How Grace helps cancer patients regain their voice
Spotlight on our skilled plastic surgeons
The Oak Cancer Centre opens its doors
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. And when people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That’s why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
HRH
to the summer 2023 edition of RM, the magazine for our staff, patients, carers and Foundation Trust members. In this issue, we are pleased to share details of our new Oak Cancer Centre, funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, at our Sutton site (page 12). We were privileged to welcome our President, His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales, to formally open the centre and meet some of the first patients to be treated in the Olayan Day Care Unit.
Each year, we carry out more than 600 plastic surgery procedures at The Royal Marsden. On page 18, we hear from some of our consultant plastic surgeons, who perform complex reconstructions and play a significant role in helping patients to regain their quality of life following cancer treatment.
The cover of this magazine features Speech and Language Therapist Grace McCormack. You can read about her work supporting patients whose cancer and treatment has affected their ability to eat, drink and communicate on page 22.
As we mark 75 years of the NHS, we look back at The Royal Marsden’s achievements during this time. On page 24, you will find some fascinating photographs from our archives, including several showing how radiography and radiotherapy have developed here.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
THE INTEGRATED PATHOLOGY UNIT (IPU) – one of the first in England – is now open, enabling researchers to develop new diagnostic tests for cancer and speed up the results process. The IPU brings pathology into the modern era by using state-of-the-art laboratory techniques, digital imaging tools and artificial intelligence to analyse tissue samples. These new technologies will help our pathologists diagnose cancer faster and more precisely than traditional laboratory methods, and could change the way cancer patients are treated in the future. The facility is a joint venture with our academic partner The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR), and is funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the ICR and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at The Royal Marsden and the ICR.
RESULTS FROM THE PACE-A study, which was led by Medical Director Professor Nicholas van As, have revealed that men with prostate cancer are less likely to experience urinary and sexual side effects two years after treatment with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) – an advanced type of radiotherapy – than with surgery.
SBRT delivers high doses of radiation to patients over a much shorter timeframe than traditional radiotherapy, either via the leading-edge CyberKnife machine or a modern linear accelerator.
Trial patient Alexander Szczerbiuk, 73, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2017. He was treated with SBRT on one of The Royal Marsden’s two CyberKnife machines, which were funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
He said: “My biggest concern was incontinence, as I really couldn’t bear the thought of having to use urinary pads. This meant I was delighted to be selected for CyberKnife, which, as a minimally invasive option, was a no-brainer.
“In terms of treatment, you couldn’t wish for anything better. It was only two months from my diagnosis to the last of my five SBRT sessions. I was pleased as punch everything happened so quickly and, fortunately, the side effects have been minimal.
“The Royal Marsden is superb. From the understanding staff and the excellent treatment to the regular follow-up care, I can’t fault the hospital.
“I’m very grateful for the treatment I received and, as a way of giving back, I’ve left a donation in my Will to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.”
PATIENTS AND CLINICIANS at The Royal Marsden have collaborated with digital cancer care company Careology to develop an innovative app that offers health and wellbeing support for teenage and young adult (TYA) cancer patients.
The app, funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, provides information on the topics identified by young people as most important to them, including managing symptoms, body image, food and nutrition and mental health.
For each topic, members of The Royal Marsden’s Teenage and Young Adult Youth Forum were paired up with a clinician to ensure information is accurate and relevant to young people going through or recovering from treatment.
support to them through every stage of their diagnosis, treatment and beyond, and Careology’s solution enables exactly that.
“Incorporating the patient voice was very important to us, and the tools and resources in the app will support and empower patients to contribute to their own emotional wellbeing and overall health.”
Want to know more?
TYA Lead Nurse Emma Thistlethwayte said: “We are so pleased that the Careology app will enhance the psychological support available to our teenage and young adult patients at The Royal Marsden.
“Being diagnosed with cancer at a young age is life-changing, and it affects people emotionally as well as physically. Although a number of our young patients are referred to our psychological support service, which is funded by the Charity, we wanted to provide further mental health
Scan the QR code using your phone to find out how to use the app and access our services
“I got the all-clear from ovarian cancer in 2017. I now help to support other young patients as part of the Teenage and Young Adult Youth Forum, and I wrote tips to feature on the app.
“It has been co-developed with young patients who have been through cancer, so I think it will make a huge difference in making other young people feel less alone. If you’re having an ‘up’ or a ‘down’ day, it will provide articles that support you.”
“Incorporating the patient voice was very important to us”Lauren Merry, 21, ovarian cancer patient ENHANCED SUPPORT Emma Thistlethwayte, TYA Lead Nurse
The Royal Marsden Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) has successfully renewed its Full UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Registration for the second time.
This confirms our CTU as a leader in managing clinical trials that change practice and improve outcomes for patients around the world.
The Royal Marsden CTU designs and leads clinical trials for a large range of cancer types, bringing innovative drugs and technologies to patients.
THE SECOND EDITION of The Royal Marsden Cancer Cookbook offers more than 150 delicious, healthy recipes to enjoy during and after cancer treatment. They are designed for all the family to share, as well as friends – so you don’t have to cook individual meals, thus easing stress and saving time and money.
All the recipes have been reviewed and analysed by Dr Clare Shaw PhD RD, Consultant Dietitian, who recently retired from The Royal Marsden.
The revised edition has updated information on diet and cancer, inspirational ideas and tips, and recipe contributions from top chefs and food writers including Mary Berry, Nigella Lawson and Raymond Blanc.
Positive, healthy eating is invaluable in helping people remain physically and mentally strong. The Royal Marsden Cancer Cookbook aims to make cooking easy and enjoyable, as well as providing helpful advice and support.
