![Stephanie Smits](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/2605?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Stephanie Smits
Research Fellow
- SmitsSE@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 29206 87156
- Neuadd Meirionnydd, Room 6th Floor, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4YS
Overview
I am a Health and Care Research Wales Research Fellow. In October 2018 I started my fellowship which allows me to continue my important research in bowel screening. During the fellowship I will apply my behavioural science expertise to explore what bowel cancer screening is like for people with multi-morbidity.
Through my position I play a leading role in developing a behavioural science research programme in screening, prevention and early diagnosis. In this post I contribute to the overall research record of the School and University, carrying out research leading to publications in high quality academic journals, pursuing excellence in research and inspiring others to do the same.
Publication
2021
- Wilson, R. et al. 2021. Intentions to participate in cervical and colorectal cancer screening during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study. Preventive Medicine 153, article number: 106826. (10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106826)
- Moriarty, Y. et al. 2021. Randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of a targeted cancer awareness intervention for adults living in deprived areas of the UK. British Journal of Cancer 125, pp. 1100-1110. (10.1038/s41416-021-01524-5)
- Semedo, L., Lifford, K. J., Edwards, A., Seddon, K., Brain, K., Smits, S. and Dolwani, S. 2021. Development and user-testing of a brief decision aid for aspirin as a preventive approach alongside colorectal cancer screening.. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 21, article number: 165. (10.1186/s12911-021-01523-9)
2020
- Kolovou, V. et al. 2020. Recruitment and retention of participants from socioeconomically deprived communities: lessons from the awareness and beliefs about cancer (ABACus3) randomised controlled trial. BMC Medical Research Methodology 20, article number: 272. (10.1186/s12874-020-01149-x)
- Gupta, S., Parker, J., Smits, S., Underwood, J. and Dolwani, S. 2020. Persistent viral shedding of SARS‐CoV‐2 in faeces – a rapid review. Colorectal Disease 22(6), pp. 611-620. (10.1111/codi.15138)
- McCutchan, G. et al. 2020. Evaluation of a national lung cancer symptom awareness campaign in Wales. British Journal of Cancer 122, pp. 491-497. (10.1038/s41416-019-0676-2)
2019
- Kopczynska, M. et al. 2019. Assessment of technical parameters and skills training to inform a simulation-based training program for semi-automated robotic colonoscopy. Endoscopy International Open 7(1), pp. E9-E14. (10.1055/a-0774-4554)
- Moriarty, Y. et al. 2019. Improving cancer symptom awareness and help-seeking among adults living in socioeconomically deprived communities in the UK using a facilitated health check: A protocol for the Awareness and Beliefs About Cancer (ABACus) Randomised Control Trial. BMC Public Health 19(1), article number: 285. (10.1186/s12889-019-6612-9)
2018
- Smits, S. E., McCutchan, G. M., Hanson, J. A. and Brain, K. E. 2018. Attitudes towards lung cancer screening in a population sample. Health Expectations 21(6), pp. 1150-1158. (10.1111/hex.12819)
- Stanciu, M. A. et al. 2018. Development of an intervention to expedite cancer diagnosis through primary care: a protocol. BJGP Open 2(3), article number: 18X101595. (10.3399/bjgpopen18X101595)
- Smits, S. et al. 2018. Development of a behaviour change intervention to encourage timely cancer symptom presentation among people living in deprived communities using the Behaviour Change Wheel. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 52(6), pp. 474-488. (10.1007/s12160-016-9849-x)
- Smith, P. et al. 2018. Feasibility and acceptability of a cancer symptom awareness intervention for adults living in socioeconomically deprived communities. BMC Public Health 18(1) (10.1186/s12889-018-5606-3)
2017
- Smits, S., Boivin, J., Menon, U. and Brain, K. E. 2017. Influences on anticipated time to ovarian cancer symptom presentation in women at increased risk compared to population risk of ovarian cancer. BMC Cancer 17(1), article number: 814. (10.1186/s12885-017-3835-y)
- McCutchan, G., Wood, F., Edwards, A., Smits, S. and Brain, K. 2017. Development of a lung cancer awareness intervention targeted at socioeconomically deprived communities in Wales, UK. Presented at: IASLC 17th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Vienna, Austria, 4-6 Dec 2016. , (10.1016/j.jtho.2016.11.1992)
2016
- McCutchan, G., Wood, F., Smits, S., Edwards, A. and Brain, K. 2016. Barriers to cancer symptom presentation among people from low socioeconomic groups: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 16(1), article number: 1052. (10.1186/s12889-016-3733-2)
- Smits, S., Boivin, J., Menon, U. and Brain, K. 2016. The double-edged sword of ovarian cancer information for women at increased risk who have previously taken part in screening. Ecancermedicalscience 2016(10), article number: 650. (10.3332/ecancer.2016.650)
2014
- Smits, S. 2014. Development of an ovarian cancer symptom awareness tool with tailored content for women at increased genetic risk of developing ovarian cancer. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
- Brain, K. et al. 2014. Ovarian cancer symptom awareness and anticipated delayed presentation in a population sample. BMC Cancer 14, article number: 171. (10.1186/1471-2407-14-171)
2012
- Brain, K. E. et al. 2012. Ovarian cancer symptom awareness and anticipated presentation in a population sample [Abstract]. Psychology and Health 27(s1), pp. 168-169. (10.1080/08870446.2012.707817)
Articles
- Wilson, R. et al. 2021. Intentions to participate in cervical and colorectal cancer screening during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study. Preventive Medicine 153, article number: 106826. (10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106826)
- Moriarty, Y. et al. 2021. Randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of a targeted cancer awareness intervention for adults living in deprived areas of the UK. British Journal of Cancer 125, pp. 1100-1110. (10.1038/s41416-021-01524-5)
- Semedo, L., Lifford, K. J., Edwards, A., Seddon, K., Brain, K., Smits, S. and Dolwani, S. 2021. Development and user-testing of a brief decision aid for aspirin as a preventive approach alongside colorectal cancer screening.. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 21, article number: 165. (10.1186/s12911-021-01523-9)
- Kolovou, V. et al. 2020. Recruitment and retention of participants from socioeconomically deprived communities: lessons from the awareness and beliefs about cancer (ABACus3) randomised controlled trial. BMC Medical Research Methodology 20, article number: 272. (10.1186/s12874-020-01149-x)
- Gupta, S., Parker, J., Smits, S., Underwood, J. and Dolwani, S. 2020. Persistent viral shedding of SARS‐CoV‐2 in faeces – a rapid review. Colorectal Disease 22(6), pp. 611-620. (10.1111/codi.15138)
- McCutchan, G. et al. 2020. Evaluation of a national lung cancer symptom awareness campaign in Wales. British Journal of Cancer 122, pp. 491-497. (10.1038/s41416-019-0676-2)
- Kopczynska, M. et al. 2019. Assessment of technical parameters and skills training to inform a simulation-based training program for semi-automated robotic colonoscopy. Endoscopy International Open 7(1), pp. E9-E14. (10.1055/a-0774-4554)
- Moriarty, Y. et al. 2019. Improving cancer symptom awareness and help-seeking among adults living in socioeconomically deprived communities in the UK using a facilitated health check: A protocol for the Awareness and Beliefs About Cancer (ABACus) Randomised Control Trial. BMC Public Health 19(1), article number: 285. (10.1186/s12889-019-6612-9)
- Smits, S. E., McCutchan, G. M., Hanson, J. A. and Brain, K. E. 2018. Attitudes towards lung cancer screening in a population sample. Health Expectations 21(6), pp. 1150-1158. (10.1111/hex.12819)
- Stanciu, M. A. et al. 2018. Development of an intervention to expedite cancer diagnosis through primary care: a protocol. BJGP Open 2(3), article number: 18X101595. (10.3399/bjgpopen18X101595)
- Smits, S. et al. 2018. Development of a behaviour change intervention to encourage timely cancer symptom presentation among people living in deprived communities using the Behaviour Change Wheel. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 52(6), pp. 474-488. (10.1007/s12160-016-9849-x)
- Smith, P. et al. 2018. Feasibility and acceptability of a cancer symptom awareness intervention for adults living in socioeconomically deprived communities. BMC Public Health 18(1) (10.1186/s12889-018-5606-3)
