Consultant Biochemist and Southern BCSP Hub Director

Sally Benton is Consultant Clinical Scientist in Biochemistry and Clinical Lead for Clinical and Specialist Biochemistry Services at Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services. She is also Director of the Bowel Cancer Screening South England Hub at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford.   

Sally has been working in Guildford since 2014. Her job is split between routine and specialist biochemistry services and the Bowel Cancer screening Hub.  At the Bowel Cancer Hub she leads a team of research scientists who carry out research to further understand analytical aspects and clinical applications of the faecal immunochemical test for haemoglobin (FIT) and other biomarkers supporting early diagnosis of colorectal cancer.  Sally and her team publish frequently in the field of FIT and early diagnosis of colorectal cancer, Sally was on the BSG/ ACP guideline group representing biochemistry.  She co-chairs the World Endoscopy Organisation expert working group on FIT for Screening and is Chair of an International Federation of Clinical Chemistry working group to standardise and harmonise FIT testing.    

Consultant Clinical Biochemist

Natalie is a Consultant Clinical Biochemist at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust . She was involved in setting up FIT on the OC sensor and Pledia in Lancashire and South Cumbria from 2018 onwards. Lancashire and South Cumbria cancer alliance have a dual FIT approach to testing and Natalie will be presenting some of the latest data on how dual FIT adds extra risk information for patients on lower GI referral pathways.

Blood Sciences Operational Manager

Lucy has worked in the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist for over 15 years, training initially in Haematology and Transfusion, then moving to Biochemistry before specialising as Blood Sciences. Lucy is currently Blood Sciences Operational Manager at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Having been involved in FIT since implementation of the test into the repertoire in 2020, she has worked closely with Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance to make FIT testing sustainable within the region. The work from the CMCA and trusts within the region was recognise though nomination and being a finalist in 2024, for the HSJ Awards in the category 'Provider Collaboration of the Year'.

Trainee Clinical Scientist

Gemma is currently a third year Trainee Clinical Scientist on the Scientist Training Programme (STP) specialising in Clinical Biochemistry at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. Gemma is completing a part time MSc in Clinical Science (Blood Sciences) in which she has undertaken a project investigating the measurement of faecal calprotectin on the OC-Sensor Pledia and a clinical audit evaluating the appropriateness of faecal calprotectin requesting in primary care.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Fellow

Rebecca is currently working as a Research Fellow with Dr Ahmad’s Exeter IBD Research Group.  Her research focuses on early IBD diagnosis.

Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Manager of Tarragona province, Spain

Christina is part of the Translational, Epidemiological and Clinical Oncology research group, forming part of the Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV). Cristina is also the manager of the colorectal cancer screening program of Tarragona province.