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