On the pulse
Cancerkin’s News….
Cancerkin’s East London project well under way
On 22 March 2010, Cancerkin held the last of our five pilot outreach events in East London at the Central Stratford Library. Throughout the last month Cancerkin have visited a variety of venues across Limehouse, Canning Town, Plaistow and Stratford, taking with us a selection of complementary therapy sessions, and breast awareness information services. The events were attended by a number of women spanning across a range of ethnicities and age groups. The sessions were extremely successful, particularly tapping in to the lack of breast awareness and support currently on offer in East London. Indeed some women attended more than one session, testament to the benefits our services could provide for these women.
Cancerkin has not worked alone in its East London outreach and would like to thank its partner organisations and all those who have offered their support and encouragement for making this stage of the project such a success. Cancerkin now aims to take the experiences and knowledge from these events forward, to further develop breast awareness, support and collaboration in the East London region.
Book Club: dates for the diary
After a successful first session the book club has now confirmed its next two dates:
• Tuesday 6th April 11-12noon- Half of a yellow Sun (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
• Tuesday 4th May 11-12noon Playing in the light (Zoe Wicomb)
There is now an area on our website where you can post up your responses to the book before the meeting. To do so please go to the News and Media section and follow the book club link. We will use these issues, feelings and questions as directives for the meeting. I have also posted a list of book suggestions to start following our May meeting. I would really like all who attend to post up there own suggestions with a short synopsis of the book. These suggestions will then be put to vote, with the most popular 3 becoming our reading list from May-July. To add your suggestions just click on the ‘comment here’ link.
If you would like to come to any of the book club sessions listed above please read as much of the chosen book as you can and email me the Monday of week’s session confirming your attendance at l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
In the News….
From two operations, to one
Like the thousands of women diagnosed with breast cancer every year, Barbara Hobson faced major surgery. First there was the removal of the tumour itself and then a potential second operation if the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. The lymph nodes help to drain fluid from tissues all over the body and if they are affected by cancerous cells the risk of the disease spreading is much greater.
Previously it has been normal practice to remove the primary lymph node and then send it for testing in the laboratory- if the result proves to be cancerous a second operation will then be needed. With around 20 lymph nodes in each armpit this is an extensive and serious operation. Barbara became the first woman in the UK to undergo a new test which reveals prior to any surgery whether the lymph nodes have been exposed to cancerous cells, negating the need for a second surgical operation. The new technique injects microscopic bubbles of gas into the breast which are then tracked by ultrasound. A biopsy sample is then taken of the lymph node and tested for cancer. If tests reveal that cancer has spread to this first lymph node, then all the lymph nodes would be removed. The technique is not completely new and has been used since the 1990s to identify heart abnormalities or live tumours. It is hoped that by using it to track changes in the lymphatic system waiting times of up to 2 weeks for results will be a thing of the past.
Sue Jones, a breast surgeon working at Maidstone Hospital, explains: 'This is incredibly exciting, because we don't have to break the bad news of a further operation, and we're not clearing the nodes unnecessarily either. Often saying that the cancer had spread and they needed more surgery hit women harder than the cancer diagnosis itself.'
If you would like to find out more please read the whole article here
New research into the relation between aspirin and breast cancer
After investigating 740 postmenopausal women, a team of Harvard researchers have found that those who took painkillers for 15 days per month, had a 10% lower oestrogen level (on average), than those who did not take the drugs. This survey’s results suggest that the use of painkillers can reduce the levels of oestrogen in the body. The female hormone oestrogen has previously been associated with the development of breast and other forms of cancer.
The study's leader, Margaret Gates, a research fellow at Harvard Medical School, said that: "Although the overall risks and benefits would need to be weighed, analgesics could be implemented as a chemo preventive and may decrease the risk of several cancers."
Find the whole article here
CRT announces partnership with Cephalon to co-develop a new class of anti-cancer drugs
Cancer Research Technology (CRT) and Cephalon Inc., an international biotechnology company, have announced their collaboration in the development of small molecule inhibitors, which have been shown to be associated with the development of cancer. It is hoped that the pairing of these two biochemical giants will help the development of innovative cancer drugs and treatments. Dr John Mallamo, Vice President of Worldwide Chemical R&D at Cephalon saying: “This collaboration creates a critical mass of biology and chemistry expertise, capable of quickly advancing the high quality lead series CRT has identified’. Watch this space!
The whole article can be found here
Lauren Newton 24th March 2010 l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Thursday 25 March 2010
Thursday 18 March 2010
On the pulse.....for women affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin’s News Update…
Cancerkin goes digital
Cancerkin can now be found on popular networking site Facebook. If you have a Facebook account PLEASE become a fan of the Cancerkin page and invite all your friends and family to spread the word. Cancerkin will be using Facebook to organise fundraising and support events whilst providing a conversational space for people to share their experiences with cancer and the help they have received from Cancerkin.
Photos of previous events, the Cancerkin Centre and our Look Good, Feel Better workshops are also available on image sharer Flicker. If you want to find out more about Cancerkin or are suggesting Cancerkin to others you know who many benefit from our services, please refer them to our Flicker page so they can see Cancerkin at work!
