Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk update......
This year over £40,000 has been raised in donations and sponsorship for the Hyde Park Walk. The pictures for this year’s walk can be viewed on our Flickr and Facebook pages. If you have any pictures which you would like to share with us you can do so by uploading them onto our Facebook wall. Finally, please remember to send in your sponsorship money before 13th August and ensure that all cheques are made payable to Cancerkin.
La Bohème......
Cancerkin’s opera evening is next weekend and we still have tickets available! For more information or to order tickets please contact Lauren Newton on 020 7830 2323 or at l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk. All proceeds will go towards the creation of a Young Women’s Support Group at Cancerkin.
In the News…
Woman’s breast cancer diagnosis was wrong…
In 2007, a pathologist in Michigan found what was believed to be the earliest stage of breast cancer from a biopsy. The patient, Ms Long endured an extensive surgery, leaving her right breast missing a chunk the size of a golf ball.
In 2008 however, she was told that the pathologist had made a mistake as her new doctor was sure she never had the disease, called ductal carcinoma in situ (D.C.I.S), meaning the surgery, radiation, drugs and the fear had all been unnecessary. Miss Long, who is a registered nurse, told the New York Times that ‘”I never should have had to go through what I did”.
Like many women, Ms Long believed that a breast biopsy was the most reliable way to identify cancer. However, it turns out that diagnosing the earliest stage of breast cancer can be difficult.
Advances over the past 3 decades in mammography and other imaging techniques have meant that pathologists must form opinions on even the smallest breast lesions; some may even be the size of a grain of salt. According to some doctors deciphering the difference between lesions which are benign and early stage breast cancer is challenging.
According to Dr. Shahla Masood, who is the head of pathology at the University of Florida, College of Medicine, “There are studies that show that diagnosing these borderline breast lesions occasionally comes down to the flip of a coin.”
Dr Vi, who diagnosed Ms Long with DCIS was not board certified and has stated that he reads around 50 breast biopsies a year, far less than the leading pathologists say is needed in dealing with difficult breast cancer cases.
In response to a lawsuit brought by Ms. Long, Dr. Vi maintains that she had cancer and that two board-certified pathologists had agreed with his diagnosis.
However leading experts who reviewed Ms. Long’s case disagreed stating that her local pathologists “blew the diagnosis.”
Read more here.
African ancestry......
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that African ancestry increases the chances of triple negative breast cancer, an overly aggressive form. A study of breast cancer in different ethnic groups showed that 82% of African women who had breast cancer had the triple negative variety as opposed to 26% in African Americans and only 16% in white Americans.
Triple negative cancer is negative for certain markers used in identifying suitable treatments. Most medical advances have come about using these markers and therefore the treatment options for triple negative breast cancer are limited. The researchers used 581 African Americans and 1008 white Americans in Detroit as well as 75 Ghanaians from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. More on the story here.
Cancerkin Team
Friday 23rd July 2010
Wednesday 28 July 2010
Friday 16 July 2010
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
Many hands make light work…
Cancerkin are pleased to welcome another new intern, Guy Mollett. Guy will be with Cancerkin for a month before he returns to school for his A Levels, after which he hopes to go to University to study medicine. Guy has been helping with all things financial, processing our Hyde Park Walk and La Boheme sponsorship. If you have yet to send yours in please do at your earliest convenience so that we can get it all accounted for whilst we have Guy’s valuable help.
In the News…
Another young woman to the count…
Nicola Duffy was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer at the tender age of 31. With a history of breast cancer throughout her grandmothers, mother and aunts the risk was always there, but for Nicola, and many more women like her, the diagnosis came much earlier than expected. This is the third story of a young woman with breast cancer that has featured in the press in so many months; highlighting the increase in of cancer in those under 50. Her story, published in last week’s Stylist magazine, documents the trouble she had fitting in doctor’s appointments around her ‘demanding role in recruitment’ and her struggle with stopping it ‘getting in the way of my dreams’. Nicola also quite happily disclosed the fear she felt when she decided to have a double mastectomy and the worry about how this would affect her relationship with her boyfriend who had ‘assured me he would still love me, no matter what’.
Despite its relatively short length, I wonder if Stylist or indeed Nicola herself realised how many crucial issues for young women the article touched upon. The Cancerkin Young Women’s Support Group, currently in the planning stage, will respond to the issues that Nicola and many others like her experience. Worries about work pressures, career prospects, fertility, sexuality, body image, relationships, genetics etc. Our opera evening, which has been praised by Simon Thomas(opera reviewer for What’s On Stage) on Twitter is raising money to help establish this support group. If you, or anyone you know would like more information about the Young Women’s Group or the Opera Gala please contact Lauren Newton on l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk . To read Simon Thomas’ Review click here.
Breakthrough in treating aggressive breast cancer could be on the way….
HER2 – a form of breast cancer which encourages the disease to spread around the body, often causing fatal secondary tumours, affects around 9,000 women each year- approximately 1 in 5 of UK women suffering with the disease. A team in Edinburgh have now discovered the gene that causes HER2 to spread so fast and dangerously. This discovery means that new drugs will be able to be manufactured to block the gene’s function and therefore prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Research leader Dr Elad Katz, from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit, said: “With all cancers, the key is working out how they form and spread. Identifying this gene’s key role in the spread of this type of breast cancer is a significant finding.” Professor David Harrison, Director of the Unit agrees saying:“It is exciting to know there is a drug out there which could potentially stop this process happening and save the lives of women with breast cancer.” Read the full details here.
A creative path to empathy…
Comic books are increasingly being used by medical lecturers to teach their students medicine from the patients view. The comic strips show how treatments and diagnosis affect the patients and their families and are being used in universities to help students understand the doctor-patient relationship and empathy. ‘Cancer Vixen’ a comic about a women’s experience of breast cancer is one of these graphic novels; the comic can be found in the Cancerkin reference library for any of you who would like to take a peek. Read the full story here.
Cancer survival rates have nearly doubled in the last 30 years…
Although the hippie age is over with the principles of freedom, truth, love and peace almost dead in the water, BBC news online published some figures this week which should make us happy to be living in the fast-paced 21st century. A recent comparative study found that compared to 1970 the chance of surviving for 10 years following a cancer diagnosis has doubled (for most common cancers only). For breast cancer alone survival rates have increased from 40% to 77%; a massive leap in progress. The increases have been attributed to advances in medical techniques and treatments, thorough and accessible screening processes and an increased knowledge of cancer and its symptoms helping to result in earlier detection. To read the full article and see the statistics of other cancer forms please click here.
Lauren Newton 15th July 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin News…
Many hands make light work…
Cancerkin are pleased to welcome another new intern, Guy Mollett. Guy will be with Cancerkin for a month before he returns to school for his A Levels, after which he hopes to go to University to study medicine. Guy has been helping with all things financial, processing our Hyde Park Walk and La Boheme sponsorship. If you have yet to send yours in please do at your earliest convenience so that we can get it all accounted for whilst we have Guy’s valuable help.
In the News…
Another young woman to the count…
Nicola Duffy was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer at the tender age of 31. With a history of breast cancer throughout her grandmothers, mother and aunts the risk was always there, but for Nicola, and many more women like her, the diagnosis came much earlier than expected. This is the third story of a young woman with breast cancer that has featured in the press in so many months; highlighting the increase in of cancer in those under 50. Her story, published in last week’s Stylist magazine, documents the trouble she had fitting in doctor’s appointments around her ‘demanding role in recruitment’ and her struggle with stopping it ‘getting in the way of my dreams’. Nicola also quite happily disclosed the fear she felt when she decided to have a double mastectomy and the worry about how this would affect her relationship with her boyfriend who had ‘assured me he would still love me, no matter what’.
Despite its relatively short length, I wonder if Stylist or indeed Nicola herself realised how many crucial issues for young women the article touched upon. The Cancerkin Young Women’s Support Group, currently in the planning stage, will respond to the issues that Nicola and many others like her experience. Worries about work pressures, career prospects, fertility, sexuality, body image, relationships, genetics etc. Our opera evening, which has been praised by Simon Thomas(opera reviewer for What’s On Stage) on Twitter is raising money to help establish this support group. If you, or anyone you know would like more information about the Young Women’s Group or the Opera Gala please contact Lauren Newton on l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk . To read Simon Thomas’ Review click here.
Breakthrough in treating aggressive breast cancer could be on the way….
HER2 – a form of breast cancer which encourages the disease to spread around the body, often causing fatal secondary tumours, affects around 9,000 women each year- approximately 1 in 5 of UK women suffering with the disease. A team in Edinburgh have now discovered the gene that causes HER2 to spread so fast and dangerously. This discovery means that new drugs will be able to be manufactured to block the gene’s function and therefore prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Research leader Dr Elad Katz, from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit, said: “With all cancers, the key is working out how they form and spread. Identifying this gene’s key role in the spread of this type of breast cancer is a significant finding.” Professor David Harrison, Director of the Unit agrees saying:“It is exciting to know there is a drug out there which could potentially stop this process happening and save the lives of women with breast cancer.” Read the full details here.
A creative path to empathy…
Comic books are increasingly being used by medical lecturers to teach their students medicine from the patients view. The comic strips show how treatments and diagnosis affect the patients and their families and are being used in universities to help students understand the doctor-patient relationship and empathy. ‘Cancer Vixen’ a comic about a women’s experience of breast cancer is one of these graphic novels; the comic can be found in the Cancerkin reference library for any of you who would like to take a peek. Read the full story here.
Cancer survival rates have nearly doubled in the last 30 years…
Although the hippie age is over with the principles of freedom, truth, love and peace almost dead in the water, BBC news online published some figures this week which should make us happy to be living in the fast-paced 21st century. A recent comparative study found that compared to 1970 the chance of surviving for 10 years following a cancer diagnosis has doubled (for most common cancers only). For breast cancer alone survival rates have increased from 40% to 77%; a massive leap in progress. The increases have been attributed to advances in medical techniques and treatments, thorough and accessible screening processes and an increased knowledge of cancer and its symptoms helping to result in earlier detection. To read the full article and see the statistics of other cancer forms please click here.
Lauren Newton 15th July 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Friday 9 July 2010
On the pulse...
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk sponsorship…
Thank you to all of you who have been sending in your sponsorship for the Hyde Park Walk - the fundraising total is steadily on the rise! For those of you who have yet to send in your monies, remember to do so before Friday 13th August, when our top 3 fundraisers will be awarded with luxury products kindly donated by Floris. Please remember to make all cheques payable to Cancerkin and where possible please avoid sending cash in the post. Please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk if you have any queries about sponsorship.
Renowned opera reviewer gives Cancerkin opera event thumbs up…
Simon Thomas, top opera reviewer for magazine and online arts listing, What’s On Stage, has written a fantastic review of Cancerkin’s up and coming opera gala evening at the Soho Theatre, London- rating it as a must see production. If you would like to join us for the event, which begins a 6.30pm on Saturday 31st July for a champagne and canapés reception with the cast then please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk for further information and ticket requests. To view Simon Thomas’ report please click here or look up his blogs for Cancerkin on Twitter here.
In the News…
Beat cancer by having fun…
A study at Ohio University has taken mice that have cancer out of their usual commune of 5 and have placed them in a more sociable group of around 15-20 other mice, to see if this has an effect on their response to their cancer. Alongside the extra housemates the mice were given more toys, hiding space and running wheels. The result of this new environment saw the mice’s tumours become 43% smaller with a 77% reduction in mass and around 5% of the mice showing no evidence of the cancer disease after 3 weeks in the new home. These effects were not replicated in the mice that were kept in the standard accommodation.
Study lead Prof. Matthew During said “We’re really showing that you can’t look at a disease like cancer in isolation. For too long physicians and others have stuck to what they know- surgery, chemo radiotherapy. If we look at people more in terms of their perceptions of disease and environment, we could realise a profound influence on cancer”. This research helps to validate the views that a positive mental attitude and a safe and secure environment can help to play an important role in beating breast cancer; an outlook Cancerkin work to promote every day. This story featured on page 14 of Friday morning’s Metro.
Cancer genealogy poses threat to men….
Men who are carriers of a faulty BRCA2 gene have a 1 in 15 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer by the time they are 70 The Daily Mail reported this week. This figure is opposed to the 1 in 1000 chance men in the general population have of developing breast cancer. The gene can be passed down through generations regardless of the sex of the newborn baby; a fact that will change many people’s views on the link between genetics and breast cancer. Each year in the UK 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer, compared to the 45,000 for women. Read the full article here
Positive results for new breast cancer drug….
