One in Two – Details, episodes & analysis

In the latest episode of One in Two: A Manchester Cancer Research Podcast, we speak to Professor Matt Evison, Professor of Thoracic oncology, and never-smoker ALK+ lung cancer patient, Sally Hayton about: 

·      Never-smoker lung cancer symptoms, demographics, and occurrence 

·      Sally’s experience of receiving her lung cancer diagnosis and the barriers she faced in accessing treatment

·      Overcoming barriers to early detection in symptomatic lung cancer patients 

·      The Manchester self-referral chest x-ray service and how it is helping in the diagnosis of symptomatic lung cancer patients 

Show notes:  

Professor Matt Evison’s profile: https://mft.nhs.uk/wythenshawe/consultants/dr-matthew-evison/

Non-small cell lung cancer information from Macmillan: 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/lung-cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer

The ALK project: A real-work national network and database: 

https://christie.openrepository.com/handle/10541/623693

ALK Positive UK: https://www.alkpositive.org.uk/

 ALK Positive Org: https://www.alkpositive.org/what-is-alk

EGFR Positive UK: https://www.egfrpositive.org.uk/

EGFR Registers: https://egfrcancer.org/

Ruth Strauss Foundation: https://ruthstraussfoundation.com/

Rankin shoots campaign to raise awareness of lung cancer in people who have never smoked: https://lbbonline.com/news/rankin-shoots-campaign-to-raise-awareness-of-lung-cancer-in-people-whove-never-smoked

The ROS1ders: https://www.theros1ders.org/

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation: https://roycastle.org/

Speaker profiles:   

Professor Matt Evison 

Professor Matthew Evison MD MRCP (Respiratory Medicine) MBChB qualified from Manchester University Medical School in 2004. He undertook specialist training in Respiratory Medicine in 2008-2014 including a two-year fellowship in Thoracic Oncology at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, completing an MD degree in lung cancer diagnostics. He was appointed as a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine (Thoracic Oncology) at Wythenshawe Hospital in 2014. He was clinical Director for Lung Cancer for Greater Manchester Cancer from 2017-2023 and Appointed as Associate Medical Director for the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance in 2023. Matt is the Clinical Lead for the Greater Manchester regional tobacco control programme ‘Making Smoking History’. He is a member of the British Thoracic Society Lung Cancer & Mesothelioma Specialist Advisory Group (SAG) & Member of the British Thoracic Oncology Group Steering Committee. He is also MASHC Honorary Clinical Chair, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, The University of Manchester.

Sally Hayton 

Patient Sally Hayton lives with Frank her partner. She has lived most of her life in Greater Manchester.

Sally is a never smoker and was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2013 and biomarker testing showed an ALK mutation. She is now being treated at The Christie Hospital.

She has always worked in the public sector. After leaving school she trained and worked as an occupational therapist (OT). She then had a career change and worked within NHS Personnel for several years before realising that she wanted to return to her OT career. She has worked within both the NHS and social care, both of which she enjoyed.

She is a member of Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance Patient Voices’ and believes it is very important to raise awareness of never smoker lung cancer so that people are diagnosed at earlier stages and have access to the best treatment.

Quote

“The profile of lung cancer is changing, so I saw it as people who smoked a packet of cigarettes a day for 20, 30 years and then they got to their 70s and 80s and then were diagnosed with stage four lung cancer; that was my rough perception I had in my head. Then now, having been diagnosed with lung cancer and not fitting that group, I realise that never smokers are a totally different group of people. The youngest person I have met with lung cancer was 17 years old. People in their 20s and 30s are also being diagnosed so you can see the profile for never-smoker lung cancer is very different.” ~ Patient Sally Hayton

In this episode, we speak to Professor David Wedge, Professor of Cancer Genomics and Data Science, about breast cancer in Black African women, focussing on: 

·      Cancer genomics and what we understand ethnicity to be in the context of genomic research

·      David’s work within the International Cancer Genome Consortium 

·      The increase in aggressiveness of breast cancer that we see in Black African women compared to White Caucasian women

·      David’s current research project on genomics of breast cancer progression in Nigerian women

·      The importance of international research and discuss how this work is driving for health equity. 

Professor David Wedge:

David Wedge is a Professor of Cancer Genomics and Data Science at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester. He was co-lead of the Evolution and Heterogeneity working group of the ICGC Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) project and is currently one of the leaders of the Pan Prostate Cancer Group.

Much of the research in the Wedge lab is focused on tumour evolution, from the initial transformation of normal cells to cancer, through the acquisition of treatment resistance and to the formation of metastatic lesions. The Wedge group have pioneered the development of computational methods to study heterogeneity in primary and metastatic cancers. Recently, the focus of the lab has shifted towards understudied populations, including the genomics of breast cancer in Nigerian women and of lung cancer in non-smokers.