If you, your children, your work colleagues or friends are looking to organise a charity fundraising event for Cancerkin and want help to get it started take a look at charity event organisers Choose a Challenge’s website (where Cancerkin can be found as a registered charity). Choose a Challenge offer charity drives such as skydiving, sponsored hitchhiking and many more. All proceeds raised will go directly to Cancerkin to support and facilitate our growth. Check out our page here.
In the News…..
Mum of three defies terminal breast cancer odds
The Telegraph published the heart warming and hopeful story of Claire Blair this week, a 36 year old mum of three. At the time she was diagnosed, Mrs Blair thought her extreme tiredness was down to having given birth to her youngest daughter three months earlier. However a trip to the hospital, resulting in an overnight stay suggested something was seriously wrong. Indeed the next day the doctors delivered the news that Claire had terminal breast cancer and just two weeks to live; despite being only 32.
Four years later, Claire is still here and will be taking part in Cancer Research’s Race For Life with her three girls. Claire attributes her survival to the drug Herceptin, stating "I wouldn't be here without it. I still take it’. Herceptin is designed to stop breast cancer cells dividing and growing. However Claire also recognises the power of dogged determination: "Surviving cancer isn't just about treatment. It is not just about your personality. It's not just about love and support. It is about all of those things pulled together. You have to make a happy balance of them all."
If you feel Claire’s story (available to read in full here) is similar to your own and you would like to celebrate it, please join our Hyde Park Walk, in support of Cancerkin’s work. The Walk takes place on Sunday 13th June and all registration details can be found on the fundraising section of our website.
Important cancer drugs denied to thousands of patients
The NHS medicines watchdog has found that a year after government ordered the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) to relax its spending criteria for patients close to the end of their lives, thousands of cancer patients are still being denied access to drugs. The recent Rarer Cancers Forum (FCF) report shows 16,000 cancer patients are still being denied the drugs they need.
Around half of the 16,000 denied have been judged not eligible for consideration under the new end-of-life criteria. The remaining 8,000 patients however have lost out as the drugs have been considered too expensive for the benefits they bring. The RCF says Nice should make greater efforts to agree "patient access" schemes with pharmaceutical companies.
Andrew Wilson, chief executive of the Rarer Cancers Forum, said: "Many thousands of patients are still missing out on the treatment they need. The changes introduced by Nice should be benefiting more patients." Sir Andrew Dillon, chief executive of Nice, said: "Our end of life treatments protocol, introduced at the beginning of 2009, has already made it possible for very expensive cancer treatments, which extend life for short periods, to be recommended". Read the document in full here
From prostate to breast cancer
A technique used to treat prostate cancer has successfully been adapted to the treatment of breast cancer, destroying tumors in 13 patients so far. The process, known as cryotherapy, involves inserting a number of small needles into the tumour, delivering temperatures of minus 30 degrees Celsius. This effectively freezes and then kills the tumour, negating the need for surgeons to have to cut it out.
These results mark a breakthrough for Barbara Ann Karmanos of the Cancer Institute in Detroit and her team. Previous attempts had not achieved sufficiently low temperatures in a wide enough area to make it work. The Society of Interventional Radiology conference, where the results were delivered were told that the procedure was not too intrusive or painful and offered excellent healing results, with biopsies taken immediately after treatment revealing no remaining cancer and no sign of it returning after five years.
Dr Peter Littrup, an interventional radiologist and director of imaging research and image-guided therapy recognised the value of this experimental technique stating, "Minimally invasive cryotherapy opens the door for a potential new treatment for breast cancer and needs to be further tested.” Doctors said surgery to cut out breast cancer is still the most effective chance of a cure but minimally invasive techniques such as cryotherapy could be used for women who cannot or do not want surgery. Dr Kat Arney, science communications manager for Cancer Research UK, agrees stating “This new technique has only been tested in a very small number of women. Larger trials will be needed before we know whether it is a safe and effective alternative to surgery for the disease.”
Please find the full article here
Lauren Newton 17th March 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin’s News Update…
Cancerkin goes digital
Cancerkin can now be found on popular networking site Facebook. If you have a Facebook account PLEASE become a fan of the Cancerkin page and invite all your friends and family to spread the word. Cancerkin will be using Facebook to organise fundraising and support events whilst providing a conversational space for people to share their experiences with cancer and the help they have received from Cancerkin.
Photos of previous events, the Cancerkin Centre and our Look Good, Feel Better workshops are also available on image sharer Flicker. If you want to find out more about Cancerkin or are suggesting Cancerkin to others you know who many benefit from our services, please refer them to our Flicker page so they can see Cancerkin at work!
If you, your children, your work colleagues or friends are looking to organise a charity fundraising event for Cancerkin and want help to get it started take a look at charity event organisers Choose a Challenge’s website (where Cancerkin can be found as a registered charity). Choose a Challenge offer charity drives such as skydiving, sponsored hitchhiking and many more. All proceeds raised will go directly to Cancerkin to support and facilitate our growth. Check out our page here.
In the News…..
Mum of three defies terminal breast cancer odds
The Telegraph published the heart warming and hopeful story of Claire Blair this week, a 36 year old mum of three. At the time she was diagnosed, Mrs Blair thought her extreme tiredness was down to having given birth to her youngest daughter three months earlier. However a trip to the hospital, resulting in an overnight stay suggested something was seriously wrong. Indeed the next day the doctors delivered the news that Claire had terminal breast cancer and just two weeks to live; despite being only 32.
Four years later, Claire is still here and will be taking part in Cancer Research’s Race For Life with her three girls. Claire attributes her survival to the drug Herceptin, stating "I wouldn't be here without it. I still take it’. Herceptin is designed to stop breast cancer cells dividing and growing. However Claire also recognises the power of dogged determination: "Surviving cancer isn't just about treatment. It is not just about your personality. It's not just about love and support. It is about all of those things pulled together. You have to make a happy balance of them all."
If you feel Claire’s story (available to read in full here) is similar to your own and you would like to celebrate it, please join our Hyde Park Walk, in support of Cancerkin’s work. The Walk takes place on Sunday 13th June and all registration details can be found on the fundraising section of our website.
Important cancer drugs denied to thousands of patients
The NHS medicines watchdog has found that a year after government ordered the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) to relax its spending criteria for patients close to the end of their lives, thousands of cancer patients are still being denied access to drugs. The recent Rarer Cancers Forum (FCF) report shows 16,000 cancer patients are still being denied the drugs they need.
Around half of the 16,000 denied have been judged not eligible for consideration under the new end-of-life criteria. The remaining 8,000 patients however have lost out as the drugs have been considered too expensive for the benefits they bring. The RCF says Nice should make greater efforts to agree "patient access" schemes with pharmaceutical companies.
Andrew Wilson, chief executive of the Rarer Cancers Forum, said: "Many thousands of patients are still missing out on the treatment they need. The changes introduced by Nice should be benefiting more patients." Sir Andrew Dillon, chief executive of Nice, said: "Our end of life treatments protocol, introduced at the beginning of 2009, has already made it possible for very expensive cancer treatments, which extend life for short periods, to be recommended". Read the document in full here
From prostate to breast cancer
A technique used to treat prostate cancer has successfully been adapted to the treatment of breast cancer, destroying tumors in 13 patients so far. The process, known as cryotherapy, involves inserting a number of small needles into the tumour, delivering temperatures of minus 30 degrees Celsius. This effectively freezes and then kills the tumour, negating the need for surgeons to have to cut it out.
These results mark a breakthrough for Barbara Ann Karmanos of the Cancer Institute in Detroit and her team. Previous attempts had not achieved sufficiently low temperatures in a wide enough area to make it work. The Society of Interventional Radiology conference, where the results were delivered were told that the procedure was not too intrusive or painful and offered excellent healing results, with biopsies taken immediately after treatment revealing no remaining cancer and no sign of it returning after five years.
Dr Peter Littrup, an interventional radiologist and director of imaging research and image-guided therapy recognised the value of this experimental technique stating, "Minimally invasive cryotherapy opens the door for a potential new treatment for breast cancer and needs to be further tested.” Doctors said surgery to cut out breast cancer is still the most effective chance of a cure but minimally invasive techniques such as cryotherapy could be used for women who cannot or do not want surgery. Dr Kat Arney, science communications manager for Cancer Research UK, agrees stating “This new technique has only been tested in a very small number of women. Larger trials will be needed before we know whether it is a safe and effective alternative to surgery for the disease.”
Please find the full article here
Lauren Newton 17th March 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Wednesday 10 March 2010
On the pulse
In the News…..
Women who took the chemo drug Taxotere say they were not warned of potential permanent hair loss.
Commonly used breast cancer drug, Taxotere, has helped reduce breast cancer mortality rates in recent years. However, as breast cancer sufferers live longer, it has become apparent that one of the drug’s side effects is permanent hair loss.
According to the manufacturer’s own studies, the side effect of persistent alopecia is suffered by about 3 per cent of patients who take Taxotere with other chemotherapy drugs. However it has left those who have been affected feeling that despite having physically recovered from cancer, visually they still look very ill. Dr. Bourgeois, of Le Mans, France recognises the detrimental affect this has on a survivor’s confidence, outlook and “quality of life”.
Women across the globe who have suffered such side effects have now formed a support and lobbying group called the Taxotears. They include one Taxoterrorist who posted pictures of her balding head on the Facebook page of the pharmaceutical company. For those who have been affected it is paramount that other women are not only made aware of the dangers of Taxotere but are also encouraged to understand that they have a choice about whether to take such a risk or not.
Indeed Dr. Bourgeois echoes such a sentiment, giving his patients a choice of 12 cycles of Taxol, with a very tiny risk of permanent hair loss, or four cycles of Taxotere, where the risk of hair loss is higher. Most choose Taxol, which he says works just as well on breast cancer. As a generic drug, it also happens to cost less. Later this year, a Dr. Lemieux is planning to conduct a study to determine whether cooling the scalp while receiving chemotherapy – so that less of the drug reaches hair follicles – can help prevent baldness without compromising outcome. Read the full article (including patients’ personal experiences) at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/women-who-took-chemo-drug-say-they-werent-warned-of-permanent-hair-loss/article1490406/
NHS launches £8m campaign to increase early cancer diagnosis
Each year 10,000 deaths are caused by late diagnosis. Following last week’s report on the UK's low survival rates in comparison to its European counterparts, The Department of Health is providing £8million for primary care trusts (PCTs) across England to fund profile raising campaigns about the UK's three biggest cancer killers: breast, bowel and lung cancer.
PCTs will be able to bid for up to £100,000 to spend on advertising campaigns and outreach work, raising awareness of the main symptoms associated with the big three. It is hoped that such work will reduce the 63,400 people who die from breast, bowel and lung cancer each year, whilst also encouraging GPs to commit to earlier referrals. For example, 90% of bowel cancers can be cured if treated early but only 13% are detected at the earliest stage.
PCTs in Doncaster and Derby have already seen results from previous advertising campaigns. Derby is using posters of Bobby Moore, England's 1966 World Cup-winning captain, who died of bowel cancer at the age of 51, at bus stops, sports clubs and working men's clubs, as well as on leaflets and postcards to encourage older men to get checked . Read the full article at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/08/nhs-early-cancer-diagnosis
Osteoporosis drug may cut breast cancer risk
A study conducted by Dr Polly Newcomb and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin USA and supported by the National Cancer Institute of the USA has suggested that women who take bisphosphonates, an osteoporosis drug, designed to treat brittle bones may reduce their risk of breast cancer.
The research compared almost 3,000 women, between 20 and 69 years old, who were diagnosed with breast cancer to a similar number of women who did not have a history of breast cancer. The researchers looked for characteristics in the two groups that might explain an increased cancer risk, including whether they had taken bisphosphonates. The women who had used the drugs for the longest time (two years) were found to be 40% less likely to develop breast cancer than women who had never used the pills.
These results will need to be confirmed with randomised trials that assess whether the drug really can prevent breast cancer. Dr Lesley Walker of Cancer Research UK. welcomed the results, but said: "Before a drug can be recommended, thorough testing needs to be completed." This study has several strengths and weaknesses which the article discusses in greater depth. See http://www.nhs.uk/news/2010/03March/Pages/brittle-bone-drug-breast-cancer-test.aspx
Radiotherapy delays linked to small increased risk of breast cancer recurrence
An international team of scientist have suggested that the longer older women wait for radiation treatment after undergoing surgery for breast cancer, the greater the chances of the disease coming back. Records for 18,050 US women, aged 65 or over and diagnosed between 1991 and 2002, were analysed looking at the correlation between the interval from breast cancer surgery to radiotherapy and the rate of disease recurrence. The results found that women who started radiotherapy more than 6 weeks after surgery were found to face a small but significant increase in risk of local recurrence of breast cancer.
The British Medical Journal said: "There is a continuous relationship between the interval from breast-conserving surgery to radiotherapy and local recurrence in older women with breast cancer, suggesting that starting radiotherapy as soon as possible could minimise the risk of local recurrence."
Dr Jodie Moffat, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "Radiotherapy plays a hugely significant role in the treatment of cancer. Although we have seen improvements in the amount of time people across the UK are waiting for their radiotherapy in recent years, we know that there are still some people who are waiting too long. Cancer Research UK is calling on the governments across the UK to improve access to radiotherapy services…we want to see strategies and resources in place to ensure that people receive radiotherapy when they need it and to reduce the unacceptable variations in radiotherapy provision across the country."
Read the full article at: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/cancernews/2010-03-03-Radiotherapy-delays-linked-to-small-increased-risk-of-breast-cancer-recurrence
Lauren Newton
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk 5th March 2010
In the News…..
Women who took the chemo drug Taxotere say they were not warned of potential permanent hair loss.
Commonly used breast cancer drug, Taxotere, has helped reduce breast cancer mortality rates in recent years. However, as breast cancer sufferers live longer, it has become apparent that one of the drug’s side effects is permanent hair loss.
According to the manufacturer’s own studies, the side effect of persistent alopecia is suffered by about 3 per cent of patients who take Taxotere with other chemotherapy drugs. However it has left those who have been affected feeling that despite having physically recovered from cancer, visually they still look very ill. Dr. Bourgeois, of Le Mans, France recognises the detrimental affect this has on a survivor’s confidence, outlook and “quality of life”.
Women across the globe who have suffered such side effects have now formed a support and lobbying group called the Taxotears. They include one Taxoterrorist who posted pictures of her balding head on the Facebook page of the pharmaceutical company. For those who have been affected it is paramount that other women are not only made aware of the dangers of Taxotere but are also encouraged to understand that they have a choice about whether to take such a risk or not.
