Hannah is a final year PhD student at King’s College London / Queen Mary University of London. Her PhD, which is funded by Cancer Research UK, investigates socioeconomic differences in barriers to cervical screening and considers whether non-speculum sampling approaches, such as HPV vaginal self-sampling, could help to reduce inequalities in uptake.
Hannah recently put together a short video giving us insight into her working day!
What is the next big thing in cancer prevention research?
I’ve chosen something that relates to my area of work (cervical cancer screening). I’m really excited about the possible introduction of HPV vaginal self-sampling into the NHS cervical screening programme. I believe that it will help to reduce some of the well-known barriers to a speculum examination that many women, like I, face (i.e. embarrassment, finding the time to attend, discomfort). I really hope that it encourages more women to participate in the programme and goes some way to tackling the health inequalities that surround cervical cancer. Our research group recently published a paper looking at the feasibility of introducing self-sampling to the screening programme (the YouScreen study) and showed that self-sampling could encourage ~400k more women a year to be screened.
Which failure(s) changed you the most?
I love this question because I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Day’s “How to fail” podcast, but it is actually really difficult to answer. I’ve got lots to choose from but, a big one was failing to go with my gut when I was choosing which subject to read at university. I loved psychology but all of my friends were studying business, so I followed the crowd. I soon realised that I didn’t quite fit the mould as I didn’t want to be an investment banker or management consultant. But it’s gone full circle because I am now working in the field of psychology and cancer prevention, something that I am really passionate about! It only took me took nine years to get there!
What is the best piece of advice (work or life) you’ve been given?
One of my supervisors, Laura Marlow, gave me a little ceramic plaque when I returned from maternity leave that said, “remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you feel and smarter than you think”. I really needed a boost at the time because I was incredibly sleep-deprived and starting to think that I wasn’t clever enough to complete my PhD. The plaque still has pride of place in my living room, and I can look at it from my desk when I work from home.
I’m inspired most by…
From a personal perspective it would be my mum and her resilience and determination throughout her life. Professionally it is people who really care about making a difference, and those that invest in other people’s development. I’ve been so lucky to be part of a team that does this and am really fortunate to have a supportive supervisory team.
What is an event that changed your life?
Motherhood, without a shadow of a doubt. My little tornado, Joe, arrived in 2022, and completely changed everything that I had previously known. It has been the most rewarding, but also challenging, thing that has ever happened to me. He has taught me so much, which I can definitely apply to my work – selflessness, patience, time management and most importantly the value of coffee!
What is your favourite paper that you’ve published in the last 5 years (the one you’re most proud of)?
I’m new to the field so have only published two papers, so I don’t have an array to choose from! But it would have to be my second paper; Experiences of Self-Sampling and Future Screening Preferences in Non-Attenders Who Returned an HPV Vaginal Self-Sample in the YouScreen Study: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Questionnaire. It was really interesting to be part of YouScreen, to learn about research trials, and to publish research that could have an impact in the future. My confidence as a researcher had grown between my first and second publication and I enjoyed drafting this manuscript much more.
What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made?
My best investment was returning to university to do a postgraduate conversion degree in psychology. I studied in the evenings at Birkbeck while working at an events company and I enjoyed it so much (well, before the pandemic hit!). It was nice to be back studying and I had a new-found appreciation for learning. Jo Waller (my current supervisor) then took a chance on me for my PhD and the rest is history!
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocussed, what do you do?
Take a walk, do a quick workout or stroke the cat.
The views expressed are those of the author. Posting of the blog does not signify that the Cancer Prevention Group endorses those views or opinions.