Professor David Wedge’s research profile   

Manchester Cancer Research Centre Breast cancer webpage

Cancer Research UK Breast cancer webpage

Etiology and Genomics of Breast Cancer Progression in Women of African Ancestry paper  

Whole-genome analysis of Nigerian patients with breast cancer reveals ethnic-driven somatic evolution and distinct genomic subtypes nature paper

In this episode, we speak to Professor Emma Crosbie about her research in womb cancer and the breakthrough she made in discovering a link between Lynch syndrome and womb cancer.

We discuss the steps Emma and her team took to change NICE guidance on testing for Lynch syndrome for women with womb cancer, and what this now means for the many women and their families with this disease.

Emma Crosbie’s research profile: https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/emma.crosbie.html

Cancer futures: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/stories/cancer/

Peaches trust: https://peachestrust.org/

What is cervical screening? https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/ 

Macmillan Cancer support: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

Read more in this blog from the Policy@Manchester Team and hear directly from people who will be affected by this change in healthcare policy: https://www.policy.manchester.ac.uk/activities/lynch-syndrome/

In this episode we speak to Dr Marilena Hadjidemetriou about her research on nano-omics, which aims to integrate nanotechnology to the ‘world of omics’ as well as proteomic biomarker discovery.

We find out how nano-omics is being used to isolate molecular biomarkers that highlight the early stages of cancer in patients, making earlier cancer detection possible.

Marilena’s research profile: https://nanomedicinelab.com/people/marilena-hadjidemetriou/

Nanomedicine lab 2.0: https://nanomedicinelab.com/research/teams/nano-omics/

In this episode we speak to Professor Katherine Payne about health economics; what it is, its importance in cancer treatment and early detection strategies and the crucial role it plays in changing healthcare policy.

We discuss Katherine’s work evaluating the health and economic benefits of banning sunbeds in England and the effect that a policy intervention would have in reducing the burden of skin cancer on the NHS.

CRUK:  https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-fmZBhDtARIsAH6H8qgxqXaY3V-t80BG6HPUGwl9XBsoh74Xr7N1rVQObEm6EYHYsEsyBq4aAj99EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Melanoma Focus: https://melanomafocus.org/

How can we encourage the UK public to stop indoor tanning?:  https://www.mcrc.manchester.ac.uk/how-can-we-encourage-the-uk-public-to-stop-indoor-tanning/

The case for banning sunbeds:  https://www.mcrc.manchester.ac.uk/impact-case-studies/the-case-for-banning-sunbeds/

Scientists: 'A ban on sunbeds could save lives from skin cancer': https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-61508470

Ban on solariums in England would save hundreds of lives from skin cancer, study finds:  https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/may/19/ban-on-solariums-in-england-would-save-hundreds-of-lives-from-skin-cancer-study-finds

In this episode we speak to Dr Jen Davies-Oliveira and Professor Emma Crosbie about their research into womb cancer and human papilloma virus, commonly known as HPV. We also discuss one of their research projects developing alternative self-sampling methods for HPV.

With lower cervical screening uptake in communities such as the LGBTQIA+ community, we explore how addressing barriers to screening can be achieved through greater engagement with these groups and the importance of developing an inclusive approach to screening.

Live through this: https://livethroughthis.co.uk/

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/

Answer cancer GM: https://www.answercancergm.org.uk/

LGBT foundation: https://lgbt.foundation/

Peaches Womb Cancer Trust: https://peachestrust.org/

In this episode we speak to Professor Gareth Evans about the importance of breast cancer screening, as well as the risk predictors of breast cancer as he answers the question: Should all women be screened equally for breast cancer? 

He discusses risk prediction, early detection and prevention of breast cancer, highlighting the outputs of trials led by Manchester investigating the best routes for breast cancer screening.

Professor Gareth Evans profile: https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/gareth.d.evans.html

Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer and Me:  https://www.itv.com/hub/julia-bradbury-breast-cancer-and-me/10a1995a0001

MFT Cancer Professor features in Julia Bradbury breast cancer documentary:  https://research.cmft.nhs.uk/news-events/mft-cancer-professor-features-in-julia-bradbury-breast-cancer-documentary

Saliva test ‘could predict breast cancer risk’:  https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/saliva-test-could-predict-breast-cancer-risk-w9trmkdvx

Simple saliva test for breast cancer could save thousands of under-50s as breakthrough can spot women at a highest risk years earlier, study shows:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10843127/Simple-saliva-test-breast-cancer-save-thousands-50s.html

Breast cancer in women: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer/

Macmillan cancer support: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

Prevent Breast Cancer: https://preventbreastcancer.org.uk/

Please be aware, this podcast was recorded on the 7th June 2022 when Sajid Javid was still Secretary of State for Health.

In this episode, we speak to Professor Phil Crosbie and Professor Emma Crosbie about their research in the early detection of lung and womb cancer and their work on community screening and addressing health inequalities.

With cancer incidence rising, especially amongst the most socially and economically disadvantaged communities, the need for earlier detection interventions has never been more important. We find out how this cancer research power couple are transforming cancer patient outcomes through novel approaches to early detection.

