Cancerkin's News Update.....

‘The Last of the Duchess’ tickets…

We have a limited number of tickets left for Cancerkin’s evening at the Hampstead Theatre for a performance of ‘The Last of the Duchess’ on 31st October 2011. To buy tickets, you can call Laura on 020 7830 2323, or you can complete a ticket form, which you will have received in the post or which you can download from our website.

Cancerkin’s top fundraisers…

We have counted up all the sponsorship raised by our amazing 2011 Hyde Park Walkers and we are now pleased to announce the winners of the top three fundraising spots (drum roll please!): in first place, raising over £3,000, is Linda Cohen. A very close second is Debra Franses-Bean, who raised just over £2,700, and in third place is Sue Glasser, with just over £2,500. Well done to these wonderful women – we are so grateful for all the time and hard work they have put in. Thank you so much!

Cancerkin would also like to give a special mention this week to another of its supporters, Daniel Taylor, who has raised £744 for Cancerkin in a rather unusual way. Dan agreed to wax off his beard in aid of Cancerkin and for his legs to undergo the same treatment. We commend Dan for his bravery and thank him for all the effort he put into his fundraising. Well done and thank you Dan!

If you are interested in getting involved with fundraising for Cancerkin (but in a slightly less painful way!), there are plenty of things that you might like to do. You could organise a car boot sale, a coffee morning, an ‘own clothes day’ at your children’s school, a sponsored cycle or even a marathon. We are always here to help with your ideas and give advice on how best to maximise your fundraising efforts. Please contact Laura on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk if you would like to discuss an idea – we would love to hear from you!

Therapies update…

The Cancerkin Centre will be closed for the Bank Holiday next Monday 29th August, so there will be no activities taking place. We will re-open on Tuesday 30th as usual but please note there will be no patient support group on this day.

On 19th September 2011 from 10am – 3pm, Lily Seibold will be hosting a creative writing class focusing on the theme of ‘September.’ If you are interested in attending, please contact Una on u.reynolds@cancerkin.org.uk or 0207 830 2323.

In the News.....

“Golden Era” of cancer research as new genetics study is launched...

An important trial that will genetically test the tumours of 9,000 newly diagnosed breast, bowel, lung, prostate, melanoma and ovarian cancer patients is about to be launched next month in seven UK hospitals. The study will aim to find out which existing cancer drugs work on tumours according to their genetic make up and to identify new treatments that are personalised to each individual’s cancer. Most medicines work for certain people and not for others, and will perhaps work for only a small number. This is certainly true of cancer treatments and the study hopes to find out why. Each individual’s DNA is different and so is that of their cancer tumours, and this influences which drugs will work and how effective chemotherapy and radiation will be.

During the study, each tumour will undergo a series of genetic tests. Some tests, such as that for the HER2 enzyme which indicates whether breast cancer patients will respond to Herceptin, are already widely used, but others are not. The trial will test how feasible it is to introduce genetic tests for all cancer patients. It will also provide a database for future research by following patients’ progress. It may even identify certain drugs which have fallen out of use because of their small impact on large groups but which may now be beneficial to certain patients.

In reaction to the study, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK Harpal Kumar described research into the disease being in a ‘golden era’. He described "an explosion in our understanding of what cancer is, why it happens, why it doesn't happen in some people and why it moves around the body." He said of the trial: "People have known for years that we give treatment and it is only going to work for 20% of people and we are now on the cusp of finding out what is going on."

To read more from The Guardian, please click here.

Natural bacteria may help block cancer growth...

Another new piece of research published this week in journal Nature Chemistry has found that a naturally occurring molecule in bacteria can help switch off the growth of breast cancer cells. The molecule, named thiostrepton, blocks the cancer causing protein FOXM1. The protein is responsible for switching on genes that control breast cancer cell growth and division, causing tumours to grow and spread. Blocking the protein can therefore help to prevent the development and growth of cancer cells. Scientists hope that the molecule will eventually lead to new treatment options for breast cancer patients.

