On the pulse


Cancerkin’s news…


The Big Bra Auction for Cancerkin and the JCC for London

The Big Bra Auction, in aid of Cancerkin and the Jewish Community Centre for London, is now live online! Over 40 celebrities including Dame Judi Dench, Tom Conti and Gloria Hunniford have unleashed their creativity and transformed plain white bras donated by Triumph into unique works of art. The bras are now ready and waiting for your bids and will be on auction until 27th February 2011. To browse the bras and place your bid simply click here.

In the meantime, you can view the bras in person at the ‘Comedy with a Cause’ comedy evening on 21st February 2011 at the London Comedy Store. To book tickets, click here.

All proceeds from both the auction and the comedy night will go to support Cancerkin and the JCC.


Cancerkin's Inaugural Annual Lecture - 28th February 2011

As you may already be aware, Cancerkin will hold its inaugural annual lecture on Monday 28th February 2011, entitled “Tackling breast cancer in England: progress and challenges”. The charity has the honour of welcoming Professor Sir Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer at the Department of Health and UK cancer Tsar, to give the lecture and take questions from the audience.

Professor Sir Mike Richards was appointed as the first National Cancer Director in October 1999. In 2000 he led the development of the NHS Cancer Plan, the first comprehensive strategy to tackle cancer in England and was then responsible for overseeing its implementation. More recently he has led the development of the Cancer Reform Strategy and the first ever End of Life Care Strategy.

The lecture will take place in the Atrium at the Royal Free Hospital. Welcome drinks will be served from 5.30pm before the lecture begins at 6.15pm. For reservations and more information, please contact Laura Smith at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk or call 0207 830 2323.


Kundalini Yoga & Nia Technique

Following her introductory course in December, we are thrilled to announce the return of Beverley Drumm, who will be holding Yoga and Dance therapy classes on Wednesday afternoons starting next week on Wednesday 23rd February 2011. Classes in Kundalini yoga, a powerful practice where your body is gently stretched and toned, inducing deep relaxation and including postures and meditations specifically for women will take place from 1pm to 2.15pm. Classes in The Nia Technique, an expressive, dance-based movement form that is an exhilarating treat for body, mind and soul, will follow at 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Absolutely no experience is necessary and everybody is warmly welcome. To register your interest, please email Laura at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk or call 020 7830 2323


In the news…


Late breast cancer diagnosis in the elderly...

Research published this week in the British Journal of Cancer revealed that women over 70 are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a late stage, leading to lower survival from the disease in this age group. The study, funded by Cancer Research UK and based at the University of Cambridge, suggests that better access to treatment, particularly to surgery, would help improve breast cancer survival for the elderly.

The study analysed records of 14,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1999 and 2007, looking at five and ten year survival rates of patients in different age groups: 50-69 years-olds were found to have a 89 percent chance of surviving the disease for five years, 70-74 years-old had an 81 percent chance and women over 80 had a 70 percent chance. Only three percent of women aged 50-69 were found to be diagnosed at a late stage – that is, with stage four breast cancer – whereas eight percent of women aged 70-74 and ten percent of women over 80 were diagnosed at this late stage. Those diagnosed at a late stage had a 14 percent chance of surviving the disease for five-years. One of the study’s authors, scientist Dr Paul Pharoah, said of these results: “The national breast screening programme is very good at picking up cases of breast cancer in the 50-70 age group it is aimed at. But more needs to be done to raise awareness of the disease in older women who are not automatically invited for mammograms, especially since risk of the disease increases with age.”

The study also examined levels of treatment given to patients in each age group. In women aged 50-69, 96 percent received surgery for breast cancer whereas around 60 percent of women over 70 did. Dr Pharoah commented that whilst factors such as patient preference, suitability and other illness explained differences in treatment to a certain extent, more detailed diagnosis of the disease in the elderly could ensure that those in this age group are given better access to suitable treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: “We know that older people are less likely to survive breast cancer - this study highlights that many factors are at play and that late diagnosis and varying access to treatment, in particular, are playing a key role. Late diagnosis in the elderly could also be down to women delaying a visit to the doctor, so it’s really vital that women are aware of breast cancer symptoms […] More must be done to ensure that older women are well informed about their breast cancer risk, their option to ask for a mammogram and are consistently offered a full range of treatment options where this might benefit them.”

To read more about this research, please click here.


Spiritual healing and the NHS

As you may know, Cancerkin is currently offering a trial of spiritual healing sessions with therapist Harry Luck. Although written in 2008, an article published in the Sunday Times will still be of interest to all those wanting to try out the healing technique. It describes a team of healers employed by the NHS to provide their services to cancer patients at University College Hospital in London.

At the time the article was written, Head of the team, Angie Buxton-King offered 15 minute individual sessions of healing to patients at the hospital, during which she ran her hands over them to channel healing energy. Patients described feeling heat emanating from the hands helping them to feel relaxed and peaceful. She visited the wards where doctors might ask her to support a patient during a distressing procedure. After a dubious reception by medical staff, the team became an integral part of cancer treatment. Dr Maria Michelagnoli, a paediatric and adolescent consultant oncologist, said: “I was a sceptic at first, but you can't question the results. I'd be devastated if we lost these professionals now.”

Existing research suggests that the technique does improves patients’ moods, can help with physical symptoms and can support people through chemotherapy. Statistics in 2008 suggested that around 90 percent of cancer patients used some form of complementary medicine in addition of medical treatment, showing that therapies such as spiritual healing are very much in demand. However it is acknowledged by scientists and healers alike that more research and regulation needs to be provided in this field. Of plans to regulate the 15,000 spiritual healers working in the UK, Angie Buxton-King said “it’s the only way it’s going to go forward.”

To read this article in full, please click here.



Laura Smith 18th February 2011