Grant
DKK 11.8 million to strengthen research into the late effects of cancer
More people are surviving cancer, but for many, the consequences of the disease do not end when treatment is completed. Through a new five-year professorship funded by Knæk Cancer, Karin Brochstedt Dieperink from the University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital will strengthen research into the late effects of cancer and help improve support for cancer survivors across Denmark.
Cancer treatment saves lives, but it can also have lasting consequences. Many people experience late effects following cancer that can affect their daily lives, work, family life and quality of life long after treatment has ended.
Knæk Cancer has therefore allocated up to DKK 11.8 million to a five-year professorship aimed at strengthening research into the late effects of cancer and cancer treatment.
The professorship has been awarded to Karin Brochstedt Dieperink, Professor at the Department of Clinical Research at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and Odense University Hospital (OUH). The aim is to generate new knowledge about how late effects can be prevented, identified and treated, so that more cancer survivors and their families can receive the support they need.
- We have become very good at treating cancer, but we also need to get better at helping people who live with the consequences afterwards. This professorship gives us the opportunity to strengthen research and generate new knowledge that can make a real difference to the lives of patients and their families after cancer, says Karin Brochstedt Dieperink:
- When you have worked in this field for so many years, you also know how much remains to be done. That is why I am both happy and proud that we now have the opportunity to take our research a step further. Ultimately, it is about ensuring that people who have been through cancer have the best possible conditions for living a good life afterwards.
What are late effects of cancer?
Late effects are physical or psychological health problems caused by cancer or cancer treatment that may persist long after treatment has ended.
While side effects typically occur during treatment and often subside once treatment is completed, late effects can persist for months or years afterwards. Some late effects do not appear until long after treatment has ended.
Late effects may include:
- Severe fatigue
- Pain and sensory disturbances
- Sleep problems
- Memory and concentration difficulties
- Anxiety and depression
Late effects can affect quality of life, everyday activities and the ability to work.
Source (in Danish): Danish Cancer Society – What are late effects of cancer?
Strengthening collaboration across Denmark
The new professorship will build on the experience of Denmark's three national late effects centres and strengthen both research and national collaboration across the country's late effects clinics.
Building on the collaboration between the University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital, the professorship will help establish closer links between researchers, clinicians and late effects clinics throughout Denmark.
It will support joint research initiatives, strengthen knowledge sharing and make it easier to translate new knowledge into practice.
For Rikke Leth-Larsen, Head of the Department of Clinical Research, the professorship is also an example of the direction the department and OUH have set through their joint research strategy.
- Our joint research strategy sets out a clear ambition to strengthen research across disciplines and sectors, with patients at the centre. The new professorship is an excellent example of how we can bring together strong research environments and generate knowledge that benefits patients throughout Denmark, says Rikke Leth-Larsen:
- I am proud that the professorship has been awarded to Karin at the Department of Clinical Research.
Recognition of a strong research environment
In explaining its decision to award the grant, the evaluation committee highlights Karin Brochstedt Dieperink's extensive experience in research and research leadership, as well as the strong clinical and organisational foundations of the research.
The committee also emphasises the potential to strengthen and further develop collaboration between Denmark's late effects clinics.
Jakob Grauslund, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at SDU, welcomes the grant, which he sees as recognition of research at SDU.
- This is significant recognition of health sciences research at SDU. The professorship highlights the research capacity and expertise we have developed and demonstrates that we have strong research environments capable of undertaking research initiatives of national importance. But while we are naturally delighted with the grant, it is first and foremost good news for the many people across Denmark living with the late effects of cancer. They are the people this research must make a difference for, says Jakob Grauslund.
The professorship will run for five years and is funded by a grant of up to DKK 11.8 million from Knæk Cancer.
About the professorship
Funding: Up to DKK 11.8 million from Knæk Cancer.
Duration: Five years.
Professor: Karin Brochstedt Dieperink.
Affiliation: University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital.
Purpose: To strengthen research into the prevention, identification and treatment of late effects following cancer and cancer treatment.
Collaboration: Across Denmark's late effects clinics, with a focus on knowledge sharing at national level and closer links between research and clinical practice.
Meet the researcher
Karin Brochstedt Dieperink is Professor of Cancer and Family Care at the Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital (OUH), and Director of the FaCe Centre for Family Health. She is also Deputy Head of the Department of Clinical Research, with responsibility for talent development and education. She has worked with the late effects of cancer for more than 16 years.