Current research points towards ovarian cancer beginning in the fallopian tube and not in the ovary itself. This is where PROTECTOR comes in, with the theory being that removing the tube alone will help prevent cancer while being able to preserve fertility and avoid early menopause which comes with symptoms and long term health issues like hot flushes, sweats, mood changes, thinning of the bones, memory problems, higher risk of heart disease, and reduced libido.
The study assesses women’s views and the impact of this two-step surgery to prevent ovarian cancer on sexual function, hormone levels, quality of life and overall satisfaction. Outcomes from this new approach are compared to the traditional approach of removal of both tubes and ovaries in the same operation. This is also compared to the well-being of women who do not have surgery.
Women are able to choose which arm of the study they wish to take part in: single operation removing both tubes and ovaries, two-step surgery, or having no surgery (the control option).
PROTECTOR is expanding! We are now active at 37 centres across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. To date over 420 women have participated in the study, shown below in each arm. We aim to recruit 1,000 women in total (333 in each study arm) by December 2024.
We have recently gained permission to expand the study to include women with other conditions. This includes those with a fault/alteration in the PALB2 gene, and women who are planning to conceive using IVF treatment. We can also to include women who have completed treatment for cancer (most commonly breast cancer) after 6 months.
Take Part or Find Out More
If you would like to take part, please ask your GP to refer you to your nearest recruitment centre. A current list of participating centres is provided below.
Alternatively, please contact the PROTECTOR team for further details on how to take part or if you have any queries.
For more information please see the study website, click here.
Email: bci-protector@qmul.ac.uk
Address: PROTECTOR Research Team, CECM, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ
Chief Investigator: Prof Ranjit Manchanda
Sponsor: Queen Mary University of London
Funders: Barts Charity, Rosetrees Trust
We have a new Twitter handle: @protector_qmul – follow us to keep in touch!
Participating Sites
Barts Health NHS Trust
St George’s University Hospitals NHS Trust
Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Worcestershire Acute Hospital Trust
Manchester University NHS Trust
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust
Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust
Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside
University College London Hospital Trust
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Trust
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust
University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian
County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust
Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Northampton General Hospitals NHS Trust
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
Northwick Park and St Mark’s Hospitals
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital, Betsi Cadwaladr UHB
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
Swansea Bay University Local Health Board