The University of Westminster has collaborated with Prostate Cancer UK for the second event in its public awareness series on prostate cancer. The interactive panel event brought together clinicians, researchers and survivors to explore new treatments available and improve outcomes for prostate cancer patients.
On 14 March, members of the community gathered at Fyvie Hall for a free panel event organised by Dr Pinar Uysal-Onganer, Reader in Molecular Biology and Head of Westminster’s Cancer Mechanisms and Biomarkers Research Group, and Westminster’s Dr Mykaell Riley, Director for the Black Music Research Unit (BMRU) and Principal Investigator for Bass Culture Research.
The event was sponsored by Prostate Cancer UK and titled Personalised Medicine – Are We There Yet? and explored the latest advancements in treatments for prostate cancer. The panel was the second event in this public awareness series, with the first event taking place in 2023 on the theme of prostate cancer in Black musicians.
The panel was chaired by Dr Riley, who was joined by Dr Uysal-Onganer, Dr Robert Kypta, Prostate Cancer Researcher and Group Leader at Imperial College London, Dr Veeru Kasivisvanathan, Consultant Urologist at University College London (UCL) and University College London Hospitals (UCLH), Paul Campbell, CEO of Cancer Black Care, and Dr Sarah Howlett, Oncologist from UCL and UCLH. The variety of expertise on the panel offered a range of insights into prostate cancer and reflected Westminster’s strategic commitment to making a difference through interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange.
About the event Dr Uysal-Onganer said: “It was a privilege to co-organise this important event, bringing together experts from across disciplines to discuss the latest advancements in prostate cancer treatment. Events like these not only help raise awareness but also highlight the importance of personalised medicine in improving outcomes for patients. Collaboration between researchers, clinicians, patients and community organisations is essential to ensuring equitable access to the latest innovations in cancer care. I am truly grateful to all the speakers and attendees for their engagement in this crucial conversation.”
Dr Riley added: “It was fantastic to join forces with Dr Uysal-Onganer and co-host this event on prostate cancer, with a focus on Black men’s experiences with both the disease and the healthcare system. The BMRU is at its best when we get to collaborate across disciplines and specialisms, sharing and co-creating knowledge on Black culture, music and history, and this ongoing collaboration allows us to explore the rising number of Black-British musicians diagnosed with prostate cancer and raise awareness. Our invited speakers and incredibly engaged audience ensured the event was a roaring success, and we’re looking forward to continuing this work. Thanks to all who contributed and attended, and for those couldn’t make it to the event but are interested in supporting, please get in touch with the BMRU.”
This event series directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about research at the University of Westminster.
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