Dr Shaw said: “Cancer diagnosis and treatment can bring many challenges, including changes in appetite, the ability to taste and swallow and the way a person’s
digestive system works. It can be hard to know what to eat and how to continue with a healthy diet. The book aims to make cooking easy and enjoyable, and the recipes have been designed for those with cancer, as well as their family and friends, to enjoy sharing.”
Want to know more?
Buy the book at shop.royalmarsden.org/ products/the-royal-marsden-cancercookbook-2023
To gain UKCRC Registration, CTUs must demonstrate experience in co-ordinating multi-centre trials, expert staff to develop ideas, robust quality assurance systems and evidence of long-term viability of capacity for trials co-ordination.
Want to know more?
Learn more about clinical trials at royalmarsden.nhs. uk/about-royal-marsden/ our-research/clinical-trials
The targeted drug olaparib is now available on the NHS in England and Wales – via the Cancer Drugs Fund – for forms of breast and prostate cancer caused by faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
The decision was made by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) following clinical trials at The Royal Marsden, and offers the chance of longer, healthier lives for thousands of patients.
Professor Johann de Bono, Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden and Professor in Experimental Cancer Medicine at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, led the clinical trials which showed that giving olaparib to men with tumours that had weaknesses in DNA repair, including BRCA mutations, delayed disease progression.
Professor de Bono said: “Olaparib is a precision medicine and it’s an important example of how understanding the underlying genetics of patients can be used to design highly targeted precision medicines.
“These recommendations will be life-changing –giving patients another treatment option and precious extra time with their families, without the debilitating side effects we see with chemotherapy.”
A NEW TARGETED drug combination could be twice as effective as the next best treatment for some ovarian cancer patients, according to researchers at The Royal Marsden.
The Phase 2 RAMP 201 study tested avutometinib alone and in combination with defactinib on patients with low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC), a rare form of the disease that has a poor response rate to current treatments. Both drugs are designed to block signals that encourage cancer cells to grow.
Results from the trial were presented at this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting by Dr Susana Banerjee, Consultant Medical
Oncologist and global lead investigator of the study. She revealed that 45 per cent of patients treated with the drug combination saw their tumours shrink significantly. This is almost twice as effective as trametinib, a targeted drug available in England via the Cancer Drugs Fund, which has a response rate of 26 per cent and is currently the best treatment for these patients.
Dr Banerjee said: “These initial results could be fantastic news for women with LGSOC, indicating that a far more effective option than current treatments may be on the horizon.
“We hope this drug combination will one day become a standard of care for women with LGSOC.”
“I’ve been treated with this drug combination since August 2020. I have scans every three months, and each time we’ve seen the cancer getting smaller and smaller.
“Because of my trial, I’m able to live my life with my husband, three children and three grandchildren with hardly any side effects.”
At The Royal Marsden, there are more than 425 volunteers who give up their time to support our staff and enhance the patient experience across the Trust. Let’s meet…
I started volunteering at The Royal Marsden last year after my teacher mentioned that he used to be a nurse at the hospital, which really inspired me. I always knew I wanted to give back to the community and The Royal Marsden seemed like the perfect place to do that. My current role involves supporting in the busy prostate clinic. I chat with patients, read through forms with them and guide them to the correct clinic room.
The best part of my role is interacting with patients and supporting them. Waiting for an appointment can be nerve-racking,
so I often sit with patients and make conversation. The patients truly inspire me – they’re some of the most positive people.
Thanks to volunteering at The Royal Marsden, I want to go into medicine. I have always wanted to pursue it as a career and I’m even more excited and driven to do so now. Spending time in the hospital means I’m
Since becoming a volunteer, Lizzie has decided to go into medicine
considering specialising in oncology in the future, too.
I have learned so much since I started volunteering. Even though staff are busy, they always make time to answer my queries. I’m really lucky to be in a position where I can ask these experts a million questions! I get to interact with so many different members of the clinical team, from nurses to radiographers and even consultants.
As an 18-year-old, I believe it’s important that young people volunteer in their community and set a good example. There are a lot of negative stereotypes associated with young people, but there are many of us out there that want to make a positive impact.
Visit royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ volunteering-royal-marsden
“The patients inspire me – they’re the most positive people”
Lizzie
The Friends of The Royal Marsden, Chelsea, is a charity with 150 dedicated volunteers (above) who support the hospital and give around 20,000 hours of their time to the Trust every year. Through fundraising, legacies and donations, the Friends raise about £200,000 annually, which is invested in the hospital. To find out more about their work and how you can get involved, visit friendsroyalmarsdenchelsea.uk
We recently celebrated the 60th birthday of our hospital in Sutton, which was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 20 May 1963. The site has greatly expanded since then, with the most recent addition – the Oak Cancer Centre – opening this year (read more on page 12).
The Patient and Carer Advisory Group (PCAG) is an enthusiastic and welcoming group of patients and carers who work closely with Royal Marsden staff to help improve the hospital experience. For details of the work PCAG does for patients and carers, its achievements and how you can become a member, please visit royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ patient-carer-advisory-group
Miranda Ashitey, secondary breast cancer patient at The Royal Marsden, explains how she’s involved in helping the Trust become a more diverse and inclusive organisation
Q What is the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Patient and Public Contributors Group (EDI PPC)?
A Feedback provided by patients, carers, family members or any member of the public through patient and public involvement groups can help shape and improve cancer services, treatment and care. The EDI PPC group is committed to supporting and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and allows more diverse voices and under-
represented communities to be heard. We meet every two months and discuss topics ranging from diversity in research to representation in patient information materials.
Q Why did you join the EDI PPC group?
A There aren’t many people like me who are black, identify as a woman and are on the LGBTQ+ spectrum who share their cancer stories so openly. It’s important to ensure that diverse people and communities are always
represented in order to raise awareness, identify important issues and educate people so that improvements can be made. Having cancer treatment can be gruelling and I wanted to turn a negative into a positive by helping to provide input where I can.
Q What is your role in the EDI PPC group?
