[Wednesday 21st October]

A day of connection, collaboration and shared learning

One month on from our annual professional networking event, PRDA26, we’re reflecting on a successful and engaging day that brought healthcare professionals together to share knowledge, exchange ideas and explore ways to improve care for people living with Pelvic Radiation Disease (PRD).

A look back at our networking event

The programme covered a wide range of topics relating to pelvic radiation disease, late effects and patient care, including:

  • Radiotherapy-related insufficiency fractures (RRIFs) – Dr Claire Higham
  • Managing radiation cystitis – Mr Ramesh Thurairaja
  • PRD e-PAQ trial results – Prof. Stephen Radley
  • Developing and commissioning regional late effects services – Dr Lisa Durrant
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for late radiation tissue injury – Dr Clair Wade
  • Introducing an award-winning series of sexual function videos – Robyn Bowman, CNS
  • Person-centred care for people living with HIV following anal cancer treatment – Dr Emma Hainsworth and Dr Christine Addington
  • A dietitian’s perspective on pelvic radiation disease: a case study – Georgina Giebner RD and Susan Vyoral RD

The event also included two interactive workshops:

  • The new Cancer Plan: supporting the development of late effects services – Joanna Fairhurst
  • Reviewing the PRD Best Practice Pathway – Dr Lesley Smith

Take a look at our video to see some of the highlights from the day:

If you have any questions about the event or would like to suggest topics for future events, we’d love to hear from you. If you’d like to keep up to date with the latest news, opportunities and plans for our next networking event, fill out our Get in Touch form to stay in the loop.

Our thanks go to all our speakers for their valuable contributions to the programme. Hearing directly from people with lived experience of PRD offered important insights into the realities of living with the condition, while healthcare professionals shared their specialist knowledge and expertise. Together, these perspectives helped make the day both informative and meaningful.

“As someone living with Pelvic Radiation Disease myself, it’s always so humbling to hear the passion and see the dedication of those working to improve care and quality of life for people living with PRD.” Sarah – Information and Awareness Lead.

A big thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to attend. We were delighted to hear such positive feedback, with many attendees telling us how worthwhile they had found the day. PRDA Trustees, pictured from left to right, Elaine Burgess (Chair), Lesley Smith, Faye Popham, David Jillings.

“From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed positively, and this positivity continued throughout the sessions. I had a great opportunity to network with other like minded individuals and some colleagues that I haven’t seen for 15 years. I have brought lots of ideas back to my department to help improve my patients’ treatment journey.” – PRDA26 delegate

It was our pleasure to open both the morning and afternoon sessions with talks from two of our wonderful volunteers, Donna and Kevin. Both shared very personal accounts of living with PRD, helping to ensure that the voices and experiences of those affected remain at the heart of conversations about care and support. Pictured above: Donna (left) and Kevin (right).

“I’m sure I speak for everyone at PRDA when I say how incredibly proud we are of our volunteers, Donna and Kevin, for sharing their personal experiences. Knowing how difficult that can be, we have so much admiration for their courage and openness.” – Maria, PRDA Volunteer and Service Lead

Once again, we’d like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors, 3-D Matrix and Bristol Myers Squibb, for helping make this important event possible.