Indeed Dr. Bourgeois echoes such a sentiment, giving his patients a choice of 12 cycles of Taxol, with a very tiny risk of permanent hair loss, or four cycles of Taxotere, where the risk of hair loss is higher. Most choose Taxol, which he says works just as well on breast cancer. As a generic drug, it also happens to cost less. Later this year, a Dr. Lemieux is planning to conduct a study to determine whether cooling the scalp while receiving chemotherapy – so that less of the drug reaches hair follicles – can help prevent baldness without compromising outcome. Read the full article (including patients’ personal experiences) at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/women-who-took-chemo-drug-say-they-werent-warned-of-permanent-hair-loss/article1490406/
NHS launches £8m campaign to increase early cancer diagnosis
Each year 10,000 deaths are caused by late diagnosis. Following last week’s report on the UK's low survival rates in comparison to its European counterparts, The Department of Health is providing £8million for primary care trusts (PCTs) across England to fund profile raising campaigns about the UK's three biggest cancer killers: breast, bowel and lung cancer.
PCTs will be able to bid for up to £100,000 to spend on advertising campaigns and outreach work, raising awareness of the main symptoms associated with the big three. It is hoped that such work will reduce the 63,400 people who die from breast, bowel and lung cancer each year, whilst also encouraging GPs to commit to earlier referrals. For example, 90% of bowel cancers can be cured if treated early but only 13% are detected at the earliest stage.
PCTs in Doncaster and Derby have already seen results from previous advertising campaigns. Derby is using posters of Bobby Moore, England's 1966 World Cup-winning captain, who died of bowel cancer at the age of 51, at bus stops, sports clubs and working men's clubs, as well as on leaflets and postcards to encourage older men to get checked . Read the full article at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/08/nhs-early-cancer-diagnosis
Osteoporosis drug may cut breast cancer risk
A study conducted by Dr Polly Newcomb and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin USA and supported by the National Cancer Institute of the USA has suggested that women who take bisphosphonates, an osteoporosis drug, designed to treat brittle bones may reduce their risk of breast cancer.
The research compared almost 3,000 women, between 20 and 69 years old, who were diagnosed with breast cancer to a similar number of women who did not have a history of breast cancer. The researchers looked for characteristics in the two groups that might explain an increased cancer risk, including whether they had taken bisphosphonates. The women who had used the drugs for the longest time (two years) were found to be 40% less likely to develop breast cancer than women who had never used the pills.
These results will need to be confirmed with randomised trials that assess whether the drug really can prevent breast cancer. Dr Lesley Walker of Cancer Research UK. welcomed the results, but said: "Before a drug can be recommended, thorough testing needs to be completed." This study has several strengths and weaknesses which the article discusses in greater depth. See http://www.nhs.uk/news/2010/03March/Pages/brittle-bone-drug-breast-cancer-test.aspx
Radiotherapy delays linked to small increased risk of breast cancer recurrence
An international team of scientist have suggested that the longer older women wait for radiation treatment after undergoing surgery for breast cancer, the greater the chances of the disease coming back. Records for 18,050 US women, aged 65 or over and diagnosed between 1991 and 2002, were analysed looking at the correlation between the interval from breast cancer surgery to radiotherapy and the rate of disease recurrence. The results found that women who started radiotherapy more than 6 weeks after surgery were found to face a small but significant increase in risk of local recurrence of breast cancer.
The British Medical Journal said: "There is a continuous relationship between the interval from breast-conserving surgery to radiotherapy and local recurrence in older women with breast cancer, suggesting that starting radiotherapy as soon as possible could minimise the risk of local recurrence."
Dr Jodie Moffat, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "Radiotherapy plays a hugely significant role in the treatment of cancer. Although we have seen improvements in the amount of time people across the UK are waiting for their radiotherapy in recent years, we know that there are still some people who are waiting too long. Cancer Research UK is calling on the governments across the UK to improve access to radiotherapy services…we want to see strategies and resources in place to ensure that people receive radiotherapy when they need it and to reduce the unacceptable variations in radiotherapy provision across the country."
Read the full article at: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/cancernews/2010-03-03-Radiotherapy-delays-linked-to-small-increased-risk-of-breast-cancer-recurrence
Lauren Newton
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk 5th March 2010
Friday 5 March 2010
On The Pulse.....for women affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin’s news update….
East London outreach project
As some of you may or may not be aware Cancerkin have begun a breast cancer awareness outreach project amongst the communities of East London. The project aims to increase awareness of breast cancer among communities that up to now have had low take up of screening, poor engagement with GPs and thus low survival rates for breast cancer; and to provide Cancerkin’s complementary therapies either in those communities or at Cancerkin’s premises at the RFH (with transport paid for). The project is focused on the London boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest, as they have some of the highest mortality rates for breast cancer in London. To date we have successfully completed two collaborative outreach events at the John Scurr Community Centre in Limehouse and The Hub in Canning Town. Next week we will continue our work at the Newnham African Caribbean Resource Centre in Plaistow. The outcomes of the project will initially be focused on levels of engagement with local communities and take up of Cancerkin’s services.
Virgin Money launches charity credit card
Virgin Money has launched a new credit card that will give 1 per cent, with Gift Aid, of the money that customers spend to charity. Each time the Virgin charity credit card is used, Virgin Money will make a ‘cash back' payment of 0.8 per cent of the value of the transaction and this will be given to a charity chosen by the customer.
A Virgin Money spokesman said: "This is an easy and convenient way to support good causes. Cardholders will be able to nominate their chosen charities, which they can change quickly and easily."
If you have a Virgin Money card please think of Cancerkin when spending on your card! This really would make a valuable difference to the work we do!
In the news…
The UK’s cancer survival deficit
Policy Exchange, the centre-right think tank, revealed this week that although the UK spends more than any other European country on cancer research our cancer survival rates fall significantly below the European average. So why is this and what can the UK do to change it? Well, Policy Exchange has attributed such a contradiction to the lack of money the UK invests in treatment services compared to its European counterparts. The government seems to agree. Among other things, their recent Cancer Reform Strategy seeks to increase access to screening, radiotherapy and chemotherapy so that by 2012 the UK matches the standard set by other European countries. Although these targets are indeed improvements to the current system are they enough? Nick James, Professor of clinical oncology at the University of Birmingham and Professor Gordon Rustin, director of medical oncology at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre don’t seem to think so. For them there remains a catalogue of issues still to be addressed. GPs are not as up to speed on detecting symptoms in their earliest stages as they should be and once detected they have little access to diagnostic tests, often resulting in late diagnosis. Increased but still patchy access to drugs and reduced waiting times, does not sing of a wholly functional system for all and then finally there is the traditionally British attitude of not wanting to ‘bother’ the doctor. Read More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/23/improve-uk-cancer-survival
Gene testing to aid breast cancer
Gene-screening has been used to identify women most likely to benefit from one type of breast cancer chemotherapy. Scientists scanned 829 genes in breast cancer tumour cells and selected six, which if missing or faulty would prevent the chemotherapy agent paclitaxel working properly. Researches believe that by addressing individual’s needs, and recognising that not all sufferers will need one type of drug, the prescription of drugs could potentially become more cost effective and thus available on the NHS. Of the 45,500 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year approximately 15% are on paclitaxel; a percentage of which may not need to be.
Dr Charles Swanton, from the Cancer Research UK charity's London Research Institute, said: ''A great challenge in cancer medicine is determining which patients will benefit from particular cancer drugs and it is hoped that this research is a step towards more rapid developments in this type of personalised medicine.
To read the article in more depth please follow the link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7337670/Gene-test-aids-breast-cancer-treatment.html
The revival of the Ward Sister
The Primer Minister’s Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery is calling for the revival of the role of the ward sister as the heart of hospital care. The commission is also looking to place more comprehensible procedures and protections around the term ‘nurse’, with only those registered by the Nursing and Midwifery council allowed to use them.
The role of the Ward Sister had previously been a pillar of support to both patients and staff, administering both medical and emotional care. Do you feel that this would have made a difference to your experience in the wards: would you have felt more secure/less isolated etc? If you have any responses you would like to share please email me at l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Lauren Newton 5th March 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin’s news update….
East London outreach project
As some of you may or may not be aware Cancerkin have begun a breast cancer awareness outreach project amongst the communities of East London. The project aims to increase awareness of breast cancer among communities that up to now have had low take up of screening, poor engagement with GPs and thus low survival rates for breast cancer; and to provide Cancerkin’s complementary therapies either in those communities or at Cancerkin’s premises at the RFH (with transport paid for). The project is focused on the London boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest, as they have some of the highest mortality rates for breast cancer in London. To date we have successfully completed two collaborative outreach events at the John Scurr Community Centre in Limehouse and The Hub in Canning Town. Next week we will continue our work at the Newnham African Caribbean Resource Centre in Plaistow. The outcomes of the project will initially be focused on levels of engagement with local communities and take up of Cancerkin’s services.
Virgin Money launches charity credit card
Virgin Money has launched a new credit card that will give 1 per cent, with Gift Aid, of the money that customers spend to charity. Each time the Virgin charity credit card is used, Virgin Money will make a ‘cash back' payment of 0.8 per cent of the value of the transaction and this will be given to a charity chosen by the customer.
A Virgin Money spokesman said: "This is an easy and convenient way to support good causes. Cardholders will be able to nominate their chosen charities, which they can change quickly and easily."
If you have a Virgin Money card please think of Cancerkin when spending on your card! This really would make a valuable difference to the work we do!
In the news…
The UK’s cancer survival deficit
Policy Exchange, the centre-right think tank, revealed this week that although the UK spends more than any other European country on cancer research our cancer survival rates fall significantly below the European average. So why is this and what can the UK do to change it? Well, Policy Exchange has attributed such a contradiction to the lack of money the UK invests in treatment services compared to its European counterparts. The government seems to agree. Among other things, their recent Cancer Reform Strategy seeks to increase access to screening, radiotherapy and chemotherapy so that by 2012 the UK matches the standard set by other European countries. Although these targets are indeed improvements to the current system are they enough? Nick James, Professor of clinical oncology at the University of Birmingham and Professor Gordon Rustin, director of medical oncology at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre don’t seem to think so. For them there remains a catalogue of issues still to be addressed. GPs are not as up to speed on detecting symptoms in their earliest stages as they should be and once detected they have little access to diagnostic tests, often resulting in late diagnosis. Increased but still patchy access to drugs and reduced waiting times, does not sing of a wholly functional system for all and then finally there is the traditionally British attitude of not wanting to ‘bother’ the doctor. Read More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/23/improve-uk-cancer-survival
Gene testing to aid breast cancer
Gene-screening has been used to identify women most likely to benefit from one type of breast cancer chemotherapy. Scientists scanned 829 genes in breast cancer tumour cells and selected six, which if missing or faulty would prevent the chemotherapy agent paclitaxel working properly. Researches believe that by addressing individual’s needs, and recognising that not all sufferers will need one type of drug, the prescription of drugs could potentially become more cost effective and thus available on the NHS. Of the 45,500 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year approximately 15% are on paclitaxel; a percentage of which may not need to be.
