On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk figures…
Last week we thanked our top 3 Hyde Park Walk fundraisers for their contribution to the success of this years walk. This week, it is the turn of the masses. So, we would like to thank all of you who donated or took part in the walk for helping to raise a whopping (drum roll please)…. £50,082.83! The money raised is invaluable to the work of Cancerkin and will allow us to continue offering the standards of service we provide our patients well into 2011. We are still a little way off the money raised last year, so if you have not sent in your sponsorship money yet then please send it in as soon as possible to: Lauren Newton, The Cancerkin Centre, The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG.
Santy Parbhoo would also like to thank all the supporters who sponsored him personally to complete the walk, raising just over £10,000. It was a great day and he was very pleased at the turn out of so many of his past patients and all the Cancerkin supporters. A final thank you for an incredible fundraising effort and a fantastic walk!
Generosity at its best…
It would be amiss of us to acknowledge all the hard work of our Hyde Park Walkers without making a special mention to Lisa Reynolds who over the past couple of months has raised a fantastic total of £5,002.50 for Cancerkin in memory of her late mum Sue Reynolds. Sue suffered with breast cancer for over 20 years but remained active and positive throughout her illness - raising over £8,000 for The Royal Free and Cancerkin alike through the organisation of her own fundraising initiatives. Sadly Sue lost her battle with breast cancer in May 2009, falling just £2,000 short of the £10,000 fundraising target she had set herself. In honour of her mother Lisa set out to raise the remaining £2,000. Reaching that target and making an additional £3,000, Lisa’s efforts have taken her and her mum’s fundraising total to over £13,000. CONGRATUALATIONS LISA! We would like to commend Lisa & Sue on their fundraising achievements and generosity. The money they raised will be put towards helping women like Sue, here at the Cancerkin Centre. If you would like to make a donation towards Lisa’s cause please visit her JustGiving site here.
In The News….
Nicotine linked to breast cancer…
Examining 276 samples from human breast cancer tumours, researchers at Taipei Medical University have discovered that the breast cancer cells had large numbers of receptors to which the nicotine was able to attach- in comparison to the number of receptors in normal cells. The researchers also found that treating normal cells with nicotine promoted the development of cancer characteristics.
The research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, isolated the nicotine in cigarettes from the other carcinogenic chemicals which are known to be damaging. The results suggest that nicotine itself now has links with cancer calling into question the use of nicotine gum, patches and inhalers, used by many smokers as an aid to quit.
Dr Ilona Linnoila, from the Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute, writes that the study "suggests not only that smoking could be causally related to breast carcinogenesis but also that nicotine could directly contribute to the molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis in addition to indirectly contributing by promoting addiction to smoking."
Read the full article here.
Are you entitled to Employment and Support Allowance benefits…?
The Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) is asking people living with breast cancer to take part in a new online survey which aims to find out more about their experience of claiming benefits.
The survey takes around 15 minutes and asks a variety of questions including if you have ever claimed Employment and Support Allowance – the new benefit for people who cannot work due to ill health or disability. The survey also asks questions about Housing Benefit and Disability Living Allowance to find out more about how people use these benefits.
The DBC, which is organising the survey, represents over 30 charities and other organisations, including Leonard Cheshire Disability, Arthritis Care and Breast Cancer Care.
The survey’s findings will be used to help the Government better understand the impact changes to benefits like Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance and Housing Benefit will have on disabled people.
If you would like to take part in the survey please visit the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/dbcsurvey -
Lauren Newton 20th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Friday, 27 August 2010
Friday, 20 August 2010
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
A fond farewell to Jean…
This week Cancerkin were hit with the sad news that our receptionist Jean Hafezi will be moving on to pastures new. We would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work over the years and wish her the very best of luck with her future endeavours. We know that she will be sorely missed by both the patients and staff here at Cancerkin.
Hyde Park Walk winners…
Congratulations to Susan Glasser, Linda Cohen and Philippa Drew who were our top 3 fundraisers for this year’s Hyde Park Walk. Sue’s gold winning total was £3014.14, Linda managed to raise a total of £2586.58, closely followed by Philippa with £2234.51. Between them their efforts will make a valuable contribution to Cancerkin’s work this year. In reward, they will each receive an indulgent basket of goodies, kindly donated by Floris. We would also like to mention Hilary Presky and Rochelle and Carly Landau who just missed out on the prizes raising £1762.07 and £1540.22 respectively. These figures account for any fees we had to pay to Justgiving (the online donation portal) but do not include the returns we made from donations that had been gift aided.
If these women have inspired you and you would like to do some independent fundraising on behalf of Cancerkin please contact Lauren Newton for some help and guidance. Otherwise, let these fantastic results be targets for next years walk: T- minus 10 months and counting!
In The News….
America on brink of revoking advanced breast cancer drug…
Amid the frequent debates about America’s health care reforms, there has been a niggling question of how much the state should spend on new and expensive treatments. Enter, Avastin the world’s best selling cancer drug which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 for use on women with advanced level breast cancer. The draw backs? Well it costs £5,000 a month and in the US is currently used by 17,500 women each year. Approval for the drug came after a study found that by preventing blood flow to tumours the drug extended the time the disease took to worsen by up to 5 months. However, a more recent study has suggested that it may not extend a life for this period–not even for an extra month. The FDA advisory panel have thus voted 12-1 to stop endorsing the drug as a breast cancer treatment method, citing ‘effectiveness’ as a factor in question. However, with health reforms looming – where the government will help the poorer American citizens with health insurance, it has been suggested that ‘cost effectiveness’ has a role to play in the FDA’s decision. Whatever the reason, it is likely that if the approval of the drug is revoked, US insurers would stop paying for Avastin.
In the UK the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently reviewing whether Avastin should be available on the NHS for woman with breast cancer that has spread. A spokeswoman said: "We will continue to investigate the treatment regardless of the FDA decision”.
FDA have said that when reviewing drugs for approval they are only charged with looking at their health risks and benefits, not cost effectiveness. It usually follows advisory panel recommendations. A final decision will be announced on Sept 17. Read the full story here.
Pink in the Premier league..?
Well okay, its not quite the premier league but Harrogate Town FC have made big steps in philanthropic giving this week, unveiling a specially designed pink kit in hope of raising awareness and money for breast cancer. The words ‘Breast Cancer Support’ are displayed on the back of the kit, which will be worn on all away games. Janet O’Brien, a member of Harrogate Hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit praised the club’s efforts within the community saying, "They have made a huge commitment in terms of drawing attention to the condition and treatment of breast cancer by making a wonderful gesture…which will no doubt raise lots of attention and create lots of comment." Harrogate’s own Chief Executive, Alan Williams is no stranger to the disease, as his wife Jean has suffered with breast cancer for the last 10 years. With many clubs and their players hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons perhaps its time the premiership took a look at the commendable efforts from small town teams! We wish Harrogate Town FC the best of luck in all their away games.
Read the full story here.
Lauren Newton 20th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin News…
A fond farewell to Jean…
This week Cancerkin were hit with the sad news that our receptionist Jean Hafezi will be moving on to pastures new. We would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work over the years and wish her the very best of luck with her future endeavours. We know that she will be sorely missed by both the patients and staff here at Cancerkin.
Hyde Park Walk winners…
Congratulations to Susan Glasser, Linda Cohen and Philippa Drew who were our top 3 fundraisers for this year’s Hyde Park Walk. Sue’s gold winning total was £3014.14, Linda managed to raise a total of £2586.58, closely followed by Philippa with £2234.51. Between them their efforts will make a valuable contribution to Cancerkin’s work this year. In reward, they will each receive an indulgent basket of goodies, kindly donated by Floris. We would also like to mention Hilary Presky and Rochelle and Carly Landau who just missed out on the prizes raising £1762.07 and £1540.22 respectively. These figures account for any fees we had to pay to Justgiving (the online donation portal) but do not include the returns we made from donations that had been gift aided.
If these women have inspired you and you would like to do some independent fundraising on behalf of Cancerkin please contact Lauren Newton for some help and guidance. Otherwise, let these fantastic results be targets for next years walk: T- minus 10 months and counting!
In The News….
America on brink of revoking advanced breast cancer drug…
Amid the frequent debates about America’s health care reforms, there has been a niggling question of how much the state should spend on new and expensive treatments. Enter, Avastin the world’s best selling cancer drug which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 for use on women with advanced level breast cancer. The draw backs? Well it costs £5,000 a month and in the US is currently used by 17,500 women each year. Approval for the drug came after a study found that by preventing blood flow to tumours the drug extended the time the disease took to worsen by up to 5 months. However, a more recent study has suggested that it may not extend a life for this period–not even for an extra month. The FDA advisory panel have thus voted 12-1 to stop endorsing the drug as a breast cancer treatment method, citing ‘effectiveness’ as a factor in question. However, with health reforms looming – where the government will help the poorer American citizens with health insurance, it has been suggested that ‘cost effectiveness’ has a role to play in the FDA’s decision. Whatever the reason, it is likely that if the approval of the drug is revoked, US insurers would stop paying for Avastin.
In the UK the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently reviewing whether Avastin should be available on the NHS for woman with breast cancer that has spread. A spokeswoman said: "We will continue to investigate the treatment regardless of the FDA decision”.
FDA have said that when reviewing drugs for approval they are only charged with looking at their health risks and benefits, not cost effectiveness. It usually follows advisory panel recommendations. A final decision will be announced on Sept 17. Read the full story here.
Pink in the Premier league..?
Well okay, its not quite the premier league but Harrogate Town FC have made big steps in philanthropic giving this week, unveiling a specially designed pink kit in hope of raising awareness and money for breast cancer. The words ‘Breast Cancer Support’ are displayed on the back of the kit, which will be worn on all away games. Janet O’Brien, a member of Harrogate Hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit praised the club’s efforts within the community saying, "They have made a huge commitment in terms of drawing attention to the condition and treatment of breast cancer by making a wonderful gesture…which will no doubt raise lots of attention and create lots of comment." Harrogate’s own Chief Executive, Alan Williams is no stranger to the disease, as his wife Jean has suffered with breast cancer for the last 10 years. With many clubs and their players hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons perhaps its time the premiership took a look at the commendable efforts from small town teams! We wish Harrogate Town FC the best of luck in all their away games.
