On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk figures…
Last week we thanked our top 3 Hyde Park Walk fundraisers for their contribution to the success of this years walk. This week, it is the turn of the masses. So, we would like to thank all of you who donated or took part in the walk for helping to raise a whopping (drum roll please)…. £50,082.83! The money raised is invaluable to the work of Cancerkin and will allow us to continue offering the standards of service we provide our patients well into 2011. We are still a little way off the money raised last year, so if you have not sent in your sponsorship money yet then please send it in as soon as possible to: Lauren Newton, The Cancerkin Centre, The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG.
Santy Parbhoo would also like to thank all the supporters who sponsored him personally to complete the walk, raising just over £10,000. It was a great day and he was very pleased at the turn out of so many of his past patients and all the Cancerkin supporters. A final thank you for an incredible fundraising effort and a fantastic walk!
Generosity at its best…
It would be amiss of us to acknowledge all the hard work of our Hyde Park Walkers without making a special mention to Lisa Reynolds who over the past couple of months has raised a fantastic total of £5,002.50 for Cancerkin in memory of her late mum Sue Reynolds. Sue suffered with breast cancer for over 20 years but remained active and positive throughout her illness - raising over £8,000 for The Royal Free and Cancerkin alike through the organisation of her own fundraising initiatives. Sadly Sue lost her battle with breast cancer in May 2009, falling just £2,000 short of the £10,000 fundraising target she had set herself. In honour of her mother Lisa set out to raise the remaining £2,000. Reaching that target and making an additional £3,000, Lisa’s efforts have taken her and her mum’s fundraising total to over £13,000. CONGRATUALATIONS LISA! We would like to commend Lisa & Sue on their fundraising achievements and generosity. The money they raised will be put towards helping women like Sue, here at the Cancerkin Centre. If you would like to make a donation towards Lisa’s cause please visit her JustGiving site here.
In The News….
Nicotine linked to breast cancer…
Examining 276 samples from human breast cancer tumours, researchers at Taipei Medical University have discovered that the breast cancer cells had large numbers of receptors to which the nicotine was able to attach- in comparison to the number of receptors in normal cells. The researchers also found that treating normal cells with nicotine promoted the development of cancer characteristics.
The research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, isolated the nicotine in cigarettes from the other carcinogenic chemicals which are known to be damaging. The results suggest that nicotine itself now has links with cancer calling into question the use of nicotine gum, patches and inhalers, used by many smokers as an aid to quit.
Dr Ilona Linnoila, from the Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute, writes that the study "suggests not only that smoking could be causally related to breast carcinogenesis but also that nicotine could directly contribute to the molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis in addition to indirectly contributing by promoting addiction to smoking."
Read the full article here.
Are you entitled to Employment and Support Allowance benefits…?
The Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) is asking people living with breast cancer to take part in a new online survey which aims to find out more about their experience of claiming benefits.
The survey takes around 15 minutes and asks a variety of questions including if you have ever claimed Employment and Support Allowance – the new benefit for people who cannot work due to ill health or disability. The survey also asks questions about Housing Benefit and Disability Living Allowance to find out more about how people use these benefits.
The DBC, which is organising the survey, represents over 30 charities and other organisations, including Leonard Cheshire Disability, Arthritis Care and Breast Cancer Care.
The survey’s findings will be used to help the Government better understand the impact changes to benefits like Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance and Housing Benefit will have on disabled people.
If you would like to take part in the survey please visit the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/dbcsurvey -
Lauren Newton 20th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Friday 27 August 2010
Friday 20 August 2010
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
A fond farewell to Jean…
This week Cancerkin were hit with the sad news that our receptionist Jean Hafezi will be moving on to pastures new. We would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work over the years and wish her the very best of luck with her future endeavours. We know that she will be sorely missed by both the patients and staff here at Cancerkin.
