement challenges posed by modern technology and identify opportunities for safe, ethical legal modernization.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could inform safer, clearer rules that improve patient access to reliable online cancer information while reducing exposure to misleading advertising.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on online health information and social media has produced useful guidance on misinformation and patient communication, but applying those lessons to update the 1939 Cancer Act is relatively novel and untested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Patients/Relatives: * UK residents (England and Wales ONLY). * Have been treated for a cancer within the last three years. * Aged 18 or over. * Can complete the survey themselves or have it completed on their behalf by a friend or family member (with the patient's permission). Healthcare Professionals: * UK-based professionals in the healthcare industry. * Working with patients diagnosed with cancer. * Consulting with patients at least once a month or more frequently. * Aged 18 or over. Exclusion Criteria: No explicit exclusion criteria are defined within provided materials, therefore any individual not meeting the inclusion criteria will be excluded.
Where it's running
-
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
Truro, United Kingdom Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.