Read the full story here.
Lauren Newton 20th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Monday, 16 August 2010
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
Internship programme…
Nearly one year ago, Cancerkin launched its first internship programme, taking on 3 young interns to help around the office and launch some new initiatives. Now Asini, Habeeb and Lauren are well and truly settled in, we are doing it again! During September and October we are looking to recruit 4 more interns into the roles of: East London Project Intern, Events and Fundraising Intern, Research Intern and Administrator/Office Manager Intern. The roles have been advertised on university websites and with the Government Graduate Talent Pool. If you know of anyone who would be interested in any of these roles, or would like more information please email l.newton@cancerkin.org. A job description of each of the roles can be found by navigating to the ‘jobs with us’ section which is located in ‘about us’ in the menu on the left hand side.
In The News….
Breast cancer rates in the UK are falling…
This week has seen many articles reporting on the positives of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in the UK. Firstly there was the news that breast cancer rates have fallen faster in the UK, since the 1980s, than in any other major European county. Following this a group of researchers have challenged claims that survival rates in the UK are worse than anywhere else in Western Europe. Studying mortality rates in 30 different countries, the researchers have said that the UK’s apparently poor survival rates are misleading because of the way cancer patients are registered, whereas population-based mortality rates are more reliable.
Anna Gavin, a public health consultant for the National Cancer Intelligence Network and one of the report's authors, said: "Despite the fact that the number of cases are going up, and the population is getting older, deaths have still fallen”. In the report, published online at the British Medical Journal, Gavin accounts the fall in death rates to the large investment in the way breast cancer services have been organised, alongside improved awareness and screening and better treatments.
Professors Beral and Peto from Oxford University agreed with the studying telling the British Medical Journal that “death rates are a better guide to how the UK is doing because incomplete data makes survival rates seem significantly worse than they really are…In contrast with death registration, cancer registration is not statutory in the UK and is known to be somewhat incomplete,"
To read the full report, including more detailed stats of Britain and Europe’s breast cancer treatment please click here.
Western lifestyle takes a bashing….
Scientists from the World Cancer Research Fund announced this week that the Western lifestyle plays a large role in the rise of breast cancer among British women. Theories on why certain women get breast cancer have been well debated throughout history, excessive eating and drinking, smoking, the pill and a lack of exercise have all been attributed to the rise in breast cancer diagnosis. With so many do’s and don’ts it can be hard to know what to look out for. The Daily Mail, in co-ordination with Dr Moffat, a health information manager with Cancer Research UK published an article this week that assesses the significance of each known risk factor. The lengthy article addresses each ‘theory’ with an ‘expert advice’ and aims to divide the myths and superstitions around breast cancer from the facts and figures. The relation between house cleaning products, HRT, anti-perspirants, underwired bras, (to name a few), and breast cancer are all discussed.
To take a look at the results and swat up on the real risks of breast cancer click here.
Sisterly love…
This mornings (Friday) Metro ran a tender story about 54-year-old twin sisters Judith Brownhill and Heather Mole who were have both been diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, this is where the similarities end as whilst Judith has been given the all clear, Heather is terminally ill. Speaking with bravery and heart, Heather said this of hearing the news that her sister was going to survive, ‘It was wonderful news when she told me she was going to be okay..It’s strange, but it felt like a relief as much as anything, as I knew she would be there for my son when I’m gone’. This is the second diagnosis for Judith and Heather, who both overcame cancer earlier in life.
Their story was on page 33 of the Metro Friday 13th August.
Lauren Newton 13th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin News…
Internship programme…
Nearly one year ago, Cancerkin launched its first internship programme, taking on 3 young interns to help around the office and launch some new initiatives. Now Asini, Habeeb and Lauren are well and truly settled in, we are doing it again! During September and October we are looking to recruit 4 more interns into the roles of: East London Project Intern, Events and Fundraising Intern, Research Intern and Administrator/Office Manager Intern. The roles have been advertised on university websites and with the Government Graduate Talent Pool. If you know of anyone who would be interested in any of these roles, or would like more information please email l.newton@cancerkin.org. A job description of each of the roles can be found by navigating to the ‘jobs with us’ section which is located in ‘about us’ in the menu on the left hand side.
In The News….
Breast cancer rates in the UK are falling…
This week has seen many articles reporting on the positives of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in the UK. Firstly there was the news that breast cancer rates have fallen faster in the UK, since the 1980s, than in any other major European county. Following this a group of researchers have challenged claims that survival rates in the UK are worse than anywhere else in Western Europe. Studying mortality rates in 30 different countries, the researchers have said that the UK’s apparently poor survival rates are misleading because of the way cancer patients are registered, whereas population-based mortality rates are more reliable.
Anna Gavin, a public health consultant for the National Cancer Intelligence Network and one of the report's authors, said: "Despite the fact that the number of cases are going up, and the population is getting older, deaths have still fallen”. In the report, published online at the British Medical Journal, Gavin accounts the fall in death rates to the large investment in the way breast cancer services have been organised, alongside improved awareness and screening and better treatments.
Professors Beral and Peto from Oxford University agreed with the studying telling the British Medical Journal that “death rates are a better guide to how the UK is doing because incomplete data makes survival rates seem significantly worse than they really are…In contrast with death registration, cancer registration is not statutory in the UK and is known to be somewhat incomplete,"
To read the full report, including more detailed stats of Britain and Europe’s breast cancer treatment please click here.
Western lifestyle takes a bashing….
Scientists from the World Cancer Research Fund announced this week that the Western lifestyle plays a large role in the rise of breast cancer among British women. Theories on why certain women get breast cancer have been well debated throughout history, excessive eating and drinking, smoking, the pill and a lack of exercise have all been attributed to the rise in breast cancer diagnosis. With so many do’s and don’ts it can be hard to know what to look out for. The Daily Mail, in co-ordination with Dr Moffat, a health information manager with Cancer Research UK published an article this week that assesses the significance of each known risk factor. The lengthy article addresses each ‘theory’ with an ‘expert advice’ and aims to divide the myths and superstitions around breast cancer from the facts and figures. The relation between house cleaning products, HRT, anti-perspirants, underwired bras, (to name a few), and breast cancer are all discussed.
To take a look at the results and swat up on the real risks of breast cancer click here.
Sisterly love…
This mornings (Friday) Metro ran a tender story about 54-year-old twin sisters Judith Brownhill and Heather Mole who were have both been diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, this is where the similarities end as whilst Judith has been given the all clear, Heather is terminally ill. Speaking with bravery and heart, Heather said this of hearing the news that her sister was going to survive, ‘It was wonderful news when she told me she was going to be okay..It’s strange, but it felt like a relief as much as anything, as I knew she would be there for my son when I’m gone’. This is the second diagnosis for Judith and Heather, who both overcame cancer earlier in life.
Their story was on page 33 of the Metro Friday 13th August.
Lauren Newton 13th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk Sponsorship: Prize deadline drawing near…
This year Floris very kindly donated a set of prizes to Cancerkin to be awarded to the top three fundraisers from this years Hyde Park Walk. Next Friday, the 13th August, Cancerkin will be adding up all the donations to see which of our loyal supporters has raised the most! To be in with a chance of winning you MUST send your sponsorship in to the Cancerkin Centre before this date. Any sponsorship raised online via the JustGiving site will also be included. Further sponsorship or donations for the Hyde Park Walk will be accepted after this date, however your contributions will not be considered for the Floris prize giving. So don’t miss out- send in all your sponsorship today!
An intern down…
One of our summer interns, Guy Mollett recently completed his month long internship with the Cancerkin Centre. His help was invaluable and we wish him the best of luck for the rest of his academic studies.
In The News….
How the blogosphere is helping young people come to terms with cancer diagnosis...
In recent months we have covered many stories highlighting the growth in cancer diagnosis among the young. Research conducted by the Teenage Cancer Trust published in The Guardian this week showed how the digital revolution, with its blogospheres and social networking sights (such as Facebook and Twitter), are being used more and more by the younger generation as a support system for dealing with their diagnosis. Focusing on how ‘blogging’ has allowed individuals, specifically cancer sufferers, to express their emotions and feelings in an open and frank way, the article touches a nerve with the kind of things these young people are dealing with.
24 year old Kristin Hallenga from Northamptonshire who suffers from secondary breast cancer says ‘the blog is a place where I don't have to hold back, I can be open and honest. I might say things on there that I wouldn't necessarily say directly to my mum, sisters or anyone else. It helps me to vent a little about how I might be feeling. I share what it is like going through breast cancer’. Hallenga’s blog also raises awareness of other contentious issues and signs of cancer that may encourage other women to seek earlier checking. For instance she discusses how her own Grandmother’s cancer was not ‘classed as a strong family history to be taken consideration by doctors; though it should have been’.
Cancerkin has long recognised the need individuals have to talk about how they are feeling regarding their treatment in a non-patronising or intrusive way. Our one-to-one sessions with experienced patients and general support services are always available to anyone who may need it. However, if you feel that Cancerkin would benefit from helping support our patients in other ways, do let us know - we are always keen to improve our services. Alternatively if you are patient who has set up their own blogosphere or other support mechanism, please get in contact - you never know who you may help or inspire with your own words!
To read Kristin’s story in full along with the other young people featured in the article please click here. Following this link will also direct you to the address of the young people’s blogsites.
Is early breast screening really harming women?
The UK’s national breast screening programme which tests almost 2 million women a year has recently been called into question. An article published in The Independent this week, reports on a recent review of the current system which suggests that the costs and benefits have not been balanced well enough stating: ‘the harms of over diagnosis followed by unnecessary treatment and suffering, have never been properly weighted against each other’.
