A British Journal of Nursing Award Nominee for Mesothelioma in the UK.

(Mesothelioma)

A British Journal of Nursing Award Nominee for Mesothelioma in the UK.

Sam Westbrook, the first clinical nurse specialist in peritoneal mesothelioma in the UK, has been nominated for a British Journal of Nursing (BJN) 2023 award in the category of oncology nurse of the year.

Sam works out of Hampshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's Peritoneal Malignancy Institute in Basingstoke, and Mesothelioma UK is responsible for funding her position there.

The BJN awards honor nurses' commitment to their patients' well-being as well as their hard work and dedication. On March 24, 2023, finalists are invited to a prestigious awards ceremony where the winners will be announced.

 At the University of Glasgow, a grant will support a new study that examines the reasons why radiotherapy lessens pain for some patients but not others.

Through its research grant program, Mesothelioma UK has given £37,191.51 to a year-long study that will look into why some patients with the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma experience pain relief from radiotherapy treatment but not others.

The study, titled "Tipping the balance: pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins as determinants of radiation resistance in mesothelioma," will be conducted by Professor Anthony Chalmers at the University of Glasgow. HASAG Asbestos Disease Support, a nonprofit organization committed to aiding those suffering from diseases associated with asbestos, has provided the funding.

The study will make use of tumor samples gathered from participants in the SYSTEMS-2 clinical trial, which examined the effects of a higher radiotherapy dose on pain relief and other clinical outcomes, including overall survival. From the trial's preliminary findings, it appears that some patients benefit from radiotherapy while others do not. Finding molecular biomarkers that can distinguish between mesothelioma patients who will respond well to radiotherapy and those who won't is the goal of the new study.

The lung lining is most commonly affected by the cancer mesothelioma, which is linked to asbestos exposure. With about 2,700 people being diagnosed each year, the UK has the highest incidence of the disease in the entire world.

"Mesothelioma is an extremely difficult cancer to treat, and we are very encouraged by the early results from SYSTEMS-2 which suggest that some patients might benefit from higher doses of radiotherapy than have previously been used," said Professor Anthony Chalmers, Chair of Clinical Oncology at the University of Glasgow and the study's chief investigator. 

We will be able to use cutting-edge molecular and imaging technologies thanks to the new funding from Mesothelioma UK to determine why some patients benefit but not others. We intend to use this knowledge going forward to select the best course of action for every patient. ”.

"HASAG is thrilled to be involved in funding this study," said Lynne Squibb, a co-founder of the organization. The charity's trustees are eager for its funds to be used to support mesothelioma research. Because we know that our partnership can help patients now and in the future, we are always happy to work with Mesothelioma UK to fund research or nursing positions. Without the kindness of our wonderful supporters, to whom we are very appreciative, we would not be able to provide this funding. ”.

The results of the SYSTEMS-2 trial were very exciting for the mesothelioma community, so we're eager to learn how this additional research can help to enhance patients' quality of life, said Liz Darlison, Chief Executive of Mesothelioma UK.

The funding was generously provided by HASAG, and we are eagerly awaiting the study's findings.

In order to spread awareness and provide support to others, Diane Salisbury and Lynne Squibb founded HASAG in 2006 in honor of their mesothelioma-suffering father.

Sam Westbrook, the first clinical nurse specialist in peritoneal mesothelioma in the UK, has been nominated for a British Journal of Nursing (BJN) 2023 award in the category of oncology nurse of the year.

Sam works out of Hampshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's Peritoneal Malignancy Institute in Basingstoke, and Mesothelioma UK is responsible for funding her position there.

The BJN awards honor nurses' commitment to their patients' well-being as well as their hard work and dedication. On March 24, 2023, finalists are invited to a prestigious awards ceremony where the winners will be announced.

Sam was nominated for the award for oncology nursing, which honors nurses who have significantly improved the care given to cancer patients.

Sam was nominated for an award that honors nurses who have significantly improved the care given to cancer patients in the category of oncology nursing.

Each year, about 2,700 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure. It can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural), or in 10% of cases, the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal).

The largest facility in the world for treating patients with peritoneal malignancies is Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital. Sam works nationally, accepting referrals from all over the UK despite being based in Basingstoke.

Mesothelioma UK has been funding Sam's position as the nation's first Peritoneal Mesothelioma Clinical Nurse Specialist since 2018. Sam is playing a special role in this complex and rare cancer, working hard to make sure all patients have access to the best care and therapies.

"We're so happy that Sam has been shortlisted for this award," said Leah Taylor, Head of Nursing for Mesothelioma UK. It is evidence of her perseverance and commitment to enhancing the lives of those who have been impacted by peritoneal mesothelioma. Sam has played a crucial role in increasing awareness of the condition among other medical professionals and ensuring that patients receive the best care and treatment possible. Our best wishes are with her.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's chief nurse, Julie Dawes, expressed her excitement that Sam had made the shortlist for the prize. We are incredibly proud of the difference Sam makes to her patients every single day and it is a testament to her incredible work that she is able to offer the best care to patients with this uncommon form of cancer. Good luck to her, we say.