Brain Tumour Research played a full role in this year’s Scottish Cancer Conference, with our Patron Theo Burrell appearing as one of the guest speakers.
The conference explored how innovation within our health systems has the potential to transform outcomes by preventing more cancers, diagnosing more at an earlier stage and providing equitable access to kinder and better treatments.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP (below), sporting a sleek moustache for Movember, told the conference that it is imperative Scottish Government continues investing in research. Mr Gray said that his key focus would be supporting commercial clinical trials and embracing the potential of artificial intelligence.
Professor Larry Kessler, Professor of Health Systems and Population Health at the University of Washington School of Public Health, spoke about moving towards a personalised approach for the early detection of cancer. He said that some cancers, including brain tumours, are still difficult to recognise through their early symptoms because they are often non-specific.
Nevertheless, “We need to walk towards the challenge, not away from it,” said Professor Kessler.
The highlight of the breakout sessions – ‘From candle to lightbulb: promoting a paradigm-shifting innovation in research’ – explored some of the exciting research innovation happening in Scotland and discussed how to create an environment that encourages and incubates innovation, and its challenges.
Professor Hing Leung, Director of Innovation, Engagement and Enterprise at the University of Glasgow, proposed four essential components to nurturing the innovation cycle:
- Creativity and confidence – Not based on immediacy but eventual benefits. Learning from failures whilst progressing towards the eventual goal
- Capital and commercialisation – Funding and infrastructure is pivotal to good quality research. New ideas, in particular, need extra support
- Career progression – Ensuring that the workforce is flexible, diverse, and motivated
- Clinical evaluation – Demonstrating the benefits to the consumers
The final speech of the day – the patient speech – was given by Brain Tumour Research Patron Theo Burrell.
Theo talked about learning to live with cancer and all the things that she had accomplished since her brain tumour diagnosis.
These include attempting a return to work, holding a charity auction, and knocking on the door of Number 10, whilst celebrating many other milestones as a mother, partner, daughter, volunteer and friend.
Her approach, she said, is best described in the lyrics of the song, What You Do With What You’ve Got by Siobhan Miller:
“It's not the fights you dreamed of/But those you really fought/It's not what you’ve been given/It’s what you do with what you've got.”
Our Policy and Public Affairs Manager Thomas Brayford said: “Every step forward, through innovation, offers hope to patients and their families. This conference was imbued with a sense of optimism, however, we are clear that much more still needs to be done to improve outcomes for brain tumour patients."
Related reading:
Published Thursday 28th November 2024.