On the pulse

Cancerkin’s News…

Message from Victoria....


Dear Supporters and Friends

Wishing you all a scrumptious Festive Season and much joy in the New Year from us all (left to right Henry, Victoria, Habeeb, Asini and Laura). It has been another wonderful year with so much to thank you all for. I am so lucky to have the most dedicated, hard working staff, all of whom have a great sense of humour and the most supportive Trustees. A big thank you also to all of you who came through our doors to enjoy our services. Every one of you have had the most positive effect on us all and have inspired us to do more to make Cancerkin an even more inviting sanctuary in 2011. I look forward to returning in the New Year to work with you all and continue to grow Cancerkin.

With my very best wishes

Victoria

Art Classes

Cancerkin is pleased to welcome Milena Petrova who will be conducting 4 introductory art workshops in January next year. These workshops aim to be a liberating experience for patients where they can discover the freedom to explore their creativity. The workshops will be held on Tuesdays at 11am-12.45pm on 18th January, 25th January, 1st February and 8th February. No previous art experience is necessary.

If you would like to book a place at the workshops or require additional information, please contact our office manager, Habeeb on 020 7830 2323 or at h.ahmed@cancerkin.org.uk.

Finally, please note that the Cancerkin Centre is closed from Friday 24th December to Monday 3rd January inclusive.

In the news…

Radiotherapy effective for women with DCIS…

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer. It occurs when cells in the ducts of the breast have become cancerous but do not spread to the surrounding breast tissue or to other parts of the body. The survival rate of this kind of breast cancer following treatment is high at around 98 percent but the risk of DCIS recurrence, development of an invasive breast cancer, or development of a new cancer in the other breast remains. A new study, known as the UK, Australia and New Zealand (UK/ANZ) DCIS trial, has found that the use of radiotherapy after surgery may significantly reduce the risk of developing invasive breast cancer for such women. The study furthermore found that tamoxifen after surgery may protect against the risk of breast cancer development in the other breast.

The study recruited 1,710 women between 1990 and 1998 and followed their progress over a long period of time. In terms of radiotherapy after surgery, the study’s most recent results found that the risk of new invasive breast cancer in the same breast fell by 70 percent, the risk of DCIS returning fell by 60 percent, but the risk of developing a new cancer in the opposite breast was unaltered. Meanwhile, tamoxifen did not affect the risk of developing invasive breast cancer in the same breast as the original DCIS, but did reduce the risk of DCIS recurrence by 30 percent and the risk of a cancer developing in the other breast by 65 percent. However, it seemed that women who received treatment by tamoxifen in addition to radiotherapy did not gain further benefits.

Kate Law, Cancer Research UK's director of clinical research, said of the study’s latest findings: "These important trial results prove that a small but significant number of women may benefit from radiotherapy after surgery to reduce the risk of their DCIS coming back or developing into invasive cancer. Modern radiotherapy is a cornerstone of today's cancer treatment and in fact helps cure more people of the disease than cancer drugs.”

To read more about the study, please click here..


Victoria Todd & the Cancerkin Team

On the pulse

Cancerkin’s News…

Season’s greetings…

I have been working on our weekly editions of On the Pulse now for almost three months and would like to take this chance to thank you for the all the positive feedback I have so far received. It is encouraging to hear that so many of you enjoy reading our newsletter and your comments and suggestions are always gratefully received. If you would like to get in touch, you can contact me at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk. As I will be away next week, I will be leaving On the pulse in the trusted hands of the Cancerkin team until I return on 4th January. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Tombola extravaganza…

As you will know, we held our annual Christmas Tombola at the Royal Free last Friday. The event was a huge success and exceeded all expectations, as, with the help of Cancerkin’s fabulous team of volunteers, we were able to more than meet our target. Hundreds of patients and staff from around the hospital took part, along with many of Cancerkin’s supporter, with over 100 lucky winners taking home a prize.

We would like to say a big thank you to those who volunteered to help out on the stall and collected money – we could not have done it without you. A huge thank you also to all those who donated prizes to Cancerkin – without such generosity the event would not have been such a hit. Thank you all!


In the news…


New discovery in breast cancer genetics…

Of the 45,700 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year, 30,000 will have hormone-sensitive breast cancers. Scientists at Cancer Research UK have recently made important developments in the understanding of this type of breast cancer, having identified a single gene, known as FOXA1, which controls the growth of breast cancer cells fuelled by the hormone oestrogen.

The research used a technique called ChIP-sequencing to reveal FOXA1 to be the gene that allows oestrogen receptors to interact with the DNA inside breast cancer cell. This in turn switches on the genes that stimulate unchecked cell growth. In breast cancer cells lacking the FOXA1, these genes were not activated.

The discovery of the FOXA1 gene may have important implications for women with ER positive breast cancer and who do not respond to the hormone treatment Tamoxifen. The drug is one of the most effective treatments for oestrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer and works by blocking the oestrogen receptors in some, but not all, breast cancer cells. Around a third of those who take the drug will not respond to it or will develop a resistance to it over time. Lead author Dr Jason Carroll said of the discovery: “this is exciting because it suggests that developing drugs to block FOXA1 could provide an effective treatment for women with ER positive breast cancers who have become resistant to standard hormone treatments, like tamoxifen.” Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK, said: “We know that some women with breast cancer stop responding to tamoxifen, making them more prone to relapsing. This important discovery could one day lead to new drugs that help improve the outcome for these patients.”

To read more about this fascinating research, please click here.


Laura Smith 17th December 2010
l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk

On the pulse

Cancerkin’s News….

Christmas Tombola this Friday…

The final preparations for our Tombola are now being made ready for this Friday, 10th December. We have had a fantastic response to our appeal for volunteers and donations, with now over a hundred prizes to be won. These range from meals out and cinema tickets to cosmetics and Belgian chocolates. We will also be selling Cancerkin Christmas cards, make-up, books and more. We hope to see as many of you as possible at the stall, which will be open from 10am to 4pm by the Atrium at the Royal Free.

Yoga and Dance classes reminder …

All those who are interested in attending our final trial session of Kundalini yoga and Nia technique dance should note that the Yoga class will take place at 11am with Dance Therapy following at 12pm on Monday 13th December 2010.

Kundalini yoga is a powerful practice where your body is gently stretched and toned, inducing deep relaxation and including postures and meditations specifically for women. The Nia Technique is an expressive, dance-based movement form that is an exhilarating treat for body, mind and soul. Absolutely no experience is necessary and all those who have attended so far have very much enjoyed the classes. To reserve your place, please email Laura at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk or call 020 7830 2323.

In the news…

Cancer, food, drink and smoking

For many years now, it has been a widely accepted notion that eating your ‘five-a-day’ fruit and veg will help ward off cancer. The idea of “cancer-fighting” fruit and vegetables has been developing since the 1970’s, when early studies into the food group yielded positive results. However, a review of research conducted over the past decade into the effects of eating increased amounts of fruit and vegetables has concluded that such a diet will have little impact on cancer risk. It is not eating more fruit and veg, but cutting down on alcohol and smoking that will really help to reduce overall risk, the review has concluded.

Professor Tim Key, of Cancer Research UK, reviewed evidence found by large, high-quality studies know as “cohort-studies,” involving more than a million people collectively. These studies ask a wide range of healthy individuals to record their diets over a long period of time and analyse which individuals go on to develop cancer, rather than examining the diet of those who already have cancer, as in much earlier “case-control studies”. Prof Key focused on four recent major studies into the impact of fruit and vegetables on overall risk, as well as reviewing evidence about mouth, throat, stomach, bowel, lung, prostate and breast cancer risk. Results pointed to little or no impact on the risk of developing these types of cancer. Prof Key also highlighted that, after smoking, the two biggest cancer risks were being overweight and drinking alcohol.

Although the review may change our opinions towards what were previously considered as “cancer-fighting” foods, it should not change our attitude towards eating fruit and veg. They do of course contain nutrients needed for good health, can help us to maintain a healthy weight and can play an important role in protecting against high blood pressure and coronary disease. What Prof. Key’s review emphasises is that healthy living – that is decreasing alcohol intake, not smoking and eating adequate amounts of fruit and vegetable as part of a balanced diet – is what is most important in the fight against cancer.

For more on this subject, please click here to read an article from The Guardian, and here to read Cancer Research UK’s science blog.

Drug developments for postmenopausal women…

A new trial into anastrozole, a drug given to postmenopausal women with hormone sensitive early breast cancer, has confirmed its long-term benefits for helping stop breast cancer reoccurrence or development of cancer in the other breast. Led by Professor Jack Cuzick of Cancer Research UK at Queen Mary, University of London, the study examined over 9,000 women in 21 countries, including the UK. Each woman took either anastrozole or tamoxifen as an adjuvant treatment after surgery, to help stop their cancer coming back. Both drugs were highly effective but over a ten year period, 80 percent of patients taking anastrozole remained free of cancer, compared with 76 percent taking tamoxifen.

Anastrozole belongs to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. Earlier trials into the drugs revealed them to be the best treatment for preventing breast cancer recurrences in post-menopausal women and, in 2009 they replaced tamoxifen as the gold standard hormone treatment. Professor Cuzick said of the latest study’s results: “tamoxifen has been in use for at least 25 years and remains one of the most effective breast cancer treatments ever developed. But these results provide further support for using anastrozole as the first line treatment for postmenopausal women with hormone sensitive breast cancer, as it’s even more likely to stop the disease coming back and was better tolerated than tamoxifen.”