A new drug sponsored by AstraZeneca has caused positive results in its latest trial. Olaparib, as the drug is called, effects cancers caused by faulty BRCA 1 and 2 genes. In Stage II trials for breast cancer and ovarian cancer, 111 patients were given the drug in small or large amounts. In the breast cancer trial of the patients who received the larger dose, 40% had a significant reduction in tumour size and tumours were stopped from increasing for about 6 months. To read full details of the trial please click here
Could being overweight really lower the risk of developing breast cancer..?
A study has found that being overweight when young may reduce the chances of developing breast cancer in later life. Scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston undertook a 17 year study to research the effects of weight on the development of breast cancer. The study which took into account the records of 188,860 women found that an increased level of body fat, particularly during adolescence decreases the risk of breast cancer in pre and post-menopausal women. However the dangers of being overweight are well known and pose many other risks in themselves. Please click here to read the full article.
Lauren Newton 9th July 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk sponsorship…
Thank you to all of you who have been sending in your sponsorship for the Hyde Park Walk - the fundraising total is steadily on the rise! For those of you who have yet to send in your monies, remember to do so before Friday 13th August, when our top 3 fundraisers will be awarded with luxury products kindly donated by Floris. Please remember to make all cheques payable to Cancerkin and where possible please avoid sending cash in the post. Please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk if you have any queries about sponsorship.
Renowned opera reviewer gives Cancerkin opera event thumbs up…
Simon Thomas, top opera reviewer for magazine and online arts listing, What’s On Stage, has written a fantastic review of Cancerkin’s up and coming opera gala evening at the Soho Theatre, London- rating it as a must see production. If you would like to join us for the event, which begins a 6.30pm on Saturday 31st July for a champagne and canapés reception with the cast then please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk for further information and ticket requests. To view Simon Thomas’ report please click here or look up his blogs for Cancerkin on Twitter here.
In the News…
Beat cancer by having fun…
A study at Ohio University has taken mice that have cancer out of their usual commune of 5 and have placed them in a more sociable group of around 15-20 other mice, to see if this has an effect on their response to their cancer. Alongside the extra housemates the mice were given more toys, hiding space and running wheels. The result of this new environment saw the mice’s tumours become 43% smaller with a 77% reduction in mass and around 5% of the mice showing no evidence of the cancer disease after 3 weeks in the new home. These effects were not replicated in the mice that were kept in the standard accommodation.
Study lead Prof. Matthew During said “We’re really showing that you can’t look at a disease like cancer in isolation. For too long physicians and others have stuck to what they know- surgery, chemo radiotherapy. If we look at people more in terms of their perceptions of disease and environment, we could realise a profound influence on cancer”. This research helps to validate the views that a positive mental attitude and a safe and secure environment can help to play an important role in beating breast cancer; an outlook Cancerkin work to promote every day. This story featured on page 14 of Friday morning’s Metro.
Cancer genealogy poses threat to men….
Men who are carriers of a faulty BRCA2 gene have a 1 in 15 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer by the time they are 70 The Daily Mail reported this week. This figure is opposed to the 1 in 1000 chance men in the general population have of developing breast cancer. The gene can be passed down through generations regardless of the sex of the newborn baby; a fact that will change many people’s views on the link between genetics and breast cancer. Each year in the UK 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer, compared to the 45,000 for women. Read the full article here
Positive results for new breast cancer drug….
A new drug sponsored by AstraZeneca has caused positive results in its latest trial. Olaparib, as the drug is called, effects cancers caused by faulty BRCA 1 and 2 genes. In Stage II trials for breast cancer and ovarian cancer, 111 patients were given the drug in small or large amounts. In the breast cancer trial of the patients who received the larger dose, 40% had a significant reduction in tumour size and tumours were stopped from increasing for about 6 months. To read full details of the trial please click here
Could being overweight really lower the risk of developing breast cancer..?
A study has found that being overweight when young may reduce the chances of developing breast cancer in later life. Scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston undertook a 17 year study to research the effects of weight on the development of breast cancer. The study which took into account the records of 188,860 women found that an increased level of body fat, particularly during adolescence decreases the risk of breast cancer in pre and post-menopausal women. However the dangers of being overweight are well known and pose many other risks in themselves. Please click here to read the full article.
Lauren Newton 9th July 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
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