Supporters of the breast screening programme, which currently provides mammograms to all women between the ages of 50-70 (due to change to those aged 47-73 by 2012), says that for every 2 women’s whose lives it saves, 1 will receive unnecessary treatment. For most, this numerical reasoning would surely suggest that the earlier the screening the better. However, many critics dispute this figure, instead suggesting that for everyone 1 woman saved, up to 10 other women undergo unnecessary treatment - some even including a mastectomy.
The dispute was widely publicised during March of this year when the British Medical Journal published a paper which showed that breast cancer related deaths had fallen faster in areas where there was no breast screening than in those where screening was readily available. Professor McPherson, public health epidemiologist of Oxford University, says that by looking at US figures breast screening reduces death rates by 14% in the under 60s and by 32% in the under 70s; figures which he says are of "marginal statistical significance".
Professor McPherson, citing US evidence, says that breast screening reduces the death rate by 14 per cent in the under-60s, which is of "marginal statistical significance", and by 32 per cent in the under-70s. But even this is a small benefit because at age 60 the risk of death from breast cancer over the next 15 years is just 1.2 per cent – 259 women in the UK would have to be screened to avoid one death. McPherson has thus concluded that "Individual benefit from mammography is very small, but not widely understood”, and demands more transparency from the NHS about such scientific uncertainties. Sarah Sellars, director of the NHS Breast Screening Programme responded saying: "The vast majority of evidence from properly conducted research clearly shows that regular mammography reduces deaths from breast cancer. The World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that there is a 35 per cent reduction in mortality from breast cancer among regularly screened women aged 50-69 years old.
To read the full article and look further at the risks and benefits of breast screening please click here.
Lauren Newton 4th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk Sponsorship: Prize deadline drawing near…
This year Floris very kindly donated a set of prizes to Cancerkin to be awarded to the top three fundraisers from this years Hyde Park Walk. Next Friday, the 13th August, Cancerkin will be adding up all the donations to see which of our loyal supporters has raised the most! To be in with a chance of winning you MUST send your sponsorship in to the Cancerkin Centre before this date. Any sponsorship raised online via the JustGiving site will also be included. Further sponsorship or donations for the Hyde Park Walk will be accepted after this date, however your contributions will not be considered for the Floris prize giving. So don’t miss out- send in all your sponsorship today!
An intern down…
One of our summer interns, Guy Mollett recently completed his month long internship with the Cancerkin Centre. His help was invaluable and we wish him the best of luck for the rest of his academic studies.
In The News….
How the blogosphere is helping young people come to terms with cancer diagnosis...
In recent months we have covered many stories highlighting the growth in cancer diagnosis among the young. Research conducted by the Teenage Cancer Trust published in The Guardian this week showed how the digital revolution, with its blogospheres and social networking sights (such as Facebook and Twitter), are being used more and more by the younger generation as a support system for dealing with their diagnosis. Focusing on how ‘blogging’ has allowed individuals, specifically cancer sufferers, to express their emotions and feelings in an open and frank way, the article touches a nerve with the kind of things these young people are dealing with.
24 year old Kristin Hallenga from Northamptonshire who suffers from secondary breast cancer says ‘the blog is a place where I don't have to hold back, I can be open and honest. I might say things on there that I wouldn't necessarily say directly to my mum, sisters or anyone else. It helps me to vent a little about how I might be feeling. I share what it is like going through breast cancer’. Hallenga’s blog also raises awareness of other contentious issues and signs of cancer that may encourage other women to seek earlier checking. For instance she discusses how her own Grandmother’s cancer was not ‘classed as a strong family history to be taken consideration by doctors; though it should have been’.
Cancerkin has long recognised the need individuals have to talk about how they are feeling regarding their treatment in a non-patronising or intrusive way. Our one-to-one sessions with experienced patients and general support services are always available to anyone who may need it. However, if you feel that Cancerkin would benefit from helping support our patients in other ways, do let us know - we are always keen to improve our services. Alternatively if you are patient who has set up their own blogosphere or other support mechanism, please get in contact - you never know who you may help or inspire with your own words!
To read Kristin’s story in full along with the other young people featured in the article please click here. Following this link will also direct you to the address of the young people’s blogsites.
Is early breast screening really harming women?
The UK’s national breast screening programme which tests almost 2 million women a year has recently been called into question. An article published in The Independent this week, reports on a recent review of the current system which suggests that the costs and benefits have not been balanced well enough stating: ‘the harms of over diagnosis followed by unnecessary treatment and suffering, have never been properly weighted against each other’.
Supporters of the breast screening programme, which currently provides mammograms to all women between the ages of 50-70 (due to change to those aged 47-73 by 2012), says that for every 2 women’s whose lives it saves, 1 will receive unnecessary treatment. For most, this numerical reasoning would surely suggest that the earlier the screening the better. However, many critics dispute this figure, instead suggesting that for everyone 1 woman saved, up to 10 other women undergo unnecessary treatment - some even including a mastectomy.
The dispute was widely publicised during March of this year when the British Medical Journal published a paper which showed that breast cancer related deaths had fallen faster in areas where there was no breast screening than in those where screening was readily available. Professor McPherson, public health epidemiologist of Oxford University, says that by looking at US figures breast screening reduces death rates by 14% in the under 60s and by 32% in the under 70s; figures which he says are of "marginal statistical significance".
Professor McPherson, citing US evidence, says that breast screening reduces the death rate by 14 per cent in the under-60s, which is of "marginal statistical significance", and by 32 per cent in the under-70s. But even this is a small benefit because at age 60 the risk of death from breast cancer over the next 15 years is just 1.2 per cent – 259 women in the UK would have to be screened to avoid one death. McPherson has thus concluded that "Individual benefit from mammography is very small, but not widely understood”, and demands more transparency from the NHS about such scientific uncertainties. Sarah Sellars, director of the NHS Breast Screening Programme responded saying: "The vast majority of evidence from properly conducted research clearly shows that regular mammography reduces deaths from breast cancer. The World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that there is a 35 per cent reduction in mortality from breast cancer among regularly screened women aged 50-69 years old.
To read the full article and look further at the risks and benefits of breast screening please click here.
Lauren Newton 4th August 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
A roaring success…
Saturday evening marked the long awaited arrival of our summer fundraiser; a performance of La Boheme at the Soho Theatre London. With a full house, a champagne and canapés reception followed by a cutting edge adaptation of an opera classic, the evening was a success all round. We would like to thank everyone who attended and made the event what it was. Congratulations to Juliet Wheldon who won a box at the English National Opera in our raffle. Thank you also to all of you who made a donation towards this cause- it is greatly appreciated! Be sure to keep an eye out on the website for a full report on how the evening went and how much was raised.
Internet problems
Technology failed Cancerkin this week with the whole office grinding to a halt after our BT broadband stopped working on last Monday. The problems lasted throughout the week until BT fixed the problem at their exchange over the weekend, consequently we may not have received your emails last week. Thankfully, as of yesterday morning Cancerkin’s internet was restored allowing us to receive and send our emails as well as updating our database. We are sorry if we didn’t return emails or for any inconvenience caused.
Cancerkin’s East London Project update…
As we mentioned last month, Cancerkin have started running monthly free complementary therapy sessions in East London. Today, we held our second successful session at St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney with over 30 women from all over East London benefiting from the range of complementary therapies. The day consisted of one-to-one therapy sessions of Reflexology, Reiki and Soul Therapy and group sessions of Art Therapy and a demo session of a Look Good Feel Better workshop.
Cancerkin has not worked alone in its East London outreach and would like to thank the Newham, Homerton, St Bartholomew and Whipps Cross hospitals and our local partner organisations for all their support in making this session a success.
In The News….
Cleaning Products
New research this week has shown that regularly using household cleaning products and air fresheners increases the risk of breast cancer by up to 110%. The study of 1508 women, 787 of whom were diagnosed with breast cancer, asked them to recall how often and what sorts of household products they used. Tests have shown that cleaning products often contain chemicals which are linked to cancer; however these links have never been proved. More research is needed to prove the findings which are being questioned due to the way in which the results were obtained. The women with cancer may have been more accurate or even over exaggerate their use of these products as they search for a reason for their illness. Read the full story here.
Abortion
In the 1st July issue of ‘On the pulse’, we published a link to a story written in the Daily Mail about whether abortions are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. In response, our Medical Director, consultant breast surgeon Tim Davidson, has drawn our attention to an article he wrote in ‘The Lancet’. In this article he examines the published evidence supporting and refuting this hypothesis and concludes that there is, to date, insufficient evidence to justify warning women of future breast cancer risk when counselling them about abortion. The full article will be placed on the Cancerkin website during the next week.
Cancerkin News…
A roaring success…
Saturday evening marked the long awaited arrival of our summer fundraiser; a performance of La Boheme at the Soho Theatre London. With a full house, a champagne and canapés reception followed by a cutting edge adaptation of an opera classic, the evening was a success all round. We would like to thank everyone who attended and made the event what it was. Congratulations to Juliet Wheldon who won a box at the English National Opera in our raffle. Thank you also to all of you who made a donation towards this cause- it is greatly appreciated! Be sure to keep an eye out on the website for a full report on how the evening went and how much was raised.
Internet problems
Technology failed Cancerkin this week with the whole office grinding to a halt after our BT broadband stopped working on last Monday. The problems lasted throughout the week until BT fixed the problem at their exchange over the weekend, consequently we may not have received your emails last week. Thankfully, as of yesterday morning Cancerkin’s internet was restored allowing us to receive and send our emails as well as updating our database. We are sorry if we didn’t return emails or for any inconvenience caused.
Cancerkin’s East London Project update…
As we mentioned last month, Cancerkin have started running monthly free complementary therapy sessions in East London. Today, we held our second successful session at St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney with over 30 women from all over East London benefiting from the range of complementary therapies. The day consisted of one-to-one therapy sessions of Reflexology, Reiki and Soul Therapy and group sessions of Art Therapy and a demo session of a Look Good Feel Better workshop.
