On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer

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