The study’s lead author, Professor Shankar Balasubramanian, from Cancer Research UK said of the discovery: "Before this research we weren't aware of any natural product which could directly target a protein that controls gene activity. Yet intriguingly a molecule in bacteria – which also has strong antibiotic effects – does this very well, switching off cancer-causing genes in breast cancer cells."

Dr Lesley Walker, CRUK’s director of cancer information, said: "It's fascinating to discover how a simple bacteria could hold the key to powerful new approaches to treat breast cancer developing and spreading."

To read the full article in The Independent, please click here.

Laura Smith
26th August 2011

On the pulse

Cancerkin's News Update.....


Latest on Hyde Park Walk 2011...

The last few envelopes of Hyde Park Walk sponsorship money have been arriving at the Cancerkin Office all week. We are pleased to announce that the total raised for this year’s sponsored walk around The Serpentine Lake is an amazing £36,514.52! Thank you so much to everyone who took part and worked so hard to contribute to this fantastic grand total. Thank you also to all those that were unable to attend but who generously donated to Cancerkin instead. Well done to everyone on another successful year!

As promised, we will very shortly be announcing the top three fundraisers who will be awarded prizes from Floris and Pizza Express. Look out for the announcement in next week’s edition – it could be you!


Cancerkin at the theatre…

There are still tickets available for Cancerkin’s special evening at the Hampstead Theatre for a performance of ‘The Last of the Duchess’ on 31st October 2011. The play focuses on the final days of the controversial Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, spent in her household in Versailles, and features Sheila Hancock and Anna Chancellor.

To buy tickets at £40 each, you can call Laura on 020 7830 2323, or you can complete a ticket form, which you will shortly receive in the post or which you can download from our website. Seats are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!


East London Internship…

Applications for Cancerkin’s East London Project Internship are still open. Please send a CV and covering letter to Asini at a.wijewardane@cancerkin.org.uk if you would like to apply. For more details, please visit our website.


In the News.....


Personalised medicine for those with breast cancer gene...

An increasing amount of research is being done into targeted cancer treatments that depend on the genetic makeup of a patient and that of their cancer. This approach is known as personalised medicine. One such trial was launched this week at the Oxford Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre at the University of Oxford. The team of researchers based at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre are leading the study into cancer drug 6MP, to find out if it may benefit those with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. If successful the drug could offer important extra treatment options for patients with certain breast and ovarian cancers caused by faults in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These genes are known to significantly increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, with 15 out of every 100 breast and ovarian cancers being caused by BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic faults.

The study will look at cancer drug 6MP, which belongs to a class of drugs known as thiopurines and is currently used to treat leukaemia patients, often given alongside another chemotherapy drug called methotrexate. Earlier laboratory studies into thiopurines have suggested that the drugs are effective at killing cancer cells lacking BRCA genes. The lab studies showed that the drugs may also be effective when cancer cells have developed resistance to other treatments such as PARP inhibitors and cisplatin. If the new study into 6MP and its possible benefits is successful, it will lead to a larger phase III trial in the future.

Trial leader Dr Shibani Nicum, a gynaecology specialist based at the Oxford Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (EMCM) and a researcher in Oxford University’s Department of Oncology, said of the trial: “PARP inhibitors are a powerful new class of drugs developed specifically to target tumours caused by BRCA 1 and BRCA2 faults, but drug resistance remains a problem. We hope that the very encouraging results we have seen in early laboratory studies involving 6MP will lead to increased treatment options for these patients in the future.” Professor Mark Middleton, director of the Oxford ECMC at Oxford University, added: “It’s exciting to see drugs being developed for specific groups of patients who share the same underlying genetic faults in their cancer. Targeted treatments are at the cutting edge of cancer care and we’re proud to be involved in bringing such drugs a step closer to the clinic.”

To read more about the trial on Cancer Research UK’s website, please click here.

Laura Smith
19th August 2011

On the pulse

Cancerkin's News Update.....

Update on East London...

