Can I Butt In?

022: Spread of Bowel Cancer to the Peritoneum Part 1

Sam is joined by Dr Meera Patel to talk about her research into the spread of bowel cancer to the peritoneum. Meera is an Academic Clinical Lecturer at The University of Manchester and a trainee bowel surgeon, splitting her time equally between her academic medical research work and her clinical practice treating patients in the Northwest of England. Sam and Meera discuss what the peritoneum is, how cancer can spread there and how it’s treated. Meera explains her research into the connection between this spread, bacteria, and the microbiome.
Peritoneal Metastases - Manchester Cancer Research Centre
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Music is “Summer Guitar” by Amaksi from Pixabay.

021: Oncology Professional Care Conference: PPI Myths Debunked and Sam's Patient Story

Sam presented at Oncology Professional Care conference on 22nd May 2024 and provides a rerun of those presentations in this episode. The first presentation is on patient and public involvement (PPI), including what it is, how it is done at Bowel Research UK, and debunking nine common PPI misconceptions. The second talk is based on Sam’s patient experiences of navigating the healthcare system with a genetic predisposition to cancer. Artist Francesco Tassi drew visual minutes for the talks from Sam, fellow patients and fellow presenter and Lynch syndrome National Lead Nurse, Laura Monje-Garcia.
View the visual minutes and read the transcript for this episode.
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Music is “Summer Guitar” by Amaksi from Pixabay and Melancholic Guitar Sting Transitions by VoiceBosch.

020: Cystic Fibrosis and Bowel Conditions

Tonia Hickman and Daniel Peckham join Sam to discuss the connection between cystic fibrosis and bowel conditions such as bowel cancer. Tonia Hickman has cystic fibrosis and had part of her small bowel and some lymph nodes removed due to fibromatosis. Professor Daniel Peckham is Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Leeds, an adult respiratory physician, and conducts research into the gut microbiome and cancer. This episode has been created in collaboration with Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the only UK-wide charity uniting people to stop cystic fibrosis. They fund vital research, improve care, speak out and race towards effective treatments for all.
Find out more about Cystic Fibrosis Trust
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Music is “Summer Guitar” by Amaksi from Pixabay.

019: Diverticular Disease Priority Setting Partnership

Helen West, Public Patient Involvement & Engagement Officer at Guts UK, joins Sam to talk about the charities’ joint project, a diverticular disease priority setting partnership. Helen and Sam explain what a priority setting partnership is, what we’ve done so far, what’s going to happen, how you can get involved, and why we’re looking into diverticular disease. Guts UK is the only UK charity funding research into the digestive system from top to tail; the gut, liver and pancreas. Their mission is to provide expert information, raise public awareness, and fund life-changing and life-saving research into digestive diseases.
Complete the survey here before 31st July 2024
Find out more about Guts UK
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Music is “Summer Guitar” by Amaksi from Pixabay.

018: 'Mini Colonoscopies' Part 2

In the second of this two-part series on “mini colonoscopies” performed using LumenEye, Sam is joined by Dr Ammara Hughes. Dr Ammara Hughes is a GP partner at Bloomsbury Surgery, Central London, and Clinical Director of Central Camden Primary Care Network. LumenEye was created by MedTech company SurgEease. Ammara explains how LumenEye is used at GP practices to diagnose conditions such as haemorrhoids and anal fissures, and how this can cut down waiting list times for both those with suspected cancer and those with lower risk.
Find out more about SurgEase
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Music is “Summer Guitar” by Amaksi from Pixabay.

017: 'Mini Colonoscopies' Part 1

Sam is joined by Mr Emilio Lozano to discuss a tool called LumenEye, which is used to perform what some refer to as “mini colonoscopies” in a range of scenarios. Emilio is a general surgeon with a special interest in anorectal neoplasia colorectal and general surgery in spinal injury patients and benign colorectal disease. LumenEye was created by MedTech company SurgEease. Emilio provides insights into the different types of endoscopies, including flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, and explains which procedures are used for different patients and situations.
Find out more about SurgEase
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Music is “Summer Guitar” by Amaksi from Pixabay.

016: Microscopic Colitis

Sam and guest Diane Kelsey draw attention to microscopic colitis – what is it, how is it different to ulcerative colitis, and how does it affect diet and lifestyle? Diane was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in February 2021 shortly after retiring from teaching, and she explains how her condition was diagnosed, what the symptoms were, how she manages it and how it affects her daily life.
 
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Music is “Summer Guitar” by Amaksi from Pixabay.

015: Samplecam Capsule Endoscopy

Researchers Robert Kerrison and Gerard Cummins talk to Sam about Samplecam, an innovative new type of capsule endoscopy currently in the works. They explain their research on Samplecam, which is a video capsule endoscopy that will also be capable of taking samples of the bowel as it travels through it. They discuss what a video capsule endoscopy normally does, how this technology will be different, and the potential impact on the patient. The episode also includes recordings from other members of this research team explaining how the technology could be used in primary care settings and why people with Lynch syndrome are being focused on at first. Rob also explains how patients have had their say in the direction of this research.
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Music is “Summer Guitar” by Amaksi from Pixabay.

014: Ostique Connect App for Ostomates

Sam is joined by Olivia Rose, Chief Marketing Officer at Ostique, to talk about a new app for people with stomas. Ostique Connect is a first-of-its-kind support platform for ostomates, providing the opportunity to connect with others for one-to-one peer support. Olivia and Sam discuss the development of the app and the valuable feedback ostomates have provided during the beta testing process.
Ostique website: https://ostique.co.uk/ 
Ostique Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ostiqueltd/ 
If you have any questions about the app, you can email Ostique at: office@ostique.co.uk 
 
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Music is “Summer Guitar” by Amaksi from Pixabay.

013: The Nocebo Effect

Bowel Research UK’s Patient and Public Involvement Manager Sam Alexandra Rose is joined by Steve Clark to discuss his research into the “nocebo” effect. Steve was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer in 2013 and has since become an active patient advocate. In 2017 he set up StriveForFive.org, a not-for-profit organization with the mission to give hope to fellow patients with stage 4 cancer. Steve and Sam talk about the nocebo effect – the idea that environmental influences or ideas could negatively impact treatment for cancer and other illnesses. You can read more about the nocebo effect at the link to the whitepaper below.
Strive For Five website
Steve's whitepapers:
Navigating the nocebo effect through patient engagement is the key to setting patients up for success
Patient Centricity to Integration: Enhancing Cancer Outcomes
 
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Music is “Summer Guitar” by Amaksi from Pixabay.