Hyde Park Walk winners…
Congratulations to Susan Glasser, Linda Cohen and Philippa Drew who were our top 3 fundraisers for this year’s Hyde Park Walk. Sue’s gold winning total was £3014.14, Linda managed to raise a total of £2586.58, closely followed by Philippa with £2234.51. Between them their efforts will make a valuable contribution to Cancerkin’s work this year. In reward, they will each receive an indulgent basket of goodies, kindly donated by Floris. We would also like to mention Hilary Presky and Rochelle and Carly Landau who just missed out on the prizes raising £1762.07 and £1540.22 respectively. These figures account for any fees we had to pay to Justgiving (the online donation portal) but do not include the returns we made from donations that had been gift aided.
If these women have inspired you and you would like to do some independent fundraising on behalf of Cancerkin please contact Lauren Newton for some help and guidance. Otherwise, let these fantastic results be targets for next years walk: T- minus 10 months and counting!
In The News….
America on brink of revoking advanced breast cancer drug…
Amid the frequent debates about America’s health care reforms, there has been a niggling question of how much the state should spend on new and expensive treatments. Enter, Avastin the world’s best selling cancer drug which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 for use on women with advanced level breast cancer. The draw backs? Well it costs £5,000 a month and in the US is currently used by 17,500 women each year. Approval for the drug came after a study found that by preventing blood flow to tumours the drug extended the time the disease took to worsen by up to 5 months. However, a more recent study has suggested that it may not extend a life for this period–not even for an extra month. The FDA advisory panel have thus voted 12-1 to stop endorsing the drug as a breast cancer treatment method, citing ‘effectiveness’ as a factor in question. However, with health reforms looming – where the government will help the poorer American citizens with health insurance, it has been suggested that ‘cost effectiveness’ has a role to play in the FDA’s decision. Whatever the reason, it is likely that if the approval of the drug is revoked, US insurers would stop paying for Avastin.
In the UK the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently reviewing whether Avastin should be available on the NHS for woman with breast cancer that has spread. A spokeswoman said: "We will continue to investigate the treatment regardless of the FDA decision”.
FDA have said that when reviewing drugs for approval they are only charged with looking at their health risks and benefits, not cost effectiveness. It usually follows advisory panel recommendations. A final decision will be announced on Sept 17. Read the full story here.
Pink in the Premier league..?
Well okay, its not quite the premier league but Harrogate Town FC have made big steps in philanthropic giving this week, unveiling a specially designed pink kit in hope of raising awareness and money for breast cancer. The words ‘Breast Cancer Support’ are displayed on the back of the kit, which will be worn on all away games. Janet O’Brien, a member of Harrogate Hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit praised the club’s efforts within the community saying, "They have made a huge commitment in terms of drawing attention to the condition and treatment of breast cancer by making a wonderful gesture…which will no doubt raise lots of attention and create lots of comment." Harrogate’s own Chief Executive, Alan Williams is no stranger to the disease, as his wife Jean has suffered with breast cancer for the last 10 years. With many clubs and their players hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons perhaps its time the premiership took a look at the commendable efforts from small town teams! We wish Harrogate Town FC the best of luck in all their away games.
Read the full story here.
Lauren Newton 20th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin News…
A fond farewell to Jean…
This week Cancerkin were hit with the sad news that our receptionist Jean Hafezi will be moving on to pastures new. We would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work over the years and wish her the very best of luck with her future endeavours. We know that she will be sorely missed by both the patients and staff here at Cancerkin.
Hyde Park Walk winners…
Congratulations to Susan Glasser, Linda Cohen and Philippa Drew who were our top 3 fundraisers for this year’s Hyde Park Walk. Sue’s gold winning total was £3014.14, Linda managed to raise a total of £2586.58, closely followed by Philippa with £2234.51. Between them their efforts will make a valuable contribution to Cancerkin’s work this year. In reward, they will each receive an indulgent basket of goodies, kindly donated by Floris. We would also like to mention Hilary Presky and Rochelle and Carly Landau who just missed out on the prizes raising £1762.07 and £1540.22 respectively. These figures account for any fees we had to pay to Justgiving (the online donation portal) but do not include the returns we made from donations that had been gift aided.
