About BRIGHT

As a charity, our aim is to improve the lives of those affected by GI (Gastro-Intestinal) and HPB (Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary) cancers.

 

BRIGHT funds ongoing research into improving treatment options and outcomes for patients and through the purchase of new equipment for a whole range of GI and HPB cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and other advanced treatments.

BRIGHT supports the clinical and research work of cancer specialists at St Luke’s Cancer Centre and the HPB Surgical Unit, both based at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford.

 

Our History

BRIGHT was founded in 1997 as Dr Topham’s Research Fund and carried out vital research and new treatment options for GI cancer patients.  In 2018 Trustees of BRIGHT agreed to merge with the Liver Cancer Surgery Appeal (LCSA) to create a single, enlarged charity under the banner of BRIGHT. The LCSA was founded in 1997 by Professor Nariman Karanjia, Consultant HPB Surgeon, to fund equipment and research into the causes and treatment of HPB cancers.

The merging of these two charities has enabled BRIGHT to create a united organisation working to create brighter futures for patients with both GI and HPB cancers. Working together, BRIGHT can share resources, skills and expertise to help advance research and improve treatment options for these cancers.

The completion of the merger was celebrated at a GenesisCare–sponsored dinner at the House of Commons in October 2018, which was hosted by Sir Paul Beresford, MP.  Download the BRIGHT brochure here.

 

Royal Surrey County Hospital

BRIGHT’s Fundraising Aims

BRIGHT aims to fund and support:

  • Ongoing research into improving treatment options and outcomes for patients with GI and HPB cancers.
  • The purchase of new equipment for a whole range of GI and HPB cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and other advanced treatments.

In line with these objectives, BRIGHT supports the clinical and research work of cancer specialists at St Luke’s Cancer Centre and the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery Unit, both based at the Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH).

What are Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers?

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a term for the group of cancers that affect the digestive system. This includes:

  • Stomach (gastric) cancer
  • Bowel (colorectal) cancer
  • Oesophageal cancer
  • Anal cancer
  • GI neuroendocrine tumours
  • Small intestine cancer

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. There are around 41,700 new bowel cancer cases in the UK every year, that’s more than 110 every day.

Diagram of bowels

What are Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Cancers?

Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) cancer is a term for the group of cancers that affect the liver, pancreas and biliary system. These include:

  • Primary liver cancer (cancer that starts in the liver)
  • Secondary liver cancer (metastatic cancer; cancer which started in another part of the body and has spread to the liver)
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)
  • GI neuroendocrine tumours
  • Gall bladder cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the 11th most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 3% of all new cancer cases. There are around 9,800 new pancreatic cancer cases in the UK every year, that’s 27 every day. Approximately 80% of patients are inoperable at presentation. Of the remaining 20% only a quarter (i.e. 5% of the total) will be long-term survivors.

At least a third of patients who develop bowel cancer go on to develop secondary liver cancer. This means that each day, 40 people somewhere in the UK will be diagnosed with secondary liver cancer arising from the large intestine.

Why do BRIGHT support GI and HPB Cancers?

As our statistics have shown, there are many people diagnosed with GI and HPB cancers every year.

What we know is that cancers of the GI tract often spread through the body. This spread is often referred to as ‘metastatic’ or ‘secondary’ cancer. When cancer cells break away from the primary tumour in the GI tract (cancer starting in the GI tract), they can travel around in the blood stream or in lymph fluid.

We know that it is common for GI cancers and in particular colon and rectal cancer to spread to the liver. This is  because blood from the intestines drains directly through  the liver and cancer cells seed into the liver.

To find out more about GI and HPB cancers please search on the NHS and Macmillan websites: www.nhs.uk, www.macmillan.org.uk

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