If you would like to read the article in full, please click here.

Laura Smith 9^th December 2010

l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk

On the pulse
Cancerkin’s News….

Inaugural Cancerkin Annual Lecture – a date for your diary!

On 28th February 2011, Cancerkin will have the honour of welcoming Professor Sir Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer at the Department of Health and UK cancer Tsar, to speak at our inaugural annual lecture in the Atrium at the Royal Free.

Appointed in October 1999, Prof Sir Richards led the development of the NHS Cancer Plan in 2000, the first comprehensive strategy to tackle cancer in England and since then has been responsible for overseeing its implementation. During 2007 he led the development of the Cancer Reform Strategy. He is also leading the development of the End of Life Care Strategy, due for publication in summer 2008.

Christmas is coming…

Our annual Christmas Tombola, on 10th December 2010 from 10am to 4pm at the Royal Free Hospital, is now just days away and we are hoping this year’s stall will be a big success. We are currently still looking for willing volunteers to help out on the day, so if you would like to get involved by working with the team or collecting money around the hospital, we would love to hear from you. Please email Laura on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk or call 020 7830 2323.

Change in schedule for Yoga and Dance…

All those who are interested in attending our trial sessions of Kundalini yoga and Nia technique dance therapy should note that classes in Yoga will now take place at 11am with Dance Therapy classes following at 12pm. The remaining sessions will take place on 6th December and 13th December 2010.

Kundalini yoga is a powerful practice where your body is gently stretched and toned, inducing deep relaxation and including postures and meditations specifically for women. The Nia Technique is an expressive, dance-based movement form that is an exhilarating treat for body, mind and soul. Absolutely no experience is necessary and everybody is warmly welcome. To reserve your place, please email Laura at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk or call 020 7830 2323.


In the news…

Annual mammograms for all women under 40?

In its previous two editions, On the pulse reported on a study into mammograms for the small group of women who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer and who are under the age of 40. This week, following results from a separate preliminary study into the affect annual screening can have on mastectomy rates, much has been written in the press arguing in favour of yearly mammograms for all women in this age group, regardless of their respective risk of breast cancer.

Researchers examined 156 patients in this age bracket who were treated for breast cancer at the private clinic London Breast Institute from 2003 to 2009. Of those who had been screened within one year, 19 percent had a mastectomy. 46 percent of those who did not have a mammogram went on to have the surgery. According to the study’s author, Dr. Nicholas Perry, more breast-sparing surgery was possible for those who had been screened, as mammograms can allow tumours to be detected at an earlier stage when they are less likely to have spread. Smaller tumours may be treated with a lumpectomy, meaning the breast can be spared. Annual screening could therefore reduce the number of mastectomies in the UK by 30%, Dr Perry estimates.

As we know, women between the ages of 50 and 70 are currently offered screening every three years in the UK but there is much discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of earlier screening. "It's always a very hot issue," Dr Perry said. "People are vehemently opposed and vehemently in support [of earlier screenings]. But just at the moment, the data is coming in that would support it." It must be noted that this study did not look at impact on survival rates in women below 50, but Dr. Perry added that earlier screening and therefore earlier detection could mean a better prognosis and longer-term survival rate. "Young women, you could argue very strongly, have the most to gain from earlier screenings, in terms of life-years gained," he said.

To read more about this issue, please click here or here.

Breast cancer facebook debate …

A controversial story about a breast cancer survivor who posted photos of operation scars on Facebook has featured heavily in the press over the past few weeks. Anna Antell, 43 from Oxfordshire, shared images of her own and other’s mastectomy scars on the social networking site in the hope of raising awareness about breast cancer. The controversy began when the photos were taken down by Facebook regulators in line with its ‘no nude images’ policy.

One of the black and white images, taken as part of an art exhibition to raise money for those suffering with breast cancer, shows Ms Antell bearing the scar tissue of her removed breast whilst covering the other. Facebook employs software to process images and allows its users to report them so as to detect any that may be unsuitable or offensive. As Ms Antell’s images contained what was considered as nudity, the photographs were taken off the site.

Facebook has now reconsidered its decision and has allowed Ms Antell to repost the album, stating it recognises the need to enforce its nudity policy sensitively and that it supports her right to share her experience with her friends. In response to this, Ms Antell said “"I think it is really good they have realised that it is a valid thing; me showing a bare shoulder and a scar is not offensive. It is important to show these images to raise awareness to show what happens.” As we have seen in the past, most notably during breast cancer awareness month, Facebook can prove a powerful tool for raising awareness. It seems a fitting forum for Ms Antell to show others what she has experienced, the results of which have certainly managed to get people talking about the disease.

To read reports from BBC News and the Daily Mail and to see the image in question, please click here or here.


Laura Smith 2nd December 2010
l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk