Adele Connor, a cancer researcher and PhD student at University College Dublin, has been supported by the Irish Cancer Society for over three years now since she began her PhD in 2020. “My research focuses on high-grade serous ovarian cancer, and studying the differences between the primary and metastatic tumours within the one patient. These differences can affect the treatment response for that patient, so understanding them can lead to the development of more effective, personalised care.”
"As well as research funding, the Irish Cancer Society have supported me by providing access to experts in patient and public involvement and scientific communication, as well as opportunities to network with other researchers"
For Adele, it is not just funding the Irish Cancer Society has provided. “As well as research funding, the Irish Cancer Society have supported me by providing access to experts in patient and public involvement and scientific communication, as well as opportunities to network with other researchers. Our PPI group has also benefited from a public and patient involvement grant so we can broaden patient involvement in our research projects.”
Adele chose a career in cancer research as she says “I doubt there is anyone on the planet whose life hasn’t been touched by cancer in one way or another. Therefore, the impact that cancer research can have is potentially colossal.”
In particular, she’s excited by the prospect of “outsmarting” cancer. “Cancer can be creative in how it affects our bodies, so working out ways to outsmart it and overcome its infiltration inside the body can be incredibly rewarding.”
"The phrase 'nothing about us, without us' is a vital reminder of the importance of the patient voice."
Adele’s favourite part of her work is bringing the patient voice to cancer research. “Their voices become embedded in my research, not only guiding and improving my project but also allowing me to establish close relationships with incredible women.”
One aspect of her work she is particularly proud of, which represented a first-of-its-kind in UCD was the use of a pre-clinical model known as “patient-derived explant”. “This work was not being carried out in UCD before, and my work has helped to get this model initiated so that other researchers can implement them going forward in their research. The development of appropriate pre-clinical models is a key step to understanding cancer and what treatment works.”
Asked what she won’t stop doing for people affected by cancer, Adele says: “I won’t stop involving patients in my research. The phrase “nothing about us, without us” is a vital reminder of the importance of the patient voice. This ensures our research is always patient-focused and achieves patient-led outcomes.”
