Sheffield centre offers cutting-edge treatments to cancer patients

The centre, which employs more than 70 staff working on over 200 clinical trials at any one time, plays a critical role in the development of cancer treatment and enables Sheffield to remain a leading centre for clinical research into cancer.

Working in collaboration with the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity is proud to continue investing funds into the centre, enabling more patients to be offered innovative treatments and increasing the chances of survival for people fighting cancer across the region.Currently 1 in 5 cancer patients participate in a clinical trial compared to only 1 in 25 in the year 2000, and with sustained investment and continued support, the centre hopes to sustain and increase this level of recruitment in the coming years.

The Cancer Clinical Trials Centre or as it was then known, The Cancer Research Centre, was opened in 1999 by the Duchess of Gloucester when an initial need for a research team specialising in clinical trials research for patients in Sheffield was identified.

Since then, the unit has grown substantially in response to the increase in cancer incidence and to support the multi-channelled and often complex journey of a cancer patient from initial diagnosis right up until after care.

Funding from the cancer charity over the years has enabled the rapid growth of the research teams within Sheffield and secured the ‘very best’ academic talent here in our region.

The team at the centre, comprising research nurses, radiographers, data managers, laboratory technicians and administrative staff, work tirelessly each day to underpin and manage the vast and intricate work contributing to the overarching goal; to achieve the best outcomes for those fighting cancer.

Centre Manager, Wendy Wilson said, “The Cancer Clinical Trials Centre is a significant facility here in Sheffield and enables ground-breaking research into all cancer types.”

“Over the years, we are incredibly proud to have been involved in, and delivered, some important ‘first in patient’ trials, and invested in early stage research projects which have ultimately transformed the way certain cancers are treated across the world.”

“It’s extremely important for us to attract and retain high quality researchers and oncologists at the centre so that Sheffield can keep flying the flag high to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of treatment and care.”

Last year, 1402 patients across the Sheffield cancer network were recruited to a clinical trial and investments were made into many projects including surgery, bone oncology, drug development and improving radiotherapy treatments.

As well as investing in new researchers, existing staff at the centre have continued to contribute to international and national groups and committees to play an active and essential role in the fight against cancer worldwide.

Professor Rob Coleman, who has played an integral part in the development and growth of the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre since 1992, was awarded the prestigious International Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) award in November in recognition of his outstanding contribution to work into metastatic breast cancer throughout his career.

Lead Research Nurse, Alison Clarke said, “The Cancer Clinical Centre is a multifaceted unit with staff operating at different levels to ensure that the patient experience is as comfortable and streamlined as possible.”

“Typically, patients will be identified and assessed by the medical/research nursing team to see if they are eligible to enter a clinical study. They will also have a discussion with a member of the research team to ensure full written consent is given. Patients will always have a choice as to whether to take part in a study or not.

This will all be determined before their treatment even begins. Patients identified for a drug study will then undergo treatment on the specialised Clinical Research Unit where the trained chemotherapy staff become involved. Patients will also be identified for surgical or radiotherapy studies. Each independent team works collaboratively alongside each other to ensure that patient comfort and understanding remains paramount at all times.”

“We rely on funding each year from Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity to expand and improve the way research is delivered, not only at Weston Park Hospital, but throughout the region.”

“Without this support, the Centre would simply not have achieved the successes it has over the last 20 years and cancer patients would not have been offered the wide variety of treatment options that are available today.”

“Research undertaken at the Centre ultimately saves lives and the more research we can do, the more families in our region can stay together for longer.”

Half of all people born since 1960 will be affected by cancer in their life time and every day, at least 30 people in our region are diagnosed with cancer.

Many patients continue to benefit from the clinical trials offering at Weston Park Hospital - patients like Janet Blackburn.

Janet Blackburn (60) was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and just 2 weeks later her husband, Robin was diagnosed cancer of the oesophagus.

Janet underwent a mastectomy, had her lymph nodes removed and received chemotherapy at Weston Park Hospital and was responding well to treatment. Sadly, her husband wasn’t as lucky and he lost his fight with cancer in 2011 whilst both were receiving