Hear about the difference you're making in projects and research within Breast Cancer Now and across the UK, to improve treatment and support for people affected by breast cancer
Maxine McCoy, Direct referral project
Breast Cancer Now
"We asked for Voices to take part in some interviews to support a project to design a ‘direct referral’ pathway from the NHS to the support that charities like Breast Cancer Now offers. A collective of charities has been working together to design a single point of referral to make this easier and clearer for healthcare professionals to refer their patients, whatever the condition.
"It was really useful to have input about how well-received a direct referral to a support charity would be, if near to diagnosis was the right time, and any other issues and concerns people might have about being referred to and contacted by a charity.
"Since we initiated this work, the Department of Health and Social Care with NHS England announced support for a referral route like this and endorsed it in the 10-year health plan. We are now waiting further information about how to get involved in this and the likely timelines for work to start, but once in place it could mean that many more people would be aware of the support available to them from the moment they are diagnosed with a health condition."
Teresa Holly, Using AI to predict radiotherapy side effects
Maastricht University
"We at Maastricht University Medical Center+ and the University of Leicester are extremely grateful to everyone who shared their Voices in our project on the use of AI to assess the potential for predicting side effects in radiotherapy.
"Your contributions were instrumental in helping us refocus our research to better reflect patient concerns and priorities. We are confident that your input has not only strengthened our current work, but—through the sharing of our findings—will also help shape future applications of AI in breast cancer care."
"Involving Voices members in our goal groups has meant that the goals we've set ourselves are rooted in the reality of patients' experience. This means that the work we do should make a tangible positive difference to the experience of being having primary or secondary breast cancer"
Charlotte Simpson, Strategy goal groups
Breast Cancer Now
Rachel Tulloch, Access to breast cancer support in Scotland
University of Derby
"The feedback and input from the Voices community opened my eyes to many aspects of living with breast cancer that I hadn't considered. I feel privileged to have been able to access input from those who participated."
External researcher
"We are sincerely thankful to the individuals who took part in this activity. Your thoughtful and generous feedback played a key role in helping us ensure that the questionnaire we are using is clear, appropriate, and relevant for a UK audience, ultimately so that patients taking part in our research will have a better experience."
"Your input will not only benefit our current project, but also future research that may use this measure, including studies involving breast cancer and other cancer types. We are truly grateful for your contributions – thank you."
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