Cancerkin has not worked alone in its East London outreach and would like to thank the Newham, Homerton, St Bartholomew and Whipps Cross hospitals and our local partner organisations for all their support in making this session a success.
In The News….
Cleaning Products
New research this week has shown that regularly using household cleaning products and air fresheners increases the risk of breast cancer by up to 110%. The study of 1508 women, 787 of whom were diagnosed with breast cancer, asked them to recall how often and what sorts of household products they used. Tests have shown that cleaning products often contain chemicals which are linked to cancer; however these links have never been proved. More research is needed to prove the findings which are being questioned due to the way in which the results were obtained. The women with cancer may have been more accurate or even over exaggerate their use of these products as they search for a reason for their illness. Read the full story here.
Abortion
In the 1st July issue of ‘On the pulse’, we published a link to a story written in the Daily Mail about whether abortions are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. In response, our Medical Director, consultant breast surgeon Tim Davidson, has drawn our attention to an article he wrote in ‘The Lancet’. In this article he examines the published evidence supporting and refuting this hypothesis and concludes that there is, to date, insufficient evidence to justify warning women of future breast cancer risk when counselling them about abortion. The full article will be placed on the Cancerkin website during the next week.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk update......
This year over £40,000 has been raised in donations and sponsorship for the Hyde Park Walk. The pictures for this year’s walk can be viewed on our Flickr and Facebook pages. If you have any pictures which you would like to share with us you can do so by uploading them onto our Facebook wall. Finally, please remember to send in your sponsorship money before 13th August and ensure that all cheques are made payable to Cancerkin.
La Bohème......
Cancerkin’s opera evening is next weekend and we still have tickets available! For more information or to order tickets please contact Lauren Newton on 020 7830 2323 or at l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk. All proceeds will go towards the creation of a Young Women’s Support Group at Cancerkin.
In the News…
Woman’s breast cancer diagnosis was wrong…
In 2007, a pathologist in Michigan found what was believed to be the earliest stage of breast cancer from a biopsy. The patient, Ms Long endured an extensive surgery, leaving her right breast missing a chunk the size of a golf ball.
In 2008 however, she was told that the pathologist had made a mistake as her new doctor was sure she never had the disease, called ductal carcinoma in situ (D.C.I.S), meaning the surgery, radiation, drugs and the fear had all been unnecessary. Miss Long, who is a registered nurse, told the New York Times that ‘”I never should have had to go through what I did”.
Like many women, Ms Long believed that a breast biopsy was the most reliable way to identify cancer. However, it turns out that diagnosing the earliest stage of breast cancer can be difficult.
Advances over the past 3 decades in mammography and other imaging techniques have meant that pathologists must form opinions on even the smallest breast lesions; some may even be the size of a grain of salt. According to some doctors deciphering the difference between lesions which are benign and early stage breast cancer is challenging.
According to Dr. Shahla Masood, who is the head of pathology at the University of Florida, College of Medicine, “There are studies that show that diagnosing these borderline breast lesions occasionally comes down to the flip of a coin.”
Dr Vi, who diagnosed Ms Long with DCIS was not board certified and has stated that he reads around 50 breast biopsies a year, far less than the leading pathologists say is needed in dealing with difficult breast cancer cases.
In response to a lawsuit brought by Ms. Long, Dr. Vi maintains that she had cancer and that two board-certified pathologists had agreed with his diagnosis.
However leading experts who reviewed Ms. Long’s case disagreed stating that her local pathologists “blew the diagnosis.”
Read more here.
African ancestry......
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that African ancestry increases the chances of triple negative breast cancer, an overly aggressive form. A study of breast cancer in different ethnic groups showed that 82% of African women who had breast cancer had the triple negative variety as opposed to 26% in African Americans and only 16% in white Americans.
Triple negative cancer is negative for certain markers used in identifying suitable treatments. Most medical advances have come about using these markers and therefore the treatment options for triple negative breast cancer are limited. The researchers used 581 African Americans and 1008 white Americans in Detroit as well as 75 Ghanaians from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. More on the story here.
Cancerkin Team
Friday 23rd July 2010
Hyde Park Walk update......
This year over £40,000 has been raised in donations and sponsorship for the Hyde Park Walk. The pictures for this year’s walk can be viewed on our Flickr and Facebook pages. If you have any pictures which you would like to share with us you can do so by uploading them onto our Facebook wall. Finally, please remember to send in your sponsorship money before 13th August and ensure that all cheques are made payable to Cancerkin.
La Bohème......
Cancerkin’s opera evening is next weekend and we still have tickets available! For more information or to order tickets please contact Lauren Newton on 020 7830 2323 or at l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk. All proceeds will go towards the creation of a Young Women’s Support Group at Cancerkin.
In the News…
Woman’s breast cancer diagnosis was wrong…
In 2007, a pathologist in Michigan found what was believed to be the earliest stage of breast cancer from a biopsy. The patient, Ms Long endured an extensive surgery, leaving her right breast missing a chunk the size of a golf ball.
In 2008 however, she was told that the pathologist had made a mistake as her new doctor was sure she never had the disease, called ductal carcinoma in situ (D.C.I.S), meaning the surgery, radiation, drugs and the fear had all been unnecessary. Miss Long, who is a registered nurse, told the New York Times that ‘”I never should have had to go through what I did”.
Like many women, Ms Long believed that a breast biopsy was the most reliable way to identify cancer. However, it turns out that diagnosing the earliest stage of breast cancer can be difficult.
Advances over the past 3 decades in mammography and other imaging techniques have meant that pathologists must form opinions on even the smallest breast lesions; some may even be the size of a grain of salt. According to some doctors deciphering the difference between lesions which are benign and early stage breast cancer is challenging.
According to Dr. Shahla Masood, who is the head of pathology at the University of Florida, College of Medicine, “There are studies that show that diagnosing these borderline breast lesions occasionally comes down to the flip of a coin.”
Dr Vi, who diagnosed Ms Long with DCIS was not board certified and has stated that he reads around 50 breast biopsies a year, far less than the leading pathologists say is needed in dealing with difficult breast cancer cases.
In response to a lawsuit brought by Ms. Long, Dr. Vi maintains that she had cancer and that two board-certified pathologists had agreed with his diagnosis.
However leading experts who reviewed Ms. Long’s case disagreed stating that her local pathologists “blew the diagnosis.”
Read more here.
African ancestry......
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that African ancestry increases the chances of triple negative breast cancer, an overly aggressive form. A study of breast cancer in different ethnic groups showed that 82% of African women who had breast cancer had the triple negative variety as opposed to 26% in African Americans and only 16% in white Americans.
Triple negative cancer is negative for certain markers used in identifying suitable treatments. Most medical advances have come about using these markers and therefore the treatment options for triple negative breast cancer are limited. The researchers used 581 African Americans and 1008 white Americans in Detroit as well as 75 Ghanaians from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. More on the story here.
Cancerkin Team
Friday 23rd July 2010
Friday, 16 July 2010
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
Many hands make light work…
Cancerkin are pleased to welcome another new intern, Guy Mollett. Guy will be with Cancerkin for a month before he returns to school for his A Levels, after which he hopes to go to University to study medicine. Guy has been helping with all things financial, processing our Hyde Park Walk and La Boheme sponsorship. If you have yet to send yours in please do at your earliest convenience so that we can get it all accounted for whilst we have Guy’s valuable help.
In the News…
Another young woman to the count…
Nicola Duffy was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer at the tender age of 31. With a history of breast cancer throughout her grandmothers, mother and aunts the risk was always there, but for Nicola, and many more women like her, the diagnosis came much earlier than expected. This is the third story of a young woman with breast cancer that has featured in the press in so many months; highlighting the increase in of cancer in those under 50. Her story, published in last week’s Stylist magazine, documents the trouble she had fitting in doctor’s appointments around her ‘demanding role in recruitment’ and her struggle with stopping it ‘getting in the way of my dreams’. Nicola also quite happily disclosed the fear she felt when she decided to have a double mastectomy and the worry about how this would affect her relationship with her boyfriend who had ‘assured me he would still love me, no matter what’.
Despite its relatively short length, I wonder if Stylist or indeed Nicola herself realised how many crucial issues for young women the article touched upon. The Cancerkin Young Women’s Support Group, currently in the planning stage, will respond to the issues that Nicola and many others like her experience. Worries about work pressures, career prospects, fertility, sexuality, body image, relationships, genetics etc. Our opera evening, which has been praised by Simon Thomas(opera reviewer for What’s On Stage) on Twitter is raising money to help establish this support group. If you, or anyone you know would like more information about the Young Women’s Group or the Opera Gala please contact Lauren Newton on l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk . To read Simon Thomas’ Review click here.
Breakthrough in treating aggressive breast cancer could be on the way….
HER2 – a form of breast cancer which encourages the disease to spread around the body, often causing fatal secondary tumours, affects around 9,000 women each year- approximately 1 in 5 of UK women suffering with the disease. A team in Edinburgh have now discovered the gene that causes HER2 to spread so fast and dangerously. This discovery means that new drugs will be able to be manufactured to block the gene’s function and therefore prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Research leader Dr Elad Katz, from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit, said: “With all cancers, the key is working out how they form and spread. Identifying this gene’s key role in the spread of this type of breast cancer is a significant finding.” Professor David Harrison, Director of the Unit agrees saying:“It is exciting to know there is a drug out there which could potentially stop this process happening and save the lives of women with breast cancer.” Read the full details here.
A creative path to empathy…
Comic books are increasingly being used by medical lecturers to teach their students medicine from the patients view. The comic strips show how treatments and diagnosis affect the patients and their families and are being used in universities to help students understand the doctor-patient relationship and empathy. ‘Cancer Vixen’ a comic about a women’s experience of breast cancer is one of these graphic novels; the comic can be found in the Cancerkin reference library for any of you who would like to take a peek. Read the full story here.
