Fighting Ovarian Cancer: Betsy Brooks: MSc student
I’m currently undertaking a Master of Science Research in Cell Biology at the University of Kent. My project is focused on ovarian cancer, a devastating disease that affects thousands of women each year.
My love for science has been with me for as long as I can remember. I was first recognised for my passion when I received my school’s science prize, and that early enthusiasm has never faded. I went on to complete a Biomedical Science degree at the University of Kent, where I acknowledged my interest in cancer biology. Learning about the complexities of cancer and the challenges surrounding treatment was eye-opening, particularly the stark reality that 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer. This fuelled my determination to contribute to the fight against cancer and to make a meaningful impact.
The Challenge of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common female cancer in the UK, with around 230 women diagnosed each year in Kent and Medway alone. Tragically, more than half of these cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment more difficult and reducing survival rates - only 45% of women survive for five years or more.
One of the biggest hurdles in treating ovarian cancer is its ‘silent’ progression. Symptoms are often absent or non-specific, meaning the disease often goes undiagnosed until it has already spread. Unlike other cancers such as breast or cervical cancer, there is currently no national screening programme for ovarian cancer. Therefore, effective treatment becomes even more crucial as there isn’t a test that reliably detects this cancer at an early stage.
The standard treatment for ovarian cancer is surgery followed by chemotherapy, with cisplatin being one of the key drugs used. While initially effective, many ovarian cancers develop resistance to cisplatin over time, much like bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics. This means that treatment stops working, the cancer returns, and the survival chances are drastically reduced.
My Research: Overcoming Drug Resistance
My research aims to tackle this problem by testing new compounds developed by Professor Jennifer Hiscock’s supramolecular chemistry laboratory, in the cancer research laboratory of Professor Michelle Garrett at the University of Kent. The compounds have shown promise in enhancing the effectiveness of cisplatin and other approved cancer drugs in drug-resistant ovarian cancer cells. If successful, this research could help to improve treatment options for patients whose cancer has stopped responding to chemotherapy.
Why Kent Cancer Trust’s Support Matters
Scientific research is incredibly expensive – something I didn’t fully appreciate until I began my Master’s. Now, managing my own budget, I realise how even the smallest essentials, like cell growth media (which costs around £150 per month), quickly add up. Every single experiment requires sterile conditions, meaning consumables like pipette tips can only be used once, leading costs to spiral.
Kent Cancer Trust has provided me with the invaluable opportunity to continue my research through their generous support and funding. Thanks to Kent Cancer Trust, I can continue investigating these promising new compounds and push forward with work that could one day make a real difference to women battling ovarian cancer.