We drive innovation and development in bowel (colorectal), bladder, prostate and liver cancer treatment through research and education, and advancing precision surgery and treatment. So – our message is different. Our focus is on surgery, which provides the best outcomes and is often neglected.
Pelican Cancer Foundation – the difference we make
Surgery cures more people than any other cancer intervention. Our charity works with multi-disciplinary cancer specialists on research and to embed changes in practice through workshops and conferences to help more patients live well, for longer.
Since 2000, we have trained over 13,000 medical professionals at our courses and workshops
We deliver courses and workshops for cancer specialists: surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists and nurses – sharing lifesaving and life-enhancing knowledge and skills with cancer teams across the UK and worldwide. A member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and a partner organisation of the National Institute of Health Research, we support medical research through providing fellowships and funding whole studies.
‘I’m impressed how Pelican Cancer Foundation has changed the culture with the colorectal multidisciplinary specialists’ Gastroenterologist, 2018.
We have invested over £2.5 million in vital clinical research
Established in 1993, the origins of the Foundation date back to the promotion of the groundbreaking work of Professor Bill Heald and his colleagues at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital in the development of bowel cancer surgery. The pioneering Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) procedure is now the benchmark treatment for rectal cancer across the world. TME halves the chance of cancer returning, minimises side-effects and an additional 3,000 people are alive every year in the UK alone due to the techniques of TME surgery.
Nearly half of all bowel cancer patients go on to develop metastases, most often in the liver – secondary cancer or liver metastases (mets). Through research and education, we support advancing ways to predict which patients will develop liver metastases and development of treatment options – methods of operating and growth of new drugs to enable more patients to undergo surgery. Mr Merv Rees and colleagues at Basingstoke lead meetings and courses for clinicians on developments in liver metastases.
An area of increased interest and activity is for colorectal peritoneal metastases – secondary bowel cancer in the abdomen. There are 3 hospitals in England currently treating this condition and Basingstoke is the highest volume centre in the world. Pelican supports research and clinical development in this area.
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital is one of only two specialist centres in the UK to treat pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare cancer usually originating in the appendix. The centre forms part of the colorectal unit, and patients are referred to the centre from across the country.
Pelican Cancer Foundation has a worldwide reputation as a centre of excellence and forum for bringing together cancer surgeons and teams to encourage learning, collaboration and discussion, and for driving improvements in cancer care.
In our view, all surgeons should come and see the experts work at Pelican…. The bottom line is they’ll save lives as a result.
Professor Alex Deutsch, Chair of the Yanir Foundation for the Advancement of Colorectal Surgery
Talk to us about how we are dedicated to advancing cancer treatment today, to help patients live well, for longer.
