Our recent Patient Event, held at Westminster College in Cambridge and hosted by Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, was attended by over 50 visitors and it was a pleasure to be able to meet in person again following the pandemic.

Clinicians were available to chat to visitors and there was an opportunity to see the equipment currently used to treat patients who need radiofrequency ablation. The increasing interest in developing tests to help early diagnosis of cancer was represented both by the Cytosponge and by equipment used to carry out breath tests capable of detecting scents produced by some cancers. In addition, several demonstrations were set up by researchers keen to share and explain the projects they are currently working on including a new blood test (pictured below) that can be carried out at home by the patient; just four small spots of dried blood can be posted off for analysis, which sounds much easier and more environmentally friendly than travelling to a hospital appointment.

The whole event, including the refreshments, was most enjoyable and we are grateful to everyone who helped to make it such a success.

Liz Chipchase

Heartburn Cancer UK would also like to thank all the sponsors and everybody involved.