Leeds cancer research inspires new poem from Poet Laureate
A new poem by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage has been unveiled at the University of Leeds to mark World Cancer Day, informed by research from one of the faculty’s own cancer experts.
A poem from 17 voices
The poem, titled The Campaign was commissioned by Yorkshire Cancer Research to mark World Cancer Day on 4 February.
With the knowledge that every 17 minutes someone in Yorkshire is told they have cancer, Professor of Poetry Simon Armitage spoke to 17 individuals across Yorkshire while he was crafting the poem, including fundraisers, families affected by cancer, and researchers.
Among the researchers consulted were Professor Eric Blair from the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology. His work, alongside academic clinical fellow Dr Jordan Appleyard, is the kind of breakthrough research that is alluded to, and celebrated, in the poem.
The poem highlights the tenacity and resilience of researchers and supporters who have driven pioneering treatments and breakthroughs over many decades.
Professor Simon Armitage, Poet Laureate and Professor of Poetry at Leeds
Image: Simon Armitage, Poet Laureate and Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds
Eric Blair's important research discovery
Professor Blair's work in the 1990s examined how human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer. It is research that has since opened new avenues for treatment worldwide.
At the time, there were no vaccines or treatments for HPV, even though it was already well established that the virus was a major cause of cervical cancer. HPV is found in more than 90% of cervical cancer cases, but the mechanisms behind how it caused the disease were still unclear at that time.
Professor Eric Blair, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Blair's team discovered that HPV interferes with the immune system, allowing the virus to remain undetected and paving the way for cancer to develop. The discovery has informed global research into virus-driven cancers and contributed to the development of preventive strategies. Talking about the future for cancer research, Professor Blair said:
Researchers are always looking for cures, and we can't lose sight of that here in Yorkshire. Finding cures is a vital strand of cancer research, but it doesn't come cheaply or quickly. However, we are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us, and for that, I feel hopeful.
The Campaign was shared publicly for the first time at a special event hosted at Nexus on the University's campus.
Further information
Get the full story and read the poem on the Yorkshire Cancer Research website.
For media enquiries, please contact contact Heidi Tam in the University of Leeds press office at c.h.tam@leeds.ac.uk.
Top image: Professor Simon Armitage with Eric Blair, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Leeds.
