Research > Cancer Research UK Centre Senior Research Nurse > Lorraine Turner

Lorraine Turner Cancer Research UK - Senior Cancer Research Nurse

After leaving the Christie NHS Foundation Trust working as a Nurse Clinician for the past two and a half years, I undertook the post as Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Senior Cancer Research Nurse on the 7th July 2011, which is the first for Liverpool’s CRUK Centre. I’m privileged to have been given the opportunity to work at both academic level within the University of Liverpool, as well as within the NHS and local communities in Liverpool, Merseyside and Cheshire. Collaborating with world-class researchers, scientists, specialist cancer Doctors, Nurses, patients and the public.

Throughout my nursing career and postgraduate studies, I have always been passionate about research. I started my Research Nurse career back in 2000 at The University Hospital of South Manchester which I thoroughly enjoyed for 8 years before training to be a Nurse Clinician. During my research nurse years I undertook a Masters in Applied Social Research and carried out my own case controlled study to determine the incidence and severity of menopausal symptoms and attitudes surrounding Hormone Replacement Therapy in women with a history of breast cancer compared to an age matched control group. I presented the results at the 28th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, USA. Due to my interest in breast oncology I also undertook a pilot study looking at the risk factors associated with bone loss in postmenopausal women with breast cancer, which I presented at the International Nursing Conference in Cancer, Toronto, Canada.

This post is a huge challenge and one which I’m really looking forward to taking up. Cancer is responsible for more than one in three deaths in Merseyside and can cause profound emotional as well as physical effects not only for patients but for family, friends and carers. My aims for the forthcoming year include providing leadership to a dedicated team of research nurses within the Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospital Trust (RLBUHT) and Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology (CCO). Provide greater cohesion between the various research teams, scientists, practitioners and optimise the research activity via collaboration with the various cancer research organisations such as MCCRN, CLRN, University of Liverpool and the NHS. My aim is also to work closely with the newly appointed Chair of Medical Oncology Professor Palmer and Dr Hussain (Clinical Senior Lecturer) to develop and lead on increasing the research portfolio of Translational Research, phase 1 trials in hepatobiliary cancers.

It is paramount for the future of cancer research to maintain high quality standards and to promoting awareness and recruitment to clinical trials amongst healthcare professionals, patients and the public. In order to help increase patient and public involvement I will by undertaking various projects and fund raising events, providing a public face to promote what Cancer Research UK aims to achieve in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. So that ‘together we will beat cancer’!

Contact Details
Tel: 0151 706 2000 (Ext. 4940)

Email: leturner@liverpool.ac.uk