On the pulse


Cancerkin’s News Update…

Portugal Villa up for auction on eBay

One of our generous supporters has once again donated the use of her Portugal holiday villa, to be auctioned off in aid of Cancerkin. Located near Porto in the North of Portugal, the stunning villa sleeps up to 10 and has its own swimming pool, outdoor seating and dining area and lots of outdoor space.

A week’s stay in the villa will be auctioned off on eBay. The auction will be open for bids from Thursday 12th May 2011 at 8pm and will run for 10 days until Sunday 22nd May 2011 at 8pm. This is a fantastic opportunity to support Cancerkin whilst securing a fabulous treat for your family or a group of friends. Please help us spread the word and tell everyone you know about the auction!

Click here for more details and pictures.


Hyde Park Walk 2011

Entries for Cancerkin’s annual sponsored Hyde Park Walk on Sunday 19th June 2011 are coming in thick and fast! If you have not yet registered, there is still plenty of time to do so – we will be taking entries right up to the day of the walk. If you would like to request an entry form, please contact call Laura on 0207 830 2323, or download a form from our website.


Good luck Joy!

Joy Okoye will be running the Neolithic Marathon this Sunday 1st May 2011 to raise funds for Cancerkin and three other charities. We wish her the best of luck for the day!


Therapies update

This week we say goodbye to reflexologist Jenni Stone. We thank her for all her hard work over the years and wish her the best for the future!

Please note that Art Therapy, Kundalini Yoga, Nia Technique, Tai Chi, Pilates and Yoga classes will all restart next week from Tuesday 2nd May, following a break over the April holiday period.



In the news…


New research into body’s defence against cancer

Cancer Research UK’s science blog this week discussed the ways in which the body defends itself against the development of cancer. A fascinating new piece of research into these processes, reported in Science Journal Medicine, has discovered a way in which cells protect themselves that could potentially offer opportunities for the development of new methods of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

As explained in the blog, there are a number of processes that allow the body to locate and destroy cancerous cells. We generate tumour-prone cells everyday and in order to prevent these from developing into cancer, injured cells produce ‘tumour suppressor’ proteins which kill or stop the division of such cells. In addition to this, they are targeted by white blood cells produced by the immune system.

A team of US researchers, led by Professors Mina Bissell and Wen-Hwa Lee, have now identified a protein also produced by the immune system that kills breast cancer cells whilst leaving healthy cells unharmed. Whilst examining the relationship between breast cancer cells and their healthy counterparts, they found that the protein interleukin-25 (IL-25) exclusively killed cancerous cells but had no effect on healthy ones. Further investigation revealed that cancer cells often have a protein known as IL-25 Receptor (IL-25R) on their surface, which causes the cell to die when it comes into contact with IL-25. Healthy cells do not produce IL-25R so are protected from this process.

Researchers believe that cancer cells produce IL-25R during the development of breast cancer as a means of distinguishing themselves. IL-25 is then produced by healthy cells to keep the cancerous cells in check. Although much more research needs to be done into the process, scientists think it could provide the basis for diagnostic tests and treatments for breast cancer in the future which target IL-25R. As the blog points out, similar studies into the protein HER2/neu led to the development of the now widely used breast cancer drug Herceptin.

To read the blog in full, please click here.


Laura Smith

28th April 2011

On the pulse


Cancerkin’s news…

Lymphoedema clinic’s coming of age

Last Tuesday, Cancerkin’s lymphoedema clinic celebrated its 21st Birthday! The clinic has now been providing a gold standard care to breast cancer patients with lymphoedema for over two decades and, as a result, it consistently receives outstanding levels of feedback. In our 2010 patient survey, it was scored 10 out of 10 by 92% of its patients.

Our lymphoedema therapists are supported by a dedicated team of six volunteers who manage the smooth day-to-day running of the clinic and are loved by patients and staff alike. Together with our CEO Victoria Todd, we would like to extend our thanks to these fantastic women - Helen Bennett, Evelyn Ellis, Pat Gussetti, Monika Hashmi, Melanie Kornitzer and Renate Tingay - for all their hard work over the years. Thank you!


Hyde Park Walk 2011

Registration is now open for Cancerkin’s annual sponsored Hyde Park Walk and we have already received lots of entries! If you have not yet received your invitation and registration form, it will be in the post to you this week, otherwise do contact l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk to request a form. This year’s walk will take place on Sunday 19th June 2011 at 10.30am and we hope to see as many of you there as possible!


Lectures in June

We are pleased to announce that in June, we will be holding two lectures here at the Cancerkin Centre, which will be open to all our patients and supporters.

Mr Mohammed Keshtgar FRCSI FRCS (Gen) PhD, Consultant Surgical Oncologist at the Royal Free and Whittington Hospitals will present the first lecture on 6th June 2011 at 3pm, which will be followed by a question and answer session.

The second lecture will be given by Dr Anmol Malhotra MB BS BSc(Hons) MRCP FRCR, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Lead at the Royal Free. It will take place on 28th June 2011 at 11am. Dr Malhotra will talk about recent developments in breast imaging before taking questions from the audience.

To reserve a place at either of these events, please contact Laura on 0207 830 2323 or email l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk.



In the news…

New study into cancer and alcohol

As discussed in last week’s edition, the role that alcohol plays in determining breast cancer risk has been well documented. Research shows that the more a woman drinks, the more her risk of developing the disease increases. It is also known that alcohol consumption increases risk of mouth, throat, bowel and liver cancer.

A new report published in the British Medical Journal this week shows that at least 13,000 cases of cancer a year in the UK are caused by alcohol. Research as part of the Cancer Research UK-funded European Prospective Investigation of Cancer study (EPIC), which looks into the links between diet and cancer, has examined how drinking different amounts of alcohol affects cancer risk and has combined this with figures of how much British people drink. Researchers found that alcohol had the biggest effect on cancers of the mouth, food-pipe, voice-box and pharynx, lying at the cause of around 6,000 cases a year. It was found to cause more than 3,000 cases of colorectal cancers and around 2,500 cases of breast cancer each year.

As Cancer Research UK’s press release on the report highlighted this week, the results have worrying implications. Naomi Allen, a Cancer Research UK epidemiologist working on the EPIC study, said: “This research supports existing evidence that alcohol causes cancer and that the risk increases even with drinking moderate amounts. The results from this study reflect the impact of people’s drinking habits about ten years ago. People are drinking even more now than then and this could lead to more people developing cancer because of alcohol in the future.” Government figures from the Office of National Statistics published last week support this and show that an increasing number of women are drinking well over the recommended limit of alcohol for a week. As we saw last week, even one drink a day can increase a woman’s breast cancer risk and so these statistics are of great concern.

To read more, please click here.


Laura Smith 15th April 2011

On the pulse

Cancerkin’s news…

Hyde Park Walk 2011…

Registration is now open for Cancerkin’s annual sponsored Hyde Park Walk - your invitation and registration form will be in the post as we speak! This year’s walk will take place on Sunday 19th June 2011 at 10.30am and we do hope to see as many of you there as possible. For more event details and extra registration forms, please visit our fundraising events page here.

Dance therapy…

From next week, Cancerkin will be offering weekly Dance therapy classes with Marina Benini MA RDMP, Lecturer in Movement Studies and Dance Movement Psychotherapy at Goldsmiths Unit of Psychotherapeutic studies. They will be held on Mondays from 11.30am to 12.30am, beginning 11th April 2011. Please contact Habeeb on 020 7830 2323 or at h.ahmed@cancerkin.org.uk to register your interest.


In the news…

Alcohol and breast cancer

An interesting article was posted on the Susan G. Komen for the cure website this week, giving a useful summary of research into the relationship between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. As the article explains, it is clear that drinking alcohol excessively is harmful to our general health and can increase breast cancer risk. What is less commonly known is how drinking in moderation impacts upon breast cancer risk and upon those who have already had breast cancer.

Research has found that even a few drinks a week can modestly increase breast cancer risk. The more a women drinks, the more her risk increases. Analysis of 53 separate studies into alcohol has found that for each drink consumed per day, risk increases by seven percent, with those who drink two or three alcoholic beverages a day having a 20 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer than non-drinkers. There are a number of ways in which alcohol affects breast cancer risk. As explained in the article, alcohol is highly calorific and is often a contributing factor to excess weight gain. Heavier women tend to have higher levels of oestrogen in their blood, which can in turn increase breast cancer risk. However, alcohol has been to found to impact risk independent of body weight – it can affect the way the body processes oestrogen, causing levels to rise and thus increasing risk. Studies suggest a diet rich in the nutrient folate, or folic acid, can reduce breast cancer risk related to alcohol consumption. Folate allows the body to copy and repair DNA, but drinking alcohol can reduce levels in the blood making incorrect copies of DNA more likely when cells divide, potentially leading to the growth of cancerous cells.

