OPAAL and Macmillan Cancer Support want to make sure that older people are supported and enabled to exercise their right, express their views, explore and make informed choices about their care. Yesterday I met two of their volunteers who work with cancer patients in Dorset. I didn’t know anything about this organisation and was very impressed by them and their organisation which is supported by Macmillan.

OPAAL’s new Cancer, Older People and Advocacy project publication “Every Step of the Way“: 13 stories illustrating the difference that independent advocacy makes to older people affected by cancer  was launched on March 25th 2014.

Future Learn https://www.futurelearn.com
There is one that seems particularly relevant Cancer in the 21st Century, devised by the University of Glasgow, it starts in September.

Tricia

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.

In June’s edition of “Dorset” magazine there is an article about living
with cancer in Dorset. Included in it is a little bit about my diagnosis and our
support group. The article is timely as this is “Sarcoma Awareness Week”.
Included in the article is a piece about the excellent Grove Hotel where we have
our support group and will be meeting for our Tea Party on Saturday 28th June
from 2 p.m. “Dorset” magazines tend to be in dentists and doctors surgeries so
you may come across it there, but I bought mine in Sainsbury’s and W.H. Smiths
stock it.

Best wishes,

Tricia Moate