Cancer survival rates have nearly doubled in the last 30 years…
Although the hippie age is over with the principles of freedom, truth, love and peace almost dead in the water, BBC news online published some figures this week which should make us happy to be living in the fast-paced 21st century. A recent comparative study found that compared to 1970 the chance of surviving for 10 years following a cancer diagnosis has doubled (for most common cancers only). For breast cancer alone survival rates have increased from 40% to 77%; a massive leap in progress. The increases have been attributed to advances in medical techniques and treatments, thorough and accessible screening processes and an increased knowledge of cancer and its symptoms helping to result in earlier detection. To read the full article and see the statistics of other cancer forms please click here.
Lauren Newton 15th July 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin News…
Many hands make light work…
Cancerkin are pleased to welcome another new intern, Guy Mollett. Guy will be with Cancerkin for a month before he returns to school for his A Levels, after which he hopes to go to University to study medicine. Guy has been helping with all things financial, processing our Hyde Park Walk and La Boheme sponsorship. If you have yet to send yours in please do at your earliest convenience so that we can get it all accounted for whilst we have Guy’s valuable help.
In the News…
Another young woman to the count…
Nicola Duffy was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer at the tender age of 31. With a history of breast cancer throughout her grandmothers, mother and aunts the risk was always there, but for Nicola, and many more women like her, the diagnosis came much earlier than expected. This is the third story of a young woman with breast cancer that has featured in the press in so many months; highlighting the increase in of cancer in those under 50. Her story, published in last week’s Stylist magazine, documents the trouble she had fitting in doctor’s appointments around her ‘demanding role in recruitment’ and her struggle with stopping it ‘getting in the way of my dreams’. Nicola also quite happily disclosed the fear she felt when she decided to have a double mastectomy and the worry about how this would affect her relationship with her boyfriend who had ‘assured me he would still love me, no matter what’.
Despite its relatively short length, I wonder if Stylist or indeed Nicola herself realised how many crucial issues for young women the article touched upon. The Cancerkin Young Women’s Support Group, currently in the planning stage, will respond to the issues that Nicola and many others like her experience. Worries about work pressures, career prospects, fertility, sexuality, body image, relationships, genetics etc. Our opera evening, which has been praised by Simon Thomas(opera reviewer for What’s On Stage) on Twitter is raising money to help establish this support group. If you, or anyone you know would like more information about the Young Women’s Group or the Opera Gala please contact Lauren Newton on l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk . To read Simon Thomas’ Review click here.
Breakthrough in treating aggressive breast cancer could be on the way….
HER2 – a form of breast cancer which encourages the disease to spread around the body, often causing fatal secondary tumours, affects around 9,000 women each year- approximately 1 in 5 of UK women suffering with the disease. A team in Edinburgh have now discovered the gene that causes HER2 to spread so fast and dangerously. This discovery means that new drugs will be able to be manufactured to block the gene’s function and therefore prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Research leader Dr Elad Katz, from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit, said: “With all cancers, the key is working out how they form and spread. Identifying this gene’s key role in the spread of this type of breast cancer is a significant finding.” Professor David Harrison, Director of the Unit agrees saying:“It is exciting to know there is a drug out there which could potentially stop this process happening and save the lives of women with breast cancer.” Read the full details here.
A creative path to empathy…
Comic books are increasingly being used by medical lecturers to teach their students medicine from the patients view. The comic strips show how treatments and diagnosis affect the patients and their families and are being used in universities to help students understand the doctor-patient relationship and empathy. ‘Cancer Vixen’ a comic about a women’s experience of breast cancer is one of these graphic novels; the comic can be found in the Cancerkin reference library for any of you who would like to take a peek. Read the full story here.
Cancer survival rates have nearly doubled in the last 30 years…
Although the hippie age is over with the principles of freedom, truth, love and peace almost dead in the water, BBC news online published some figures this week which should make us happy to be living in the fast-paced 21st century. A recent comparative study found that compared to 1970 the chance of surviving for 10 years following a cancer diagnosis has doubled (for most common cancers only). For breast cancer alone survival rates have increased from 40% to 77%; a massive leap in progress. The increases have been attributed to advances in medical techniques and treatments, thorough and accessible screening processes and an increased knowledge of cancer and its symptoms helping to result in earlier detection. To read the full article and see the statistics of other cancer forms please click here.
Lauren Newton 15th July 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Friday, 9 July 2010
On the pulse...
On the pulse
Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk sponsorship…
Thank you to all of you who have been sending in your sponsorship for the Hyde Park Walk - the fundraising total is steadily on the rise! For those of you who have yet to send in your monies, remember to do so before Friday 13th August, when our top 3 fundraisers will be awarded with luxury products kindly donated by Floris. Please remember to make all cheques payable to Cancerkin and where possible please avoid sending cash in the post. Please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk if you have any queries about sponsorship.
Renowned opera reviewer gives Cancerkin opera event thumbs up…
Simon Thomas, top opera reviewer for magazine and online arts listing, What’s On Stage, has written a fantastic review of Cancerkin’s up and coming opera gala evening at the Soho Theatre, London- rating it as a must see production. If you would like to join us for the event, which begins a 6.30pm on Saturday 31st July for a champagne and canapés reception with the cast then please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk for further information and ticket requests. To view Simon Thomas’ report please click here or look up his blogs for Cancerkin on Twitter here.
In the News…
Beat cancer by having fun…
A study at Ohio University has taken mice that have cancer out of their usual commune of 5 and have placed them in a more sociable group of around 15-20 other mice, to see if this has an effect on their response to their cancer. Alongside the extra housemates the mice were given more toys, hiding space and running wheels. The result of this new environment saw the mice’s tumours become 43% smaller with a 77% reduction in mass and around 5% of the mice showing no evidence of the cancer disease after 3 weeks in the new home. These effects were not replicated in the mice that were kept in the standard accommodation.
Study lead Prof. Matthew During said “We’re really showing that you can’t look at a disease like cancer in isolation. For too long physicians and others have stuck to what they know- surgery, chemo radiotherapy. If we look at people more in terms of their perceptions of disease and environment, we could realise a profound influence on cancer”. This research helps to validate the views that a positive mental attitude and a safe and secure environment can help to play an important role in beating breast cancer; an outlook Cancerkin work to promote every day. This story featured on page 14 of Friday morning’s Metro.
Cancer genealogy poses threat to men….
Men who are carriers of a faulty BRCA2 gene have a 1 in 15 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer by the time they are 70 The Daily Mail reported this week. This figure is opposed to the 1 in 1000 chance men in the general population have of developing breast cancer. The gene can be passed down through generations regardless of the sex of the newborn baby; a fact that will change many people’s views on the link between genetics and breast cancer. Each year in the UK 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer, compared to the 45,000 for women. Read the full article here
Positive results for new breast cancer drug….
A new drug sponsored by AstraZeneca has caused positive results in its latest trial. Olaparib, as the drug is called, effects cancers caused by faulty BRCA 1 and 2 genes. In Stage II trials for breast cancer and ovarian cancer, 111 patients were given the drug in small or large amounts. In the breast cancer trial of the patients who received the larger dose, 40% had a significant reduction in tumour size and tumours were stopped from increasing for about 6 months. To read full details of the trial please click here
Could being overweight really lower the risk of developing breast cancer..?
A study has found that being overweight when young may reduce the chances of developing breast cancer in later life. Scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston undertook a 17 year study to research the effects of weight on the development of breast cancer. The study which took into account the records of 188,860 women found that an increased level of body fat, particularly during adolescence decreases the risk of breast cancer in pre and post-menopausal women. However the dangers of being overweight are well known and pose many other risks in themselves. Please click here to read the full article.
Lauren Newton 9th July 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin News…
Hyde Park Walk sponsorship…
Thank you to all of you who have been sending in your sponsorship for the Hyde Park Walk - the fundraising total is steadily on the rise! For those of you who have yet to send in your monies, remember to do so before Friday 13th August, when our top 3 fundraisers will be awarded with luxury products kindly donated by Floris. Please remember to make all cheques payable to Cancerkin and where possible please avoid sending cash in the post. Please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk if you have any queries about sponsorship.
Renowned opera reviewer gives Cancerkin opera event thumbs up…
Simon Thomas, top opera reviewer for magazine and online arts listing, What’s On Stage, has written a fantastic review of Cancerkin’s up and coming opera gala evening at the Soho Theatre, London- rating it as a must see production. If you would like to join us for the event, which begins a 6.30pm on Saturday 31st July for a champagne and canapés reception with the cast then please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk for further information and ticket requests. To view Simon Thomas’ report please click here or look up his blogs for Cancerkin on Twitter here.
In the News…
Beat cancer by having fun…
A study at Ohio University has taken mice that have cancer out of their usual commune of 5 and have placed them in a more sociable group of around 15-20 other mice, to see if this has an effect on their response to their cancer. Alongside the extra housemates the mice were given more toys, hiding space and running wheels. The result of this new environment saw the mice’s tumours become 43% smaller with a 77% reduction in mass and around 5% of the mice showing no evidence of the cancer disease after 3 weeks in the new home. These effects were not replicated in the mice that were kept in the standard accommodation.
Study lead Prof. Matthew During said “We’re really showing that you can’t look at a disease like cancer in isolation. For too long physicians and others have stuck to what they know- surgery, chemo radiotherapy. If we look at people more in terms of their perceptions of disease and environment, we could realise a profound influence on cancer”. This research helps to validate the views that a positive mental attitude and a safe and secure environment can help to play an important role in beating breast cancer; an outlook Cancerkin work to promote every day. This story featured on page 14 of Friday morning’s Metro.
Cancer genealogy poses threat to men….
Men who are carriers of a faulty BRCA2 gene have a 1 in 15 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer by the time they are 70 The Daily Mail reported this week. This figure is opposed to the 1 in 1000 chance men in the general population have of developing breast cancer. The gene can be passed down through generations regardless of the sex of the newborn baby; a fact that will change many people’s views on the link between genetics and breast cancer. Each year in the UK 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer, compared to the 45,000 for women. Read the full article here
Positive results for new breast cancer drug….
