Patient and Carer feedback from 2011 NCRI Cancer Conference

97% of patient and carers bursary attendees rated the conference as excellent or good (with 74% rating the conference as excellent)

Here are some of their views on the conference:

“This is a wonderful opportunity for patients/carers or their advocates to learn about research and how this is helping to ensure that the cancer patient experience is improved wherever possible.”

The really excellent patient/carer session with the school children was amazing... Well done for getting this into the conference, we need more of this. Networking is second to none. This is always a great opportunity to meet and engage with some very interesting researchers.”

“Thank you for the bursary that enabled me to attend the conference - great to network with consumers and researchers. Such a privilege to hear about the level of research that is happening in both the lab and clinic + psychosocial and survivorship issues”

“The whole organisation of the event I know takes the full 12 months however the quality produced demonstrates the UK's commitment to first class research and effort.”

“Without question the best conference on the European circuit.”

And what they gained from attending:

“I found the quality and excellent leading researchers work to be inspiring. I always look forward to these sessions as they inform me about the current advances in cancer and give an opportunity to hear from established leaders in their field.”

“Very hard to major on one point as the knowledge I gained went from bench to bedside and on to survivorship ...If I had to single one thing - the need to ensure consent for tissue banking is a routine part of a clinical trial consent procedure”

“Confidence and increased understanding of research and the science involved”

“Knowledge and information, not only for me but for my colleagues back at the forum and group. Inspiration and hope for the future, after seeing / listening to the dedication of an awful lot of people who are working tirelessly in their chosen field. The feeling that everyone is in it together and for as long as it takes.”