Walsall patients are taking part in a national study to look at whether chemotherapy is likely to benefit those being treated for stage 2 and stage 3 bowel cancer.

Dr Jhanzeb Iftikhar, Consultant Oncologist at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, is the Principal Investigator for the OncoProg study.

It is evaluating how effective an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based digital Pathology tool, which analyses tumour characteristics from Pathology slides, is in helping to help identify those most likely to benefit from chemotherapy treatment.

Chemotherapy can be potentially harmful and create long term health consequences in patients who either may not need it or won’t gain from it.

Dr Iftikhar said: “Participation in research studies such as OncoProg ensures that patients at Walsall have access to innovative developments in cancer care while contributing to national improvements in personalised treatment approaches.

“We are proud to have successfully delivered the study and to have exceeded our recruitment target ahead of schedule. Research is central to improving cancer care, and it is a privilege to collaborate with such committed Oncology, Research and Pathology colleagues.

“We’d also like to thank our participants as their willingness to get involved in studies such as this can make a vital difference to others.”

Dr Zia Din, Chief Medical Officer at Walsall Healthcare, added: “Well done to everyone who has played their part in helping us to successfully deliver this study.

“I have been particularly proud of Dr Iftikhar’s professionalism, commitment and leadership as Principal Investigator, noting the positive feedback received from our Research and Development Team.”

Recruitment to this particular study is now complete in Walsall but people can find out which studies and trials are still available by visiting https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, members of the public are also being encouraged to use home testing kits, if they are sent one in the post.