We are thrilled to announce that our six newly trained East London volunteers are about to graduate as fully-fledged Experienced Patients (EPs). Since completing their formal training early this year, our six lovely ladies have been shadowing Cancerkin’s existing EPs here at the Royal Free. They are now almost ready to begin work in East London and will provide a network of support and hand-holding to women with breast cancer, their friends and family. This service is free and open to anyone. Please contact Asini on 0207 830 2323 or a.wijewardane@cancerkin.org.uk to find out more.

Today, Cancerkin returned to the Bromley-By-Bow Community Centre for another monthly complementary therapy session, where patients were able to meet and talk to each other and take part in a yoga class. Breast Awareness information was also handed out during the session. We will also be at St Joseph’s Hospice on Friday 26th August for another session during which our East London EP’s will be presented with certificates to mark their graduation. Congratulations to them all!

Thank you Cancerkin fundraisers!

In July, one of our fantastic supporters, Lindsay Lehane, held a yard sale in aid of Cancerkin and raised a very impressive £192. Well done and thank you, Lindsay! We are always so touched when people think of us when they are holding such events and we’re truly grateful that our supporters are out there spreading the word about the work we do.

If you are interested in holding your own fundraiser, why not get in touch? You might want to have a clear out and raise funds at a yard sale, bring-and-buy or car boot, or you might like to get your friends together and hold a coffee morning or a dinner party. Please contact Laura on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk if you would like to discuss an idea – we would love to hear from you!

‘The Last of the Duchess’ tickets…

Tickets are selling fast for Cancerkin’s special evening at the Hampstead Theatre for a performance of ‘The Last of the Duchess’ on 31st October 2011. To buy tickets, you can call Laura on 020 7830 2323, or you can complete a ticket form, which you will shortly receive in the post or which you can download from our website. Seats are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!

Hyde Park Walk sponsorship…

Just a reminder that the deadline for sponsorship monies to be received by the Cancerkin office is this Monday 15th August. Please remember to make all cheques payable to Cancerkin and avoid sending cash in the post. Please contact Laura on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk if you have any queries.

Internships at Cancerkin…

Applications for our internships close this Monday, 15th August. To apply, please send a covering letter and CV to either Laura Smith for the Events, Fundraising and Promotions Internship at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk, or to Asini for the East London Project Internship at a.wijewardane@cancerkin.org.uk. For more details, please visit our website.

Patient support groups at Cancerkin…

There will be no patient support group taking place during August. Our next group will be on Tuesday 27th September from 11am to 1pm.

In the News.....

Exercise and cancer care...

The impact that physical activity can have on cancer patients is the subject of frequent studies and much press coverage. For example, in May we reported on a study into the positive effects of yoga for breast cancer patients, showing how it helped counter the side-effects of treatment such as fatigue. Yoga is but one of the exercise and movement classes Cancerkin offers – over the years we have introduced sessions in Tai Chi, Pilates, Kundalini yoga, Nia Technique, dance and drama, which are open to everyone and are completely free of charge.

An interesting new report published this week by Macmillan Cancer Support shows that exercise can not only help cancer patients cope with the side-effects of treatment but can help lower the chance of developing other conditions such as heart disease and may reduce the risk of dying from cancer. As the report explains, previous research suggests that staying active can help patients overcome fatigue and weight gain and that exercising to the recommended level can reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. For example, studies have suggested that the risk of breast cancer recurring can be reduced by up to 40 percent.

Whilst cancer patients have been advised in the past to rest after treatment, the report states that moderate physical activity is both safe and advisable during and after treatment for most kinds of cancer. It recommends that all patients being treated for cancer should aim to do two and a half hours of physical activity each week, as currently advised by Department of Health guidelines. This activity does not need to be strenuous and may include taking a brisk walk or doing the gardening.

To read more, please click here. If you are interested in finding our more about the classes Cancerkin offers, please contact Una on u.reynolds@cancerkin.org.uk or call 0207 830 2323.

Laura Smith

On the pulse

Cancerkin's News Update.....



Cancerkin theatre tickets on sale now…


Tickets are now on sale for Cancerkin’s special evening at the theatre on 31st October 2011. Cancerkin will host a performance of new play ‘The Last of The Duchess’ at the Hampstead Theatre in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The play focuses on the final days of the controversial Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, spent in her household in Versailles, and features Sheila Hancock and Anna Chancellor. We hope you will join us for an unforgettable evening!


There are two ways that you can buy tickets at £40 each: you can call Laura on 020 7830 2323, or you can complete a ticket form, which you will shortly receive in the post or that can be downloaded from our website. Seats are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!


If you are interested in helping with the event, we are currently in need of volunteers to stuff envelopes. Please contact Laura on 0207 830 2323 orl.smith@cancerkin.org.uk. Tea and biscuits will be provided!



Thank you, Waitrose!

Cancerkin was selected as one of three charities to take part in the Waitrose ‘Community Matters’ giving initiative at their John Barnes Store on Finchley Road throughout June. Using tokens provided at the till, shoppers decided how much of a £1,000 total was given to each charity, which were nominated by their own customers. Thank you to the wonderful Dee Grandison for putting us forward! The shoppers have spoken and a grand total of £548 was raised for Cancerkin – thank you, Waitrose, for your generosity.



Hyde Park Walk sponsorship…


Just a reminder that the deadline for sponsorship monies to be received by the Cancerkin office is Monday 15th August. Please remember to make all cheques payable to Cancerkin and avoid sending cash in the post. Please contact Laura on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk if you have any queries.



Internships at Cancerkin…


We are still taking applications for the East London Project Internship and the Events, Fundraising and Promotions Internship. If you are interested in applying, please send a covering letter and up-to-date CV to either Laura Smith for the Events, Fundraising and Promotions Internship, at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk, or to Asini for the East London Project Internship ata.wijewardane@cancerkin.org.uk. For more details, please visit our website. The deadline for applications is Monday 15th August 2011.



In the News.....



Research into the impact of breast cancer screening...


Currently in the UK, every woman aged 50 to 70 is invited to have a mammogram every three years, in line with the NHS’s cancer screening programme. Women over 70 can currently request screenings every three years and the programme is in the process of being extended to include those aged 47 to 73. The Department of Health estimates that around 13,500 of the 48,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the UK each year are picked up by the screening programme and it is said that it saves around 1,400 lives a year. Breast cancer mortality rates have decreased in recent decades, but new research conducted by a group of international cancer experts has suggested that breast cancer screening has had little impact on this.


Using data from The World Health Organisation, a group of scientists from France, the UK and Norway compared the decreasing death rates of three pairs of countries, with the first country in each pair having introduced breast screening ten to fifteen years before the second. Northern Ireland was compared with the Republic of Ireland, Sweden with Norway, and the Netherlands with Belgium and Flanders. They found that from 1989 to 2006 death rates decreased by 29 percent in Northern Ireland compared with 26 percent in the Irish Republic. They decreased by 16 percent in Sweden compared with 24 percent in Norway and by 25 percent in the Netherlands in comparison with 25 percent in Flanders. As a result, researchers have come to the conclusion that screening has not played a direct part in reducing breast cancer mortality rates and can more likely be explained by the development of better treatments and improving health systems in recent years.


In response to the study, Professor Julietta Patnick CBE, director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, said: "The best evidence available shows that women aged 50 to 69 who are regularly screened are less likely to die from breast cancer. The World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimates that there is a 35 per cent reduction in mortality from breast cancer among screened women aged 50 to 69." Rachel Rawson, from the charity Breast Cancer Care, added: "We would encourage women to consider attending routine screening."


Please click to read coverage of the study in The Independent and The Telegraph.


Laura Smith

On the pulse


Cancerkin's News Update.....

Cancerkin theatre tickets on sale now…

Tickets are now on sale for Cancerkin’s special evening at the theatre on 31st October 2011. To celebrate and promote the important message of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cancerkin will be hosting a performance of a new play ‘The Last of The Duchess’ at the Hampstead Theatre. The play focuses on the final days of the controversial Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, spent in her household in Versailles and features an all star cast including Sheila Hancock and Anna Chancellor. Written by Nicholas Wright and directed by Richard Eyre, the play is a world premier and we hope you will join us for an unforgettable evening!

