On the pulse - 18th November 2011

On the pulse

Cancerkin's News Update.....

The Big Give and Cancerkin...

This Christmas, our supporters will have the chance to double their donation to Cancerkin – for free! Cancerkin is very excited to be taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge on Monday 5th December 2011, raising funds for emotional support and care for women with breast cancer, and we are fortunate to be supported by the Pink Ribbon Foundation. For every online donation made on that day, the Pink Ribbon Foundation and the Big Give itself have pledged to match it pound for pound. Our target is to raise £5,000, which means we will receive an incredible £10,000.

Please do put the date in your diary. This is an amazing fundraising opportunity which will enable us to continue providing care and emotional support to those with breast cancer. We do hope you will be able to support us. For more information, please contact Laura on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk

Christmas Tombola...

We have had some fabulous prizes donated to our annual Christmas Tombola, which will be on Wednesday 7th December 2011 from 10am to 4pm outside the Atrium at the Royal Free Hospital. There is the chance to win a haircut at Enz hair salon, a Family meal at Hampstead Tea Rooms, a session of reflexology at Belsize Health complementary medicine clinic, book vouchers from Daunt Books and many more. There will also be lots of lovely gifts, cards, books and, of course, mince pies on offer in our sale. We do hope to see you there.

If you, your business or workplace would like to donate a prize, we would love to hear from you. Past donations have ranged from cinema tickets and restaurant vouchers to boxes of chocolate and gift sets. We are also looking for helpers to join our wonderful team of volunteers on the day. If you are free for an hour or two on 7th December, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Laura at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk or call 0207 830 2323.


In the News.....


New evidence of DNA Repair Targeting Drug...

A few weeks ago, On The Pulse reported on the inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 faulty genes and the genetic links between breast cancer risk and family members. Last week, research presented at the NRCI Cancer Conference in Liverpool indicated that scientist have developed a new way of destroying cancer cells containing these faulty BRCA genes, by blocking an enzyme in the gene which repairs DNA. Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found that blocking a DNA repair enzyme, called APE1, could enable a new way to kill cancer cells with the faulty BRCA gene.

Normal BRCA genes control a major DNA repair pathway. Those cells with the damaged BRCA have faulty repair functions. This means that damaged cells can multiply out of control and accumulate faults, which in turn increases the risk of developing breast cancer. However, too much of this damage can lead to cell death. By blocking the repair enzyme APE1, two repair routes are stopped simultaneously causing a build up of faults which ultimately leads to the cancer cells death.

Blocking two repair routes at once is a technique already being used with a new class of drugs called PARP inhibitors. Research suggests the APE1 could provide an additional drug target.
Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Campaign, which part-funded the research, said: "With up to ten per cent of all breast cancers thought to result from faulty BRCA1 and/or 2 genes, new treatments for these patients could possibly help up to 4,800 of the women diagnosed with the disease in the UK each year. Currently there are limited options available to them and this potential new treatment, although at an early stage could provide a real lifeline and a better chance of survival, which can only be good news.”

To read Breast Cancer Campaign's article please click here.


Laura Smith 18th November 2011