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

On the pulse

Cancerkin’s News….

Lady Jakobovits
The Trustees and staff of Cancerkin are deeply saddened by the passing of Lady Jakobovits. She was a great friend, supporter and Patron of Cancerkin. The "Lady J" Lymphoedema Clinic at the Cancerkin Centre continues to see patients from 38 hospitals, hospices and clinics across Greater London. Our thoughts are with her lovely family in the USA & UK. To read more about Lady Jakobovits and her invaluable work please click here

Hyde Park Walk marshals
With our Hyde Park Walk only a month away we are appealing for volunteers to marshal the days event. As a marshal you will be stationed at a ‘marshal point’ throughout the course and provide help, assistance and encouragement to all participants. If you would like to offer your services or have any further questions please email l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk for all the details.

If you are already walking but have a husband, boyfriend, friend or children over the age of 18 who would enjoy some volunteering, please put them in contact with us. The work of a marshal is invaluable to the smooth running of the day and its overall success!

In the News…

Half of breast cancer patients 'suffer symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder'
Agitation, anxiety, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, and mood swings are all facets of post-traumatic stress syndrome. Doctors have found that over half of breast cancer patients suffer from some or all of the above. A frightening breast cancer diagnosis, the stress of treatment, surgery and/or chemotherapy together with larger social implications i.e. giving up work, financial trouble and parenthood can often trigger the beginnings of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Studying the effects of the disease on 331 women, the researches from the Panteion University of Athens found that, overall, 45 per cent of the patients showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Of the women studied, many felt they had a poorer quality of life even three years after diagnosis and treatment. The researchers warn: “Knowing that breast cancer patients are susceptible to PTSD, it might be necessary for the field of medicine to create a plan in assisting cancer patients that takes into account the entire spectrum of a patient’s experience with the illness.”

If you suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned above please contact your GP. Furthermore, if you feel there is anything that Cancerkin could do to further help you please do let us know by emailing l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
To read the full article please click here

Breast cancer genetic risk factors discovered
Scientist have come closer to identifying which women are more likely to develop breast cancer over their lifetime, after the discovery of 5 genetic variants that are believed to increase the risk of breast cancer.

The study, conducted by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) compared the genetic codes of more than 16,500 women with breast cancer and a family history of the disease with about 12,000 women without either and identified areas of DNA known to influence the risk of cancer. Dr Helen George, head of science information at Cancer Research UK, said: "This is by far the largest study of its kind to explore the common genetic variations that contribute to breast cancer risk. This research takes us a step closer to developing a powerful genetic test for the disease. Such a test could help doctors identify women who have an increased risk so that they can make informed decisions about how to take steps to reduce their chance of developing the disease."

However, Professor Nazneen Rahman, from the ICR, notes that scientists are yet to uncover exactly which genes are causing the heightened risk: "Our results now take the total number of gene regions linked to the risk of breast cancer to 18, but we still don't know which genes are causing this increased risk. Identifying the underlying genes and mechanisms behind breast cancer development is essential to increasing our understanding of the disease and ultimately finding new treatments."
Find the full article here

Lauren Newton 12th May 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk