Students explain their research to the public at Tenovus Mobile Cancer Support Unit

Research students at Bangor University, sponsored by the cancer research charity Tenovus, will be at a mobile exhibition at Morrisons Store, Bangor on Monday 23 April, discussing their research with members of the public.

Tenovus, Wales’ leading cancer charity, will showcasing their support services in North Wales, along with the innovative research they are funding at Bangor University.

Postgraduate students Helena Robinson, Tien Yeo, Ffion Jones-Hutchings and Lucy Bryning are conducting research at the School of Biological Sciences and Seow Tien Yeo and Lucy Bryning at the Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation (CHEME).

At the School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Claudia Barros, Dr. Torsten Bossing and their PhD student Helena Robinson are developing a project which is fully sponsored by Tenovus UK and which promises significant new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the conversion of normal to tumour-initiating brain cells.

Helena Robinson explained that they “investigate the genetics of brain tumour development. We want to know which cells in the brain 'go wrong' and initiate the tumour, and what are the changes in gene expression that cause this.”

Ffion Jones-Hutching is looking at genes which cause normal cells to become cancerous resulting in colorectal tumours. The aim of this research is to identify drug targets which can be used to treat this disease more effectively over the long term.

Seow Tien Yeo appreciates the PhD studentship award which enables her to explore the quality and research efficiency of economic evaluations alongside cancer trials in the UK. Her study will look at how different approaches to the collection of economic data affect the conclusions drawn. This year, Seow Tien is joined by Lucy Bryning, whose study will evaluate Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer (MBCT-Ca). This group-based approach has been specifically tailored in North Wales to support people living with cancer. Through combining mindful meditation and cognitive therapy for depression the intervention aims to aid the development of new skills that may help people deal with distress, anxiety and depression when and if they arise.

Professor Rhiannon Tudor Edwards (Co-Director of CHEME) commented on the opportunity for the students to showcase their work, saying: "Bangor University appreciates the support for PhD students provided by Tenovus. Tenovus provides useful training for PhD students and offers them the opportunity to present their research both to academics and to patients and the public."

 The Mobile Cancer Support Unit will be situated in Morrisons Car Park in Bangor between 10.00-16.00. As well as information on the range of services they provide, they are also providing free health checks to see how your diet and lifestyle choices might be influencing your risks of getting cancer.

Tenovus ask that those intending to visit contact Mercedes Luis Fuentes or Charlie Williams on 029 2076 8850, or email mobilemondays@tenovus.org.uk and give an approximate time at which you plan to attend.

Publication date: 20 April 2012