On the pulse


Cancerkin’s news…


Therapies update…

Weekly Dance therapy classes with Marina Benini MA RDMP, Lecturer in Movement Studies and Dance Movement Psychotherapy, Goldsmiths Unit of Psychotherapeutic studies will be held on Mondays from 11.30am to 12.30am, beginning 11th April 2011.

Weekly art therapy classes with Milena Petrova will begin on Tuesday 5th April 2011 from 11am to 1pm. No previous artistic experience is necessary. Please note these classes will not take place on Tuesday 26th April and Tuesday 31st May 2011.

If you are interested in attending, contact Habeeb on 020 7830 2323 or h.ahmed@cancerkin.org.uk.


Cancerkin wants you!

Cancerkin wants to recruit a new member to its team in the full-time role of patient co-coordinator. If you are a bright and enthusiastic individual with plenty of initiative and administrative experience, we would love to hear from you. You can find more details about the position on the ‘jobs with us’ section of our website www.cancerkin.org.uk. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please forward a CV together with a covering letter saying why you want the job to info@cancerkin.org.uk.


In the news…


Five years of tamoxifen boosts breast cancer survival…

The drug tamoxifen is widely used to treat women with oestrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. The growth of such tumours is fuelled by oestrogen and the drug therefore works by blocking the hormone. It is already known that taking the drug for five years offers the best chance of survival from breast cancer. Published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology this week, the first major study into the long-term effects of the drug confirms this and reveals that the cancer is less likely to come back in those that take tamoxifen for the full five years.

Researchers in the Cancer Research UK-funded study looked at 3,500 patients aged 50 to 81 who were taking Tamoxifen as part of their treatment for operable early breast cancer. Results showed that the cancer came back in 40 percent of those who took the drug for 5 years but in 46 percent of those who took it for two. It was also found that taking the drug for this length of time significantly reduced the risk of developing or dying from heart disease. Lead author of the study, Dr Allan Hackshaw, said of the results: “Our study provides conclusive evidence that taking tamoxifen for five years offers women the best chance of surviving breast cancer. Women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer who are prescribed tamoxifen are recommended to take the drug for five years, but we know that many stop after two or three. Worryingly our results suggest that by doing this, they could increase their risk of cancer coming back."

In a separate study outlined in a BBC news report this week, researchers looked at the medical records of 2,000 breast cancer patients also taking tamoxifen and found that as many as half of the women failed to finish a five-year course of the drug and one in five regularly forget to take a tablet. Many women stop taking tamoxifen before the advised time due to the drug’s unpleasant side effects or because they no longer feel they need to. However, as Dr Hackshaw’s study reveals, this may leave them at a higher risk of cancer recurrence.

Kate Law of Cancer Research UK said: "It's vital that doctors and nurses continue encouraging women to finish their course of tamoxifen and providing the necessary support to ensure any side-effects are effectively managed. We would urge anyone who experiences problems taking their medication to consult their doctor without delay."

To read more from Cancer Research UK, please click here. To read BBC news’ full report, click here.


Breast cancer surgery audit results

This week, results from the first audit into breast cancer patients’ views on their mastectomies and breast reconstructions were published by the NHS Information Centre. Commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership, the National Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Audit asked 7,000 women treated in both NHS and independent hospitals about the outcomes of their procedures. They completed questionnaires three months and 18 months after their mastectomy and/or reconstructive surgery.

Analysis of the data revealed that on the whole, those undergoing breast cancer surgery were satisfied with the service offered. 90 percent said they received ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ care and 88 percent said they were treated with respect and dignity during their hospital stay. 85 percent of those who had breast reconstruction at the time of their mastectomy felt confident in a social setting 18 months later compared with 77 percent of those who did not. Reconstruction was also found to bring about higher levels of emotional and sexual wellbeing compared with mastectomy alone. 73 percent of those who had just a mastectomy and 67 percent of those who also had reconstructive surgery said the overall outcome of their surgery was ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’.

Results of the audit have been welcomed by the medical community. John Black, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, said: "This is the first time we have been able to see, on a national scale, what patients think about the results of their breast surgery and it's an important example of how valuable surgical audit is for clinicians to improve standards of care."

To read more, click here.


Laura Smith 25th March 2011