Questions and Answers About the CSRN

What is the Cancer Screening Research Network (CSRN)?

The CSRN is a multi-site clinical trials network to design, develop, and conduct multi-center cancer screening trials.

What are the components of the CSRN?

There are the three components of the CSRN:

Statistics and Data Management Center (SDMC): (RFA-CA-23-021)
Coordinating and Communication Center (CCC): (RFA-CA-23-022)
Accrual, Enrollment, and Screening Site (ACCESS) Hubs: (RFA-CA-23-020)

What organizations are part of the CSRN?

The Fred Hutch Cancer Center serves as both the SDMC and CCC.

The nine ACCESS Hubs include:

Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine
OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
University of Colorado Cancer Center, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii
University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Virginia Commonwealth University, Inova, and Sentara Health
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Department of Defense Uniformed Services University
Department of Veterans Affairs

What studies will the CSRN conduct?

The CSRN launched a pilot study, called the Vanguard Study, to address the feasibility of using multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests in future randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The Vanguard Study will enroll up to 24,000 people to inform the design of a much larger RCT that will evaluate whether the benefits of using MCD tests to screen for cancer outweigh the harm, and whether they can detect cancer early in a way that reduces deaths. For more information about MCD tests, please refer to Questions and Answers about MCD Tests.

The CSRN plans to investigate a variety of emerging technologies for cancer screening. These may include screening methods that involve imaging, biomarkers, procedures, combinations of the above, or tests that have not yet been invented.

How do I join the Vanguard Study as a participant?

Each local site has its own recruitment timeline and process. To learn more about participating in the study in your local area:

Visit the Fred Hutch Cancer Center Vanguard Study page.
Search for recruitment sites near where you live on this interactive map of CSRN ACCESS Hubs.
Call the NCI Cancer Information Service to get the same information at: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
Visit the ClinicalTrials.gov page for A Study to Evaluate Multicancer Detection (MCD) Tests and Their Impact on Participant Health and Cancer Screening, The Vanguard Study.

What information does NCI have about cancer screening and MCD tests?

NCI has general information on cancer screening, types of screening tests, and screening research. NCI also has a Questions and Answers about MCD Tests that provides answers to commonly asked questions about MCD tests.