A new drug sponsored by AstraZeneca has caused positive results in its latest trial. Olaparib, as the drug is called, effects cancers caused by faulty BRCA 1 and 2 genes. In Stage II trials for breast cancer and ovarian cancer, 111 patients were given the drug in small or large amounts. In the breast cancer trial of the patients who received the larger dose, 40% had a significant reduction in tumour size and tumours were stopped from increasing for about 6 months. To read full details of the trial please click here
Could being overweight really lower the risk of developing breast cancer..?
A study has found that being overweight when young may reduce the chances of developing breast cancer in later life. Scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston undertook a 17 year study to research the effects of weight on the development of breast cancer. The study which took into account the records of 188,860 women found that an increased level of body fat, particularly during adolescence decreases the risk of breast cancer in pre and post-menopausal women. However the dangers of being overweight are well known and pose many other risks in themselves. Please click here to read the full article.
Lauren Newton 9th July 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Monday, 28 June 2010
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin’s News…
Music Therapy…
Cancerkin is pleased to announce the pilot introduction of a brand new therapy: Music Therapy. Therapist, Karina Gretere, will be running three taster sessions on September 24th, October 1st and October 8th. Karina will use improvisation to draw her patients into shared music making, engaging in a person’s innate creativity and working with difficulties affecting their well being. If you are interested in taking part in these sessions or would like more general information about music therapy please speak to Jean on reception.
New Intern…
Another week, another intern! This summer, Cancerkin is lucky enough to have the help of Athena Tasou. Athena, who is currently studying a Psychology degree at Oxford Brookes, will be in the Cancerkin office three days a week to assist on fundraising, PR and events. We are extremely happy to have her and wish her the best of luck during her time here.
In the News…
A gift of life….
In a story as good as any Hollywood blockbuster, 37 year old Nikki Blunden, mum to a four year old little boy, has been given the gift of life by a complete stranger. Nikki, whose breast cancer had spread to her liver, lymph nodes and brain, was denied life-prolonging drugs by her health authority who claimed they were too expensive, and thus was not expecting to live out the year. However, in a lucky twist of fate businessman Nazir Mohammed heard of Nikki’s story through a friend and has generously donated the £25,000 needed for the treatment, saying ‘If I can give her the chance of a few more months by paying for the drug, I’m happy to do that.’
Although this story reminds us all that generosity and selflessness is still alive in our society, it is yet another example of the emergent number of young women suffering with cancer. Cancerkin’s La Boheme benefit opera evening will be raising money to help these women by setting up a Young Women’s Support Group later this year. If you would like to attend the opera or would like more information on the Young Women’s Support Group please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk .
This story was featured in the Metro (p34) on Thursday 24th June
Double- mastectomy for mother and son….
Following the death of her mother from ovarian cancer when she was just 12 years old, and the later diagnosis of her two sisters, (both with breast cancer), Lynda Skillom agonised for months over whether to have a double- mastectomy. After choosing to go through with the surgery, Lynda was dealt another blow, as her only child, 29 year old son Cedric was also found to have pre-cancerous tissues in both breasts.
After informing the doctor of her family history with cancer and herself having cancerous lumps removed from both breasts, Linda was tested for a mutation in the BRCA2 gene; a mutation which drastically increases a carrier’s risk of breast and other forms of cancer. Sure enough the result was positive.
Breast cancers are five times more likely in women who inherit the BRAC2 mutation. Furthermore, cancer in carriers of the faulty gene is also notoriously aggressive. Knowing this information Lynda took decisive steps to prevent her cancer returning, opting to have both a double mastectomy and her ovaries removed- a step she took to prevent ovarian cancer, a disease linked to the BRCA2 mutation.
After experiencing tenderness and chest pain for around 2 years, Lynda’s son Cedric also fell victim to the BRCA2 gene, and he was promptly diagnosed with breast cancer. Following in the footsteps of his mother, Cedric too opted for a double- mastectomy. Commenting on his drastic decision Cedric says, "Most of all I felt surprised, really surprised. I didn't know that men could get breast cancer. As a man it felt strange, but I wanted to take care of it there and then, so I wouldn't have to worry about it coming back.”
"While breast cancer is rare in men, those who carry the BRCA2 gene are at greater risk of getting the disease," says Dr Patricia Robinson, the oncologist who treated mother and son at the Loyola University Health System, in Chicago. "A double mastectomy is often the best option for long-term prognosis for these patients.” A fault in the BRCA2 gene, which is needed for effective DNA repair, is thought to be responsible for about 10 per cent of breast-cancer cases in men. For male carriers of BRCA2 mutation, the lifetime risk of the disease is as high as 10 per cent. It also seems to raise the risk of prostate cancer, causing a particularly aggressive form of the disease.
Read the Skillom’s full story here
Lauren Newton 18th June 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin’s News…
Music Therapy…
Cancerkin is pleased to announce the pilot introduction of a brand new therapy: Music Therapy. Therapist, Karina Gretere, will be running three taster sessions on September 24th, October 1st and October 8th. Karina will use improvisation to draw her patients into shared music making, engaging in a person’s innate creativity and working with difficulties affecting their well being. If you are interested in taking part in these sessions or would like more general information about music therapy please speak to Jean on reception.
New Intern…
Another week, another intern! This summer, Cancerkin is lucky enough to have the help of Athena Tasou. Athena, who is currently studying a Psychology degree at Oxford Brookes, will be in the Cancerkin office three days a week to assist on fundraising, PR and events. We are extremely happy to have her and wish her the best of luck during her time here.
In the News…
A gift of life….
In a story as good as any Hollywood blockbuster, 37 year old Nikki Blunden, mum to a four year old little boy, has been given the gift of life by a complete stranger. Nikki, whose breast cancer had spread to her liver, lymph nodes and brain, was denied life-prolonging drugs by her health authority who claimed they were too expensive, and thus was not expecting to live out the year. However, in a lucky twist of fate businessman Nazir Mohammed heard of Nikki’s story through a friend and has generously donated the £25,000 needed for the treatment, saying ‘If I can give her the chance of a few more months by paying for the drug, I’m happy to do that.’
Although this story reminds us all that generosity and selflessness is still alive in our society, it is yet another example of the emergent number of young women suffering with cancer. Cancerkin’s La Boheme benefit opera evening will be raising money to help these women by setting up a Young Women’s Support Group later this year. If you would like to attend the opera or would like more information on the Young Women’s Support Group please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk .
This story was featured in the Metro (p34) on Thursday 24th June
Double- mastectomy for mother and son….
Following the death of her mother from ovarian cancer when she was just 12 years old, and the later diagnosis of her two sisters, (both with breast cancer), Lynda Skillom agonised for months over whether to have a double- mastectomy. After choosing to go through with the surgery, Lynda was dealt another blow, as her only child, 29 year old son Cedric was also found to have pre-cancerous tissues in both breasts.
After informing the doctor of her family history with cancer and herself having cancerous lumps removed from both breasts, Linda was tested for a mutation in the BRCA2 gene; a mutation which drastically increases a carrier’s risk of breast and other forms of cancer. Sure enough the result was positive.
Breast cancers are five times more likely in women who inherit the BRAC2 mutation. Furthermore, cancer in carriers of the faulty gene is also notoriously aggressive. Knowing this information Lynda took decisive steps to prevent her cancer returning, opting to have both a double mastectomy and her ovaries removed- a step she took to prevent ovarian cancer, a disease linked to the BRCA2 mutation.
After experiencing tenderness and chest pain for around 2 years, Lynda’s son Cedric also fell victim to the BRCA2 gene, and he was promptly diagnosed with breast cancer. Following in the footsteps of his mother, Cedric too opted for a double- mastectomy. Commenting on his drastic decision Cedric says, "Most of all I felt surprised, really surprised. I didn't know that men could get breast cancer. As a man it felt strange, but I wanted to take care of it there and then, so I wouldn't have to worry about it coming back.”
"While breast cancer is rare in men, those who carry the BRCA2 gene are at greater risk of getting the disease," says Dr Patricia Robinson, the oncologist who treated mother and son at the Loyola University Health System, in Chicago. "A double mastectomy is often the best option for long-term prognosis for these patients.” A fault in the BRCA2 gene, which is needed for effective DNA repair, is thought to be responsible for about 10 per cent of breast-cancer cases in men. For male carriers of BRCA2 mutation, the lifetime risk of the disease is as high as 10 per cent. It also seems to raise the risk of prostate cancer, causing a particularly aggressive form of the disease.
Read the Skillom’s full story here
Lauren Newton 18th June 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Friday, 18 June 2010
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin’s News…
Hyde Park Walk…
On behalf of everyone at Cancerkin I would like to say a very BIG thank you to everyone who attended our Hyde Park Walk on Sunday. It was a fantastic event; with beautiful weather, a buzzing atmosphere and the biggest turnout Cancerkin has ever seen. I sincerely hope you all enjoyed it as much as we here at the office did. All that is left for you to do is send in your sponsorships forms and money (in cheque form where possible) to: The Cancerkin Centre, The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, NW3 3QG. There are three prizes (donated by Floris) up for grabs for the top fundraisers. To be in with a chance of getting your hands on these you MUST send your sponsorship money in before Friday 13th August. For those of you who have fundraised via Just Giving do not fear, your total will also be included in the prize draw.
There were a few items that were left behind on the day. If you think any of the following could be yours please drop me an email at l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk.
1. A pair of tortoise shell sunglasses, left on the O-Z registration desk
2. A DOMKE protective wrap, most likely an attachment to a rucksack- left in the bandstand
3. A ring found along the Serpentine route.
In the News…
Lisa Lynch: A young woman with breast cancer….