To buy tickets at £40 each, you can call Laura on 020 7830 2323 or you can complete a ticket form, which you will shortly receive in the post or that can be downloaded from our website. This needs to be completed and returned with your payment to the Cancerkin Centre. Seats are limited so book early to avoid disappointment! All funds raised from the performance will help us support more women affected by breast cancer.

If you are interested in helping out with organising the event, we are currently looking for volunteers to help stuff envelopes in the next few weeks. If you are available, please contact Laura on 0207 830 2323 or l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk.. Tea and biscuits will be provided!

Hyde Park Walk announcement!

This week we passed the £30,000 mark in funds raised for the Hyde Park Walk. Thank you so much and well done everybody! Just a reminder that the deadline for sponsorship monies to be received by the Cancerkin office is Monday 15th August. Please remember to make all cheques payable to Cancerkin and avoid sending cash in the post. Please contact Laura on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk if you have any queries.

Internships at Cancerkin…

Would you like to work at Cancerkin? We are recruiting an East London Project Intern and an Events, Fundraising and Promotions Intern to join our team for three months in September. To read more detailed descriptions of the roles, please visit our website. To apply, please send a covering letter, clearly stating why you would like the internship and what you think you can bring to the role, plus an up-to-date CV. For the Events, Fundraising and Promotions Internship, please apply to Laura Smith at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk. For the East London Project Internship, please apply to Asini Wijewardane on a.wijewardane@cancerkin.org.uk. The deadline for applications is 15th August 2011.

In the News.....

Potential new treatment for Herceptin resistant tumours

Of the 48,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year, around a quarter will have quick-growing HER2-positive tumours. Such tumours have a large number of receptors to a particular protein which triggers their fast growth. Whilst women with HER2 positive breast cancer previously had limited treatment options, the development of the cancer drug Herceptin (trastuzumab) over the last decade has benefited many patients with this kind of cancer. The drug works to stop cancer cells dividing and growing but over time some women may develop a resistance to the treatment.

Research conducted at the National Cancer Institute in Philadelphia in the US has found that a newly developed protein may help these patients. In lab trials conducted on mice, scientists have found that Affitoxin may be effective in destroying HER2-positive tumours that have stopped responding to Herceptin. Affitoxin kills cancer cells by delivering a bacterial toxin to them. Researchers now hope that the drug will soon be tested on patients in clinical trials and that it will then become available commercially.

Dr Jacek Capala, who worked on the study, said: “Herceptin has revolutionized the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, but a significant number of tumours acquire resistance to the drug. Affitoxin could offer another therapeutic option for those patients whose tumours no longer respond to Herceptin.” Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Campaign, said “If Affitoxin realises its potential as a new treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer, it may overcome this issue of resistance and become an important alternative treatment. These promising results indicate a clinical trial is urgently needed to move this drug closer to patient use.”

To read more, please click here..

New research into benefits of tamoxifen...

In March, On the pulse reported on the first major study into the long-term effects of Tamoxifen, which confirmed that breast cancer is less likely to come back in those that take the drug for five years. The drug is frequently prescribed to women with oestrogen-receptor (ER) positive breast cancer to target any cancer cells missed by surgery and to prevent recurrence. The results of further research into the drug, published online this week in a report by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group, suggest that women who take the treatment for five years after their surgery can boost the long-term chances of surviving the disease.

Researchers compared information taken from 20 clinical trials involving patients with early breast cancer who took tamoxifen everyday for five years with information about those who did not. They found that those who did take the drug had a lower chance of dying from the disease for at least ten years after treatment began. Over the 15 years after beginning treatment, the risk of dying from breast cancer was reduced by around a third.

Professor Jack Cuzick a Cancer Research UK epidemiologist, said of the study: "This research provides further evidence that taking tamoxifen for five years increases the chance of surviving breast cancer, with the benefits lasting long after women have finished their course of treatment. Although tamoxifen is considered one of the most important drugs in the history of breast cancer treatment, it is now largely being replaced by a new generation of breast cancer drugs called aromatase inhibitors, which have been shown to be even more effective at preventing breast cancer returning with fewer side effects."