The article states that, for a healthy woman, drinking some alcohol (less than one drink a day) can have health benefits, for example lowering risk of heart disease and hypertension. However, it is not yet know if drinking alcohol in moderation has any such health benefits for breast cancer survivors. The results of studies into the relationship between alcohol and the risk of breast cancer recurrence and breast cancer mortality are mixed - some show there is an increased risk whilst others show there is none. What the article does make clear is that the benefits outlined above can be gained through exercise and healthy diet instead of alcohol, and that excessive drinking does not have health benefits for anyone, only health risks.
To read the full article, please click here.


New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Treatment

This week, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) released new draft guidelines for healthcare providers on the treatment of breast cancer. The draft outlines 13 ‘quality standards’ including guidance on referring suspected cases to a screening unit, offering ultrasound to those with early invasive breast cancer; and proving adequate removal and good aesthetic outcome for those who undergo surgery. The standards will provide objective guidance to patients and medical professionals on how good care should look. The aims of the quality standards are to ‘prevent people from dying prematurely, to ensure that people have a positive experience of care, and to treat and care for people in a safe environment and protecting them from avoidable harm.’

Included in the standards is detailed guidance on providing access to surgery and hormone therapy for early invasive breast cancer patients, irrespective of their age. As reported in On the pulse in February and March, recent studies into breast cancer treatment in the elderly have revealed that those over 70 are much less likely than those under 70 to receive surgery as treatment for their breast cancer. A recent NICE study found that less than 60 percent of breast cancer patients over 70 received surgery as part of their treatment, compared with 96 percent of middle-aged patients. As a result, the new standards state that the proportion of patients over 70 who receive surgery, as well as endocrine therapy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, will now be monitored.

Dr Fergus Macbeth, Director of the Centre for Clinical Practice at NICE said: “Sadly, breast cancer affects a large number of women in England, so this standard is an important step in helping those responsible for the treatment of patients with this condition to deliver the best care possible.” Dr Rachel Greig, Senior Policy Officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: “These draft guidelines could be a step forward in ensuring that important information is more accessible and user friendly for healthcare professionals and patients. We want to ensure that all breast cancer patients have every chance to beat this disease. Therefore we hope these standards will safeguard best practice and provide clarity on the level of care expected for the treatment of breast cancer.”

To read a Telegraph report, click here. For further information about the draft quality standards on the NICE website, please click here.


Laura Smith 8th April 2011

On the pulse


Cancerkin’s news…

Hyde Park Walk 2011 update

Registration is now open for Cancerkin’s annual sponsored Hyde Park Walk - your invitation and registration form will be in the post as we speak! This year’s walk will take place on Sunday 19th June 2011 at 10.30am.

We hope to make 2011 the biggest and most successful walk yet, so please spread the word to your families, friends, colleagues and schoolmates. The walk is a great fun event for people of all ages and fitness as you can walk, jog or run the 10k course twice round the Serpentine. We already have a number of teams signed up to who will be walking and fundraising together - why don't you set up a team too?

The Hyde Park walk is a very special occasion for many of our walkers, as every year all are invited to walk in honour or in memory of a loved one if they choose.

For more details and for extra registration forms, please visit our fundraising events page here.


Drama workshops coming soon…

Back by popular demand, Christine Fox will be holding weekly drama workshops beginning Friday 6th May from 10.30am to 12pm. Do you want to work creatively? Have fun? Explore ideas through music, drama games and improvisation? Maybe hone the acting skills last exercised at school? Well now’s your chance! There will be ten sessions to start with culminating in a possible performance for those who are interested. Please note that workshops will take place every Friday until 15th July, excluding Friday 24th June. To reserve a place, please call 0207 830 2323 or email Laura, at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk.


Cancerkin wants you!

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


In the news…


Future developments in breast cancer prevention

A review published this week in the Lancet Oncology Journal and composed by an international panel of cancer experts has concluded that women with an above average risk of developing breast cancer should be offered preventative measures and closer monitoring. It was agreed by the panel that if current trials into methods of predicting breast cancer risk are successful, certain drugs could be used for preventing breast cancer in women with an elevated risk, much in the same way as statins are given to those at risk of heart disease.

