A new centre designed to improve cancer treatment and patient outcomes has opened in the county.

The Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC) in Brighton will bring researchers, clinicians and patients together so they can share resources, insight, experience and expertise.

The aim is to significantly improve the care cancer patients receive and to improve the life-chances of people diagnosed with the disease.

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The centre also wants people living with cancer to be involved in research by taking part in trials, communicating with medical practitioners and sharing their experiences.

The four founding members of the SCRC include Dr Simon Mitchell, a reader in Cancer Systems Biology at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and Melanie Flint, Professor of Stress and Cancer Research at the University of Brighton. The centre's work will be carried out at various locations including in the Royal Sussex County Hospital and the universities.

Timothy Humphrey, Professor of Translational Research and Genome Stability at the University of Sussex, and clinical oncologist Dr Duncan Gilbert of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, also founded the new centre.

Dr Simon Mitchell said: "From day one, this will be a true collaboration. As a team, with a united vision to improve care for patients, we are greater than the sum of our parts.

"Cancer doesn’t recognise institutional boundaries, and to beat cancer we must cross those boundaries too."

Professor Timothy Humphrey said: "Almost everyone knows someone affected by cancer and we need their perspective to provide valuable input into our research direction.

"Our central goal is improved patient outcomes through supporting world-leading collaborative research."

The centre also aims to improve connections between researchers, patients and clinical partners to make resources such as patient samples more readily accessible.

Professor Melanie Flint said: "We want to make sure Sussex is the best place in the country to do cancer research, so that the future leaders want to work here and stay here.

"The Sussex Cancer Research Centre will help attract, mentor, and support ambitious cancer researchers for the benefit of cancer patients."

Dr Duncan Gilbert, clinical oncologist at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "University Hospitals Sussex serves the second largest cancer patient population of any NHS organisation and has plans to move its cancer services to a new purpose-built cancer centre.

"This, we believe, will facilitate greater interactions with the Sussex Cancer Research Centre, including scientists, clinicians and patients.

"And, together with our NHS partners, will help our work to improve outcomes alongside prevention, early detection, and improving care and support for those with cancer across Sussex."

One public member of SCRC is Markus Taylor, who was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia in 2021.

He said: "I am really happy to be part of the new research centre because I know the team is very keen to listen to what people with cancer have to say.

"The centre is not just about cells, molecules, proteins, it’s about real people living with real disease.

"I hope this centre will help to develop those conversations that are already happening between all those tied together by cancer; the people that have it, the scientists, doctors and consultants – sharing information, sharing knowledge and stories.

"Let’s talk, let’s share things, let’s move things on. To be part of that is incredible."