2023 Head & Neck Cancer Conference Guide Book

Chris Lewis
DAY 1
Denise Rudgley
Retired RGN, RHV, MSc in Public Health
DAY 2
CEO of Chris’s Cancer Community
and COO of SimPal
Ex Intensive Care Nurse
Chris was a self-employed Business Consultant for many years until being diagnosed in 2007,
with a stage IV Mantle Cell Lymphoma, with a 6-month prognosis. He received a donor stemcell
transplant but was unable to work regularly afterwards, due to frequent bouts of differing
GvHD. He decided to spend the rest of his life empowering people going through what he had
experienced. Chris is now one of the most influential cancer patients in the world.
Having seen the many challenges for people living with cancer, Chris works with numerous
global organisations to aid better collaboration in the sector. He runs his own very successful
website (www.chris-cancercommunity.com) and his innovative charity, (www.yoursimpal.com)
Enabling people in the UK affected by cancer, long term health issues, and poverty, to stay digitally
connected for free.
Successful collaboration is key to this work, and Chris is a frequent keynote speaker and writer
across the world. He also has a powerful presence on Twitter @christheeagle1
Denise qualified in 1975 from the Royal Air Force as a State Registered Nurse and went on to
specialise in Intensive Care Nursing for approximately 20 years around the UK and in the Middle
East (Sultanate of Oman). She was also Matron of a military hospital for head and spinal injuries
and a practising Health Visitor for approximately 10 years, which included running a Health Visiting
Service in the Middle East for 3 of those.
On return to the UK, Denise was professional lead/advisor to other agencies in respect of health
and homeless issues and was seconded to the UK Public Health Association for 1 year to coordinate
the ‘Health Visiting Matters’ national project. After gaining her MSc in Public Health,
Denise has been involved in a variety of research and evaluation projects, including a collaboration
with Plymouth and Exeter Universities as a visiting lecturer for the Specialist Community Public
Health Nurse Courses, and Southwest Public Health Trainee programme.
Alongside her working life she has also been Mayor and Chair of the local Town Council. Denise is
happily married to Andy whom she met over the bonnet of a rally car which continued to fuel a
lifelong love of motorsport!
Richard Andrews
DAY 2
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Stage 2 Throat Cancer Survivor
and Total Laryngectomee
Having suffered with a sore throat and squeaky voice for 6 months, Richard diagnosed with
stage 2 throat cancer in August 2018 and was prescribed 30 radiotherapy sessions. Following
radiotherapy he began to exercise in order to help with recovery – he entered and completed a
Duathlon and a 10k race, but unfortunately began getting breathless and suffering severe earache.
In the June Richard was re-diagnosed and told a total laryngectomy with a radical neck dissection
was required.
Post surgery Richard began to run and cycle to get fit and assist with his recovery and three
months after the operation he ran the Cardiff half marathon, followed by a 50k ultra 3 months
later. Then came Covid, and he started getting interested in bigger challenges 100k ultra and
Duathlons.
He then heard about the special snorkel provided by Clare at the The Royal Devon which peaked
his interest in becoming the first Laryngectomee to complete a triathlon(swim 400mtrs; cycle 12
miles; run 5km) and half Ironman( swim 1.2 miles; cycle 50 miles and run 13 miles). Richard has now
completed 3 triathlons and a half Ironman ( although he didn’t quite finish due to hypothermia).
Dr Paul Hankinson
MSc; BSc (Hons); PGCert
Academic clinical fellow in oral and maxillofacial
pathology
I am an academic clinical fellow in oral and maxillofacial pathology with research interests in
discovering saliva tests for head and neck cancers and precancers.
DAY 2
I graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2017 before working in a general dental practice for
one year followed by two years in an oral and maxillofacial (head and neck) surgery team. During
that time, I assisted in theatre and managed patients with head and neck cancers on the ward
and in clinics after discharge.
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I am now in training in pathology, the specialists who look at patients tissue (for example from a
biopsy) to diagnose head and neck diseases. I lead a clinical study recruiting patients to see if we
can develop a saliva-based test for head and neck cancers and pre-cancers. As well as my clinical
and research roles I teach dental students, postgraduate dental/medical trainees and general
dentists about head and neck cancer.
22 HEAD & NECK CANCER CONFERENCE 2023
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