Publish date: 14 December 2021
Cancer patients have only until the end of December to take part in a national study of COVID-19.
The COVID Cancer Antibody Survey will assess antibody responses to COVID vaccines among cancer patients and wants as many as possible to take part.
There is emerging evidence that a small number of cancer patients may have lower levels of antibody response to vaccines than the general population, and the NHS survey is designed to test this.
It is one of the first surveys of its kind that will help the NHS understand what protection people with cancer develop after infection and/or vaccination. It will also help to understand whether and how antibody response differs between different cancer types and if any particular treatments affect response to vaccination.
The survey is open to people aged 18 or over living in England who have either been diagnosed with cancer in the last year or are currently receiving cancer treatment.
Participants will be sent a finger-prick blood test that looks for antibodies against COVID-19 in the blood. It will be sent in the post and comes with everything needed to complete and return the test.
Patients can sign up here https://covidcancersurvey.uk/ until the end of this month.
By signing up for this survey, patients can help to develop the NHS’s understanding of what antibody levels mean for people with cancer and help the NHS to provide the best treatment, care and support for patients, as well as finding out about the patient’s own antibody levels.
Patients fill in a short form with their details before being automatically redirected through to the NHS Test & Trace antibody test booking page where they will be able to book a free test.