The Bristol Cancer Research Network alongside the Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucester (SWAG) Cancer Alliance, are delighted to host this virtual event on 16 September 2021 focussing on the early detection and prevention of cancer. 

ALL WELCOME

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women.

A significant number of these deaths will be related to tobacco use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, obesity (World Cancer Research Fund & American Institute for Cancer Research, 2009) and exposure to UV light, and can be prevented. Lifestyle changes and use of vaccines or antibiotics can prevent cancers related to viral or bacterial infections (e.g. hepatitis B virus, human papillomavirus). In addition to avoidance of risk factors, routine use of screening modalities can aid in prevention and early detection of cancer. Screening tests for cancers of the colon, rectum, and cervix can help prevent cancer by enabling removal of precancerous growths. Greater use of screening tests could decrease deaths related to breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers.

The cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems. In countries like the UK where we have strong health systems, survival rates of many types of cancers are improving thanks to accessible early detection, quality treatment and survivorship care.

This event will highlight some of the work taking place in early detection and prevention at the Universities of Bristol and Cardiff. 

Keynotes

• Prof Karen Brown, Professor of Translational Cancer Research, Leicester Cancer Research Centre

Prof Brown's research focusses on three areas:

• Preclinical and early clinical development of novel cancer chemopreventive agents
• Identification and development of novel biomarkers of cancer risk, prognosis and chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic agent efficacy
• Clinical trials comparing the plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of a dietary and pharmacological dose of resveratrol

• Dr Antonella Borgatti, Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine / Director, Clinical Investigation Center, University of Minnesota

Dr. Borgatti is primarily interested in the clinical application of novel targeted therapeutics and immunotherapy approaches. Her recent work has focused on testing a novel, genetically engineered biological drug against chemotherapy refractory hemangiosarcoma in companion dogs with spontaneously arising cancer. The data generated by this work provided a strong rationale for translation to human clinical trial. 

Programme

13.30-14.00	Karen Brown	Professor of Translational Cancer Research, Leicester Cancer Research Centre	University of Leicester	Colorectal cancer prevention – is aspirin just the start?
14.00-14.15	Kathreena Kurian	Professor of Neuropathology, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences / Director: Brain Tumour Research Centre	University of Bristol	Early diagnosis of Brain Tumours
	Sabine Hauert	Associate Professor in Swarm Engineering, Department of Engineering Mathematics	University of Bristol	Early diagnosis of Brain Tumours
14.15-14.30	Harriet Quinn-Scoggins	Research Associate, Cancer screening, preventon and early diagnosis theme, Division of Population, School of Medicine	Cardiff University	Cancer screening, prevention and early diagnosis: a whistle-stop tour from a behavioural science perspective
14.30-14.45	Helen Winter	Medical Oncologist, Bristol Cancer Institute / SWAG Cancer Alliance Clinical Director	University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust / Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire Cancer Alliance	Earlier, faster, fairer: Collaborative delivery of improved cancer diagnostics
14.45-15.30	BREAK
15.30-16.00	Antonella Borgatti	Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine / Director, Clinical Investigation Center	University of Minnesota	Changing the Paradigm of Cancer Treatment and Prevention
16.00-16.15	Stephen Paisey	Pre-Clinical Facilities Manager, Wales Research and Diagnostic PET Imaging Centre	Cardiff University	PET imaging research at Cardiff University
16.15-16.30	Meda Sandu	PhD student, Bristol Medical School / Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Programme	University of Bristol	Predicting Prostate Cancer Progression using metabolic traits in the ProtecT trial
	Paul Yousefi	Senior Research Associate in Epigenetic Epidemiology, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences	University of Bristol	Predicting Prostate Cancer Progression using metabolic traits in the ProtecT trial
16.30-17.00	DISCUSSION ROOMS

Registration

Attendance is FREE

Online registration is now CLOSED. Please contact catherine.brown@bristol.ac.uk directly if you are interested in taking part.