Phil Crosbie’s research profile: https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/philip.crosbie.html

Emma Crosbie’s research profile: https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/emma.crosbie.html

Cancer futures: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/stories/cancer/

Peaches trust: https://peachestrust.org/

What is cervical screening? https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/

Manchester lung health check: https://mft.nhs.uk/lunghealthcheck/ 

Macmillan Cancer support: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

 In this episode, we speak to Dr Emma Woodward and patient Nick Brown, about hereditary cancer predisposition,  focusing on:

 ·      Li Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), a rare cancer predisposing condition which gives a 70% lifetime risk of developing cancer, caused by germline mutations in the TP53 gene

 ·      Nick’s diagnosis with LFS syndrome and the affect this has had on him and his family

 ·      The current screening regime for LFS

 ·      The ATLAS study run by Dr Emma Woodward in collaboration with Ontario Institute for Cancer Research in Toronto, Canada, which is working to change cancer detection in LFS 

 Show notes:  

Dr Emma Woodward research profile 

The George Pantzirka TP53 Trust 

Li Fraumeni Syndrome 

 Speaker profiles:   

 Dr Emma R. Woodward:

Dr Emma R. Woodward is a Clinical Geneticist specialising in hereditary cancer predisposition.

Dr Woodward studied medicine at the University of Cambridge where she also completed a PhD studying familial phaeochromocytoma and familial renal cancer. She then undertook training in adult medicine in London, Lausanne and N. Ireland prior to her higher specialist training in Clinical Genetics in Birmingham. During this time Dr Woodward received an NIHR Clinician Scientist Award and undertook further study of familial renal cancer. She became a consultant at Birmingham Women’s Hospital in 2008 and at Saint Mary’s Hospital in 2015.

Dr Woodward’s current research is aimed at improving cancer prevention and early detection strategies for families with a hereditary cancer predisposition. Dr Woodward is an Alliance of Cancer Early Detection (ACED) Director of Research for Trials and Principle Investigator of the ACED-funded study: ELECTRIC (Early Detection of Hereditary Renal Cancer), MAHSC -funded study: PRO-DIRECT (Direct genetic testing for prostate cancer) and a LifeArc-funded project to calculate risk of second primary cancers in hereditary retinoblastoma. Dr Woodward is also joint-PI for the Cancer Research UK/ Ontario Institute for Cancer Research-jointly funded ATLAS study (eArly deTection in Li frAumeni Syndrome).

 Nick Brown: 

 Patient Nick Brown is married to wife Amanda and has three children aged 25, 23 and 20. He is originally from North Yorkshire and after attending school in Leeds and University at Nottingham, he studied to be a chartered accountant with a big four firm. 

 After qualifying and leaving the profession, Nick spent most of his career in textiles, initially working in carpets and for the last 20 years as finance director at Camira group. In 2019 he retired and remained as a non-exec director and has subsequently taken on a further non-exec role at a worsted suit manufacturer in Leeds. 

 Nick first discovered he had LFS following the passing of his sister who died from multiple cancers in 2015. He was subsequently tested, and it was confirmed he had LFS in 2017. Since then, Nick has been under the care of the genetics team in Manchester and specifically with Dr Emma, Woodward. More recently all of Nick’s children are now in the process of testing to see if they also have LFS.  

 Nick was asked by Emma if he wished to participate in the ATLAS project which he was very happy to do and acted as a lead advocate at a number of patient group feedback sessions. The aim of these sessions was to inform what the Atlas project was about and to obtain patient feedback about the outcomes which may arise from the project. 

 In this episode, we speak to Corinne Faivre-Finn, a Professor of Thoracic Radiation Oncology about lung cancer clinical trials, focussing on:

 ·      Radiotherapy: what it is and how it’s used to treat lung cancers

 ·      Clinical trials: what are they, who are they for and how are they set up

 ·      The RAPID-RT clinical trial that launched at The Christie in early 2023, and how it could improve survival rates for lung cancer patients

 ·      The involvement of AI and rapid learning in this trial, and the benefits this has for data collection   

 ·      Integrating patient voices into the trial

 Speaker profile:   

 Corinne Faivre-Finn, FRCR, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Thoracic Radiation Oncology at the Division of Molecular and Cancer Sciences (University of Manchester) and Honorary Consultant Clinical Oncologist (The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester) with a specialist interest in lung cancer. Prof Faivre-Finn trained in Paris until 1998 and accepted a consultant post at The Christie in 2001. She has numerous professional roles including: Radiotherapy Research Lead and Radiotherapy Big Data Lead for Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Radiotherapy Research Lead for the CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence and Early NSCLC Chair of EORTC Lung Group.  She is the Co-lead of the Christie/Manchester Cancer Research Centre Patient Reported Outcome Group.

 Show notes:  

 Professor Corinne Faivre-Finn's research profile

 The Telegraph: AI utilised to help prevent lung cancer patients getting heart disease 

 CRUK clinical trial research website

 RAPID RT, The University of Manchester

 Dr Gareth Price research profile

 We are Vocal home page

 Using real world data and rapid learning to drive improvements in lung cancer survival