Student doctor blazes trail in cancer research funding

The 21-year-old, a second-year student at Sheffield University, is taking a year out from her studies to carry out research into breast cancer as part of a project led by Dr Ingunn Holen.

Laboratory materials that Miss Rogers needs to carry out her studies will be funded by the charity, which supports the work of Weston Park Hospital.

She said: "Weston Park is a fantastic hospital. It is very humbling that people have raised the money to support this project and on a personal level it is great opportunity to learn and develop research skills."

Dr Holen, whose research focuses on how to combine chemotherapy drugs given to breast cancer patients, said: "The project that Thea is involved in is investigating the effects of combination therapy using two cancer drugs on a particular cell type called macrophages.

"These cells are essential for a breast tumour to grow and build up its blood supply. If we can destroy these cells the hope is that the tumour will be unable to grow.

"It is important to remember that it is impossible to say which piece of new knowledge will lead to improved outcomes for cancer patients. All research is valuable as it adds to our understanding of the disease and how best to treat it.

"It is essential to invest in our future oncologists. These are the people who will be treating cancer patients in the future and their understanding and appreciation of research is invaluable.

"In this way the student will get to learn how to perform research to a high standard, knowledge that will improve the links between laboratory and clinic.

"We do not want to stop here, we want to do more work and attract more good scientists and clinicians to do research in Sheffield."

Rachel Thorpe, director of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: "We are very proud to support Dr Holen's research and to have provided funding for Thea's work. Part of our remit as a charity is to support research which offers the prospect of improving treatments and offering better outcomes for patients."