Thank you so much to Gloria Hunniford who has sent the OPA a donation in memory of her beautiful daughter who lost her life to cancer! Gloria has given this donation as she “really admires the hard work the OPA put into helping so many people”. We are delighted to receive this, thank you to Gloria and The Caron Keating Foundation.
Category: Uncategorised
Do you have 5 minutes to take part in an online survey being carried out by Dr Stephen Gilbert and Professor John Saxton at Northumbria University?
The research will investigate the advice people being treated for cancer are receiving about physical activity after their diagnosis.
Working with cancer patients from a local Patient and Public Involvement group, we have designed an online survey which we are keen to get out to as many cancer survivors as possible to find out what advice about physical activity they received and to get their opinions on how appropriate this advice was for them and their needs.
The survey itself asks participants about their current health, their physical activity habits and about any physical activity advice they received. Most of the questions have multiple choice answers with only a couple asking for further details. This research has been approved by an institutional research ethics committee. Participation in the survey is completely voluntary, and all answers people provide are kept anonymous and so no one could be identified from any information they provide.
If you would like to take part in the survey please use the link below which will open the Google Forms page in a new window:
This year’s OPA AGM at the Thackeray Museum in Leeds was a great success – view photo’s below.
A big thank you to our speakers Jeremy Hayden – Consultant Upper GI Surgeon – Leeds, Bob Mason – OPA Chairman, Ed Cheung – Consultant Upper GI Surgeon – Norfolk & Norwich, Phil Coverdale – OPA Trustee & Co-Ordinator, John Campolini – OPA patient buddy, John Taylor – Leeds co-ordinator, and our OPA secretary – Haward Soper, the staff at Thackeray Museum, our raffle lady and not forgetting our patients and carers who attended!
OPA’s AGM for 2017 is to be held at The Thackray Museum, 141 Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7LN. On 20th May 2017 at 10.15 until early afternoon.
Refreshments and a buffet will be provided during the AGM. And after the AGM has finished you are welcome to visit the Thackray Museum itself – quote the OPA AGM Meeting for free entry!
Download the Agenda PDF which includes a parking permit and map
View a map for The Thackray Museum on Google Maps
Please RSVP to let us know if you wish to come along by emailing enquiries@opa.org.uk or calling 0121 704 9860.
The visting speaker at the Birmingham meeting will be Mr. Aaron Hall – Macmillan Physical Activity Practitioner. The meeting will take place at 10am on Saturday 22nd April 2017 at The Old Joint Stock Pub in the centre of Birmingham.
Aaron will be visiting the group to offer support, information and gentle motivation to anyone living with and beyond cancer treatment and who is looking to become more active.
To find out more, please see the Support Group page for Birmingham & West Midlands
The head office of the OPA has moved to new offices in Henley in Arden. As of Monday 20th March 2017, our new head office address is:
Oesophageal Patients Association,
50 High Street,
Henley In Arden,
Warwickshire,
B95 5AN
Are statins an effective treatment in the prevention of recurrent cancer to improve survival in patients with operable oesophageal adenocarcinoma?
Dr Leo Alexandre (MED), Clinical Lecturer in Gastroenterology at the University of East Anglia, is to hold a series of meetings to refine plans into possible future trials, he says:
“We are planning and will soon be submitting a funding application for a future trial to see if statins are an effective treatment in the prevention of recurrent cancer to improve survival in patients with operable oesophageal adenocarcinoma. We have recently completed a feasibility study at four UK hospitals which has been helpful in confirming that a future trial is possible and it has given us valuable insights into how this study should be carried out. I would like to invite any regional OPA members who are interested to listen to our proposals and help refine our plans further to ensure the study is a success and make sure that we address the issues in such a trial that are important to patients. There are three dates for meetings, held at the Bob Champion Research Building, the big wooden building opposite the A&E department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. The plan is to hold a series of small focus groups (5-6 people each).”
The planned dates are as follows:
- 24th Feb, room 7 15:30-17:30
- 27th Feb, room 9 16:00-18:00
- 3rd March, room 7 14:30-16:30
Below is links to download a research summary and presentation for some background reading. If any OPA members have any feedback for Dr Leo Alexandre for the summary then it would be greatly appreciated. This summary will be assessed by patient representatives and non-specialist reviewers when they apply for funding, so Dr Leo Alexandre is very keen to ensure it is understandable and clear.
If any members would like to attend the focus groups and / or give feedback on the research summary then please e-mail Dr Leo Alexandre on leo.alexandre@uea.ac.uk
Fancy a challenge in the UK or abroad in 2017? Want the thrill of a hard physical challenge, enjoying making new friends and raising money for the OPA at the same time?
By taking part in one of our UK or overseas challenges you will make a huge difference by helping The OPA to support more patients.
Check out some of the highlights for 2017 on our Adventure Challenges page or take a look at the Global Challenges website for many more adventures here is the UK and abroad.
The GASTROS study are seeking patients who are willing to take part in an interview about their experiences following surgery for stomach cancer.
“Ultimately, we want to identify the things about surgery for stomach cancer that are most important to patients, so that we can be sure to record them in research aimed at improving the outcome of this surgery. These interviews will form part of a larger research study which aims to place the views of patients at the heart of gastric cancer surgery trials.” Nailah Brown, Coordinator for the GASTROS Study.
If you would like to take part or more information, please contact at nailah.brown@cmft.nhs.uk or call on 0161 701 3543. Alternatively you can visit our study website at http://www.gastrosstudy.org
OPA Patron Fiona Wade tells us her story and why leaving a gift in your Will is a special way you can help patients.
Message from our Patron, Fiona Wade:
“Your legacy will help to save lives. Please remember The OPA in your Will and help us to continue our fight against oesophageal and gastric cancer.
Ten years ago I lost my father to oesophageal cancer. He was such an amazing person, the best father I could ever wish for and it was so sad and shocking when he was diagnosed. I had never heard of this type of cancer before and I always feel to this day that if we had been more aware of oesophageal cancer or reflux disease then for sure earlier diagnosis would have made a huge difference and maybe saved his life…”
Read more from our Patron Fiona Wade and about leaving a gift in your Will.
