Meet the Researcher: Clio Evans (Research Project Support Officer, ThinkCancer!)

Which area of research are you focusing on, and what is the aim of your Cancer Research Wales project?

I am currently working on a study called ThinkCancer! which focuses on improving early cancer diagnosis in primary care. We are testing a series of newly designed educational workshops which are being delivered to staff working in GP surgeries across Wales and the North West and South of England. The workshops aim to improve early diagnosis and safety netting practices within the surgeries, which is how they recognize and monitor early signs of cancer.

Have there been any key achievements so far during the project?

We know that staff working at GP surgeries have very limited time and resources so often find taking part in research challenging. We aimed to recruit 76 GP surgeries across Wales and the North West of England. Despite the challenges faced by GP surgeries, we managed to recruit 99 surgeries in total, surpassing our recruitment target! This shows that GP surgeries across Wales and England want the ThinkCancer! training and believe in the study. The ThinkCancer! workshops are currently being rolled out to these practices and the feedback from staff has been extremely positive.

How would you explain your project to a nine-year-old?

ThinkCancer! is trying to help all the people working in Doctor’s surgeries to spot signs of cancer sooner. This means that people who have cancer can get the treatment they need more quickly to help them get better.

How might your research make a difference to cancer patients in Wales?

If these workshops help GP surgeries recognize possible cancers earlier and improve early diagnosis and safety netting practices, we hope that this will lead to cancer patients being referred to hospital and getting the treatment they need more quickly. Earlier diagnosis of cancer can lead to better patient outcomes such as less treatment, greater survival rates and hopefully a better quality of life.

Why and how did you become a Cancer Research Wales researcher?

I gained a passion for research whilst studying for my Master’s in Public Health and Health Promotion at Bangor University. During this time, I learnt that research can be people and patient focused which inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare research. Following on from my Master’s, I was keen to develop my skills as a researcher and become part of a dynamic research team so was delighted to join the ThinkCancer! Team to work on this new and exciting trial funded by Cancer Research Wales.

Do you have any personal connection to cancer?

Sadly, I think that everyone these days knows of someone who has suffered with cancer. My uncle is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. Fortunately, he has responded incredibly well to treatment which highlights to me the importance of early diagnosis and the research taking place to make this happen. This makes me proud to work on a study aiming to increase the proportion of cancers diagnosed early and only inspires me further in the hope that this research will improve the lives of cancer patients across Wales and beyond.

When you’re not researching, what do you do in your downtime?

Living in Snowdonia I am incredibly lucky to have the Welsh mountains on my doorstep and I love to hike them regularly with my dog Winnie.

Is there anything you’d like to say to our supporters?

I would like to extend a huge thank you to Cancer Research Wales supporters from the whole ThinkCancer! Team. It is only down to your support that we are able to work towards making a difference in improving early cancer diagnosis across Wales and beyond.