At the end of January, ten patient representatives joined early career cancer researchers at the Junior Investigator Network Group (JING) event in Manchester. Hosted by the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres (ECMC) network. JING brings together clinical and non-clinical trainees from across the UK to learn, connect and develop the skills they need to design the cancer studies of tomorrow.
The ECMC network supports the development of new cancer treatments and JING is an opportunity for researchers to learn directly from the people their work aims to help. This year, patient representatives played a bigger role than ever, contributing throughout the two-day programme, sharing their experiences, and helping trainees understand how meaningful patient involvement strengthens research.
On the first day, patient representatives took part in the Study Design Task, offering advice on how to involve peo
ple affected by cancer from the earliest stages of clinical trial development. Their insights helped researchers understand not just the “what” of patient involvement, but the “why”: how lived experience can shape studies to be kinder and more relevant to those who may take part.
Anne-Sophie Kleczewski, Involvement Manager at CRUK, has seen the event evolve over time:
“My favourite thing about the event is seeing trainees, faculty and patient representatives working together on equal footing. This is how great PPI (Patient and Public Involvement) starts.”
The second day began with a focus on patient involvement. Elspeth Banks, one of the patient representatives, opened the session by sharing her motivation for supporting clinical research and her experience living with the long-term consequences of cancer treatment.
“I was delighted to be asked to be the patient speaker at the Patient Involvement session, it’s vital that we are involved from the design stage of early phase trials through to dissemination and publication.
As is always the case, we were hugely encouraged by the very positive reaction to engaging with PPI in research. It was a privilege to meet and work with such an inspiring group of people.”
Researchers also heard from Dr Adam Sharp, who first attended JING as a trainee a few years ago and credits the patient involvement session for shaping the direction of his career.
“I am a strong believer that patients should inform our research from conception to completion. The PPI session was one of the most impactful moments in my development as a researcher.”
For the rest of the day, patient representatives attended the study ideas session, where trainees presented their plans for future research to other trainees and faculty. It was an opportunity to comment on the study design and offer constructive criticism from the perspective of people affected by cancer. This is part of the event is a highlight for our patient representatives, with one commenting "This is when the day comes alive. This is why we get Involved."
Throughout the event, trainees worked alongside patient representatives, sharing ideas, asking questions and building the confidence to embed involvement in their own work. The atmosphere was warm, collaborative and hopeful, with many researchers expressing how much they valued the opportunity to learn from people with lived experience. Ultimately, it all leads to better research that will benefit people affected by cancer.