As stated in the report, there is strong evidence to suggest that drugs such as Tamoxifen are effective in preventing breast cancer in high risk women. The results of large international trials into this particular drug indicate that the risk of oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer is reduced by around a third in women at an increased risk of the disease. Other drugs including raloxifene, lasofozifene, arzoxifene and aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole and exemestane, also show positive results but require further investigation.

By finding ways to predict risk and therefore identify who may respond to such treatments, those who are most likely to benefit can be targeted. One of the strongest indicators of breast cancer risk is breast density as displayed on a mammogram. Those with dense breast tissue are around four times more likely to be at risk of the disease than those with the least dense tissue. This could therefore be used to determine who is at risk, as well as to indicate positive response to treatment, displayed by a reduction in breast density. Early trial results into Tamoxifen have shown that when the drug decreases breast density, cancer risk also decreases. As chair of the panel, Professor Jack Cuzick, explains: “if this is confirmed in long-term studies, breast density could become a powerful way to identify high-risk women who could benefit from preventive treatments.”

He added: “Although drugs such as tamoxifen and raloxifene are licensed in the US, we know that neither is widely used, mainly due to concern around the potential side effects, and an inability to predict breast cancer risk accurately. We hope that in the future it may be possible to assess women’s breast cancer risk as part of routine breast screening and offer personalised advice about risk reduction and medicines for preventing breast cancer.”

To read more about the review, please click here.


Laura Smith 1st April 2011
l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk

On the pulse


Cancerkin’s news…


Therapies update…

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

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

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


Cancerkin wants you!

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


In the news…


Five years of tamoxifen boosts breast cancer survival…

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

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

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

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

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


Breast cancer surgery audit results

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

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

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

To read more, click here.


Laura Smith 25th March 2011

On the pulse


Cancerkin’s news…


Hyde Park Walk 2011...

Cancerkin’s 8th Hyde Park Walk will take place this year on Sunday 19th June 2011. More information will be sent out to you all very soon regarding the day and registration for the event so please do let all your friends, families and colleagues know about Cancerkin’s biggest event of the year!

In the meantime, we are looking for volunteers to help us with our mail out in the coming weeks and with other preparations for the walk. If you have just an hour to spare or would like to be more involved, please get in touch with Laura on 0207 830 2323 or on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk.


Dance workshops

We are pleased to announce that from April, Cancerkin will be offering weekly Dance therapy classes with Marina Benini MA RDMP, Lecturer in Movement Studies and Dance Movement Psychotherapy, Goldsmiths Unit of Psychotherapeutic studies. They will be held on Mondays from 11.30am to 12.30am, beginning 11th April 2011. Please contact Habeeb on 020 7830 2323 or at h.ahmed@cancerkin.org.uk to register your interest.


Art therapy classes

Milena Petrova will be returning to Cancerkin to begin a new series of weekly art therapy classes from Tuesday 5th April 2011 from 11am to 1pm. No previous artistic experience is necessary. Please note these classes will not take place on Tuesday 26th April and Tuesday 31st May 2011. If you would like to book a place at the workshop, please contact Habeeb on 020 7830 2323 or at h.ahmed@cancerkin.org.uk.


Cancerkin wants you!

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


In the news…


Variations in surgery rates

Recently On the pulse reported on a Cancer Research UK-funded study into survival rates and levels of treatment of breast cancer in different age groups. This study revealed that those over 70 were much more likely to be diagnosed late and much less likely that those under 70 to receive surgery as treatment for their breast cancer. A more general study into variations in rates of surgery for cancer patients in England has been published this week by the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) with interesting results.

As Dr Mick Peake, clinical lead of NCIN, explains in his Cancer Research UK blog, surgery is the most likely way to cure cancer and also plays an important role in palliative care. Understanding why some patients receive surgery and some do not could therefore help to improve standards of care and cancer survival rates in England. Using hospital data, the NCIN report looked at patients diagnosed with one of thirteen different cancers between 2004 and 2006 around England to determine variation in the proportion of patients having treatment by way of major surgery.

The report revealed that surgical rates drop steeply as patient age increases. Although this is not an unsurprising trend, Dr Peake points out that the fall in surgery begins in age groups as young as 50 for a number of common cancers, namely ovarian, kidney and cervical cancer. It also found that there is huge variation in the proportion of patients having surgery with different types of cancer – nearly 85 percent of breast cancer patients but less that 10 percent of lung cancer patients have surgery. Apart from breast, uterus and liver cancer, surgery rates also varied depending on location, but not necessarily on social and economic circumstances. Except cervical cancer, the report found that no major fall in surgery rates was found in patients in more deprived areas.

