Event showcases how Sheffield is leaping forward in cancer research

THE EVENING OF 29 February was a fitting date to show how research into cancer is making a major leap forward in the city, following the formation of the Sheffield Cancer Research Centre last October.

At the University of Sheffield's Firth Hall, over 250 invited guests from all over the region, including Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Dr Sylvia Dunkley, were given the opportunity to meet key researchers from the new Centre. They also heard how the city is now even further at the forefront of bringing new discoveries to the benefit of patients faster than ever before, helping more people survive cancer.

The Sheffield Cancer Research Centre is one of 17 Cancer Research UK Centres across the UK that draw together world class research and medical expertise to provide the best possible results for cancer patients nationwide.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The University of Sheffield, Yorkshire Cancer Research and Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity are all partners in the Sheffield Centre with Cancer Research UK.

During the evening guests heard about the history and vision for the future of cancer research in Sheffield from a number of eminent speakers representing the five partners, led by Centre Director, Professor Rob Coleman.

There were also two exhibition rooms where guests were able to visit displays, talk to scientists, see demonstrations, look though microscopes and watch microcirculation imaging. Guests were even invited to make their own strawberry DNA and come face to face with Zebra fish genetics.

Professor Rob Coleman said: “The Centre is an exciting development for cancer research in the Sheffield area. It is building on Sheffield’s world class research status, bringing together a variety of researchers and clinicians to work together to improve the lives of cancer patients across South Yorkshire and beyond. This event gave us our first opportunity for members of the public to come together and hear about the scale and importance of the work being carried out here. I was proud to be able to share with them how the newly created Centre is helping us take this to an even higher level that will lead to improved treatments for patients.”

The Sheffield Cancer Research Centre’s clinical base is at Weston Park Hospital, one of only four dedicated cancer hospitals in the country, and links with laboratory facilities both within the Medical School and across the University of Sheffield.

Sheffield is already setting the pace for national and international progress in many different types of cancer, with particular interest in breast and lung cancers and a strong focus on the spread of cancers to the bones.

Scientists at the Centre also investigate the fundamental biology of cancer, understanding how the disease starts and how it grows and spreads. Researchers also study how cancers interact with the cells and tissues that surround them, and how they grow a blood supply. By understanding this ‘tumour micro-environment’, researchers are developing exciting new approaches for treating cancer.

Collaboration between the partners is enabling researchers who would not normally work together to exchange ideas and information more easily. The Centre is also helping train the next generation of cancer researchers through studentships and fellowships, continuing Sheffield’s strong tradition of training and development.


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