Taking Control of Cancer

In part two of our special from the UK Oncology Forum in Harrogate, Steve Bland is once again joined by Wayne Douglas, Programme Lead for Diagnosis and Treatment at the North East London Cancer Alliance, to talk about a potentially life-saving pilot project between the alliance and Natera, who are a world-leader in cell-free DNA testing with a focus on women’s health, oncology and organ health.

Steve and Wayne are joined by Dr Francesca Jackson-Spence, Clinical Research fellow in Genitourinary oncology at Bart’s Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, PhD candidate; and Dr Angel A. Rodriguez, MD Oncology and Senior Medical Director at Natera.

The project will evaluate the real-world impact in an NHS setting of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) testing using Signatera™ to inform follow-on treatment decisions of early stage urothelial and gastro-intestinal cancer patients. Signatera™ is a personalised and highly sensitive tumour-informed cDNA test for molecular residual disease detection (MRD), to inform treatment decisions for cancer patients with solid tumours.

This pilot will help better select the patients who need treatments, and de-escalate therapy for those who don’t need it.

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What is Taking Control of Cancer?

Welcome to Taking Control of Cancer, the podcast from the North East London Cancer Alliance. Think of us as your ‘how to’ guide when it comes to busting common cancer myths, overcoming fears and barriers, and improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.

This series aims to provide both patients and healthcare professionals with tangible things they can do to help when it comes to cancer. Whilst we know not all cancers are preventable, there are things we can all do that could make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of our family, friends and colleagues.

There are two underlying themes across all episodes – the importance of early diagnosis, and reducing health inequalities.

Host:
Steve Bland is an award-winning podcaster and producer and one of the three presenters of the BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C, which was set up by his first wife - BBC presenter Rachael Bland - before her death from triple negative breast cancer in 2018.

Regular guests:
Dr Angela Wong, Chief Medical Officer, North East London Cancer Alliance:
Angela is a driving force behind improving cancer diagnostics for residents across north east London. As Chief Medical Officer for the North East London Cancer Alliance, Angela works tirelessly on delivering innovation and service improvements for cancer patients.

Femi Odewale, Managing Director, North East London Cancer Alliance:
Femi leads the programme teams from the North East London Cancer Alliance across three core areas of work: Early Diagnosis, Diagnosis and Treatment, and Personalised Care.