As Dr Peake explains, reasons for variation in age and geography do not directly relate to a hospital’s quality of care but may be attributed to: the stage at which the disease is diagnosed; late presentation of symptoms; patients, particularly the elderly, electing not to have surgery; and varying numbers of patients with other illnesses that prevent them from having surgery. As complete data on these factors is yet to be made available, the report is unable to fully explain specific variations but further research hopes to uncover the underlying causes for the differences that have now been identified.

To read more of Cancer Research UK’s blog, please click here.


Laura Smith 18th March 2011

On the pulse

Cancerkin’s news…


Cancerkin heads to the House of Lords!

Cancerkin this week presented its East London Outreach Project at an exciting evening of fundraising at the House of Lords, organised by the Funding Network. We were thrilled to be given the opportunity to speak about our progress and future plans for the project at this prestigious event and would very much like to thank the Funding Network for inviting Cancerkin to take part.


Hyde Park Walk 2011...

As I hope you will all know, Cancerkin’s 8th Hyde Park Walk will take place this year on Sunday 19th June 2011. More information will be sent out to you all very soon regarding the day and registration for the event. In the meantime, please do let all your friends know about Cancerkin’s biggest event of the year! We hope to see plenty of teams of friends, families and colleagues joining the event this year to walk, jog or run twice round the Serpentine together. Now is the time to begin coordinating your own team! If you have any questions about the walk or if you are interested in getting involved in the run up to the big day, please feel free to contact me on 0207 830 2323 or on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk.


Art therapy classes

We are pleased to announce that Milena Petrova will be returning to Cancerkin to begin a new series of weekly art therapy classes from Tuesday 5th April 2011 from 11am to 1pm. The workshops aim to be a liberating experience for patients where they can discover the freedom to explore their creativity. The workshops use a specific approach to painting on damp paper that allows colour to flow easily and combine into beautiful and spontaneous patterns. No previous artistic experience is necessary.

If you would like to book a place at the workshop, please contact Habeeb on 020 7830 2323 or at h.ahmed@cancerkin.org.uk. Please note these art therapy classes will not take place on Tuesday 26th April and Tuesday 31st May 2011.


In the news…


The Welfare Reform Bill and Cancer Patients

The coalition government’s controversial Welfare Reform Bill, which plans to radically reform the UK’s welfare system, has this week come under serious fire from an alliance of 30 cancer charities. They highlight in a letter to Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, that alterations to the current benefit system could have a detrimental impact on cancer patients who are currently receiving disability living allowance and other incapacity benefits. The bill, which is due to receive its second reading in the House of Commons next Wednesday, proposes to change when and for how long some cancer patients are able to receive certain benefits. The charities argue the government therefore risks leaving tens of thousands of cancer patients worse off and “pushing some into poverty.”

As part of the government’s plans, a new benefit known as Employment support allowance (ESA) will replace a number of existing incapacity benefits. It will require all new and current claimants to undergo ‘work capability assessment’. Any cancer patients claiming ESA would be given a one-year limit for receiving the benefit if they fall into the ‘work-related activity group’, that is if they are expected to return to work after a year. In their letter, the charities point out that many cancer patients are not ready to return to work after this time, stating that 75 percent of patients who could be affected by this policy would still need ESA after one year.

In addition, there are further plans to replace the current disability living allowance, which can be claimed by cancer patients after three months, with the new personal independence payment. Patients will have to wait six months before they can claim this. The letter highlights that the existing three month wait is already highly problematic for many.

The benefits a cancer patient is entitled to receive may also become dependent upon the mode of their treatment. While those receiving conventional chemotherapy will be eligible for the new ‘support group benefit’, which will exclude them from having to look for work, those treated by oral chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be required to have medical assessment and may have to take part in such activities as practice job interviews as a condition of receiving their benefit. The charities point out that, due to medical advances in treatment, more aggressive forms of cancer are increasingly treated with oral chemotherapy. The choice between oral and conventional chemotherapy that some cancer patients are given would directly affect their benefit status.

To read more about this controversial topic, please click here.


Laura Smith 11th March 2011