St. Mark's Hospital Foundation

St. Mark's Hospital Foundation Charity supporting research, education & innovation at St Mark's, the UK's national bowel hospital. RCN 1140930

📈Bowel cancer diagnoses among younger people are expected to double between 2010 and 2030. Archived St Mark’s tumour sam...
23/04/2026

📈Bowel cancer diagnoses among younger people are expected to double between 2010 and 2030. Archived St Mark’s tumour samples dating back to the 1950s could tell us why.

🏥St Mark’s has the largest collection of tissue samples in the world. The 'Boomers' research programme is a collaboration between St Mark’s and Professor Trevor Graham at The Institute of Cancer Research and supported by 40tude Curing Colon Cancer that uses these samples to see what environmental factors could be causing bowel cancer cases to increase in the young.

St Mark’s research fellow, Dr Pebs Edwards, is responsible for determining which samples are the right ones to include in the study and take to the lab for processing.

Of the project’s recent national (and international) media coverage, she said:

“It’s been really amazing to see the level of public interest and engagement. Early onset bowel cancer is a growing concern to many, and we want to get answers. The coverage has helped raise awareness but, also reinforces how important it is that we continue to do research in a way that is collaborative, rigorous and patient focused.”

🔗Hear more from Pebs and learn about the Boomers project: https://www.stmarkshospitalfoundation.org.uk/news/spotlight-on-pebs/

In March 2023, Simon was unexpectedly diagnosed with bowel cancer.This news came completely out of the blue for Simon an...
20/04/2026

In March 2023, Simon was unexpectedly diagnosed with bowel cancer.

This news came completely out of the blue for Simon and his family. Diagnosed at the age of 41, Simon represents the growing number of younger people getting bowel cancer before the age of 50. Thirty days after his diagnosis, Simon was admitted to St Mark's Hospital for an operation to remove part of his colon.

The treatment at St Mark's put Simon on the road to recovery, and he has now been in remission for over two and a half years. 💜

This past October, Simon and his friends, Andy, John and Luke, took part in Battle Cancer London and raised an incredible £9,210. They decided to participate in all three incredibly arduous challenges during the event, including a 15km relay, a 1-hour team deadlift, and a 9-station metabolic conditioning workout. 🏃🏋️💪

We greatly appreciate the team's dedication to supporting research, education, and innovation at St Mark's Hospital and for making a difference in the lives of individuals affected by complex, and rare, bowel diseases.

👊🔗Help us fight back against bowel cancer by taking on your own challenge event: https://www.stmarkshospitalfoundation.org.uk/how-you-can-get-involved/events/

With your support, St Mark’s Hospital Foundation helps to fund the cost of around 30 research fellows every year. These ...
17/04/2026

With your support, St Mark’s Hospital Foundation helps to fund the cost of around 30 research fellows every year. These future leaders in gastroenterology take on research projects that push the boundaries of what is possible for patients.

✨We are excited to introduce St Mark’s newest research fellow, Dr Diya Kapila.

Diya will be taking over the ICAN research project, a collaboration between St Mark’s and the Institute of Cancer Research that is looking to develop less-invasive ways to accurately predict cancer risk in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

🔬Patients with IBD are approximately twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer, and Diya’s research is looking to develop a blood or stool test that shows which IBD patients are most likely to develop cancer, making surveillance more personalised for patients in the future.

📖Diya sat down with the Foundation for an exclusive interview about her background, her experience as a clinician, and her research at St Mark’s.

🔗Read the full interview with Diya: https://www.stmarkshospitalfoundation.org.uk/news/conversation-with-dr-diya-kapila-for-bowel-cancer-awareness-month/

💜Thank you to 40tude Curing Colon Cancer for their incredible support of this work and for funding Diya’s clinical research fellow position.

👋Meet the Team: Focus on Bowel CancerEarlier this week, you met Charlie, a St Mark’s patient and community fundraiser. G...
15/04/2026

👋Meet the Team: Focus on Bowel Cancer

Earlier this week, you met Charlie, a St Mark’s patient and community fundraiser. Genetic testing at St Mark’s revealed that Charlie has Lynch Syndrome, a genetic disorder that gave him an 80% chance of developing bowel cancer in his lifetime.

🧬The St Mark’s Centre for Familial Intestinal Cancer ensures prompt diagnosis and surveillance of patients with genetic conditions associated with bowel cancer or from a family at high risk of bowel cancers.

The Polyposis Registry, led by Dr Andrew Latchford, provides lifelong care for patients and their families with polyposis syndrome and is one of the longest running-research projects in the world. 💥

The Lynch Syndrome and Family Cancer Service at St Mark's Hospital, led by Professor Kevin Monahan and supported by 40tude Curing Colon Cancer, is a UK leader in genetic testing for Lynch and was integral to the creation of an English National Lynch Syndrome Registry which has massively increased Lynch diagnoses nationwide. 📈

Together, we can make a difference💙

🎁This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a donation to St Mark’s Hospital Foundation could help us support research and education which will continue to advance clinical practice and improve patients’ lives.

https://www.stmarkshospitalfoundation.org.uk/donate/

In early 2020, at the age of 26, Charlie was diagnosed with bowel cancer after noticing persistent symptoms of stomach p...
13/04/2026

In early 2020, at the age of 26, Charlie was diagnosed with bowel cancer after noticing persistent symptoms of stomach pain and a change in appetite.

He was quickly scheduled for emergency surgery to remove the tumour and underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and other targeted treatments, all with limited degrees of success.

🧬Eventually, genetic testing at St Mark’s revealed that Charlie has Lynch Syndrome which predisposed him to developing bowel cancer and proved to be the key to his recovery.

As of August 2022, Charlie has been cancer free. 💙

🏃‍➡️This month, Charlie is running the London Marathon to raise funds for St Mark’s Hospital Foundation! He shared his thoughts with us:

“The specialist research carried out by St Marks ultimately held the keys to unlock an effective course of treatment for me. The team are also so helpful, approachable and diligent in their advice and care. I therefore want to do my own little bit to give back and help them to keep doing what they do, as well as raise awareness for their work.

St Mark’s also pushes for better screening and awareness for bowel cancer, which is a crucial service to ensure early treatment, and something I want to raise awareness for in any way possible!”

🎉🔗Support Charlie’s fundraising campaign: https://www.justgiving.com/page/charlie-grinstead-3

👋Meet the Team: Focus on Bowel CancerThe number of people surviving cancer has tripled in the last 30 years, but not all...
10/04/2026

👋Meet the Team: Focus on Bowel Cancer

The number of people surviving cancer has tripled in the last 30 years, but not all of these people are living well.

Most cancer survivors will not have any long-term lower GI consequences of their cancer or its treatment. However, some will develop problems that can seriously impact quality of life.

The St Mark’s Gastrointestinal Consequences of Cancer service, led by Consultant Gastroenterologists, Professor Siwan Thomas-Gibson and Dr Ana Wilson, offers specialist multidisciplinary care to help patients with GI problems after pelvic radiation, surgery and chemotherapy.

Together, we can make a difference💙

🎁This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a donation to St Mark’s Hospital Foundation could help us support research and education which will continue to advance clinical practice and improve patients’ lives.

🔗https://www.stmarkshospitalfoundation.org.uk/donate/

👋Meet the Team: Focus on Bowel CancerIntroducing consultant colorectal surgeons, Mr Ian Jenkins, Ms Elaine Burns and Ms ...
08/04/2026

👋Meet the Team: Focus on Bowel Cancer

Introducing consultant colorectal surgeons, Mr Ian Jenkins, Ms Elaine Burns and Ms Nicola Hodges, the co-leads of the St Mark’s Complex Cancer Clinic.

The Complex Cancer Clinic at St Mark’s Hospital is a specialist service that treats patients with recurrent and advanced pelvic and colorectal cancers. As a referral centre, St Mark’s is likely to perform two-to three-times more bowel cancer operations compared to other UK hospitals. 💪

A multi-disciplinary team, including specialist radiologists, surgeons, nurses and other health care professionals, offer a personalised pathway of care for each patient until they are well enough to be referred back to their local team.

📖John was a patient of Ms Elaine Burns and the Complex Cancer Clinic. He and his wife, Wendy, took on an incredible challenge to thank the St Mark’s team that cared for him.

🔗Read his full story: https://www.stmarkshospitalfoundation.org.uk/stories/johns-story/

Together, we can make a difference💙

🎁This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a donation to St Mark’s Hospital Foundation could help us support research and education which will continue to advance clinical practice and improve patients’ lives.

