Sussex Cancer Fund Helps Bring More Cancer Research Trials to Local Patients

Radiotherapy is an important part of cancer treatment for many people. Clinical trials help doctors and NHS teams develop better ways to treat cancer, improve outcomes and sometimes reduce side effects or the number of hospital visits needed.

The Sussex Cancer Fund provided two years of pump-priming funding for the role. This means the charity has funded the position initially to demonstrate its value, with the long-term aim of securing ongoing NHS support in future.

The research radiographer, Louisa Karacochi, has been in post since October 2025 and the impact is already being seen.

One important prostate cancer radiotherapy trial opened within weeks of the role starting, and recruitment has been extremely positive. Six Sussex patients have already joined the study, representing 60% of all patients recruited across the whole South-East region so far.

Several more radiotherapy trials are now progressing through the approval process and are expected to open later this year, helping even more local patients access cutting-edge treatments and research opportunities.

The role is also helping improve awareness and understanding of cancer research among both patients and NHS staff.

As part of this work, the research radiographer will be speaking at an upcoming Science Café event at the Horizon Centre, helping local people learn more about cancer research taking place in Sussex and how clinical trials can benefit patients.

Steve Crocker, Research Lead for Sussex Cancer Fund, said:

“Research is one of the most important ways we improve cancer care for future patients. But research studies do not happen on their own. They need dedicated people to help coordinate them, support patients and work with clinical teams to get studies open and running. We are really encouraged by the early success of this project. The fact that Sussex is already one of the leading recruiters in the South-East for this prostate cancer study shows what can be achieved with the right support in place. Most importantly, it means more local patients are able to access new treatment opportunities closer to home.”

Dr Rebecca Herbertson, Consultant Oncologist and Cancer Research Director at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“This role is already making a real difference. It is helping us open studies more quickly and improve opportunities for patients to take part in research locally.

Clinical trials are vital in helping us improve cancer treatments and patient care. They also give patients access to treatments and techniques that may not otherwise be available.”

Before this project began, the number of active radiotherapy trials running locally had reduced significantly over recent years due to limited staffing and research capacity.

The Sussex Cancer Fund-funded role is now helping reverse that trend and strengthen cancer research opportunities for people across Sussex.