On the pulse


Cancerkin’s news…

Professor Sir Mike Richards’ lecture a success

Cancerkin’s inaugural annual lecture took place this Monday and we were thrilled to welcome Professor Sir Mike Richards to speak to a full audience here at the Royal Free. Professor Richards gave us a fascinating overview of the progress that has been made in tackling breast cancer in the UK during the past 15 years and the challenges that still lay ahead. A lively question and answer session with the audience followed his lecture.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Richards for sharing his time and expertise with us in what was a highly enjoyable and informative evening. We would also like to thank our fantastic team of volunteers who came along to support Cancerkin on the night – we could not have done it without you!


Cancerkin now in Bromley by Bow

On 18 February, Cancerkin held its first complementary therapy session at a new East London venue - the Bromley by Bow centre - as part of its continuing outreach programme in the area. Nearly 20 women from all over East London participated in the session, benefiting from a range of Cancerkin’s complementary therapies. Breast awareness talks were also held throughout the day for those visiting the centre.

On 28 January and 28 February, Cancerkin returned to St. Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney to hold a further complementary therapy sessions there, with over 30 women taking part on each occasion in a range of individual and group therapies. The session on 28 February culminated in an exhibition of art works by those who had taken part in art therapy classes at previous sessions.

We are please to announce that feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from all who have participated in the sessions so far. We would like to thank both the Bromley by Bow Centre and St Joseph’s Hospice for providing the most stunning venues plus helpful and obliging staff members who have supported us throughout and helped make the sessions a success.


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 preferably some 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.


Art therapy with Mary-Anne and Milena

We are pleased to announce that Mary-Anne Paterson will once again be holding art therapy master classes for those who have already taken her classes. The next master class group will be a one day workshop on Friday 11th March from 11am – 2.00pm.

For those who are new to art therapy, Milena Petrova will be continuing art workshops open to all in April. Weekly workshops will begin on Tuesday 4th April from 11am to 1pm. If you would like to book a place for either class, please contact Habeeb, on 020 7830 2323 or at h.ahmed@cancerkin.org.uk.


In the news…


Passive smoking and breast cancer

Much evidence exists to suggest that smoking increases an individual’s risk of developing breast cancer. The existence of a link between risk and passive smoking however remains a controversial issue, with some claiming there is such a link and some suggesting otherwise. A latest US study into the relationship between active and passive smoking and breast cancer risk has found evidence to suggest that long term exposure to second-hand tobacco does increase the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

US researchers at the University of West Virginia the HealthPartners Research Foundation in Minneapolis studied data on 79,990 American women aged 50 to 79 years, who took part in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study between 1993 and 1998. They identified 3,250 cases of invasive breast cancer amongst these women. Analysis of their history of and exposure to smoking revealed that smokers had a 16% increased risk of developing breast cancer after the menopause. Ex-smokers had a 9% increased risk, even up to 20 years after giving up. The highest risk was found in those who had smoked for 50 years or more. Those who had never smoked but had been exposed to tobacco smoke for prolonged periods of time were also found to have an increased risk. Over 10 year’s exposure during childhood, over 20 years’ exposure at work and over 10 year’s exposure at home during adulthood was found to increase risk by 32 percent.

Although the study’s authors state more research is needed, the research certainly suggests that giving up smoking can lower not only an individual’s risk of developing the breast cancer but that of those living and working around them. Yinka Ebo, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "We already know that tobacco can cause over a dozen different cancers, and this study adds to the growing evidence that smoking can raise the risk of breast cancer. Being a non-smoker is still the best way to reduce the risk of cancer. It's never too late to quit and it's better not to start at all.”

Click here, to read Cancer Research UK’s article in full, or here, to read a BBC news report.


New technique under development

Scientists at Queen’s University in Belfast are currently developing a new technique to treat breast cancer, which causes cancerous cells to self-destruct. Lead by Dr Helen McCarthy, researchers have used a miniscule gene transport system, called a Designer Biomimetic Vector, to deliver poison directly into cancer cells in the laboratory. The nanoparticle containing the gene iNOS is 400 times smaller that the width of a human hair, allowing it to be delivered straight into the breast cancer cells and forcing them to produce poisonous nitric oxide. This kills the cells outright or makes them more susceptible to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The technique is still in the early stages of development but Dr McCarthy hopes it will be trialled in patients in five years time. If successful, it could help to overcome the toxic side-effects of current treatments, as this particular technique would leave surrounding health breast tissue unaffected. Dr McCarthy said: "In the long term, I see this being used to treat people with metastatic breast cancer that has spread to the bones. The treatment would kill the breast cancer cells as well as improving the radiation or chemotherapy."

To read more about this, please click here.

Laura Smith 4th March 2011