To read more about the study, please click here.

Laura Smith
29 July 2011

On the pulse


Cancerkin's News Update.....

Glamgiving and Cancerkin…

Last month, Cancerkin was thrilled to be invited to take part in an exciting new initiative called Glamgiving. About to be launched by Louise Stacey, Glamgiving’s website will sell high end and designer clothes and accessories online that have been donated by retailers and individuals, with a high proportion of the proceeds going to charity. As part of this, Glamgiving plans to hold parties at which guests can donate and buy such luxury fashion wares. Cancerkin was lucky to be selected as one of the charities to benefit from Glamgiving’s first party on 13th June. The party raised an amazing £700 for Cancerkin, which will be put towards the running of our gold standard Lymphoedema clinic. We would like to thank Glamgiving and all those at its first event for their generosity, and we wish Louise all the best for the future!

Hyde Park Walk sponsorship…

Thank you once again to all those who have been busy collecting sponsorship money for the Hyde Park Walk and who have already sent it our way. The current total raised has already surpassed the £25,000 mark so well done to you all! There is still plenty of time to send in your funds – the deadline for monies to be received by the Cancerkin office is Monday 15th August 2011. You’re in with a chance of winning the title of one of our top three fundraisers and to receive a stunning prize donated by Floris. Please remember to make all cheques payable to Cancerkin and avoid sending cash in the post. Please contact Laura on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk if you have any queries.

Internships at Cancerkin…

Would you like to work at Cancerkin? We are recruiting an Events, Fundraising and Promotions Intern and an East London Project Intern to join our team. To read more detailed descriptions of the roles, please visit our website. To apply please send a covering letter clearly stating why you would like the internship and what you think you can bring to the role plus an up-to-date CV to the following people:

For the Events, Fundraising and Promotions Internship, please apply to Laura Smith at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk. The deadline for applications for is 1st August 2011.

For the East London Project Internship, please apply to Asini Wijewardane on a.wijewardane@cancerkin.org.uk.The deadline for applications for is 15th August 2011.

In the News.....

Research suggests new line of attack against cancer…

Scientists at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research (IRC) have this week announced the discovery of a new way in which chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, called necroptosis. It is hoped that the discovery will assist efforts in the fight against cancer, including breast cancer, by providing vital information on why certain patients do not respond to some chemotherapy drugs and showing how resistant tumours can be targeted in a new way.

Until recently, it was thought that cancer cell death as result of treatment happened through a process called apoptosis. This process is often blocked in cancer cells, leading cells to resist treatment and meaning they continue to grow and spread. Whilst examining how a certain group of chemotherapy drugs named topoisomerase inhibitors kill cancer cells, they found that some drugs actually use the process of necroptosis to kill cancer cells that are resistant to apoptosis. During the process of necroptosis, certain proteins within a cell are switched on, leading the cell to lose its membrane integrity and to self-destruct. Lab tests found that it is possible to switch on these proteins and to initiate necroptosis. The process rarely occurs in healthy cells and so these proteins may provide a target for new drugs that encourage cancer cell death but that leave healthy tissue unharmed, meaning fewer side effects for patients. Excitingly, a drug already exists which targets one of the proteins, named SMAC-mimetics, which is showing promise in clinical trials.

Study author Professor Pascal Meier, from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at the ICR in London, said of the discovery: "Chemotherapy has been around for decades but we have never understood how it kills cancer cells. This work shows not only that it can happen by two different processes, but how drugs can be developed to activate this newly discovered second cell-killing process in a much smarter, more effective way. We are at an early stage with this work but it could represent a new way of thinking about how we treat cancer patients in the future.”

To read more from Breakthrough Breast Cancer and from Cancer Research UK, please click here. and here.