A Alongside the other members, I use my own personal experiences to help highlight issues that might need addressing. Different ethnicities and cultural groups are often unaware of available cancer treatment and clinical trials, with some communities being less likely to come forward for screening services such as having a mammogram, perhaps due to cancer being more of a ‘taboo’ subject or because of issues relating to gender identity. I also have friends in the cancer community who are disabled and dyslexic; as a group, we work to ensure that language barriers are broken down so that patient information is informative and easy to understand for all.
Q Why is the EDI PPC group so important to you?
A Diversity, inclusion and representation really matter and I’m proud to be sharing my story by contributing to the EDI PPC group. If I can help make life easier for someone else in the future, this would be an amazing legacy to leave.
Visit royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ get-involved-royalmarsden-services to find out how to join one of our patient and public involvement groups
“The EDI PPC group allows more diverse voices and under-represented communities to be heard”
Terry Cripps with his portraits of staff members
The number of trains to Belmont station is expected to double and improve access to The Royal Marsden in Sutton as a result, following funding secured by Sutton Council. Under the plans, trains running between Belmont and central London could increase from two to four per hour.
The £14.1-million investment was awarded through the government’s Levelling Up Fund to help unlock the potential of the London Cancer Hub.
The project, which is supported by The Royal Marsden and the Greater London Authority, is a partnership between The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and the London Borough of Sutton. When completed, it will be a global centre for cancer research and create up to 13,000 new jobs.
Belmont station is a few minutes’ walk from the hospital’s site in Sutton, where the London Cancer Hub is being built.
PORTRAITS OF Royal Marsden staff by artist and photographer Terry Cripps are now on display in the Department of Diagnostic Radiotherapy in Sutton.
Terry, 71, who is being treated for metastatic renal cell carcinoma at The Royal Marsden, created 150 portraits of people who have helped him through his diagnosis and treatment.
He said: “I decided to start this project to pay tribute to everybody who contributes
to making my life positive, including nurses, consultants, radiographers, canteen staff and porters at The Royal Marsden.
“I was never aware of just how many people – both clinical and non-clinical –would be involved in my care. I immediately wanted to show this work in a way that said ‘thank you’ to all those people.”
Terry collaborated on the project with Arts Officer Ben Hartley. “It has been a pleasure to bring this exhibition on site,” Ben said. “It is a wonderfully creative way of showcasing those who support the recovery of our patients.”
Karl Munslow Ong, Chief Operating Officer at The Royal Marsden, said: “This is fantastic news for our patients, visitors and staff, who would really benefit from better transport to the hospital. This includes improving access to our new, state-of-the-art treatment and research facility, the Oak Cancer Centre, built thanks to funding from supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.”
The Oak Cancer Centre is now officially open, after a visit by The Royal Marsden’s President, HRH Prince William, Prince of Wales. We look back at this landmark occasion
OUR PRESIDENT, HRH Prince William, Prince of Wales, greeted patients and staff when he visited Sutton in June to formally open the Oak Cancer Centre.
Funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the state-of-the-art research and treatment facility will help accelerate the development of new treatments, offering hope for cancer patients worldwide.
Named after Oak Foundation, which donated £25 million to the Charity’s £70-million appeal, the Oak Cancer Centre will enable our clinicians to diagnose more cancers at an earlier stage.
The bright and peaceful environment, which features floor-to-ceiling windows, has been designed to enhance patients’ experience while they undergo treatment.
HRH The Prince of Wales, who has been the President of The Royal Marsden since 2007, laid the foundation stone for the centre at the ground-breaking event in 2020. During his visit this summer, he met staff working in the building, as well as some of the first patients to be treated in the centre’s Olayan Day Care Unit.
Among them was breast cancer patient Eileen McMenamin, who says: “It’s amazing to be in the Oak Cancer Centre – it looks so new and lovely. It was wonderful to meet Prince William, too.
“Me and my sister Tara, who is also a Royal Marsden patient, have done a lot of fundraising for the
The Prince of Wales was accompanied by Cally Palmer, our Chief Executive, during his visit
Charity and it’s incredible to see what it’s achieved through its appeal.”
HRH The Prince of Wales was introduced to patients in the unit by Matron Lorraine Hyde, who he met during work experience at The Royal Marsden in 2005.
“It was magical meeting Prince William again, and lovely to see him take such an interest in our patients
and staff,” she says. “Being in our wonderful new workplace made it even more special – it’s such a peaceful environment for patients to be treated in.”
HRH The Prince of Wales also met patient Emma Bishop, who shared her story at the opening ceremony.
“It’s extraordinary that I was given a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer, which had spread all over my body, last year,” she says.
“Yet, six months after starting treatment at The Royal Marsden, there was no evidence of disease beyond my original tumour.
“The Royal Marsden has saved my life. I’m so excited that the
Oak Cancer Centre will support clinicians to save even more lives in the future. Research carried out in the Oak Cancer Centre means that people like me may have the chance to see their children grow up and to grow old with their loved ones.”
During the visit, HRH The Prince of Wales met some of the researchers who will carry out their innovative work in the Kuok Research Centre.
Having our researchers and patients together under one roof will support the hospital’s ‘bench to bedside’ approach in developing new treatments at The Royal Marsden and around the world.
ROYAL APPROVAL
TALKING POINTS Patient Emma Bishop and Consultant Medical Oncologist Professor Sanjay Popat (top), and patient Nick Hampton (above) meet HRH The Prince of Wales
“ It’s such a peaceful environment for patients to be treated in”
It will also mean experts who specialise in different tumour groups will be able to work together more closely, which will encourage breakthroughs that target molecular and genetic abnormalities – wherever the tumour may be in the body.
Speaking during the visit, HRH The Prince of Wales said: “The Oak Cancer Centre is a major milestone in both The Royal Marsden’s history and the future of early diagnosis. I was delighted to launch the appeal for this facility eight years ago and lay the foundation stone in 2020, so I am incredibly
proud to be standing here with you all today in this beautiful building.
“For the first time, the state-ofthe-art Oak Cancer Centre brings together hundreds of researchers alongside patients. This will deliver truly integrated ‘bench to bedside’ studies that will speed up the development and translation of new personalised treatments – not just for Royal Marsden patients here, but for cancer patients worldwide.
“I was so pleased to hear first-hand from patients this morning what a difference this building will make to them.”
Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The
says: “It was wonderful to welcome our President, HRH The Prince of Wales, back to The Royal Marsden to formally open our state-of-the-art Oak Cancer Centre.
“This centre will help the hospital to go faster and further in the delivery of research and cancer treatments and provide the very best environments for our patients.” RM
IN THE CHAIR HRH The Prince of Wales talks with patient Nilly Noowe (left) and addresses staff in the Oak Cancer Centre (below left)
Keeping in touch and on top of appointments has been revolutionised by the Connect digital health record and MyMarsden app and website. Royal Marsden patients and staff explain how…
Hitham Falahi Clinical Practice Educator on Wiltshaw Ward
THIS SPRING, we launched the Connect digital health record and the MyMarsden patient website and app as part of our biggest-ever programme to improve the technology we use at The Royal Marsden.
By replacing the old paper- and computer-based patient records with one single electronic system, Connect is revolutionising the way we deliver care in the hospital.
And MyMarsden is transforming how patients can engage with our services and experience their care. By signing up for a MyMarsden account, patients can view parts of their Royal Marsden
healthcare record at the touch of a button, as well as send messages to their healthcare team or join video appointments – all from their own mobile devices or PCs.
We recognise that the first few months of the Connect ‘go live’ period have been challenging for our staff and patients. This is to be expected as the new technology beds in, and is what we’ve seen in other organisations that have launched similar systems. But, as we discover, Connect and MyMarsden are already changing how our staff work and how patients interact with their healthcare in positive ways.
“I’m really pleased the electronic system at The Royal Marsden has been upgraded. When we started to use the new technology, my team were amazing during the transition and showed support to one another. The seamless integration between different departments ensures that patient information is always accurate, up to date and secure. Connect has definitely changed workflow for the better.”
“Moving from multiple systems to one unified system has helped to streamline our processes, ensuring we can focus more on the vital one-toone patient care we provide in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) rather than administrative tasks. It has also improved the way we discharge patients as the ward teams can easily access information about each patient’s experience in the CCU.”
“I think MyMarsden is fabulous. The messaging function means communicating with staff is easier and my appointments all show up really clearly on the app. It gives you the security of knowing what you’re doing in the hospital and where you should be. Overall, it’s so slick and user-friendly – I’m loving it.”
“MyMarsden provides information about my health and care at my fingertips so, for me, it’s a really positive change. For example, rather than having to wait for a phone call, I now get instant alerts when test results come through. I also find it helpful that communication from different departments is all in one place.”
“I use Connect to check patients in and out of Outpatients, and for managing appointments, including bookings and cancellations. It’s much easier to use than the old system as everything is in one place. This helps to speed up our processes so patients spend less time waiting and can get into the clinic more quickly.” RM
Meet the surgeons helping patients look and feel like themselves again after treatment, and leading research into combating rare related cancers
RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY plays a significant role in helping patients to regain their quality of life following cancer treatment. At The Royal Marsden, our consultant plastic surgeons perform complex reconstructions for patients with a range of tumour types, using state-of-the-art equipment and pioneering techniques to ensure the best possible aesthetic results.
Each year, more than 600 plastic surgery procedures are carried out at The Royal Marsden, with breast reconstructions accounting for four out of every five operations involving a plastic surgeon.
Mr Stuart James, a Consultant Plastic Surgeon, joined The Royal Marsden in 2008. He specialises in microsurgical reconstruction of the breast, including autologous breast reconstruction using the DIEP flap, a procedure that involves removing skin and fat from the abdomen to form a breast shape.
“One of the main benefits of a DIEP flap is that it’s immediate reconstruction and is carried out
at the same time as a mastectomy. The results can be truly spectacular – the breast looks and feels natural,” says Mr James.
“It’s such a privilege to work at The Royal Marsden and, even after 15 years, I’m always looking at ways I can make tiny adjustments to my technique in order to achieve the best result for patients.”
Mr Kieran Power, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and Head of the Plastic Surgery Unit, adds: “Breast reconstruction using the DIEP flap is a very reliable and safe operation and usually lasts a lifetime – unlike implant-based breast reconstruction, which often requires further surgical procedures in the future.” Although most of the plastic surgery at the hospital is breast reconstruction, plastic surgeons also work with patients who have skin, gynaecological or head and neck cancers or sarcomas.
“I work with a lot of skin cancer patients, particularly melanoma of the head and neck,” says Mr Power. “This can involve facial
reconstruction, and I use a wide range of plastic surgery techniques to remove the cancer and achieve the best possible aesthetic outcomes for the patient.”
Mr Aadil Khan joined The Royal Marsden in 2019 as a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. He is leading research on breast implant-associated anaplastic largecell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a type of T-cell lymphoma that can develop in the scar tissue capsule and fluid surrounding a breast implant. This extremely rare cancer affects just 80-90 people in the UK each year.
“Clinical experience in this area is growing and we are the highestvolume centre in the UK treating this very rare tumour type,” says Mr Khan. “We aim to standardise the treatment for these patients.
“Due to this type of cancer being extremely rare, patients have often been treated by many different surgeons and oncologists before they come to The Royal Marsden. And we want to change that.”
The Royal Marsden is also a leader in complex microsurgery, and
our team is conducting a number of trials in lymphoedema. This swelling in the body’s tissue is a chronic and disabling complication that can occur after cancer surgery. The removal of lymph nodes as part of cancer treatment can cause fluid to build up in surrounding tissues, resulting in the swelling of a limb.
Mr Kelvin Ramsey, a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, is leading research into microsurgical techniques for treating lymphoedema. One such technique is a vascular lymph node transfer (VLNT), a promising procedure that could significantly reduce the amount of limb swelling
in patients with cancer treatmentrelated lymphoedema.
VLNT reconstructs lymphatic function by taking lymph nodes containing tissue (a lymph node flap) from an unaffected part of the body and transplanting it into the affected limb.
IS KEY Mr
“A recent meta-analysis conducted by the team here at The Royal Marsden generated a lot of interest,” says Mr Ramsey. “Results reported the benefits of VLNT in reducing swelling and risk of infection for this group of patients, but we know that more research needs to be done in the area.”
Rachel Day, a Highly Specialist Lymphoedema Practitioner in our lymphoedema team, helps identify patients who may be suitable for the trial.
“Patients are referred to us if they develop cancer-related lymphoedema,” she says. “We advise and support them in the management of this chronic condition, for which treatment options include compression therapy, skincare, exercise and lymphatic drainage.
“Part of our team’s role is to identify patients who may be eligible for trials, as well as helping them to manage their condition post surgery. By working together, we do everything we can to improve their quality of life.” RM
Lisa Fleming, 53, breast cancer patient
“I had a mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction under Mr Stuart James. The surgery went well and Mr James did a fantastic job, so I was well enough to go back to receiving chemotherapy within a month.
“Any surgery is daunting, and, as a cancer patient, you can feel particularly vulnerable. But everyone at The Royal Marsden treated me with such kindness, patience and empathy, which made a very difficult experience so much more bearable.”
“Results show that VLNT has benefits for patients with lymphoedema”RESEARCH Kelvin Ramsey (above), and Mr Kieran Power (below)
I WAS DIAGNOSED with sarcoma
for the second time in January 2022 after noticing an ache in my arm, which I thought was from lifting my new grandson, Alfie. The bottom fell out of my world. It felt like my future, including seeing Alfie grow up, had disappeared.
I was referred to The Royal Marsden where I was told the cancer had spread to my lungs and my only option was chemotherapy. I was then approached by the hospital’s
trial team about the IGNYTEESO study. They explained it was for an innovative type of immunotherapy called T-cell receptor, or TCR, therapy, which harnesses the power of T cells – which are part of the immune system – to combat cancer. It would involve my T cells being genetically engineered to boost their ability to fight the disease and then infused back into me.
Joining the trial was a nobrainer. I thought it would be a
good thing for me and could help find a cure for others in the future.
Before the treatment, I had a small procedure where some of my T cells were removed, which were sent away to be modified. A couple of months later, I was admitted to Chelsea for the infusion. I didn’t sleep the night before; I was so excited. I knew the treatment could give me years I wouldn’t have otherwise.
When the nurses brought the engineered cells into my hospital room, it was like a moment out of Harry Potter – it looked like
Dr Andrew Furness Consultant Medical Oncologist and Solid Tumour Cellular Therapy
Lead, funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
“Immunotherapy offers the potential for long-lasting cancer control for some patients with solid tumours, but the benefits are currently limited to a minority.
they were in a cauldron with dry ice escaping. It was certainly a weird experience. A few hours later, I started experiencing some side effects, including some pain in my side due to a tumour near a nerve reacting.
I left The Royal Marsden three weeks later and, though I had a slightly achy arm, I haven’t felt ill since. My most recent scans have shown the tumour in my shoulder – which was originally 7cm – and the nodules in my lung have shrunk and are immeasurable.
I feel very lucky. As a way of giving back, I donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity through the Sponsor a Day initiative, choosing my birthday. It’s a special day that should be celebrated. RM
“This study shows that cell-based approaches may hold promise for patients with tumour subtypes that aren’t typically sensitive to current forms of immunotherapy – including patients like Jenny with soft-tissue sarcoma.
A key objective at The Royal Marsden is finding ways for more patients to benefit from immunotherapy, so I’m delighted that Jenny could take part in this study.
“It has been a privilege to treat her and her fellow patients on the trial. It has been a huge team effort, and it’s so gratifying to see such early promise.”
“I didn’t sleep the night before my treatment – I was so excited”
JOINING THE TRIAL WAS A NO-BRAINER –IT COULD GIVE ME YEARS I WOULDN’T HAVE OTHERWISE
THROUGH MY TWENTIES, I worked in a series of jobs, including supporting children with autism and teaching English in Vietnam. However, I’d always wanted to be a speech and language therapist, and so in 2018, I started training.
My MSc in Speech and Language Therapy involved various school and community placements, and I was delighted when my final one was at The Royal Marsden. I then got a job in the Speech and Language Therapy Department in 2020. In a short time, I was appointed to a new Band 5 role and was promoted to Band 6 last year.
Raising voices
I work across Chelsea and Sutton and arrive at the hospital around 8.30am ahead of our 8.45am team meeting, where we organise our workloads for the day. I start clinics or visit wards at 9am, seeing a mixture of inpatients and outpatients.
The vast majority of the people I see have been diagnosed with head
and neck cancer, where their cancer and treatment often affects communication and swallowing. Eating, drinking and communicating are such important aspects of life and we take finding ways to improve these abilities – in any way we can – very seriously.
Every day, I conduct swallow reviews, where I check how safely and efficiently patients can eat and drink. Often these are done at the bedside, but we also use videofluoroscopy, which provides a moving X-ray examination of swallowing. We use this to check
“Eating, drinking and communicating are such important aspects of life”
if food or drink is getting stuck in the throat or entering the lungs. We also assess swallowing using flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, or FEES. This involves passing a thin, flexible tool called an endoscope through the patient’s nose to see inside their throat.
Through articulation therapy, I teach patients strategies to help improve communication. This often involves drill work, where patients repeat sounds over and over. It can be quite intense, but delivers great results. We also treat people who have changes to their voice due to their cancer or because of the effects of treatment.
Total teamwork
We take a holistic approach to patient care, and every Wednesday I see radiotherapy patients alongside Jo Rydon, Head and Neck Clinical Nurse Specialist,
Grace undergoes training on FEES equipment
CHECKING UP Grace conducts swallow reviews on patients to assess their ability to eat and drink
and Jessica Paciepnik, Specialist Dietitian. These clinics ensure patients are supported by a multidisciplinary team of experts throughout their radiotherapy sessions, ensuring their needs and concerns are met by specialists.
My team – which includes an administrator and seven speech and language therapists – is amazing. It is thanks to them that I was able to specialise so quickly.
The senior members of our team really support our professional development. For example, every Tuesday I’m seconded to Health Education England, where I lead a project expanding and upskilling the support workforce across southwest London.
Next, I’d love to do more research. Many of my colleagues are involved in research studies, including through IReC, the International Centre for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer, which is funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
More and more patients are surviving head and neck cancer for longer, so finding better ways to improve their quality of life is vital. RM
Radiation contamination, 1956
This photo from 1956 shows a physicist being checked for radiation contamination after working long hours in the fume cupboard, which was standard procedure at the time. Fortunately, thanks to our increased understanding of radiation and radioactive materials, policies and quality standards for using this technology have greatly improved.
In response to the need to treat more patients and train more doctors, our Sutton site was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 20 May 1963, accompanied by the Mayor of Sutton and Cheam, Alderman HJ Trickett. The Sutton site was built partly due to the demand for radiotherapy, and the location was chosen for the fact that it slopes, making it easier to build spaces that could safely contain radiation in the basement.
The Mobaltron 10000 Cobalt Teletherapy Machine was a state-of-the-art device in 1967 and was used to treat patients with radiotherapy at The Royal Marsden. A massive shield protected both the patient and the operators against dangerous overdoses from the radioactive core of this machine. The Mobaltron 10000 can now only be seen in the Science Museum Group collection.
As we mark 75 years of the NHS, we dip into the archives to reveal some fascinating photographs of The Royal Marsden’s achievements in that time, including some showing how radiography and radiotherapy have developed here
The Royal Marsden was one of the first NHS hospitals in the UK to install the CyberKnife radiotherapy machine. The one pictured here was installed in Chelsea in 2011 and has been delivering the latest in stereotactic radiotherapy ever since. In 2020, the Trust installed a second CyberKnife in Sutton.
Diana in the Children’s Unit, 1993 Diana, Princess of Wales, visited The Royal Marsden in Sutton to open the newly built Children’s Unit in 1993. Diana spent time with young patients, spoke with staff members and toured the department. An increasing need for more space to treat young patients led to the opening of The Oak Cancer Centre for Children and Young People (OCCYP) in 2011. The current Prince and Princess of Wales – then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – opened The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity-funded OCCYP in one of their first joint official royal engagements following their wedding.
The Mayor of London at the MR Linac opening, 2016 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visited The Royal Marsden to mark the opening of the MR Linac in 2016, alongside Professor Uwe Oelfke, Head of the Joint Department of Physics at The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Dr Alison Tree, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden. The MR Linac combines two technologies – an MRI scanner and linear accelerator – to precisely locate tumours, tailor the shape of X-ray beams in real time and accurately deliver doses of radiation to moving tumours. The Royal Marsden was the first hospital in the UK to treat a patient using this revolutionary device. RM
The second combined in-person and virtual event was a
OUR SUPPORTERS were out in force in May with the return of The Banham Marsden March and The Banham Marsden March at Home, which together raised over £1.4 million for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
This was the second time that we’ve held a combined in-person and virtual event. More than 4,000 participants walked five or 15 miles between The Royal Marsden’s Chelsea and Sutton hospitals, while others took on their own distance in their local area.
Antonia Dalmahoy, the Charity’s Managing Director, said: “The Banham Marsden March is such an inspiring day, and it was fantastic to see patients, their families and friends, staff and volunteers come together to support the Charity’s vital work. Thank you to everyone who gave their time to make the day a success.
“Special thanks go to our title sponsor Banham, which has extended our partnership to 2025. The event simply wouldn’t be possible without their generous support.”
Want to know more?
Sign up for an early-bird alert for The Banham Marsden March 2024 at royalmarsden.org/march
Leaving a gift in your Will helps to transform the lives of people with cancer, like Pip Majerski (above).
In 2016, Pip was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. She is part of an immunotherapy clinical trial in the West Wing Clinical Research Centre, originally funded through gifts in Wills left by our generous supporters. Now with no evidence of disease, Pip has returned to work and is running in her spare time.
She said: “Research has ultimately saved my life. I come in every six weeks to have my immunotherapy infusion and the staff are lovely. I’m no longer defined by my illness – if you saw me in the street, you’d never even know I’m being treated for cancer.”
Want to know more? Find out how you can leave a gift at royalmarsden.org/wills
“The Banham Marsden March is such an inspiring day ”
WE ARE EXTREMELY grateful to have received £1 million from Dame Deborah James’ Bowelbabe Fund.
Dame Deborah was an incredible supporter of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and an inspiration to many people. Following her stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis, she used her platform to break down barriers around talking about bowel cancer, and to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and research.
The funding will support the installation of a new, advanced interventional radiology X-ray machine at the hospital. Interventional radiology, which
was an important part of Dame Deborah’s treatment, uses imaging to treat cancer in a minimally invasive way and is often used as an alternative to surgery. The new machine
will improve the delivery of this innovative treatment for patients and will also support research to help develop advanced targeted therapies for cancer.
THE ROYAL PARKS HALF MARATHON on 8 October is a fantastic way to support our work while taking in London’s beautiful green spaces this autumn. Join thousands of other runners for the 13.1-mile route, which winds its way through four royal parks and past some of the city’s famous landmarks. And if you’re part of our Royal Parks running team, we’ll support you every step of the way!
Want to know more?
Join Team Marsden at royalmarsden.org/ royal-parks-half-marathon
Congratulations to the Arcobaleno Cancer Trust (above), who have raised more than £300,000 towards research and new equipment at The Royal Marsden.
The trust was formed in 2017 by the Carnevale family, who have supported The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity since 2012 after several family members were treated at the hospital.
To mark a decade of fundraising, the trust recently held a successful race night. Funds from the evening will support a new cellular immunotherapy research programme at the hospital, which will investigate treatments for solid tumours and blood cancers.
eventually see their cancer stop responding to treatment,” explains study lead Professor Nicholas Turner, Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden and Professor of Molecular Oncology at the ICR.
“We were delighted to find that this treatment combination slowed progression of these advanced cancers and, in almost a third of patients from the trial, shrunk the tumours substantially.”
Monica Escolin, Breast Research Nurse, says: “It’s been really exciting to see the impact on patients in the trial, as the combination has not only extended how long their treatment worked but improved their quality of life, too. The side effects are much less debilitating than chemotherapy, which is often the only option for this patient group.
NEW BREAST CANCER treatments don’t come along every day. But, following a major trial, another targeted option is on the horizon.
Capivasertib, which was discovered at The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR), is a new type of medicine that works by blocking a cancer-growing protein called AKT. The drug has been designed to have the precise shape and other key features to ‘lock’ into a cavity of its target protein and block it, helping to stop the cancer growing.
Most breast cancers are oestrogen positive (ER+), which means oestrogen helps them to grow. This type is also often driven and
encouraged to grow by the AKT protein, which capivasertib targets.
After showing promise in early clinical trials focused on this patient group – supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at The Royal Marsden and the ICR –capivasertib was tested internationally in the Phase 3 CAPItello-291 study. Through the trial, the drug was given in combination with fulvestrant, a hormone therapy, to patients with advanced ER+ breast cancer.
“Even with the best current treatments, people with this type of advanced breast cancer will
“I’ve been caring for a woman who has been on the trial longer than anyone else and, thanks to this drug, she’s married her long-term partner and has been healthy enough to plan trips around the UK and abroad.”
It is hoped that this combination will become available for patients with advanced ER+ breast cancer across the UK and beyond, but researchers believe capivasertib could have even wider promise.
“There are a number of trials testing the drug on other types of advanced breast cancer,” Professor Turner says. “It’s also being tested on different tumour types, including prostate and lymphoma. Capivasertib is truly a major breakthrough and we eagerly anticipate results from other studies.” RM
The National Institute for Health and Care Researchfunded Biomedical Research Centre is a partnership between The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research, London. It supports the rapid translation of leading-edge cancer research from the laboratory into a clinical setting. Find out more at cancerbrc.org
A landmark trial has found that a new drug is capable of stopping a cancer-growing protein in its tracks, offering more options to advanced breast cancer patients
Dates for your diary
Annual General Meeting
28 September, 5.30pm-7pm
Council of Governors Meeting
11 October, 11am-1pm
To attend any of these meetings, email corporate governance@ rmh.nhs.uk
Keep in touch
The Royal Marsden enables members of the public, staff and all those who use our services to have a greater say in how we are run by giving them the opportunity to become a Foundation Trust member and ensure that our patients receive the best possible treatment and care.
Members can share their thoughts on how we can improve patient care and services. They receive invitations to Trust events and regularly receive information to keep them up to date on the work of the hospital. They are also able to vote to elect Royal Marsden Governors or stand for Governor themselves.
Giving back
Louann Heale, one of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust’s Governors, stepped into the role in June last year.
She said: “I have been treated for breast cancer twice
at The Royal Marsden, and my youngest son was also treated for testicular cancer here.
“So last year, when a close friend passed away from cancer, I decided to find a way I could give back to the hospital that saved my life and my son’s life. I was a school governor for 20 years, so standing for election to be a Royal Marsden Governor seemed like a good fit.
“As Governors, we act as a link between Foundation Trust members and the Board of Directors. We represent members and act as ambassadors for both the Trust and the membership, and make sure that the views of members are heard by the Board of Directors.”
Recruiting now
Louann is part of the Membership and Communications group, in which she and other Governors work to recruit new Foundation Trust members from a range of backgrounds and age groups.
“It’s crucial that our members reflect the diversity of our patients to ensure we’re able to improve the quality of the services that we provide,” she said. “Members are able to put forward ideas and ask questions about how the hospital is run, and patients and their families have first-hand experience of being treated here.
“Becoming a Foundation Trust member is completely free, and the level of involvement is entirely up to the individual. We are always looking for new members, so we would love to have you on board!”
Want to know more?
Find out how to become a member at royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ becomeamember
Call 020 7808 2844 or email trust. foundation@rmh. nhs.uk. Contact your Governor by email at governors@ rmh.nhs.uk
Become a member
To sign up and become a member, visit royalmarsden. nhs.uk/ becomeamember or call 020 7808 2844 to request a membership form
Louann Heale talks about why she became a Governor and the vital role of Foundation Trust members
“Reflecting the diversity of our patients is crucial”
The lucky winner of our prize crossword will receive a £50 John Lewis & Partners gift card.
Send your crossword with your name and contact details to RM, PR and Communications Team, The Royal Marsden, Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW3 6JJ. The entry closing date is 10 August 2023. See below for prize draw rules.
Spring 2023 crossword solution
Across 1 Whelk 4 Paper 6 Lanyard 8 Pawn 9 Elsan
12 Widow 13 Asti 15 Redhead 17 Gates 18 Sadly
Down 1 Wind power 2 Endowed 3 Kelp 4 Paneer 5 Pea 7 Dentistry 10 Suspend 11 Sweets 14 Odds 16 Dot
Congratulations to Robert Frogley, the winner of the spring 2022 issue’s crossword prize.
Across
2 Test of knowledge (4)
5 Tree in the genus Ulmus (3)
7 Member of the crow family (3)
8 Weasel-like mammal (5)
9 Jester (5)
10 Astronomer, perhaps (9)
15 Embers (5)
17 2022 rock ’n’ roll biopic (5)
18 Joint between the pelvis and thighbone (3)
Down
1 Succulent plant (6)
3 Irish province (6)
4 Metallic element (4)
5 Continent (6)
6 AA _____, Winniethe-Pooh creator (5)
11 Largest of the Society Islands (6)
12 Further education qualification (1-5)
13 Dried fruit (6)
14 Ceremonial mallet (5)
Rachael Reeve Director of Marketing and Communications
Sonya Cullington
Head of PR and Communications
Catherine O’Mara
Senior PR and Communications Manager
Francesca Vitale Senior Stories Officer
Georgia Tilley
Senior PR and Communications Officer
Ella Crumpton
Senior PR and Communications Officer
Ella Griffiths
Senior PR and Communications Officer
Georgie Reeve PR and Communications Assistant
Neeta Norton Stories Officer
FOR SUNDAY
Marc Grainger
Editor
Robert Hearn
Lead Creative
Nina Whitley-Jones
Creative
Emma Johnston
Chief Sub Editor
Samantha Robinson
Chief Sub Editor
Emma Franklin Group Account Director
Richard Robinson
Content Director
Sam Walker
Creative Director
Toby Smeeton
19 Hawaiian garland (3)
20 1964 Michael Caine film (4)
Managing Director
RM magazine is published by The Royal Marsden in partnership with Sunday: wearesunday.com
Fill in your details below when sending in your crossword competition entry. See above for details of our address.
16 City in northeast Egypt (4) NAME
1. The Prize Draw is open to all readers of RM except employees of the Press Office at The Royal Marsden and Sunday, who produce RM magazine.
2. The closing date for receipt of all entries is 10 August 2023. Only one entry per person per draw.
3. Responsibility cannot be accepted for entries that are incomplete, illegible or not received. Proof of posting is not proof of receipt. No cash alternative is available and prizes are not transferable. Value of prize is correct at time of going to press.
4. Winners will be notified by post within 14 days of closing date.
5. The Promoter’s decision on any aspect of the promotions is final and binding. No correspondence will be entered into.
6. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value should circumstances make this necessary.
7. Entry implies acceptance of rules.
8. The winner of the crossword prize of a £50 John Lewis & Partners gift card will be the first correct entry drawn out of the bag.
9. The Promoter is The Royal Marsden, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ.
© The Royal Marsden 2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without prior permission of the Editor. The Royal Marsden and Sunday accept no responsibility for the views expressed by contributors to the magazine. Repro by F1 Colour. Printed by Geoff Neal Group.
Join the conversation on Twitter @royalmarsdenNHS Facebook @royalmarsdenchelsea and @royalmarsdenNHS Instagram @royalmarsdenNHS
Adam Fricker
@frickerswoodshop
For everyone that has kindly and generously sponsored me, THANK YOU so much. It means such a lot to such an amazing Hospital! @royalmarsdennhs [right]
Ruth Marshall Interiors
@ruthgmarshall
The care we receive at the Marsden never ceases to amaze me. In safe hands, and always treated with utter care and dignity. How lucky are we to be treated there!
Charlotte Lauren Davis
@charliex88
Thank you Royal Marsden for taking good care of my
CALL THE ROYAL MARSDEN, CHELSEA 020 7352 8171
CALL THE ROYAL MARSDEN, SUTTON 020 8642 6011
VISIT US ONLINE royalmarsden.nhs.uk
WANT TO WORK AT THE ROYAL MARSDEN?
Visit jobs.royalmarsden.nhs.uk
READ RM MAGAZINE ONLINE royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ rm-magazine
brilliant amazing niece! And also treating my daughter Paige back in 2010 who had ALL. You have been a life saver for our family. And we are forever grateful!
Jo Jo @jo_kkroberts‘Incredible’ is really the only word to describe the Doctors who work at The Royal Marsden
Kathy Greenwald
All the nursing staff go above and beyond, thank you to all the nurses that have helped my husband over the years of coming to this wonderful hospital.
Les Ralph I was treated at the London Marsden over 30 years ago. Radio chemo and 2 big opps, they saved my leg and quite possibly my life.
April West
My great niece was diagnosed and was put in Royal Marsden in Sutton. They are absolute diamonds... My niece is in remission and doing very well. 13 now and living life.
RichardJBonnett
@RichardJBonnet2
1 year ago I received lifesaving stem cells to treat AML from my @AnthonyNolan donor all under the amazing care of @royalmarsdenNHS [above]. Please think seriously about signing up to being a donor... it literally saves a life.
CONTACT THE ROYAL MARSDEN HELP CENTRE
For confidential chat, support and information, call 0800 783 7176 or visit royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ your-care/royal-marsdenhelp-centre
For general feedback, compliments, concerns or complaints, send us a message royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ contact-us/get-in-touch
STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE ROYAL MARSDEN CANCER CHARITY
CALL US 020 7808 2233
EMAIL US charity@royalmarsden.org
VISIT US ONLINE royalmarsden.org
Registered Charity No. 1095197
CONTACT THE FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL MARSDEN, CHELSEA
CALL US 020 7352 3875
EMAIL US friendsroyalmarsden @gmail.com
VISIT US ONLINE formc.uk
Registered Charity No. 222613
