Patrick Joyce: Supporting breast cancer patients through clinical trials
“Support for Weston Park Cancer Charity by the local community contributes directly to helping staff like myself work directly with patients, and also to improved facilities for treatment and care.”
Proud to support patients during the trial pathway
For one in two people, a cancer diagnosis will change everything in their lifetime. However, our supporters help us change everything for people facing cancer in our region by enabling vital research, including clinical trials.
Patrick Joyce has been part of the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre (CCTC) at Weston Park for more than 20 years. In that time, he’s worked on more than 100 clinical trials.
As part of our partnership with the CCTC, we fund seven research nurse positions – including Patrick’s role as breast research nurse. By supporting recruitment and co-ordinating clinical trials for breast cancer patients here in Sheffield, Patrick is on the frontline of helping to change outcomes for people in our region.
Here, Patrick explains just what it means to support patients through trials carried out for people going through cancer in our region.
“I am proud to be able to contribute to clinical trials and studies by supporting patients during the trial pathway,” explains Patrick.
“My role ranges from helping to decide if trials are right for them to arranging visits for investigations and treatment and supporting patients through trials carried out here in Sheffield.
“I was born in the West Midlands and grew up in Lincolnshire. I came to Sheffield in the 1990s to start my nurse training. I started working at the CCTC in 1999 and have worked on more than 100 trials since. Currently, the focus of my work is helping to co-ordinate and recruit to studies in the treatment of breast cancer.”
Patrick also commented on the importance of having the CCTC at Weston Park – something which helps change outcomes for people in this region.
“By having the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre at Weston Park, we not only contribute to the overall progress being made in improving outcomes for patients, we ensure that the latest treatments are available for patients in our region.
“The evidence also tells us that hospitals which participate in clinical trials also have improved care outcomes. But while there has been a lot of progress over the last twenty years in cancer treatments, there is always more that can be achieved.
“In the time I have worked in clinical trials we have benefited enormously from the commitment of patients who choose to enrol in studies, but also from the generous support given to the Weston Park Cancer Charity by the local community.
“This has contributed to employing staff like myself, working directly with patients, but also toward improved facilities for treatment and care.”