Dr Charles Swanton, from the Cancer Research UK charity's London Research Institute, said: ''A great challenge in cancer medicine is determining which patients will benefit from particular cancer drugs and it is hoped that this research is a step towards more rapid developments in this type of personalised medicine.
To read the article in more depth please follow the link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7337670/Gene-test-aids-breast-cancer-treatment.html
The revival of the Ward Sister
The Primer Minister’s Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery is calling for the revival of the role of the ward sister as the heart of hospital care. The commission is also looking to place more comprehensible procedures and protections around the term ‘nurse’, with only those registered by the Nursing and Midwifery council allowed to use them.
The role of the Ward Sister had previously been a pillar of support to both patients and staff, administering both medical and emotional care. Do you feel that this would have made a difference to your experience in the wards: would you have felt more secure/less isolated etc? If you have any responses you would like to share please email me at l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Lauren Newton 5th March 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Monday 1 March 2010
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
Cancerkin’s news update….
Cancerkin shortlisted in NCVO photography competition
In a competition attracting hundreds of entrants, Cancerkin were one of only 10 to be shortlisted in the first ever NCVO national photographic competition on 23rd February 2010. Member organisations were invited to submit a photograph and caption that reflects the work that they are doing and the positive difference that it makes. Our entry, along with the other ten finalists was exhibited and can be seen on the Guardian and NCVO’s websites. Click here to see them: NCVO and Guardian
Book Club
Would you like to broaden your intellectual and creative horizons? Are you looking for a hobby that will be both stimulating and relaxing? We are looking to start a book club at Cancerkin. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Lauren Newton at Cancerkin (l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk) or on the usual telephone number 020 7830 2323.
In the news…
Why Tamoxifen sometimes fails
Scientists have discovered why some breast cancers are resistant to tamoxifen (a drug therapy that blocks the growth of oestrogen which can fuel some breast cancer tumours). They found that when a gene called FGFR1 is turned on too much is can become resistant to the drug and other hormone treatments. In lab studies, they were able to switch off the gene in cancer cells which had too much of the gene. Following on from that, tamoxifen (and other treatments) were able to work again and destroy the cancer cells. About 10% of breast cancers have too much of the FGFR1 gene and this discovery could ultimately help thousands of women. Dr Nick Turner, lead author of the report, said: “We have known for some time that breast cancer patients with too much of the FGFR1 gene in their cancer are more likely to have a poor prognosis…The next step is to set up a clinical trial to see whether a drug that blocks the action of this gene can counteract hormone therapy resistance in breast cancer patients. If these trials confirm our lab work we could be on the verge of a potentially exciting new treatment for breast cancer.” Dr Lesley Walker (director of information at Cancer Research UK) said: “Cracking the problem of resistance to treatments such as tamoxifen would be a major advance in treating breast cancer.” Read more at: Cancer Research UK; BBC News
Aspirin and breast cancer
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that women suffering from breast cancer who took aspirin on a regular basis were less likely to have a recurrence and less likely to die from the disease. They reported that the risks could be halved by taking aspirin 2-5 times per week. However, a report by the NHS says that this is only a preliminary study and cannot determine whether aspirin directly caused the difference in cancer recurrence and survival. Clearly, further research is needed. They go on to point out that aspirin is not without risks, particularly for those undergoing chemotherapy, who may be more susceptible to bleeding and so may be advised not to use aspirin. As ever, Individuals should always speak to their GP before taking or changing their medication. Read more here: Times Online; The Independent; nhs
New Blood Tests
A personalised blood test has been developed that can detect whether a tumour has returned or is responding to treatment; it is thought that it could be widely available within 5 years. The test will enable doctors to monitor the progress of patients with any type of tumour. The benefits would include avoiding aggressive treatment that is not needed and/or is not working and ensuring others get the treatment that they need. It is being hailed as another step towards personalised cancer care. In trials on 6 patients (including two with breast cancer), scientists detected minute traces of tumour DNA in a few mililitres of blood. Victor Velculescu of John Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Centre in Baltimore, who led the research said: “There is currently no test for cancer that provides personalised biomarkers for clinical management of disease.” Professor Peter Johnson, the chief clinician of Cancer Research UK, said: “This is another exciting step down the road towards personalised cancer medicine. If this can be done for other types of cancer like bowel, breast and prostate, it will help us to bring new treatments to patients better and faster than ever.” Read more: Times and Guardian
Ageism in breast cancer treatment
Research funded by Breakthrough Breast Cancer showed that some older people are not benefitting from advances in the treatment for breast cancer that have been developed over the last 10 years, that have improved overall survival rates. This is despite the fact that the risk of getting the disease increases with age. The charity is calling for treatment to be offered on the basis of clinical need rather than age. The story was reported in the Mail Online and on the charity’s own website: Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Authorities prevent treatment of pregnant cancer patient
Finally, a distressing story from Nicaragua, reported in the Guardian about a pregnant woman, with cancer, who is having cancer treatment witheld, because it could harm the foetus and violate the ban on abortion. A law enacted in 2007 made the country one of the few in the world, which has a total ban on abortion under any circumstances.
