معرفی
Professor Dame Lesley Fallowfield is Professor of Psycho-oncology at Brighton & Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex where she serves as Director of the Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) group. Her career spans from initial nursing training at Guy's Hospital, London to becoming the first European Chair in Psycho-oncology awarded by University College, London in 1997. As a leading figure in psycho-oncology, she has significantly shaped the field of patient-reported outcomes in cancer clinical trials and communication skills training for healthcare professionals.
- Professor of Psycho-oncology, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex
- Director, Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C)
- Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), 2016
- Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences
- First European Chair in Psycho-oncology, University College London, 1997
Professor Fallowfield's research focuses on the critical intersection of cancer treatment and patient experience. Her work in psychosocial oncology has established new standards for incorporating patient perspectives into cancer care. She has pioneered methods for quality of life assessment in clinical trials, ensuring that treatment efficacy is measured not just by survival but by patients' lived experiences. Her innovative communication skills training programs have transformed how healthcare professionals discuss difficult topics with cancer patients, particularly around prognosis, genomic testing, and end-of-life care.
Analysis of Professor Fallowfield's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on patient-centered outcomes across multiple cancer types, particularly breast and ovarian cancers. Her work spans clinical trials methodology, patient-reported outcome measures, communication strategies, and supportive care interventions. A notable trend is her increasing focus on genomic testing communication, digital interventions for symptom management, and addressing health disparities in cancer care.
- Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), 2016
- Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences
- First European Chair in Psycho-oncology awarded by University College, London
Professor Fallowfield actively supervises students and early-career researchers through the SHORE-C group, with numerous PhD projects currently underway. Her substantial grant portfolio includes funding from major organizations including Breast Cancer Research Foundation, EXACT SCIENCES, ASTRAZENECA, CANCER RESEARCH UK, and others, supporting research in communication training, patient understanding of genomic testing, quality of life assessment, and symptom management interventions.
As Director of SHORE-C, Professor Fallowfield leads a multidisciplinary team focused on evaluating health outcomes of cancer patients. The group develops patient-reported outcome measures for clinical trials, creates supportive interventions for cancer symptoms, and produces evidence-based films and apps for patients and clinicians. Current projects address critical issues including cancer-related fatigue, communication for d/Deaf patients, weight loss management, and genomic testing education.
