The NCRN are delighted to welcome Professor Matt Seymour as NCRN Director from 5th July 2010. Matt joins the NCRN early in its future five year ambitions as set out in the NCRN Strategic Plan 2010-2015.

Matt was the first Clinical Lead for Research of the Yorkshire Cancer Research Network from 2001 – 2006, and has been Professor of Gastrointestinal Cancer Medicine at St James’s Institute of Oncology in Leeds since 2004. His career over the last twenty years has involved both developing and leading clinical and translational research in colorectal and other GI tract cancers; in particular pioneering the large scale collection, with prospective consent, of tumour and blood samples from patients taking part in randomised controlled trials. This wealth of trials experience also includes working closely on trials with the NCRI-accredited Clinical Trials Units in Leeds, Birmingham and the MRC. Matt was a one of the founding members of the NCRI Colorectal Clinical studies Group and is currently Chairman of its Translational Sub Group. Matt has also served on both the CR UK Cancer Trials Awards and Advisory Committee (CTAAC) from 2002 – 2009, where he was Vice-Chair, and the CR UK Translational Research in Clinical Trials Committee (TRICC). The entire network and Coordinating Centre staff look forward to working with Matt and learning about his vision for the NCRN.

The NCRN would like to use this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of their outgoing Director, Professor David Cameron. Since joining the NCRN in 2007 David has successfully steered the NCRN through its second quinquennial review, securing a further five years of funding. David has also presided over the NCRN’s most successful year to date for recruitment of patients into Randomised Controlled Trials and other well designed studies in 2009-2010. David joins the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre as Professor of Oncology and Director.

Fostering the role of pathology in research

This month saw a major step forward for pathology research in the UK with the publication of a report from the National Cancer Research Institute (www.ncri.org.uk).  The report was produced by the NCRI Pathology & Research Task Force which was set up in response to concerns about the difficulties that pathologists face in conducting research. It highlights a series of actions across three key areas to rejuvenate pathology research and better enable pathologists to engage with and contribute to research.

The full report, executive summary and the press release can each be downloaded from http://www.ncri.org.uk/default.asp?s=1&p=5&ss=13 

Hard copies of the report can be requested from This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For further information, please contact Dr Rebecca Stratford ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).  

National Cancer Survivorship Initiative Survey