Hi readers, it’s Emily and William here, writing about our recent visit to the Poundbury Cancer Institute and CADQAS with People First Dorset.

This was a new event for the Friendship Club and we went to learn about how they diagnose different cancers at the Institute, and work out the best treatments for people.

What we really liked is that we actually went into their lab to see what they do. We had a short talk from Sarah, who told us about what they do. It was good as she spoke clearly and her easy read presentation was also printed out on three big screens. She explained any big words and made it really easy for us to understand.

We then went in small groups to the lab, wearing plastic aprons, to see the journey of what happens when they get in a sample. First they book in a sample and put it in formalin to preserve it. It is then processed and put in wax, which makes it easier to cut into slices with a micotrome. The cut section is then put into a warm water bath to get rid of wrinkles and put onto a glass slide. It’s then stained with special dyes which help the pathologists to see with their computers or microscopes what type of cancer it is.

The team in the lab were very friendly and helpful, especially when we were asking so many questions! We liked seeing the pathologists working away diagnosing treatments. It’s a busy place and they work really hard there.

We both found it really interesting and really good it was interactive. We have been invited back again and definitely like to go back!

Thank you to everyone there for a brilliant tour and talk. See you again soon.

The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by The Friendship Club– a project for adults with learning disabilities, run by People First Dorset