This week Lisa Lynch, shared the story of her invasive breast cancer diagnosis at the age of only 28 with the Guardian, ahead of the launch of her new book, ‘The C-Word’. In keeping with the digital media generation, the book was born out of the tales Lisa uploaded onto her blogspace ‘Alright Tit, where she wittingly documented, "the frustrating, life-altering, sheer bloody pain-in-the-arse inconvenience of getting breast cancer at 28." This however was no normal blog space, it managed to gain 140,000 hits within a year and soon captivated QI presenter Stephen Fry, who called her “funny and brilliant”.
Other than the sardonic, (and yet positive!) retelling of Lisa’s own experiences, The C-Word explores the difficult change in familial dynamics that face young women with breast cancer. By documenting the feelings that her parents experienced in her cancer journey, Lisa touches on a key question for many parents whose children are sick: is it any less painful for the parents of an adult child to have to cope with the news of such a devastating prognosis? Indeed Lisa’s mother said "I felt guilty that it wasn't me. It seemed so unfair. Just because your child has grown up and left home, it doesn't mean they are not your child”. Her father Ian adds: "As a parent you feel totally helpless."
Lisa’s story is a vibrantly honest one, and touches on some of the issues that we at Cancerkin want to help our young women to deal with. With the beginnings of a Young Women’s Group in place, it is our vision that we will help women like Lisa in dealing with issues such as: telling the parents, telling the children, career and job prospects, fertility, genetics, sexuality and body image. Our fundraising opera evening on Saturday 31st July will be raising money for our Young Women’s Group. If you feel that you would benefit from the group, would like to offer a donation towards the establishment of the group or would like tickets to our opera please email me at l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk.
Read the rest of Lisa’s inspiring story here
A common blood pressure drug found to increase risk of cancer
A new research study has found that Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), commonly used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and kidney damage pose a risk of cancer to anyone taking the tablets.
The research which was carried out at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio and published on line by The Lancet Oncology journal, included 13 trials of the drugs on more than 150,000 patients. The results found, according to researchers: “The increased risk of new cancer occurrence is modest but significant …[However] the finding of a 1.2 per cent increase in absolute cancer risk over an average of 4 years needs to be interpreted in view of the estimated 41 per cent background lifetime cancer risk.”
Senior Cardiac nurse for the British Heart Foundation , Judy O’Sullivan, said: “This analysis of previous research is inconclusive and anyone taking ARBs to treat their heart disease, or risk of developing it, shouldn’t stop based on this alone. Mark Lerwick of Cancer Research UK, too called for a more in-depth study but noted that: "It’s important that we try to understand all the side effects of drugs so that people can make an informed choice about their treatment. “ Read the full article here
LaurenNewton 18thJune 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin’s News…
Hyde Park Walk…
On behalf of everyone at Cancerkin I would like to say a very BIG thank you to everyone who attended our Hyde Park Walk on Sunday. It was a fantastic event; with beautiful weather, a buzzing atmosphere and the biggest turnout Cancerkin has ever seen. I sincerely hope you all enjoyed it as much as we here at the office did. All that is left for you to do is send in your sponsorships forms and money (in cheque form where possible) to: The Cancerkin Centre, The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, NW3 3QG. There are three prizes (donated by Floris) up for grabs for the top fundraisers. To be in with a chance of getting your hands on these you MUST send your sponsorship money in before Friday 13th August. For those of you who have fundraised via Just Giving do not fear, your total will also be included in the prize draw.
There were a few items that were left behind on the day. If you think any of the following could be yours please drop me an email at l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk.
1. A pair of tortoise shell sunglasses, left on the O-Z registration desk
2. A DOMKE protective wrap, most likely an attachment to a rucksack- left in the bandstand
3. A ring found along the Serpentine route.
In the News…
Lisa Lynch: A young woman with breast cancer….
This week Lisa Lynch, shared the story of her invasive breast cancer diagnosis at the age of only 28 with the Guardian, ahead of the launch of her new book, ‘The C-Word’. In keeping with the digital media generation, the book was born out of the tales Lisa uploaded onto her blogspace ‘Alright Tit, where she wittingly documented, "the frustrating, life-altering, sheer bloody pain-in-the-arse inconvenience of getting breast cancer at 28." This however was no normal blog space, it managed to gain 140,000 hits within a year and soon captivated QI presenter Stephen Fry, who called her “funny and brilliant”.
Other than the sardonic, (and yet positive!) retelling of Lisa’s own experiences, The C-Word explores the difficult change in familial dynamics that face young women with breast cancer. By documenting the feelings that her parents experienced in her cancer journey, Lisa touches on a key question for many parents whose children are sick: is it any less painful for the parents of an adult child to have to cope with the news of such a devastating prognosis? Indeed Lisa’s mother said "I felt guilty that it wasn't me. It seemed so unfair. Just because your child has grown up and left home, it doesn't mean they are not your child”. Her father Ian adds: "As a parent you feel totally helpless."
Lisa’s story is a vibrantly honest one, and touches on some of the issues that we at Cancerkin want to help our young women to deal with. With the beginnings of a Young Women’s Group in place, it is our vision that we will help women like Lisa in dealing with issues such as: telling the parents, telling the children, career and job prospects, fertility, genetics, sexuality and body image. Our fundraising opera evening on Saturday 31st July will be raising money for our Young Women’s Group. If you feel that you would benefit from the group, would like to offer a donation towards the establishment of the group or would like tickets to our opera please email me at l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk.
Read the rest of Lisa’s inspiring story here
A common blood pressure drug found to increase risk of cancer
A new research study has found that Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), commonly used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and kidney damage pose a risk of cancer to anyone taking the tablets.
The research which was carried out at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio and published on line by The Lancet Oncology journal, included 13 trials of the drugs on more than 150,000 patients. The results found, according to researchers: “The increased risk of new cancer occurrence is modest but significant …[However] the finding of a 1.2 per cent increase in absolute cancer risk over an average of 4 years needs to be interpreted in view of the estimated 41 per cent background lifetime cancer risk.”
Senior Cardiac nurse for the British Heart Foundation , Judy O’Sullivan, said: “This analysis of previous research is inconclusive and anyone taking ARBs to treat their heart disease, or risk of developing it, shouldn’t stop based on this alone. Mark Lerwick of Cancer Research UK, too called for a more in-depth study but noted that: "It’s important that we try to understand all the side effects of drugs so that people can make an informed choice about their treatment. “ Read the full article here
LaurenNewton 18thJune 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Friday, 11 June 2010
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin’s News…
Hyde Park Walk…
Our Hyde Park Walk takes place this Sunday, 13th June. Registration will be between 9-10.30am with the walk finishing at approximately 2.30pm. Graeme Le Saux, ex Chelsea and England football player will be there to open the event. Entry will be available on the day so please feel free to bring anyone along with you who would like to take part. As always many hands make light work, so if you know someone who would like to volunteer to help in the smooth running of the day they would be more than welcome. If your T-shirt has not yet arrived do not fear as there will be spare available on the day as well as extra sponsorship forms, maps and donation slips. If you want any more information about the day’s events please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
La Boheme
On Saturday 31st July in coordination with new production company Opera Up Close, Cancerkin will be hosting their benefit performance of Puccini’s La Boheme. By now you should all have received your invitations to this exciting event. With only 7 weeks to go, ticket requests are coming in thick and fast. To be sure you don’t miss out send your form back asap to:
The Cancerkin Centre, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, NW2 3QG.
In the News…
Trials show revolutionary Intrabeam treatment working…
In 2008 Cancerkin donated a revolutionary piece of equipment known as the Intrabeam to the Royal Free Hospital. The machine allows surgeons to perform targeted radiotherapy whilst a patient is in theatre, thus negating the need for the patient to return to hospital for radiotherapy following their surgery. This could avoid a patient making up to a further 35 visits to hospital for post operative radiotherapy whilst reducing waiting times of patients and saving much needed NHS funds.
After a 10- year clinical trial around the world, involving 2,200 patients, results presented to the American Society of Clinic Oncology have shown the use of the Intrabeam to be safe. The findings were published in the medical journal The Lancet, with surgeons at the Royal Free stating that the process signals “the future of breast cancer treatment”. Mr Mohammed Keshtgar, consultant surgical oncologist at the Royal Free and supporter of Cancerkin said: “The most important finding is that the procedure is safe. It has fewer side effects, is as effective as conventional radiotherapy and is far more convenient for the patient who has gone through the psychological and physical trauma of having surgery for breast cancer.”
After approval from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) it is hoped that this could be available on the NHS within 2/3 years for most breast cancer patients with early cancer who are also undergoing a lumpectomy. Projections suggest it could help up to 70% of the 50,000 patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year. Cancerkin is extremely proud of its involvement with such revolutionary work and will continue to follow the progress of the treatment with interest.
New treatment for early stage breast cancer…
Removal of the underarm lymph nodes next to a cancerous breast was long the standard treatment. However, a study involving 991 women has found that the removal of the nodes did not necessarily prolong survival or prevent recurrence of the cancer. Michael Baum, lead investigator of the radiation study at the University College London said that “The theme [of research] is now how can we improve the quality of life for women”.
All of the 991 women involved in the study had had lumpectomies, radiation therapy and a positive sentinel lymph node; while half had the other lymph nodes surrounding the breast removed the other half did not. The results show that after five years there was no difference in survival or disease recurrence between the two groups with Dr Armando Giuliano, lead investigator of the study even going so far as to call the evidence overwhelming: “The evidence is overwhelming that the operation might not be necessary,” .Dr. Giuliano did say however, the results of the study apply only to women who undergo a lumpectomy followed by radiation, not women who undergo complete breast removal, who do not typically get radiotherapy.
