Special bus visiting NNUH raises awareness of national cancer research study

Picture caption: From the left, Susan Steel, Biorepository Manager (Business);, Dr Rachael Stanley, Biorepository Manager (Scientific); Jo Lowery, GMC Project Manager, 100,00 Genomes Team, University Hospitals of Leicester; Rob Banner, Director of charity Prostaid; Lain Tisdall, First Bus.

A special double-decker bus has visited the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) today (Thursday 18th May) to show the public more about the 100,000 Genomes Project a national cancer research study.

NNUH is one of the hospitals in the UK which is taking part in the 100,000 Genomes Project, a world-leading DNA project which aims to sequence 100,000 complete sets of DNA from around 70,000 NHS patients. Groups of hospitals are recruiting patients with different forms of cancer. NNUH has recruited nearly 50 patients so far has set up a dedicated genome research team due to recruit about 30 patients a month over the next 18 months with cancers such as breast, colorectal, renal, ovarian, melanoma and testicular.

Matt Keeling, Cancer Services Manager at NNUH says: “We are one of the biggest cancer centres in the UK, diagnosing over 6,000 patients each year. This places us in a strong position to drive forward this study which will lead to the development of more targeted and effective treatments for cancer.”

On-board information and the NNUH 100,000 Genome team will be on board to help patients understand more about the national project and what happens if they are diagnosed with cancer and want to take part in the research study.

The bus, supplied by First Eastern County Buses, is touring the East of England following a conference in Leicester about 100,000 Genome Project in transforming the treatments for cancer in the NHS.
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