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Research & Education in Cancer
 

IN THE NEWS

New Decision Aid

A web-based patient decision aid for people living with MND making a decision about whether to have a gastrostomy tube is now freely available to all via the MND Association website. Gastrostomy tube – is it for me? can be directly accessed here.

The film above provides a short introduction to the project and decision aid and you can read the peer-reviewed publication here. The decision aid was produced as part of the DiAMoND study, led by Dr Sally Wheelwright. Dr Wheelwright said: “People who have MND are faced with many difficult decisions about their care, including whether to have a gastrostomy tube. Gastrostomy tube – is it for me? is a resource which can supplement conversations with healthcare professionals during the decision-making process and help individuals to come to the right decision for them.”

They just don't know what to say or do

We have released a film "They just don't know what to say or do" looking at experiences, support needs and quality of life of women living with metastatic breast cancer, and aimed at helping their families and friends. The film uses quotes from the answers that patients gave to the question ‘What did family or friends say or do that helped or hindered?’ in our recent LIMBER survey. Professor Jenkins, who led the film production, said: “Unfortunately even individuals who may care deeply and wish to be helpful often do not know what to say or do when someone has disease which, although still treatable, can no longer be cured. Their actions and words can make their loved ones with cancer feel hurt, misunderstood or abandoned.” In the film Professor Fallowfield discusses these problems with Lesley Stephen, a mother of 4 children, who was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2014 and given a life expectancy of one to two years. (07 Aug 2023)

You can read more about the study and the film on the BSMS website - here.

Participants needed!

Researchers at SHORE-C (Brighton and Sussex Medical School) are looking for people with breast cancer to take part in a telephone interview for their views about receiving genetic test information and results online. The findings will help doctors introduce this in their clinics and improve accessibility for under-served patients.

We are looking for people with breast cancer (past or present diagnosis) who are: 70 years or older and/or from a non-white ethnic background and/or disadvantaged background (for example low household income).

You don't have to have experience with genetic testing to take part!

If you are interested, please contact adminshore-c@sussex.ac.uk or 01273 873019. We offer a £25 voucher for participation.

Professor Fallowfield blogs about her recent involvment with BodySwaps, specifically about training HCPs to be better at communicating with angry patients. Read the blog here.

Using virtual reality to navigate difficult converstations

To read more about the work Professor Dame Lesley Fallowfield has been doing with the RSM and BodySwaps to develop a virtual reality training program in navigating difficult conversations for doctors and medical students you can see the artciles on the Unversity of Sussex and Royal Society of Medicine websites.

Cancer Research Symposium 2023

Professor Fallowfield and Professor Jenkins gave a talk at the NIHR Cancer Research Symposium in Exeter, Devon, UK. The talk was entitled 'The Importance of Teams Talking Trials'.

British Breast Group Annual Conference (22 to 23 June 2023)

We were one of the main organisers of this very successful annual meeting held at the Mercure Hotel in Brighton. The meeting was attended by 85 participants and held over two days (22nd-23rd June). There were diverse presentations and many good updates on diagnostics and treatments. Professor Fallowfield delivered one of the plenary talks entitled ‘Communication – Past, present and future’. Other speakers included Professor Fiona Gilbert on the use of artificial intelligence in breast imaging, Professor Diana Eccles on genetic predisposition and decision making, Professor Peter Schmid on immunotherapy in breast cancer and Mr Stuart McIntosh on local treatment and de-escalation studies.

Dr Sally Wheelwright with other contributers to her Cachexia session at the MASCC Conference in Japan

Dr Sally Wheelwright was at MASCC in Japan talking about the role of psychological care in cancer cachexia. Her key message is that all health care professionals can provide it and it's essential for patients and caregivers

Navigating Angry Conversations

Professor Dame Lesley Fallowfield tells us about the latest Bodyswaps module, created in collaboration with the Royal Society of Medicine - Also:-

Communication skills using virtual reality Scholarships

The Royal Society of Medicine is delighted to offer four inaugural Thompson Family scholarships of £5,000 each. Applicants will be invited to conduct a piece of research related to an innovative communication skills programme for healthcare professionals using virtual reality.

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