Went to the launch event of the Clinical Research Network Wessex on 5th June in Basingstoke. There were speakers from the National Institute for Health Research, Southampton University and Portsmouth Hospitals and there are research trials in many areas of health, not just cancer.
Wessex is third in the Top Ten of Networks in England with the greatest of number of trials. In 2001 only 4% cancer patients were recruited into clinical trials and in 2013/14 it has risen to 20%. Rarer cancers are described as “orphan” cancers as it is more difficult to open and recruit patients to trials. The aim is to enable more patients to enter trials. The quality of research trials is among the best in the world but there is more work to be done.
If you are a cancer patient or carer and would like to become involved in the Cancer Research Partnership Group based at Southampton Hospital please contact
Jac Samuel Cancer Research UK senior research nurse
The Cancer Research Partnership Group helps refine cancer research activities, raise awareness of trials and support research through advocacy and engagement, making a valued contribution to all areas of cancer research across the South Coast.