Cancerkin’s news update….
CANCERKIN’S TOMBOLA EXTRAVAGANZA and Christmas card sale will be held at the Royal Free Hospital between 11am and 4pm outside the Atrium on the ground floor on 9th December; there are lots of fantastic prizes to be won. We look forward to seeing you there.
PATIENT SUPPORT GROUP – the next meeting will be held between 11am and 1pm on 8th December at the Cancerkin Centre. The speaker will be Norma Goldman (a pharmacist with a Masters degree in health promotion) author of a newsletter called Menopause Exchange. She will be talking about the menopause generally, with particular reference to issues relating to breast cancer. All are welcome!
In the news…
NICE REJECTS USE OF AVASTIN FOR BOWEL CANCER SUFFERERS…on the basis that they calculate that the annual cost is £36,000 p/a, whereas their maximum limit is £30,000 p/a. Campaigners for the drug estimate that 4-5,000 people with advanced forms of the disease could benefit from the drug which it is claimed can extend life for up to 2 years. Avastin is also used to treat some cases of secondary breast cancer, but according to the Daily Mail, its use in the NHS is in limbo until the bowel cancer issue is resolved. Read more about this here: Daily Mail
BENEFITS OF PETS - a report close to my own heart says that stroking a pet can help patients to halve the amount of painkillers they take. Julia Harvey who led the research project at Loyola University of Chicago said that pet therapy could play an important role in healing. She said: “Evidence suggests animal assisted therapy can have a positive effect on a patient’s emotional and physical well being.” A study for Warwick University found that having a pet dog or cat helped women beat the pain and fear of breast cancer and provided more support than a loving husband! Previous US research has shown that having pets is a great stress buster, with pet owners having lower heart rates and blood pressure. See the story here: Pets
INTERNAL BRA - The Daily Express reports on a new ‘internal’ bra that has been designed to improve sagging or misshapen breasts. It has been designed by Israeli plastic surgeon Professor Eyal Gur of Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Centre who claims that it has none of the drawbacks of breast implants and will look good for years. He said “It would be really beneficial to women who have had partial or full mastectomies. They often complain about their breast shape or position.” The ‘bra’ is fitted under the skin, using keyhole surgery and performed under a local anaesthetic. It is anticipated that this procedure will become available In Europe within 18 months.
TUMOUR CAUSING ENZYME – a breast cancer study published in the journal Cell has identified an enzyme (LOX) that is crucial for turning tissue in the breast into a tumour. Blocking LOX reduced the size and frequency of tumours in mice. Dr Jamie Erler from the Institute of Cancer Research said: “The enzyme triggers a clear physical change in breast tissue and if we could stop this happening, we expect it would slow the growth of any cancers that did develop and make them easier to eradicate”. Dr Alex Willett, head of policy at Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: “The next stage will be to test whether LOX has the same effect in humans…” Read the full story here: BBC news
Nicky Waldman (n.waldman@cancerkin.org.uk) 25 November 2009
Monday 30 November 2009
Wednesday 18 November 2009
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
Cancerkin’s news update….
PATIENT SUPPORT GROUP – the next group meeting is on 24th November, 11am - 1pm and we will be demonstrating relaxation techniques.
NEW THERAPIES – dance therapy, hypnotherapy and soul therapy – please ask Jean Hafezi for more info.
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR – the Cancerkin Centre will be closed 24th December 2009– 1st January 2010 inclusive.
In the news…
10 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF CANCER
World Cancer Research Fund has developed 10 recommendations for people to follow to reduce their risk of cancer. They say that nearly 80,000 cases of cancer in the UK annually could be prevented by following their suggestions, including over 19,000 cases of breast cancer. They emphasise that having a healthy lifestyle is no guarantee against cancer, but that the risk can be reduced considerably. You can read more about these recommendations in WCRF’s press release on their website and on the front page of the Daily Express (16th November 2009).
