Organisers
University of Cambridge & Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are leading Heartburn Health. They are joint sponsors of the programme. This means they are the main organisations responsible.
The Cancer Research UK Cancer Prevention Trials Unit
The CRUK Cancer Prevention Trials Unit at Queen Mary University of London is helping to organise and coordinate Heartburn Health. They are the clinical trials unit running the programme.
Funders
Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
The National Institute for Health & Care Research (NIHR)
CRUK and the NIHR are jointly funding Heartburn Health.
Researchers
Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald
Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald is the named ‘Chief Investigator’ for Heartburn Health. Rebecca is Professor of Cancer Prevention at the University of Cambridge and Director of the Early Cancer Institute. She was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2022 for services to cancer research. In 2018 she received the Jane Wardle Prevention and Early Diagnosis Prize and in 2021 the Don Listwin Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Early Detection.
Professor Peter Sasieni
Peter is the scientific lead for Heartburn Health. He read mathematics at Cambridge University and has a PhD in biostatistics from the University of Washington. Peter is a Professor of Cancer Prevention at Queen Mary University of London and is director of the Cancer Research UK Cancer Prevention Trials Unit, and Vice Director of the NIHR Policy Research Unit on Cancer, Awareness, Screening and Early Diagnosis.
Dr Thomas Round
Dr Thomas Round is the Principal Investigator on Heartburn Health. He is a General Practitioner (GP) at Bromley by Bow Health in London and a clinical lead for an e-learning programme for the Royal College of General Practitioners. As a researcher, Tom works in Population Health Sciences at King’s College London (KCL). He is also Associate Editor of the British Journal of General Practice and Royal Marsden Partners (RMP) primary care research implementation lead.
Patient and Public Involvement Panel
Reg England
“I am originally from Hertfordshire but now live in Lancashire. I worked in industry for many years, in the UK and Switzerland. I left industry and became a university lecturer. My research focused on antibiotic production and antibiotic resistance of bacteria.
I am now retired and try to stay fit by cycling, hiking and pottering about on my allotment. I am interested in PPI because having undergone several endoscopies over recent years I know that patient–public involvement can be important to inform research and find better ways for diagnosis and treatment.”
Glynis Freeman
“I am from Bedfordshire. In my spare time, I enjoy walking, reading and travelling. Workwise, I supervise psychology students with their research methods.
I have been treated for Barrett’s Oesophagus and Oesophageal Cancer, and this treatment introduced me to the research. Over time, this has developed my interest in the emotional and behavioural impacts of these conditions.”
Stephen Lee
“I live in East Midlands with my wife. My interests in health follow my career having now retired from my working life as a graduate engineer/ scientist. The majority of my career was spent at senior level in the Medical and BioTec industries.
I was diagnosed with Barrett’s Oesophagus during a routine endoscopy in 2019. I take a proton pump inhibitor (lansoprazole) daily and am under surveillance.
I enrolled for PPI to contribute something back and to help others with similar symptoms.”
Allan Soares
“I am a 73 year old retired Senior Lecturer in Science Education. I was invited by GP practice to participate in 2021 DELTA trials of Capsule Sponge test which suggested Barretts.
I had a follow up gastroscopy and biopsies showed Helicobacter pylori, for which an eradication course of antibiotics prescribed, and intestinal metaplasia which did not fit criteria for Barretts.”
Tim Wiffen
“I am 66 and originally from London but moved out to Hertfordshire, then lived in various places near Llanelli in West Wales since 1995.
My hobbies include family history (I have traced my direct ancestors back twenty generations), DIY, reading and cricket. I am a playing member of my local club (having not played for forty years), I am on the committee, work as a groundsman and coach the under 15s team and the Women’s softball team.
I have worked in various industries throughout my life with my final job being a Benefits Advisor for Carmarthenshire working with Macmillan Cancer Support. Through this I have developed an interest in cancer diagnosis and treatment (I lost my brother to pancreatic cancer) and through this came onto the Heartburn Health panel.”
Anne
“I live in Yorkshire – best place in the UK!
I recently retired from a career in oncology, latterly in research. I like to keep physically active and also I’m working my way through a pile of books accumulated for my retirement!
I’m really pleased to still be involved in planning and decision making in my PPI role. It’s good to be able to contribute towards improving healthcare.”