Julie Hepburn, WCRC Lead Lay Research Partner, delivered an impactful speech at the Cancer – Early Detection & Diagnosis event that was held recently at the Life Sciences Hub. This event, organised in conjunction with the Academy of Medical Sciences, gathered innovators and researchers across various fields to discuss the crucial topic of early cancer detection and diagnosis.
The Academy of Medical Sciences Cross-Sector Programme aims to foster health innovation by connecting cross-sector innovators and researchers through networking events and collaborative funding schemes. The event in Wales highlighted the benefits of cross-sector collaboration in enhancing early cancer detection and diagnosis, emphasising the importance of unified efforts to create sustainable solutions and improve care quality.
Participants were introduced to the Cross-Sector Programme and networking hubs by representatives from the Academy of Medical Sciences and Life Sciences Hub Wales. The event featured table discussions, networking opportunities, and extended sessions for participants to explore common interests and potential collaborations.
Julie Hepburn’s talk, “Public Involvement in Cancer Research – Working with the Public Not for Them,” was a key highlight. Julie shared her experiences in public and patient involvement (PPI) in early cancer detection and diagnosis, addressing an audience that included commercial companies, charities, and researchers. Julie said:
“I was invited to speak at this meeting by the Academy of Medical Sciences who hosted the event together with the Life Sciences Hub. My brief was to speak about the patient experience together with my experience in public and patient involvement in Early Cancer Detection and Diagnosis.
As there were attendees from commercial companies and charities as well as researchers in the field, I also took the opportunity to highlight the value of PPI to commercial companies, which I had also done at a talk given in London in June at the Outsourcing Commercial Trials Conference to an audience of Pharma and Clinical Research Organisations. It was also useful to be able to talk to commercial representatives at both events during the networking sessions.”
The event underscored the critical need for cross-sector collaboration in cancer research, aiming to drive innovation and improve outcomes for patients across Wales and beyond.