If these women have inspired you and you would like to do some independent fundraising on behalf of Cancerkin please contact Lauren Newton for some help and guidance. Otherwise, let these fantastic results be targets for next years walk: T- minus 10 months and counting!
In The News….
America on brink of revoking advanced breast cancer drug…
Amid the frequent debates about America’s health care reforms, there has been a niggling question of how much the state should spend on new and expensive treatments. Enter, Avastin the world’s best selling cancer drug which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 for use on women with advanced level breast cancer. The draw backs? Well it costs £5,000 a month and in the US is currently used by 17,500 women each year. Approval for the drug came after a study found that by preventing blood flow to tumours the drug extended the time the disease took to worsen by up to 5 months. However, a more recent study has suggested that it may not extend a life for this period–not even for an extra month. The FDA advisory panel have thus voted 12-1 to stop endorsing the drug as a breast cancer treatment method, citing ‘effectiveness’ as a factor in question. However, with health reforms looming – where the government will help the poorer American citizens with health insurance, it has been suggested that ‘cost effectiveness’ has a role to play in the FDA’s decision. Whatever the reason, it is likely that if the approval of the drug is revoked, US insurers would stop paying for Avastin.
In the UK the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently reviewing whether Avastin should be available on the NHS for woman with breast cancer that has spread. A spokeswoman said: "We will continue to investigate the treatment regardless of the FDA decision”.
FDA have said that when reviewing drugs for approval they are only charged with looking at their health risks and benefits, not cost effectiveness. It usually follows advisory panel recommendations. A final decision will be announced on Sept 17. Read the full story here.
Pink in the Premier league..?
Well okay, its not quite the premier league but Harrogate Town FC have made big steps in philanthropic giving this week, unveiling a specially designed pink kit in hope of raising awareness and money for breast cancer. The words ‘Breast Cancer Support’ are displayed on the back of the kit, which will be worn on all away games. Janet O’Brien, a member of Harrogate Hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit praised the club’s efforts within the community saying, "They have made a huge commitment in terms of drawing attention to the condition and treatment of breast cancer by making a wonderful gesture…which will no doubt raise lots of attention and create lots of comment." Harrogate’s own Chief Executive, Alan Williams is no stranger to the disease, as his wife Jean has suffered with breast cancer for the last 10 years. With many clubs and their players hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons perhaps its time the premiership took a look at the commendable efforts from small town teams! We wish Harrogate Town FC the best of luck in all their away games.
Read the full story here.
Lauren Newton 20th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Monday 16 August 2010
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
Internship programme…
Nearly one year ago, Cancerkin launched its first internship programme, taking on 3 young interns to help around the office and launch some new initiatives. Now Asini, Habeeb and Lauren are well and truly settled in, we are doing it again! During September and October we are looking to recruit 4 more interns into the roles of: East London Project Intern, Events and Fundraising Intern, Research Intern and Administrator/Office Manager Intern. The roles have been advertised on university websites and with the Government Graduate Talent Pool. If you know of anyone who would be interested in any of these roles, or would like more information please email l.newton@cancerkin.org. A job description of each of the roles can be found by navigating to the ‘jobs with us’ section which is located in ‘about us’ in the menu on the left hand side.
In The News….
Breast cancer rates in the UK are falling…
This week has seen many articles reporting on the positives of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in the UK. Firstly there was the news that breast cancer rates have fallen faster in the UK, since the 1980s, than in any other major European county. Following this a group of researchers have challenged claims that survival rates in the UK are worse than anywhere else in Western Europe. Studying mortality rates in 30 different countries, the researchers have said that the UK’s apparently poor survival rates are misleading because of the way cancer patients are registered, whereas population-based mortality rates are more reliable.
Anna Gavin, a public health consultant for the National Cancer Intelligence Network and one of the report's authors, said: "Despite the fact that the number of cases are going up, and the population is getting older, deaths have still fallen”. In the report, published online at the British Medical Journal, Gavin accounts the fall in death rates to the large investment in the way breast cancer services have been organised, alongside improved awareness and screening and better treatments.
Professors Beral and Peto from Oxford University agreed with the studying telling the British Medical Journal that “death rates are a better guide to how the UK is doing because incomplete data makes survival rates seem significantly worse than they really are…In contrast with death registration, cancer registration is not statutory in the UK and is known to be somewhat incomplete,"
To read the full report, including more detailed stats of Britain and Europe’s breast cancer treatment please click here.
Western lifestyle takes a bashing….
Scientists from the World Cancer Research Fund announced this week that the Western lifestyle plays a large role in the rise of breast cancer among British women. Theories on why certain women get breast cancer have been well debated throughout history, excessive eating and drinking, smoking, the pill and a lack of exercise have all been attributed to the rise in breast cancer diagnosis. With so many do’s and don’ts it can be hard to know what to look out for. The Daily Mail, in co-ordination with Dr Moffat, a health information manager with Cancer Research UK published an article this week that assesses the significance of each known risk factor. The lengthy article addresses each ‘theory’ with an ‘expert advice’ and aims to divide the myths and superstitions around breast cancer from the facts and figures. The relation between house cleaning products, HRT, anti-perspirants, underwired bras, (to name a few), and breast cancer are all discussed.
To take a look at the results and swat up on the real risks of breast cancer click here.
Sisterly love…
This mornings (Friday) Metro ran a tender story about 54-year-old twin sisters Judith Brownhill and Heather Mole who were have both been diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, this is where the similarities end as whilst Judith has been given the all clear, Heather is terminally ill. Speaking with bravery and heart, Heather said this of hearing the news that her sister was going to survive, ‘It was wonderful news when she told me she was going to be okay..It’s strange, but it felt like a relief as much as anything, as I knew she would be there for my son when I’m gone’. This is the second diagnosis for Judith and Heather, who both overcame cancer earlier in life.
Their story was on page 33 of the Metro Friday 13th August.
Lauren Newton 13th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin News…
Internship programme…
Nearly one year ago, Cancerkin launched its first internship programme, taking on 3 young interns to help around the office and launch some new initiatives. Now Asini, Habeeb and Lauren are well and truly settled in, we are doing it again! During September and October we are looking to recruit 4 more interns into the roles of: East London Project Intern, Events and Fundraising Intern, Research Intern and Administrator/Office Manager Intern. The roles have been advertised on university websites and with the Government Graduate Talent Pool. If you know of anyone who would be interested in any of these roles, or would like more information please email l.newton@cancerkin.org. A job description of each of the roles can be found by navigating to the ‘jobs with us’ section which is located in ‘about us’ in the menu on the left hand side.
In The News….
Breast cancer rates in the UK are falling…
This week has seen many articles reporting on the positives of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in the UK. Firstly there was the news that breast cancer rates have fallen faster in the UK, since the 1980s, than in any other major European county. Following this a group of researchers have challenged claims that survival rates in the UK are worse than anywhere else in Western Europe. Studying mortality rates in 30 different countries, the researchers have said that the UK’s apparently poor survival rates are misleading because of the way cancer patients are registered, whereas population-based mortality rates are more reliable.
Anna Gavin, a public health consultant for the National Cancer Intelligence Network and one of the report's authors, said: "Despite the fact that the number of cases are going up, and the population is getting older, deaths have still fallen”. In the report, published online at the British Medical Journal, Gavin accounts the fall in death rates to the large investment in the way breast cancer services have been organised, alongside improved awareness and screening and better treatments.
Professors Beral and Peto from Oxford University agreed with the studying telling the British Medical Journal that “death rates are a better guide to how the UK is doing because incomplete data makes survival rates seem significantly worse than they really are…In contrast with death registration, cancer registration is not statutory in the UK and is known to be somewhat incomplete,"
To read the full report, including more detailed stats of Britain and Europe’s breast cancer treatment please click here.
Western lifestyle takes a bashing….
Scientists from the World Cancer Research Fund announced this week that the Western lifestyle plays a large role in the rise of breast cancer among British women. Theories on why certain women get breast cancer have been well debated throughout history, excessive eating and drinking, smoking, the pill and a lack of exercise have all been attributed to the rise in breast cancer diagnosis. With so many do’s and don’ts it can be hard to know what to look out for. The Daily Mail, in co-ordination with Dr Moffat, a health information manager with Cancer Research UK published an article this week that assesses the significance of each known risk factor. The lengthy article addresses each ‘theory’ with an ‘expert advice’ and aims to divide the myths and superstitions around breast cancer from the facts and figures. The relation between house cleaning products, HRT, anti-perspirants, underwired bras, (to name a few), and breast cancer are all discussed.
To take a look at the results and swat up on the real risks of breast cancer click here.
Sisterly love…
This mornings (Friday) Metro ran a tender story about 54-year-old twin sisters Judith Brownhill and Heather Mole who were have both been diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, this is where the similarities end as whilst Judith has been given the all clear, Heather is terminally ill. Speaking with bravery and heart, Heather said this of hearing the news that her sister was going to survive, ‘It was wonderful news when she told me she was going to be okay..It’s strange, but it felt like a relief as much as anything, as I knew she would be there for my son when I’m gone’. This is the second diagnosis for Judith and Heather, who both overcame cancer earlier in life.
Their story was on page 33 of the Metro Friday 13th August.
Lauren Newton 13th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk Sponsorship: Prize deadline drawing near…
This year Floris very kindly donated a set of prizes to Cancerkin to be awarded to the top three fundraisers from this years Hyde Park Walk. Next Friday, the 13th August, Cancerkin will be adding up all the donations to see which of our loyal supporters has raised the most! To be in with a chance of winning you MUST send your sponsorship in to the Cancerkin Centre before this date. Any sponsorship raised online via the JustGiving site will also be included. Further sponsorship or donations for the Hyde Park Walk will be accepted after this date, however your contributions will not be considered for the Floris prize giving. So don’t miss out- send in all your sponsorship today!
An intern down…
One of our summer interns, Guy Mollett recently completed his month long internship with the Cancerkin Centre. His help was invaluable and we wish him the best of luck for the rest of his academic studies.
In The News….
How the blogosphere is helping young people come to terms with cancer diagnosis...
In recent months we have covered many stories highlighting the growth in cancer diagnosis among the young. Research conducted by the Teenage Cancer Trust published in The Guardian this week showed how the digital revolution, with its blogospheres and social networking sights (such as Facebook and Twitter), are being used more and more by the younger generation as a support system for dealing with their diagnosis. Focusing on how ‘blogging’ has allowed individuals, specifically cancer sufferers, to express their emotions and feelings in an open and frank way, the article touches a nerve with the kind of things these young people are dealing with.
24 year old Kristin Hallenga from Northamptonshire who suffers from secondary breast cancer says ‘the blog is a place where I don't have to hold back, I can be open and honest. I might say things on there that I wouldn't necessarily say directly to my mum, sisters or anyone else. It helps me to vent a little about how I might be feeling. I share what it is like going through breast cancer’. Hallenga’s blog also raises awareness of other contentious issues and signs of cancer that may encourage other women to seek earlier checking. For instance she discusses how her own Grandmother’s cancer was not ‘classed as a strong family history to be taken consideration by doctors; though it should have been’.
Cancerkin has long recognised the need individuals have to talk about how they are feeling regarding their treatment in a non-patronising or intrusive way. Our one-to-one sessions with experienced patients and general support services are always available to anyone who may need it. However, if you feel that Cancerkin would benefit from helping support our patients in other ways, do let us know - we are always keen to improve our services. Alternatively if you are patient who has set up their own blogosphere or other support mechanism, please get in contact - you never know who you may help or inspire with your own words!