👋Meet the Team: Focus on Bowel CancerSt Mark’s Hospital is a key site for the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. Led ...
06/04/2026

👋Meet the Team: Focus on Bowel Cancer

St Mark’s Hospital is a key site for the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. Led by Professor Brian Saunders, Director of Bowel Cancer Screening for all of North West London, the St Mark’s Bowel Cancer Screening service looks for polyps (small growths on the lining of the colon or the re**um). 🔎

Detecting and removing polyps before they can become cancerous can reduce the risk of getting bowel cancer by half.‼️

✨St Mark’s state-of-the-art endoscopy department continues to break ground in cancer prevention technology. The site recently acquired an AI polyp detection unit which will significantly increase the rate of detection of pre-cancerous polyps in patients.

Together, we can make a difference💙

🎁This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a donation to St Mark’s Hospital Foundation could help us support research and education which will continue to advance clinical practice and improve patients’ lives.

🔗https://www.stmarkshospitalfoundation.org.uk/donate/

💙📣This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we are honoured to share the stories of St Mark’s patients and their families.We ar...
03/04/2026

💙📣This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we are honoured to share the stories of St Mark’s patients and their families.

We are inspired by their resilience and their dedication to supporting St Mark’s Hospital Foundation which makes a measurable difference for other patients impacted by bowel cancer.

💙Katie, daughter of a St Mark’s patient, shared her family’s experience:

“Early last year, my mum was diagnosed with colon cancer through a routine screening for bowel cancer. It was such a shock as she had no symptoms and felt well.

To help keep my mum’s spirits up, I really wanted to complete some sort of challenge for a charity and it had to be St Mark’s.

From the very first appointment, through to the successful robotic surgery to remove the tumour, the team at St Mark’s was fantastic. We are so lucky that St Mark’s is our local hospital, and I wanted to say thank you by running the Royal Parks Half Marathon!

It was one of the best days of my life and to have my friends, family and mum (who has made a full recovery!) supporting me the whole way was incredible.” 🎉

📖🔗Read Katie’s full story on our website: https://www.stmarkshospitalfoundation.org.uk/stories/katies-story/

🗣️April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and at St Mark’s Hospital Foundation, we are proud to support St Mark’s, the UK...
01/04/2026

🗣️April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and at St Mark’s Hospital Foundation, we are proud to support St Mark’s, the UK’s national bowel hospital, where world-leading specialists provide expert care for bowel cancer patients and undertake research to improve patient outcomes.

From early detection to advanced treatments, St Mark’s is home to:

⚕️ The Bowel Cancer Screening Centre
⚕️ The Complex Cancer Clinic
⚕️ The Centre for Familial & Inherited Cancer
⚕️ The Gastrointestinal Consequences of Cancer Service

🔗Read more about bowel cancer treatment at St Mark’s Hospital: https://www.stmarkshospital.nhs.uk/services-a-z/

🩺🎉Happy National Doctors' Day!Today we recognise all of the incredible physicians whose hard work, expertise, and dedica...
30/03/2026

🩺🎉Happy National Doctors' Day!

Today we recognise all of the incredible physicians whose hard work, expertise, and dedication to their patients makes the specialist care and life-changing research at St Mark's Hospital possible.

💜Is there a St Mark's doctor who you'd like to recognise?

🔗Thank them in the comments or by leaving a message on Shared Gratitude: https://bit.ly/4dXN22e

🏅At St Mark's Hospital Foundation, we're proud to support award-winning medical research.🎉Congratulations to Luke Hanna ...
25/03/2026

🏅At St Mark's Hospital Foundation, we're proud to support award-winning medical research.🎉

Congratulations to Luke Hanna for winning this year's Young ECCO Abstract Award at the 2026 ECCO Congress! This award goes to the top five research abstracts written by individuals under 35 years old or still in training. 🩺

🔬Luke's research focuses on understanding the immune cells and processes that drive perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease. These are abnormal tunnels that form between the bowel and the skin, and can be very difficult to treat.

💊He explored whether a newer class of medication for Crohn’s disease, known as JAK inhibitors (specifically "upadacitinib"), could be particularly effective for this condition. This involved laboratory work using cells from patients with fistulas, as well as studying outcomes in a group of patients treated with this drug.

📢Luke told the Foundation, “improving treatment options for perianal Crohn’s disease is essential, as it remains one of the most challenging forms of inflammatory bowel disease to manage. Research like this helps us better understand what drives the disease and which treatments may work best, ultimately aiming to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients.”

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https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/st-marks-seasonal-appeal-2025

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