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

On the pulse

Cancerkin News…
Office wonder women…
Cancerkin would like to thank all of the women who have been giving their time to help behind the reception desk. Helping with booking appointments, welcoming patients and other administrative duties, their assistance and kindness has made a real contribution to the day to day running of the Cancerkin Centre. We are currently advertising the receptionist role and hope to have a new addition to the Cancerkin team. If you know of anyone who would be interested in the role please contact V.Todd@Cancerkin.org.uk.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month…
For those of you who may not be aware, October is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To mark the occasion a number of Cancerkin patients and supporters have generously began organising their own fundraising initiatives. On the 3rd October Gina Atherton will be swimming a mile in celebration of her 50th birthday and in hope of raising £1,000 for Cancerkin. Our resident pilates teacher Kara Dressel is also organising some fundraising yoga and pilates sessions with a number of organisations across North London. We would like to thank these women for their initiative and thinking of Cancerkin during this month. If any of you would like to organise your own fundraising drives in honour of Cancerkin during Breast Cancer Awareness Month there are plenty of things for you to do, a few ideas include: a cake sale at work; a car boot sale at the weekend; donating the proceeds of your eBay auction; own clothes day at school; Come dine with me etc.

The Cancerkin Centre have many collection cans in the office that we are hoping to distribute amongst our supports during October. If you are able to take a can to work with you and canvas support amongst your colleagues, or know of a local shop or supermarket that would be willing to hold a collection can in store during Breast Cancer Awareness Month please do get in touch with Lauren Newton l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk.

Although we will be predominantly looking to raise awareness of breast cancer and its risks during this month we are also hoping to fit in some fundraising drives as well. Like many other charities the recession has taken its toll on the number of grants and donations we receive from fundraising bodies, so we need the help of our supporters more than ever! If you would like to do something amazing for Cancerkin get in touch today. We really appreciate it all the support we receive.

In The News….
Prevent Cancer through Exercise…
Research by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has found that around 10,000 Britons each year could prevent breast or bowel cancer by exercising more regularly. Apparently even moderate exercise such as brisk walk could help reduce the risk for thousands of people. To prove beneficial the WCRF say that the activity only needs to increase an individual’s heart rate. For breast cancer specifically, the report states that around 5,000 women could avoid developing the disease by taking moderately active exercise for around 45 minutes a day.

Dr Rachel Thompson, deputy head of science for WCRF, said: "There is very strong evidence that being physically active is important for cancer prevention. You can reduce your cancer risk just by making small changes...by taking up walking as a hobby or even walking to the shops instead of taking the bus or car, people can make a real difference to their health."
Read the full article here.

Watercress - the new cancer superfood…
Research carried out at Southampton University found that volunteers, who ate 80grams of watercress, produced elevated levels of cancer-fighting molecules in their blood within 6 hours of eating. Furthermore, it was found that extracts from watercress can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. The 80gram measurement used in the research is equivalent to 1 portion of fruit/veg towards the recommended 5 a day.

The results of the pilot study suggest that not only could eating watercress help prevent the development of breast cancer but also help recovering breast cancer sufferers avoid a recurrence of the disease. If unequivocally proved, watercress will be added to the other list of cancer superfoods rich such as broccoli and cabbage.

The research, led by Professor Graham Packham from the Cancer Research UK centre at Southampton University, was reported in the British Journal of Nutrition. The researchers said: "This pilot study suggests that dietary intake of watercress may be sufficient to modulate this potential anti-cancer pathway." However, to certify the benefits of eating watercress they believe that further research will need to be done with a larger number of patients. Concentration will now fall on finding out which chemical (isothiocyanates) in watercress helped to inhibit cancer growth, as it is yet unclear.

Hazel Nunn, Cancer Research UK's health information manager, said: "Watercress may well have benefits but there's no reason to believe that it should be superior to a generally healthy, balanced diet that is high in fibre, vegetables and fruit and low in red and processed meat, salt, saturated fat and alcohol."

For more information you can read the full article here.

Lauren Newton 20th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk