Grant received in 2024

DCCC has funded 189,952 DKK to the project.

There is social inequality in cancer – but patients who fare worse than expected are found in all social groups. Differentiated treatment based on a patient's vulnerability is suggested as a potential solution to reduce social inequality. However, the main challenge lies in identifying these vulnerable patients and determining the best way to support them.

The aim of IMPRESS is to develop and test a clinical tool that can assess the patient's physical and psychosocial resources to ensure a better treatment plan and support vulnerable cancer patients throughout their treatment. In a national clinical trial, this tool will be evaluated to determine if it provides less deviation from treatment plan, fewer hospitalisations and better quality of life for patients with cancer of the bladder, kidney and prostate.

The objective is to ensure that information on patients' vulnerabilities is systematically collected and applied both before and during treatment to help reduce social inequality in urological cancer care.

The funds from DCCC will be used for the development and preparation of the national clinical trial. A multidisciplinary workshop will bring together participants from urological and oncology departments, DMCGs, geriatricians, physiotherapists, and others. The workshop will focus on designing the tool’s content and format, establishing clinical workflows, and selecting relevant outcome measures. Additionally, the funds will support the development of the clinical protocol for the trial.

Multidisciplinary organisation
The trail is anchored in the Danish Research Center for Equality in Cancer (COMPAS), the DMCGs DaProCa, DaRenCa, DaBlaCa and Danish Society for Oncological and Palliative Physiotherapy.

Project stakeholder

• Susanne Oksbjerg Dalton, Head of Center, Danish Research Center for Equality in Cancer, Department of Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Næstved. Primary contact, mail: sdalt@regionsjaelland.dk
• Michael Borre, Professor, Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Chair of DaProCa
• Lars Lund, Professor, Department of Urology, Odense University Hospital, Chair of DaRenCa
• Jørgen Bjerggaard Jensen, Professor, Department of Urology, Aarhus Univeristy Hospital, Chair of Danish Bladder Cancer Group
• Anja Thon Gjettermann, Physiotherapist, Randers Municipality, Chair of Danish Society for Oncological and Palliative Physiotherapy
• Pernille Bidstrup, Senior Researcher, Teamleader, Danish Cancer Institute Research Center
• Mads Nordahl Svendsen, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital