Shape the future of cancer research by advocating in the REDEFINE Study

Type of activity: Patient advocate

Organised by: The Institute of Cancer Research, Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU)

Location: Online, anywhere or In-person: Sutton, London

Time commitment: 15 – 20 hours in total across the study duration from (approx.) May 2025 – November 2026.

Payment and Expenses: Reimbursement for time and expenses will be provided, rates in line with CRUK guidance.

Looking for: Two patient advocates to join an existing team of two. Experience as a cancer patient advocate, and/or has taken part in a cancer clinical trial or chosen not to participate. This opportunity is open to anyone affected by cancer across the UK, regardless of cancer type.

Closing date: Thursday 19 June

 

 

About the REDEFINE study

Cancer clinical trials often require participants to have extra tests and assessments which involve extra hospital visits. This can be inconvenient for patients and add pressure on NHS staff. Since COVID-19, healthcare has changed to include video calls, home testing kits and other remote methods, but trials need to keep up.

Many people with cancer find it hard to join clinical trials due to travel, finances, caring responsibilities, or other barriers. The REDEFINE Study is not a clinical trial itself. Instead, it aims to understand how trials can become more flexible and accessible for everyone, no matter their situation.

The study involves interviews, focus groups, and workshops with people affected by cancer, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals. It will explore how technology, like video appointments, online questionnaires, GP blood tests, and home treatment kits, might help people take part more easily.

By gathering views from a wide range of people, the REDEFINE Study hopes to find better ways to run cancer trials, improve access for underserved groups, support the NHS, and speed up progress in cancer treatment.

About the involvement activity

Researchers of the REDEFINE Study are looking for people to join the study steering group to provide advice on how the study is being run. This will include:

  • Review interview and workshop questions
  • Help ensure study materials are clear and patient-friendly
  • Share feedback on how to make the study inclusive for people from all backgrounds
  • Guide how findings are shared with the wider community

Contribution will include online or in-person meetings and email-based feedback.

Involving people affected by cancer will help make the study more focused on patients’ real needs. Their input will ensure the study reflects diverse experiences and helps improve cancer research for everyone.

Next steps

If you are interested in becoming a patient advocate for The REDEFINE Study or have any questions, please contact Yemi Akala at yemi.akala@icr.ac.uk for an expression of interest form or to arrange a chat.

Support

They will offer an onboarding meeting to help new advocates understand the study and their role. This will be an opportunity to meet members of the team and ask any further questions.

Register your interest

 

 

External Opportunities (Organised by Other Organisations)

In addition to the patient involvement opportunities we run at Cancer Research UK, we also share opportunities from other charities and organisations.

These external opportunities are organised independently by other groups or researchers. If you're interested in taking part, you'll need to contact and work with them directly.

We’d love to hear about your experience with any external organisations. If you’d like to share feedback, please email us at involvement@cancer.org.uk.