On the pulse

Cancerkin’s news…

Cancerkin needs you...

Our annual breast awareness stand will be on Wednesday 12th October 2011 from 10am to 4pm, outside the Atrium at the Royal Free Hospital. We will be handing out information on being breast aware and about Cancerkin’s services and there will be lots of books, gifts and cakes for sale. We are looking for volunteers to hold collection tins and to help manage the stall so please do get in touch if you are able to help. You can contact Laura on 0207 830 2323 or email l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk. We hope you’ll be able to come along and support us!


Kate’s Journal...

Events of all kinds will be taking place during October to promote the message of being breast aware. One event that may be of particular interest features an exhibition of photographic images of Cancerkin patient Kate Sims. Photographer Astrid Schultz documented Kate’s journey through treatment and has produced a series of compelling and powerful images that will be on show at the Underground Gallery on the Strand from 17 – 22 October 2011. The exhibition, located at Charing Cross Underground station Exit 9, is open daily from 12pm to 6pm and will also feature talks on emotional support and image advice for breast cancer patients, as well as the opportunity to be photographed yourself. If you have any enquiries, please contact Jessica on jbavinton@me.com or 07968 006 284.


New additions...

This week, we are pleased to welcome three new Interns to the Cancerkin team. Events and Fundraising Intern Laura Pierce will be helping with work on our events. East London Project Interns Cherry Cheung and Eru Edewor will be helping with the development of our outreach project to the communities of East London. If you have any questions for them, please email intern@cancerkin.org.uk.


In the news…

Linking alcohol and breast cancer…

Much is written about the links between alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk. New findings from a US laboratory study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research reveal how the breakdown of alcohol in human cells may result in DNA damage linked to a number of cell changes that cause cancer. This breakthrough is particularly important to breast and liver cancer susceptibility and emphasises that groundbreaking research into alcohol and cancer is progressing quickly. The article helpfully outlines the laboratory study that is building upon our previously limited knowledge of the effects of alcohol as a carcinogen within human cells.

The study shows that when alcohol or more specifically ethanol, the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, is converted within human cells to a chemical called acetaldehyde the resulting DNA damage directly affects a collection of proteins called the ‘FA-BRCA network (Fanconic anemia-breast cancer).’ Previous studies have shown that the FA-BRCA network is particularly important in protecting against breast cancer. Laboratory results confirmed that when the ethanol is converted into acetaldehyde it causes increased levels of DNA damage as well as switching on the cell’s DNA repair genes.

The study’s author Philip J Brooks explains: “Although the link between drinking alcohol and certain types of cancer was first established in the 1980’s the existence of such a relationship did not prove that alcohol itself caused the cancers. More recent evidence however has confirmed that alcohol, or more specifically ethanol, is carcinogenic to humans at several sites in the body.” He concludes that this research brings us a step closer to understanding the ways in which alcohol contributes to the development of breast and liver cancers. As a result of these finding, further research into the relationship between alcohol metabolism, the FA-BRCA network and human health will become increasingly important in the future.

To read more on the topic, please click here.


Significant discovery in male breast cancer…

Breast cancer is often thought of as a condition that only affects women. It is important to highlight however that men can also develop the disease. Around 48,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year, and although it is far less prevalent in men, there are around 300 cases of male breast cancer each year. There is a limited amount known about male breast cancer, whether it is similar to breast cancer in women, or whether it is something different altogether.

In an attempt to find out more about the genes implicated in the disease, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) have been collaborating on research into male breast cancer and have discovered similarities with the female disease. Using data taken from the Male Breast Cancer Study, the research team studied 433 male breast cancer cases and looked at the 12 most common genes that contribute to the risk of female breast cancer. They learned that five of the genes also significantly affected risk in men. However, the extent of the risk was different between males and females. One of the first of its kind, the study’s results have been published in the journal PLoS Genetics.

Whilst this study is still in its early stages and there is still much more to learn, Dr Nick Orr from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre hopes that these results could potentially lead to tailored treatments for male breast cancer patients. The team also believe it will improve knowledge of the genetic factors of female breast cancer.

To read more on this topic, please click here.


Breast cancer screening debate…

As you may well be aware, recent claims over the effectiveness of breast cancer screening programmes have unleashed fierce debate within the scientific community about whether or not women should take up their invitation to have a mammogram once every three years. Whilst the NHS states their programme is responsible for saving around 1300 lives a year, recent research claims that women may be being misled about the health benefits of screening.

In response, there has been lively discussion of the claims in the press. If you are interested in reading more, The Guardian , The Daily Mail and The Independent all examine the claims made by the recently published research in more detail.

Laura Smith
23rd September 2011