- Smits, S., Boivin, J., Menon, U. and Brain, K. E. 2017. Influences on anticipated time to ovarian cancer symptom presentation in women at increased risk compared to population risk of ovarian cancer. BMC Cancer 17(1), article number: 814. (10.1186/s12885-017-3835-y)
- McCutchan, G., Wood, F., Smits, S., Edwards, A. and Brain, K. 2016. Barriers to cancer symptom presentation among people from low socioeconomic groups: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 16(1), article number: 1052. (10.1186/s12889-016-3733-2)
- Smits, S., Boivin, J., Menon, U. and Brain, K. 2016. The double-edged sword of ovarian cancer information for women at increased risk who have previously taken part in screening. Ecancermedicalscience 2016(10), article number: 650. (10.3332/ecancer.2016.650)
- Brain, K. et al. 2014. Ovarian cancer symptom awareness and anticipated delayed presentation in a population sample. BMC Cancer 14, article number: 171. (10.1186/1471-2407-14-171)
- Brain, K. E. et al. 2012. Ovarian cancer symptom awareness and anticipated presentation in a population sample [Abstract]. Psychology and Health 27(s1), pp. 168-169. (10.1080/08870446.2012.707817)
Conferences
- McCutchan, G., Wood, F., Edwards, A., Smits, S. and Brain, K. 2017. Development of a lung cancer awareness intervention targeted at socioeconomically deprived communities in Wales, UK. Presented at: IASLC 17th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Vienna, Austria, 4-6 Dec 2016. , (10.1016/j.jtho.2016.11.1992)
Thesis
- Smits, S. 2014. Development of an ovarian cancer symptom awareness tool with tailored content for women at increased genetic risk of developing ovarian cancer. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Research
My research experience is in the area of behavioural science in the context of cancer early diagnosis.I have developed knowledge in areas such as cancer awareness, behaviour change, psychological theory and engaging hard to reach groups in research. I have experience in both quantitative and qualitative methods.
The work conducted during my PhD focused on early diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the absence of routine screening for women at high risk. During my PhD, I developed skills in systematic searches, critical appraisal, questionnaire design, advanced statistical analysis methods, interview methods,user testing, and intervention development.
As a Research Associate on the NAEDI funded ABACus (Awareness and Beliefs about Cancer) project I enhanced my qualitative skilles by conducting focus groups and cognitive testing interviews. This project involved raising awareness of common cancer symptoms in deprived communities and afforded me further experience of behavioural science, in particular behaviour change methodology. Specifically, this project developed my understanding and provided practical experience of applying the Behaviour Change Wheel to aid intervention development.
My previous role as a Research Associate in the Primary and Emergency Care Research Centre for Wales (PRIME) and Wales Cancer Research Centre (WCRC) centres focused on consolidating research and building capacity in the area of screening, prevention and early diagnosis.
Biography
- PhD: "Development of an ovarian cancer symptom awareness tool with tailored content for women at increased genetic risk of developing ovarian cancer". Cardiff University, 2014.
- BSc Psychology (Class 2.1), Cardiff University, 2011.
Honours and awards
- Identified as Future Leader in Cancer Research (FLiCR)
- Early career researcher bursary to attend Cancer Research UK, Early Diagnosis Initiative conference (2017)
- Early career researcher bursary to attend 3rd National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI) conference (2015)
- Awarded a place and travel grant to attend NAEDI complex intervention methodology workshop (2014)
Professional memberships
Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol): Chartered Member of British Psychological Society, Division of Health Psychology
- Graduate member of UK Society of Behavioural Medicine
Academic positions
October 2015-2018: Primary and Emergency Care Research Centre for Wales (PRIME) and Wales Cancer Research Centre (WCRC) Research Associate
October 2014-October 2015: Research Associate, Cardiff University. Worked on the ABACus (Awareness and Beliefs About Cancer) project which involved the development and evaluation of a targeted cancer awareness intervention for people from deprived communities in Wales.
