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What is the Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Research Network (LSCCRN)?The Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Research Network (LSCCRN) is one of 34 research networks in England, which together form the National Cancer Research Network (NCRN). Click here for further information about the NCRN The NCRN was created to improve the infrastructure (staff and equipment) for clinical trials in cancer within the NHS, and to ensure that research and cancer treatment go hand-in-hand in order to maximise the quality of cancer care. The NCRN has the goal of doubling the number of cancer patients entered into clinical trials from a baseline of 3.75% of new patients to 10% by April 2006. NCRN achieves target ahead of schedule - click here for further information The NCRN has given the LSCCRN funding, based on a population of 1.45 million. This is being used to supplement the existing research staff in Blackpool, Lancaster and Preston. Additionally, it will provide staff to set up clinical trials in other parts of the network, so that more patients will be able to take part in trials locally. What are clinical trials in cancer?Clinical trials are research studies into new types of medical care. They often involve drug treatments, but also radiotherapy and surgery and combinations of treatment. They may examine the psychological and financial effects of treatment and may also study disease prevention and diagnosis. Usually clinical trials are randomised which means that the exact treatment or procedure a patient receives, is chosen at random, usually by computer, to remove any bias in selection. Patients are only invited to take part in a clinical trial if their doctor is satisfied that the treatments or procedures are acceptable for the individual patient concerned. Why do we need clinical trials?It would seem a good thing to use all new treatments straightaway, but we know that often the benefits of new treatments may be small compared to existing therapies and new treatments may have unexpected or more severe side effects than treatments that are already available. It is usually necessary to measure the effects of new treatments, in closely monitored comparisons with existing treatments, in hundreds or thousands of patients to tell if they are of true benefit. Each trial improves our knowledge and it is the adding together of these small advances in knowledge that contributes to improved survival and quality of life for patients. How will the LSCCRN operate?The LSCCRN will try to overcome barriers to the entry of patients into clinical trials, by employing more cancer research nurses to work in local hospitals. The research nurses will help to explain clinical trials to patients and liase with the ethics committee and other hospital departments to make sure that all treatments and tests required can be safely carried out at each hospital and that any financial implications are addressed. The research nurses will help to identify patients who fulfil the entry requirements for each clinical trial by being present at multi-disciplinary team meetings where patient management is discussed, and at relevant clinics. The LSCCRN does not fund cancer research directly. Funding bodies, such as the Medical Research Council and voluntary organisations, pay to develop and run clinical trials. Most of the cost of hosting research will be born by the NHS and the Department of Health but in some cases the LSCCRN will support departments with a particularly high research load, or where local facilities are under particular pressure. Other major organisations involved in cancer research
The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Contact details for Research Offices across the Network:
Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Research Network Office
Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Joyce Jones, Clinical Trials Nurse
Research Office
Burnley General Hospital
Corporate Offices,
Royal Blackburn Hospital
c/o C 10 Planned Admissions Ward, Furness General Hospital Clare Tibke, Oncology Clinical Trials Nurse
Cancer Services Office Royal Lancaster Infirmary Jose Bates, Clinical Trials Co-ordinator
C/o Cancer Services Office. Royal Preston Hospital
Billy Hefferon, Senior Research Nurse
Research Office Pharmacy support
Dave Barber, Cancer Network Pharmacist |
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