BREAST REGROWTH TRIALS PLANNED
This story was widely reported last week in the national press and refers to an exciting new technique that scientists hope will enable women who have had a mastectomy to re-grow their breast, using their own cells. There are two trials planned – one in the UK and one in Australia. If the trials are successful, it is thought that this technique, of injecting stem cell enhanced fat tissue (from the patient’s body) into a cavity under the skin, could revolutionise breast reconstruction, potentially producing a result that feels and looks more natural. Professor Kefah Mokbel of the London Breast Institute and St George’s Hospital said: “This is the next step in breast reconstruction surgery. It is potentially a very exciting development”. For more information on this story click here.
ANTI CANCER VACCINE FOR BREAST CANCER SUFFERERS
An article in the Daily Express reports on the start of trials for an anti cancer vaccine. The aim of the drug, called Stimuvax, is not to prevent cancer, but rather to stimulate the immune system to recognise the cancer cells and to destroy them. So far it has been used with some success on patients with lung cancer, but it is hoped that it can be developed to treat other cancers. Currently it is being tested on patients with advanced breast cancer. Dr Oliver Kisker, head of cancer treatment at Merck, which has designed the drug, said: “We are extremely excited about this vaccine. We have seen amazing effects in lung cancer patients and we believe it will work in the future with breast cancer patients.”
Nicky Waldman (n.waldman@cancerkin.org.uk) 16 November 2009
PATIENT SUPPORT GROUP – the next group meeting is on 24th November, 11am - 1pm and we will be demonstrating relaxation techniques.
NEW THERAPIES – dance therapy, hypnotherapy and soul therapy – please ask Jean Hafezi for more info.
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR – the Cancerkin Centre will be closed 24th December 2009– 1st January 2010 inclusive.
In the news…
10 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF CANCER
World Cancer Research Fund has developed 10 recommendations for people to follow to reduce their risk of cancer. They say that nearly 80,000 cases of cancer in the UK annually could be prevented by following their suggestions, including over 19,000 cases of breast cancer. They emphasise that having a healthy lifestyle is no guarantee against cancer, but that the risk can be reduced considerably. You can read more about these recommendations in WCRF’s press release on their website and on the front page of the Daily Express (16th November 2009).
BREAST REGROWTH TRIALS PLANNED
This story was widely reported last week in the national press and refers to an exciting new technique that scientists hope will enable women who have had a mastectomy to re-grow their breast, using their own cells. There are two trials planned – one in the UK and one in Australia. If the trials are successful, it is thought that this technique, of injecting stem cell enhanced fat tissue (from the patient’s body) into a cavity under the skin, could revolutionise breast reconstruction, potentially producing a result that feels and looks more natural. Professor Kefah Mokbel of the London Breast Institute and St George’s Hospital said: “This is the next step in breast reconstruction surgery. It is potentially a very exciting development”. For more information on this story click here.
ANTI CANCER VACCINE FOR BREAST CANCER SUFFERERS
An article in the Daily Express reports on the start of trials for an anti cancer vaccine. The aim of the drug, called Stimuvax, is not to prevent cancer, but rather to stimulate the immune system to recognise the cancer cells and to destroy them. So far it has been used with some success on patients with lung cancer, but it is hoped that it can be developed to treat other cancers. Currently it is being tested on patients with advanced breast cancer. Dr Oliver Kisker, head of cancer treatment at Merck, which has designed the drug, said: “We are extremely excited about this vaccine. We have seen amazing effects in lung cancer patients and we believe it will work in the future with breast cancer patients.”
Nicky Waldman (n.waldman@cancerkin.org.uk) 16 November 2009
Wednesday 4 November 2009
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
Cancerkin’s news update….
Children’s Corner – as mentioned a few weeks ago, the Hampstead Women’s Club have generously created a fantastic area for children at the Cancerkin Centre. It is stacked with toys, games, crayons and books and is a lovely environment for Mum’s who are being treated in hospital to spend time with their children away from the ward. The area is now open – so please do visit. On the topic of children, Breast Cancer Care has produced a book called Mummy’s Lump that tries to help explain to young children what their Mum is going through. Copies of the book can be ordered from BCC.
Fundraising events & activities – as you will know, all of our services are provided free of charge. We receive no income from the NHS or other statutory bodies, which means we have to raise all the funds needed to keep Cancerkin running. We are constantly thinking of new ways to raise funds, but we would like to know what you think? Please tell us what sort of events you like going to, whether you would like to hold an event yourself or be involved in one we are running. WE WANT YOUR IDEAS NOW! You can email us at n.waldman@cancerkin.org.uk
In the news…
New Lymph Node Test
The Times and the Daily Mail report on a relatively new procedure to check if cancer in the breast has spread to the lymph nodes. It is called a breast lymph node assay and it could make a real difference to the treatment time for breast cancer.
With this technique, patients having breast cancer surgery to remove a tumour can be tested immediately to see if the disease has spread to their lymph nodes. Usually, a small piece of tissue will be sent for testing, after the initial surgery, to see if the lymph nodes are affected; the tests can take 2-3 weeks. If the nodes are affected, the patient may require further surgery and thus a delay in starting chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The assay produces results within 30-45 minutes, meaning that if necessary, the surgeon can treat the nodes during the same initial operation, thereby avoiding the need for further surgery. In addition it is thought that this method of testing is much more accurate than sending a sample to a lab for analysis.
This technique is already being used at two hospitals in the UK and in 2010 it is due to be recommended for implementation across the NHS.
Dr Graham Layer, breast surgeon at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, who started using the technique in 2007 said:
‘We can see cases where cancer has spread that we could not have spotted with conventional ultrasound or biopsy tests. For those women with a positive result, we are able to deal with that much more quickly than if we had waited for the results of routine pathology tests following a traditional breast cancer operation.’
For more information see:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6897567.ece
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1224258/30-minute-breast-cancer-test-save-lives-thousands.html
Nicky Waldman (n.waldman@cancerkin.org.uk) 4 November 2009
Children’s Corner – as mentioned a few weeks ago, the Hampstead Women’s Club have generously created a fantastic area for children at the Cancerkin Centre. It is stacked with toys, games, crayons and books and is a lovely environment for Mum’s who are being treated in hospital to spend time with their children away from the ward. The area is now open – so please do visit. On the topic of children, Breast Cancer Care has produced a book called Mummy’s Lump that tries to help explain to young children what their Mum is going through. Copies of the book can be ordered from BCC.
Fundraising events & activities – as you will know, all of our services are provided free of charge. We receive no income from the NHS or other statutory bodies, which means we have to raise all the funds needed to keep Cancerkin running. We are constantly thinking of new ways to raise funds, but we would like to know what you think? Please tell us what sort of events you like going to, whether you would like to hold an event yourself or be involved in one we are running. WE WANT YOUR IDEAS NOW! You can email us at n.waldman@cancerkin.org.uk
In the news…
New Lymph Node Test
The Times and the Daily Mail report on a relatively new procedure to check if cancer in the breast has spread to the lymph nodes. It is called a breast lymph node assay and it could make a real difference to the treatment time for breast cancer.
With this technique, patients having breast cancer surgery to remove a tumour can be tested immediately to see if the disease has spread to their lymph nodes. Usually, a small piece of tissue will be sent for testing, after the initial surgery, to see if the lymph nodes are affected; the tests can take 2-3 weeks. If the nodes are affected, the patient may require further surgery and thus a delay in starting chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The assay produces results within 30-45 minutes, meaning that if necessary, the surgeon can treat the nodes during the same initial operation, thereby avoiding the need for further surgery. In addition it is thought that this method of testing is much more accurate than sending a sample to a lab for analysis.
This technique is already being used at two hospitals in the UK and in 2010 it is due to be recommended for implementation across the NHS.
Dr Graham Layer, breast surgeon at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, who started using the technique in 2007 said:
‘We can see cases where cancer has spread that we could not have spotted with conventional ultrasound or biopsy tests. For those women with a positive result, we are able to deal with that much more quickly than if we had waited for the results of routine pathology tests following a traditional breast cancer operation.’
For more information see:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6897567.ece
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1224258/30-minute-breast-cancer-test-save-lives-thousands.html
Nicky Waldman (n.waldman@cancerkin.org.uk) 4 November 2009
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