Some critics of the study have said that it has several shortcomings namely that the women who were tested seem to have quite favourable prognoses between them and that the study needs to encompass a larger number of women. Read the full article here
LaurenNewton 11th June 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin’s News…
Hyde Park Walk…
Our Hyde Park Walk takes place this Sunday, 13th June. Registration will be between 9-10.30am with the walk finishing at approximately 2.30pm. Graeme Le Saux, ex Chelsea and England football player will be there to open the event. Entry will be available on the day so please feel free to bring anyone along with you who would like to take part. As always many hands make light work, so if you know someone who would like to volunteer to help in the smooth running of the day they would be more than welcome. If your T-shirt has not yet arrived do not fear as there will be spare available on the day as well as extra sponsorship forms, maps and donation slips. If you want any more information about the day’s events please contact l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
La Boheme
On Saturday 31st July in coordination with new production company Opera Up Close, Cancerkin will be hosting their benefit performance of Puccini’s La Boheme. By now you should all have received your invitations to this exciting event. With only 7 weeks to go, ticket requests are coming in thick and fast. To be sure you don’t miss out send your form back asap to:
The Cancerkin Centre, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, NW2 3QG.
In the News…
Trials show revolutionary Intrabeam treatment working…
In 2008 Cancerkin donated a revolutionary piece of equipment known as the Intrabeam to the Royal Free Hospital. The machine allows surgeons to perform targeted radiotherapy whilst a patient is in theatre, thus negating the need for the patient to return to hospital for radiotherapy following their surgery. This could avoid a patient making up to a further 35 visits to hospital for post operative radiotherapy whilst reducing waiting times of patients and saving much needed NHS funds.
After a 10- year clinical trial around the world, involving 2,200 patients, results presented to the American Society of Clinic Oncology have shown the use of the Intrabeam to be safe. The findings were published in the medical journal The Lancet, with surgeons at the Royal Free stating that the process signals “the future of breast cancer treatment”. Mr Mohammed Keshtgar, consultant surgical oncologist at the Royal Free and supporter of Cancerkin said: “The most important finding is that the procedure is safe. It has fewer side effects, is as effective as conventional radiotherapy and is far more convenient for the patient who has gone through the psychological and physical trauma of having surgery for breast cancer.”
After approval from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) it is hoped that this could be available on the NHS within 2/3 years for most breast cancer patients with early cancer who are also undergoing a lumpectomy. Projections suggest it could help up to 70% of the 50,000 patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year. Cancerkin is extremely proud of its involvement with such revolutionary work and will continue to follow the progress of the treatment with interest.
New treatment for early stage breast cancer…
Removal of the underarm lymph nodes next to a cancerous breast was long the standard treatment. However, a study involving 991 women has found that the removal of the nodes did not necessarily prolong survival or prevent recurrence of the cancer. Michael Baum, lead investigator of the radiation study at the University College London said that “The theme [of research] is now how can we improve the quality of life for women”.
All of the 991 women involved in the study had had lumpectomies, radiation therapy and a positive sentinel lymph node; while half had the other lymph nodes surrounding the breast removed the other half did not. The results show that after five years there was no difference in survival or disease recurrence between the two groups with Dr Armando Giuliano, lead investigator of the study even going so far as to call the evidence overwhelming: “The evidence is overwhelming that the operation might not be necessary,” .Dr. Giuliano did say however, the results of the study apply only to women who undergo a lumpectomy followed by radiation, not women who undergo complete breast removal, who do not typically get radiotherapy.
Some critics of the study have said that it has several shortcomings namely that the women who were tested seem to have quite favourable prognoses between them and that the study needs to encompass a larger number of women. Read the full article here
LaurenNewton 11th June 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Friday, 4 June 2010
On the pulse...for people affected by breast cancer
On the pulse
Cancerkin’s News…
Hyde Park Walk…
Our Hyde Park walk on Sunday 13th June is fast approaching but there is still time to register your entry. If you, or someone you know would like to get involved please email l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk for more information.
In the News…
Trials of breast cancer prevention vaccine set to begin…
A vaccine designed to deter the risk of breast cancer amongst young healthy women could go to clinic trial stage within the next two years. The jab, which has so far only been tested on animals, has impressed doctors so much that there is a high possibility that in the future GPs could offer the vaccine to women before they reach their mid 40s- an age when the risk of breast cancer rises.
Vincent Tuohy an immunologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, believes “that breast cancer is a completely preventable disease” and that these drugs" will provide substantial protection". The vaccine attacks a certain protein found in the majority of breast cancer cells as well as in the mammary glands of women who are breastfeeding; as a result, the jab would only be available to those who are not going to breastfeed in the future.
The trial injected 12 mice at the age of 2 months; 6 with the vaccine and 6 with a sham vaccine. All the mice were bred to be prone to breast cancer. At the 10 month period those who had received the sham vaccine had developed cancerous tumours and those who had received the protein vaccine were all clear. However, despite these figures, as with all new testing there are sizeable risks to be considered. Furthermore previous studies have shown that between 50-70% of human breast cancer cells carry the alpha-lactalbumin protein the vaccine targets – figures that suggest the jab would not destroy all of a patient's breast cancer cells.
Read the full article here
A blood test that can spot cancer before it develops…
Proteins, known as antigens are produced from cancerous cells, triggering the immune system to produce large amounts of autoantibodies. A new revolutionary blood test is said to recognise the initial signals of such a process, through monitoring the activity of a person’s immune system and the analysis of just 10ml of a patient’s blood. Research has even suggested that such signals can be detected up to 5 years before a tumour is spotted, giving doctors and patient’s vital time to fight the disease.
Professor John Robertson, a breast cancer specialist who for the past 15 years has led a team of clinicians working on the research in Nottingham and Kansas said “The earliest cancer we have seen is a cancer that has been screen detected, and yet biologically that’s late in the road of cancer development…We are starting to understand carcinogenesis in a way that we have never seen before — seeing which proteins are going wrong, and how the immune system responds. It’s as if your body is shouting ‘I’ve got cancer’ way before a tumour can be detected.” The research involved 8,000 patients and the test, known as EarlyCDT-Lung, is due to be introduced in Britain early next year.
Read the full story here
A preventative solution to the hair loss debate…?
The fear of hair loss is common amongst most women who undergo chemotherapy. Indeed only two weeks ago I reported on the risks of permanent hair loss from the chemotherapy drug, Taxotere. Chemotherapy drugs target fast-growing cells, in a bid to stop cancer reproducing at a rapid rate. Hair follicles are second only to bone marrow, in terms of their regenerative capacity, and so their growth and function is severely inhibited when in contact with a chemotherapy drug. Philip Kingsley, whose wife Joan had cancer, has suggested wearing a cool cap during treatment. Cool fluid to be pumped through the soft silicone cap which constricts the tiny capillaries that feed the hair, reducing the amount of drugs reaching the follicles. The drawback is that it can be uncomfortable and most patients can only tolerate it for about 20 minutes. Read more here
Lauren Newton 4th June 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
Cancerkin’s News…
Hyde Park Walk…
Our Hyde Park walk on Sunday 13th June is fast approaching but there is still time to register your entry. If you, or someone you know would like to get involved please email l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk for more information.
In the News…
Trials of breast cancer prevention vaccine set to begin…
A vaccine designed to deter the risk of breast cancer amongst young healthy women could go to clinic trial stage within the next two years. The jab, which has so far only been tested on animals, has impressed doctors so much that there is a high possibility that in the future GPs could offer the vaccine to women before they reach their mid 40s- an age when the risk of breast cancer rises.
Vincent Tuohy an immunologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, believes “that breast cancer is a completely preventable disease” and that these drugs" will provide substantial protection". The vaccine attacks a certain protein found in the majority of breast cancer cells as well as in the mammary glands of women who are breastfeeding; as a result, the jab would only be available to those who are not going to breastfeed in the future.
The trial injected 12 mice at the age of 2 months; 6 with the vaccine and 6 with a sham vaccine. All the mice were bred to be prone to breast cancer. At the 10 month period those who had received the sham vaccine had developed cancerous tumours and those who had received the protein vaccine were all clear. However, despite these figures, as with all new testing there are sizeable risks to be considered. Furthermore previous studies have shown that between 50-70% of human breast cancer cells carry the alpha-lactalbumin protein the vaccine targets – figures that suggest the jab would not destroy all of a patient's breast cancer cells.
Read the full article here
A blood test that can spot cancer before it develops…
Proteins, known as antigens are produced from cancerous cells, triggering the immune system to produce large amounts of autoantibodies. A new revolutionary blood test is said to recognise the initial signals of such a process, through monitoring the activity of a person’s immune system and the analysis of just 10ml of a patient’s blood. Research has even suggested that such signals can be detected up to 5 years before a tumour is spotted, giving doctors and patient’s vital time to fight the disease.
Professor John Robertson, a breast cancer specialist who for the past 15 years has led a team of clinicians working on the research in Nottingham and Kansas said “The earliest cancer we have seen is a cancer that has been screen detected, and yet biologically that’s late in the road of cancer development…We are starting to understand carcinogenesis in a way that we have never seen before — seeing which proteins are going wrong, and how the immune system responds. It’s as if your body is shouting ‘I’ve got cancer’ way before a tumour can be detected.” The research involved 8,000 patients and the test, known as EarlyCDT-Lung, is due to be introduced in Britain early next year.
Read the full story here
A preventative solution to the hair loss debate…?
The fear of hair loss is common amongst most women who undergo chemotherapy. Indeed only two weeks ago I reported on the risks of permanent hair loss from the chemotherapy drug, Taxotere. Chemotherapy drugs target fast-growing cells, in a bid to stop cancer reproducing at a rapid rate. Hair follicles are second only to bone marrow, in terms of their regenerative capacity, and so their growth and function is severely inhibited when in contact with a chemotherapy drug. Philip Kingsley, whose wife Joan had cancer, has suggested wearing a cool cap during treatment. Cool fluid to be pumped through the soft silicone cap which constricts the tiny capillaries that feed the hair, reducing the amount of drugs reaching the follicles. The drawback is that it can be uncomfortable and most patients can only tolerate it for about 20 minutes. Read more here
Lauren Newton 4th June 2010
l.newton@cancerkin.org.uk
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