Nicky Waldman (n.waldman@cancerkin.org.uk) 24th February 2010
Cancerkin shortlisted in NCVO photography competition
In a competition attracting hundreds of entrants, Cancerkin were one of only 10 to be shortlisted in the first ever NCVO national photographic competition on 23rd February 2010. Member organisations were invited to submit a photograph and caption that reflects the work that they are doing and the positive difference that it makes. Our entry, along with the other ten finalists was exhibited and can be seen on the Guardian and NCVO’s websites. Click here to see them: NCVO and Guardian
Book Club
Would you like to broaden your intellectual and creative horizons? Are you looking for a hobby that will be both stimulating and relaxing? We are looking to start a book club at Cancerkin. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Lauren Newton at Cancerkin (l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk) or on the usual telephone number 020 7830 2323.
In the news…
Why Tamoxifen sometimes fails
Scientists have discovered why some breast cancers are resistant to tamoxifen (a drug therapy that blocks the growth of oestrogen which can fuel some breast cancer tumours). They found that when a gene called FGFR1 is turned on too much is can become resistant to the drug and other hormone treatments. In lab studies, they were able to switch off the gene in cancer cells which had too much of the gene. Following on from that, tamoxifen (and other treatments) were able to work again and destroy the cancer cells. About 10% of breast cancers have too much of the FGFR1 gene and this discovery could ultimately help thousands of women. Dr Nick Turner, lead author of the report, said: “We have known for some time that breast cancer patients with too much of the FGFR1 gene in their cancer are more likely to have a poor prognosis…The next step is to set up a clinical trial to see whether a drug that blocks the action of this gene can counteract hormone therapy resistance in breast cancer patients. If these trials confirm our lab work we could be on the verge of a potentially exciting new treatment for breast cancer.” Dr Lesley Walker (director of information at Cancer Research UK) said: “Cracking the problem of resistance to treatments such as tamoxifen would be a major advance in treating breast cancer.” Read more at: Cancer Research UK; BBC News
Aspirin and breast cancer
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that women suffering from breast cancer who took aspirin on a regular basis were less likely to have a recurrence and less likely to die from the disease. They reported that the risks could be halved by taking aspirin 2-5 times per week. However, a report by the NHS says that this is only a preliminary study and cannot determine whether aspirin directly caused the difference in cancer recurrence and survival. Clearly, further research is needed. They go on to point out that aspirin is not without risks, particularly for those undergoing chemotherapy, who may be more susceptible to bleeding and so may be advised not to use aspirin. As ever, Individuals should always speak to their GP before taking or changing their medication. Read more here: Times Online; The Independent; nhs
New Blood Tests
A personalised blood test has been developed that can detect whether a tumour has returned or is responding to treatment; it is thought that it could be widely available within 5 years. The test will enable doctors to monitor the progress of patients with any type of tumour. The benefits would include avoiding aggressive treatment that is not needed and/or is not working and ensuring others get the treatment that they need. It is being hailed as another step towards personalised cancer care. In trials on 6 patients (including two with breast cancer), scientists detected minute traces of tumour DNA in a few mililitres of blood. Victor Velculescu of John Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Centre in Baltimore, who led the research said: “There is currently no test for cancer that provides personalised biomarkers for clinical management of disease.” Professor Peter Johnson, the chief clinician of Cancer Research UK, said: “This is another exciting step down the road towards personalised cancer medicine. If this can be done for other types of cancer like bowel, breast and prostate, it will help us to bring new treatments to patients better and faster than ever.” Read more: Times and Guardian
Ageism in breast cancer treatment
Research funded by Breakthrough Breast Cancer showed that some older people are not benefitting from advances in the treatment for breast cancer that have been developed over the last 10 years, that have improved overall survival rates. This is despite the fact that the risk of getting the disease increases with age. The charity is calling for treatment to be offered on the basis of clinical need rather than age. The story was reported in the Mail Online and on the charity’s own website: Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Authorities prevent treatment of pregnant cancer patient
Finally, a distressing story from Nicaragua, reported in the Guardian about a pregnant woman, with cancer, who is having cancer treatment witheld, because it could harm the foetus and violate the ban on abortion. A law enacted in 2007 made the country one of the few in the world, which has a total ban on abortion under any circumstances.
Nicky Waldman (n.waldman@cancerkin.org.uk) 24th February 2010
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