The Bristol Cancer Research Network, supported by the University of Bristol's Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, is delighted to announce the launch of it's new strategy on 1 April 2025. 

Our revised strategy 2025-2030, explores our vision and mission in preventing, diagnosing and treating this leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide. 

Our research spans the entire cancer journey from prevention and risk stratification, early detection and diagnosis, elucidating mechanisms of progression, identification of new targets and biomarkers, to the delivery of transformative treatments and pathways for patients and populations. We aim to enhance the impact of cancer network-enabled research on people affected by cancer through holistic, personalised and patient-centred approaches, including co-production of research. As part of a global civic university we are dedicated to tackling cancer worldwide, shaping the future of cancer care for all. We are proud to model a network rooted in our sense of place, with strong connections to our local communities. 

Our official strategy launch event will take place over one afternoon and will comprise an oral programme of invited speakers of lightening talks (5 minutes) and longer talks (15 minutes) reflecting the various aspects of cancer research here in Bristol. Talks will be followed by a reception to allow for further networking and discussion. 

To register please complete the online form: https://forms.office.com/e/ga2GQvgLA3 

Attendance is free and all are welcome. 

Our strategy can be viewed online: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/cancer/our-strategy/

Programme:

13.30-13.40	Welcome and Introduction	Helen Winter (Clinical Director, Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire Cancer Alliance; Consultant Medical Oncologist, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol Cancer Research Network co-Lead)
Session 1	Chair: Philip Haycock (Senior Research Fellow, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol)
13.40-13.55	Kathreena Kurian	Professor of Neuropathology, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol		Early detection of brain cancer: interdisciplinary and industry collaboration
13.55-14.10	Adam Chambers	Academic Clinical Lecturer in Colorectal Surgery, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol		Defining chromatin accessibility vulnerabilities in rectal cancer to create opportunities for novel adjuncts to therapy
14.10-14.25	Lisa Hobson	PhD student, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol		Using human genetics to identify novel protein biomarkers for enhanced prediction and early detection of cancer
14.25-14.40	Pastor Jose and Olu Ben Lloyd-Shogbesan	Community Cancer Champions, Caafi Health		The importance and benefits of public and patient engagement in research
14.40-15.15	Refreshments and discussion break
Session 2	Chair: Siang Boon Koh (Lecturer, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol)
15.15-15.30	Anna Bibby	Associate Professor in Respiratory Medicine, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol		Delivering lung cancer screening in underserved populations
15.30-15.45	Antonia Tzemanaki	Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology, University of Bristol		Tactile sensing and robotics with the end-user in mind for early detection of breast cancer
15.45-16.00	Paul Yousefi	Research Fellow, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol		Leveraging proteomics and deep learning to improve head and neck cancer detection
16.00-16.30	lightening talks
	16.00-16.05	Lyn Jones (Consultant Radiologist, North Bristol NHS Trust): FAST MRI: DYAMOND - defining the population that could benefit from abbreviated breast MRI within the national breast screening programme
	16.05-16.10	Grace Edmunds (Clinical Research Fellow, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol): Don't throw it away! What veterinary clinical waste can teach us about human cancers
	16.10-16.15	George Richenberg (PhD student, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol): A common missense polymorphism in the PARP1 gene is associated with distinct tumour transcriptomic, immune and clinical profiles in high grade serous ovarian cancers
	16.15-16.20	Vaishnudebi Dutta (PhD student, School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology, University of Bristol): Model and data-driven design of combination therapies for non-small cell lung cancer
	16.20-16.25	Jon Aning (Consultant Urological Surgeon, Bristol Urological Institute, North Bristol NHS Trust): Reflections in the puddle – a robotic urological insight
	16.25-16.30	Chiara de Sio (Senior Research Associate, School of Physics, University of Bristol): Geant4 simulation of the enhanced 220Rn spread in DaRT
16.30-16.45	Lightening talks Q&A
16.45-16.50	Closing Remarks	Judith Squires (Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost, University of Bristol)
16.50-17.30	Snacks and refreshments reception