To read Kristin’s story in full along with the other young people featured in the article please click here. Following this link will also direct you to the address of the young people’s blogsites.
Is early breast screening really harming women?
The UK’s national breast screening programme which tests almost 2 million women a year has recently been called into question. An article published in The Independent this week, reports on a recent review of the current system which suggests that the costs and benefits have not been balanced well enough stating: ‘the harms of over diagnosis followed by unnecessary treatment and suffering, have never been properly weighted against each other’.
Supporters of the breast screening programme, which currently provides mammograms to all women between the ages of 50-70 (due to change to those aged 47-73 by 2012), says that for every 2 women’s whose lives it saves, 1 will receive unnecessary treatment. For most, this numerical reasoning would surely suggest that the earlier the screening the better. However, many critics dispute this figure, instead suggesting that for everyone 1 woman saved, up to 10 other women undergo unnecessary treatment - some even including a mastectomy.
The dispute was widely publicised during March of this year when the British Medical Journal published a paper which showed that breast cancer related deaths had fallen faster in areas where there was no breast screening than in those where screening was readily available. Professor McPherson, public health epidemiologist of Oxford University, says that by looking at US figures breast screening reduces death rates by 14% in the under 60s and by 32% in the under 70s; figures which he says are of "marginal statistical significance".
Professor McPherson, citing US evidence, says that breast screening reduces the death rate by 14 per cent in the under-60s, which is of "marginal statistical significance", and by 32 per cent in the under-70s. But even this is a small benefit because at age 60 the risk of death from breast cancer over the next 15 years is just 1.2 per cent – 259 women in the UK would have to be screened to avoid one death. McPherson has thus concluded that "Individual benefit from mammography is very small, but not widely understood”, and demands more transparency from the NHS about such scientific uncertainties. Sarah Sellars, director of the NHS Breast Screening Programme responded saying: "The vast majority of evidence from properly conducted research clearly shows that regular mammography reduces deaths from breast cancer. The World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that there is a 35 per cent reduction in mortality from breast cancer among regularly screened women aged 50-69 years old.
To read the full article and look further at the risks and benefits of breast screening please click here.
Lauren Newton 4th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk Sponsorship: Prize deadline drawing near…
This year Floris very kindly donated a set of prizes to Cancerkin to be awarded to the top three fundraisers from this years Hyde Park Walk. Next Friday, the 13th August, Cancerkin will be adding up all the donations to see which of our loyal supporters has raised the most! To be in with a chance of winning you MUST send your sponsorship in to the Cancerkin Centre before this date. Any sponsorship raised online via the JustGiving site will also be included. Further sponsorship or donations for the Hyde Park Walk will be accepted after this date, however your contributions will not be considered for the Floris prize giving. So don’t miss out- send in all your sponsorship today!
An intern down…
One of our summer interns, Guy Mollett recently completed his month long internship with the Cancerkin Centre. His help was invaluable and we wish him the best of luck for the rest of his academic studies.
In The News….
How the blogosphere is helping young people come to terms with cancer diagnosis...
In recent months we have covered many stories highlighting the growth in cancer diagnosis among the young. Research conducted by the Teenage Cancer Trust published in The Guardian this week showed how the digital revolution, with its blogospheres and social networking sights (such as Facebook and Twitter), are being used more and more by the younger generation as a support system for dealing with their diagnosis. Focusing on how ‘blogging’ has allowed individuals, specifically cancer sufferers, to express their emotions and feelings in an open and frank way, the article touches a nerve with the kind of things these young people are dealing with.
24 year old Kristin Hallenga from Northamptonshire who suffers from secondary breast cancer says ‘the blog is a place where I don't have to hold back, I can be open and honest. I might say things on there that I wouldn't necessarily say directly to my mum, sisters or anyone else. It helps me to vent a little about how I might be feeling. I share what it is like going through breast cancer’. Hallenga’s blog also raises awareness of other contentious issues and signs of cancer that may encourage other women to seek earlier checking. For instance she discusses how her own Grandmother’s cancer was not ‘classed as a strong family history to be taken consideration by doctors; though it should have been’.
Cancerkin has long recognised the need individuals have to talk about how they are feeling regarding their treatment in a non-patronising or intrusive way. Our one-to-one sessions with experienced patients and general support services are always available to anyone who may need it. However, if you feel that Cancerkin would benefit from helping support our patients in other ways, do let us know - we are always keen to improve our services. Alternatively if you are patient who has set up their own blogosphere or other support mechanism, please get in contact - you never know who you may help or inspire with your own words!
To read Kristin’s story in full along with the other young people featured in the article please click here. Following this link will also direct you to the address of the young people’s blogsites.
Is early breast screening really harming women?
The UK’s national breast screening programme which tests almost 2 million women a year has recently been called into question. An article published in The Independent this week, reports on a recent review of the current system which suggests that the costs and benefits have not been balanced well enough stating: ‘the harms of over diagnosis followed by unnecessary treatment and suffering, have never been properly weighted against each other’.
Supporters of the breast screening programme, which currently provides mammograms to all women between the ages of 50-70 (due to change to those aged 47-73 by 2012), says that for every 2 women’s whose lives it saves, 1 will receive unnecessary treatment. For most, this numerical reasoning would surely suggest that the earlier the screening the better. However, many critics dispute this figure, instead suggesting that for everyone 1 woman saved, up to 10 other women undergo unnecessary treatment - some even including a mastectomy.
The dispute was widely publicised during March of this year when the British Medical Journal published a paper which showed that breast cancer related deaths had fallen faster in areas where there was no breast screening than in those where screening was readily available. Professor McPherson, public health epidemiologist of Oxford University, says that by looking at US figures breast screening reduces death rates by 14% in the under 60s and by 32% in the under 70s; figures which he says are of "marginal statistical significance".
Professor McPherson, citing US evidence, says that breast screening reduces the death rate by 14 per cent in the under-60s, which is of "marginal statistical significance", and by 32 per cent in the under-70s. But even this is a small benefit because at age 60 the risk of death from breast cancer over the next 15 years is just 1.2 per cent – 259 women in the UK would have to be screened to avoid one death. McPherson has thus concluded that "Individual benefit from mammography is very small, but not widely understood”, and demands more transparency from the NHS about such scientific uncertainties. Sarah Sellars, director of the NHS Breast Screening Programme responded saying: "The vast majority of evidence from properly conducted research clearly shows that regular mammography reduces deaths from breast cancer. The World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that there is a 35 per cent reduction in mortality from breast cancer among regularly screened women aged 50-69 years old.
To read the full article and look further at the risks and benefits of breast screening please click here.
Lauren Newton 4th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
A roaring success…
Saturday evening marked the long awaited arrival of our summer fundraiser; a performance of La Boheme at the Soho Theatre London. With a full house, a champagne and canapés reception followed by a cutting edge adaptation of an opera classic, the evening was a success all round. We would like to thank everyone who attended and made the event what it was. Congratulations to Juliet Wheldon who won a box at the English National Opera in our raffle. Thank you also to all of you who made a donation towards this cause- it is greatly appreciated! Be sure to keep an eye out on the website for a full report on how the evening went and how much was raised.
Internet problems
Technology failed Cancerkin this week with the whole office grinding to a halt after our BT broadband stopped working on last Monday. The problems lasted throughout the week until BT fixed the problem at their exchange over the weekend, consequently we may not have received your emails last week. Thankfully, as of yesterday morning Cancerkin’s internet was restored allowing us to receive and send our emails as well as updating our database. We are sorry if we didn’t return emails or for any inconvenience caused.
Cancerkin’s East London Project update…
As we mentioned last month, Cancerkin have started running monthly free complementary therapy sessions in East London. Today, we held our second successful session at St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney with over 30 women from all over East London benefiting from the range of complementary therapies. The day consisted of one-to-one therapy sessions of Reflexology, Reiki and Soul Therapy and group sessions of Art Therapy and a demo session of a Look Good Feel Better workshop.
Cancerkin has not worked alone in its East London outreach and would like to thank the Newham, Homerton, St Bartholomew and Whipps Cross hospitals and our local partner organisations for all their support in making this session a success.
In The News….
Cleaning Products
New research this week has shown that regularly using household cleaning products and air fresheners increases the risk of breast cancer by up to 110%. The study of 1508 women, 787 of whom were diagnosed with breast cancer, asked them to recall how often and what sorts of household products they used. Tests have shown that cleaning products often contain chemicals which are linked to cancer; however these links have never been proved. More research is needed to prove the findings which are being questioned due to the way in which the results were obtained. The women with cancer may have been more accurate or even over exaggerate their use of these products as they search for a reason for their illness. Read the full story here.
Abortion
In the 1st July issue of ‘On the pulse’, we published a link to a story written in the Daily Mail about whether abortions are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. In response, our Medical Director, consultant breast surgeon Tim Davidson, has drawn our attention to an article he wrote in ‘The Lancet’. In this article he examines the published evidence supporting and refuting this hypothesis and concludes that there is, to date, insufficient evidence to justify warning women of future breast cancer risk when counselling them about abortion. The full article will be placed on the Cancerkin website during the next week.
Cancerkin News…
A roaring success…
Saturday evening marked the long awaited arrival of our summer fundraiser; a performance of La Boheme at the Soho Theatre London. With a full house, a champagne and canapés reception followed by a cutting edge adaptation of an opera classic, the evening was a success all round. We would like to thank everyone who attended and made the event what it was. Congratulations to Juliet Wheldon who won a box at the English National Opera in our raffle. Thank you also to all of you who made a donation towards this cause- it is greatly appreciated! Be sure to keep an eye out on the website for a full report on how the evening went and how much was raised.
Internet problems
Technology failed Cancerkin this week with the whole office grinding to a halt after our BT broadband stopped working on last Monday. The problems lasted throughout the week until BT fixed the problem at their exchange over the weekend, consequently we may not have received your emails last week. Thankfully, as of yesterday morning Cancerkin’s internet was restored allowing us to receive and send our emails as well as updating our database. We are sorry if we didn’t return emails or for any inconvenience caused.
Cancerkin’s East London Project update…
As we mentioned last month, Cancerkin have started running monthly free complementary therapy sessions in East London. Today, we held our second successful session at St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney with over 30 women from all over East London benefiting from the range of complementary therapies. The day consisted of one-to-one therapy sessions of Reflexology, Reiki and Soul Therapy and group sessions of Art Therapy and a demo session of a Look Good Feel Better workshop.
Cancerkin has not worked alone in its East London outreach and would like to thank the Newham, Homerton, St Bartholomew and Whipps Cross hospitals and our local partner organisations for all their support in making this session a success.
In The News….
Cleaning Products
New research this week has shown that regularly using household cleaning products and air fresheners increases the risk of breast cancer by up to 110%. The study of 1508 women, 787 of whom were diagnosed with breast cancer, asked them to recall how often and what sorts of household products they used. Tests have shown that cleaning products often contain chemicals which are linked to cancer; however these links have never been proved. More research is needed to prove the findings which are being questioned due to the way in which the results were obtained. The women with cancer may have been more accurate or even over exaggerate their use of these products as they search for a reason for their illness. Read the full story here.
Abortion
In the 1st July issue of ‘On the pulse’, we published a link to a story written in the Daily Mail about whether abortions are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. In response, our Medical Director, consultant breast surgeon Tim Davidson, has drawn our attention to an article he wrote in ‘The Lancet’. In this article he examines the published evidence supporting and refuting this hypothesis and concludes that there is, to date, insufficient evidence to justify warning women of future breast cancer risk when counselling them about abortion. The full article will be placed on the Cancerkin website during the next week.
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