Blogging to beat Breast Cancer…

The Daily Mail this week featured the inspiring story of one young woman’s efforts to come to terms with a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 29. Following her diagnosis in August 2008, Emily Holt of Cotesbach, Leicestershire decide to start a blog about her experiences, sharing everything about her personal battle against the disease with the online community. Since beginning the blog, she has written about everything from having a mastectomy and the prospect of breast reconstruction to undergoing six months of chemotherapy and the resulting hair loss, and has now gathered a huge online following.

Emily said of her blog: “Writing the blog was both therapeutic and scary. It forced me to evaluate my mortality whilst trying to remain positive for the future. But it was like writing a diary, a diary that could provide hope and information to other young girls battling cancer. I wanted younger people to realise they're not invincible and they have to examine themselves. I've had lots of positive feedback from other suffers who say my blog inspired them to keep fighting, that is the best reward.'

To read more about Emily’s experiences, please click here for the full Daily Mail article.

Laura Smith

15 July 2011

On the pulse


Cancerkin's News Update.....

Our On the pulse scribe, Laura Smith, is on a well earned holiday in the sun so you have me this week. It does give me the opportunity to thank all those who help us make Cancerkin such a success. I am lucky to have the most dedicated staff to support me and all the patients that come through the door. I also want to say a very big thank you to Cancerkin’s Trustees. They are an exceptional group, each bringing a unique skill to the Charity and supporting me in every way. It was very hard to say good bye to Sally Malin who left the Board last week. Fortunately she will be ‘migrating’ to Chiswick so we will soon be neighbours. At the same time another Chiswickian has joined the Board, Jenny Oppenheimer from the Pilgrim Trust. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge about trusts and foundations and an in depth knowledge of the Third Sector. An enormous thank you also to the Lymphoedema volunteers who manage the ever expanding Lymphoedema Clinic. They are an extremely hard working group of women who manage all the patients’ visits, ordering of supplies and general admin for the clinic. And finally, a big thank you to our Experienced Patients who offer a caring hand and listening ear to all our patients living with breast cancer. A truly amazing team and I feel so lucky to be able to work for Cancerkin.

Cancerkin’s East London Project

Project Manager Asini Wijewardane is off working in the Bromley by Bow Health Centre today taking with her a number of our therapists who will offer free massages, reflexology and dance therapy sessions for the day. We now have regular sessions there and at St Joseph’s Hospice so that we can extend to women in East London what has been offered in North London for 24 years.

Hyde Park Walk sponsorship…

Thanks to all those loyal supporters who are forwarding us their sponsorship money for the Hyde Park Walk on 19th June. Whilst we were warned not to raise our hopes this year I have to say that I am overjoyed at the amounts that are coming in. You are all doing so well and we are so touched by all your efforts to support us. There is still time to make the Monday 15th August deadline so don’t despair. You may be one of the top three fundraisers to receive one of the stunning Floris prizes. Please remember to make all cheques payable to Cancerkin and avoid sending cash in the post. Please contact l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk if you have any queries about sponsorship.

Therapies

As most of you know, since I started working here I have enjoyed introducing new therapies thus giving our patients a taste of something different each term. This has meant increasing the number of therapies on offer and ensuring that we are open 9-5.30 five days a week. I am hoping to bring in a drama therapist this autumn and we are also investigating employing a flower essence therapist. These new classes will be piloted in September and introduced in October if there is a demand from our patients.

Please note that Pilates is taking a break over the summer. Classes will recommence on Thursday 8th September 2011 at 1.30pm.

Now over to Una and Asini for our latest snippets from the news desk.

In the News.....

Gene dilemma to prevent next generation cancer

New genetic treatments may be able to help couples ensure their baby will not inherit family diseases. Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) - a technique which screens IVF embryos for genetic disorders and transfers any free of the faulty gene into the mother's womb – has been offered on the NHS for more than a decade for serious diseases that come early in childhood, like cystic fibrosis or Tay Sachs.

However the ethics of extending the use of this technique is debatable, with the first child free of the breast cancer gene by PGD born only in 2009. Professor Michael Baum, a leading researcher in breast cancer, is doubtful whether PGD should be used for inherited breast cancer. He explains a phenomenon in genetics and cellular development called co-expression where two genes could be stuck together – so the mutant gene (i.e. the BRAC1 and BRAC2 mutation) might be co-expressed with favourable components (e.g. complex genes of beauty or intelligence). Therefore he believes by selecting out the embryos of these mutations, there is a risk of selecting out ‘some of the best people in our society’.

To read more, click here.

Fad foods and breast cancer – how to read the headlines

There are many articles out there that focus on the links between food and cancer, with headlines often promoting the cancer-fighting benefits of certain foods. Very often though, it can be difficult to decipher whether the headlines are indeed fact or fiction. A recent article on website ‘Koman for the Cure’ helps to give greater insight into how to ‘read between the lines’ when it comes to articles about foods and breast cancer.

When reading about possible links between diet and cancer, it can be helpful to look at whether the results come from studies of cells, animals or people. Whilst findings from cell studies may be interesting, they indicate a very early step in the research process, and may not necessarily translate to human health. Similarly, whilst animal studies can add to our understanding of how and why some factors may affect breast cancer risk in people, there are many differences between animals and people, and so human studies are needed before deciding whether certain foods are actually linked to the prevention, treatment or risk of breast cancer in people.

Another interesting factor to look out for when reading articles about food and breast cancer is the number of people used in a study. The more people used in a study, the more information or evidence it gives us, as results from a small study can sometimes be due to chance rather than a true effect. Important to also consider is how many other studies have been done on the same topic with similar outcomes as this can help us to have more confidence in the results. In other words, the more human studies is with large numbers and with similar findings there are, the more we can trust whether a food is linked (or not linked) to breast cancer. So next time you read about the link between a certain food and breast cancer, investigate whether the study was done with people, whether it was a large study and supported by other research – armed with this knowledge you will be better able to ‘read between the lines’ and properly interpret the headlines.

To read more, click here.

Victoria Todd

8th July 2011

On the pulse


Cancerkin's News Update.....


Hyde Park Walk sponsorship…

Sponsorship money from those who took part in our Hyde Park Walk on 19th June is now coming in thick and fast – many thanks to those who have sent it in to us so speedily. Please note that the deadline for returning monies is Monday 15th August. On this day we will add up the grand total and announce our top three fundraisers by the end of that week. Each winner will be awarded with luxury products kindly donated by Floris. Please remember to make all cheques payable to Cancerkin and avoid sending cash in the post. Please contact l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk if you have any queries about sponsorship.

If you still have not taken a look at pictures from the walk, please head head to our Flickr or Facebook pages now! Please tag your friends and ‘like’ the photos and the Cancerkin page while you’re there. We’d love you to share your pictures and your experiences of the day with us, so please contact me at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk – the best stories and photos will be posted online!


Bon voyage, Habeeb!

This week we say goodbye to our Office Manager Habeeb Ahmed. Habeeb started as an intern at Cancerkin in 2009 before taking on the role of Office Manager at the beginning of 2010. He is leaving us to go travelling before he pursues a career in aid and development. We are very sad to see him go but wish him the best for his travels and every success and happiness in his future endeavors!


June lectures at Cancerkin

Dr Anmol Malhotra MB BS BSc(Hons) MRCP FRCR, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Lead at the Royal Free Hospital gave a fascinating and informative lecture on breast imaging in our second June lecture on Tuesday. Dr Malhotra talked about his role in the breast screening process as a Radiologist and explained the signs a Radiologist looks for when assessing a patient. He described the latest developments in breast imaging techniques that aim to speed up the diagnostic process, including discussion of mammograms and their effectiveness. We would like to thank him for sharing his time and expertise with Cancerkin’s patients and supporters in what was a thoroughly enjoyable lecture.


Therapies reminder…

Please note that pilates classes will be taking a break over the summer. The last session before the break will be on Thursday 7th July 2011 at 1.30pm, and classes will recommence on Thursday 8th September 2011 at 1.30pm.


In the News.....


Potential new treatment for oestrogen-negative breast cancers

Of the 48,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year, five percent of these will have a specific type of tumour known as an oestrogen-receptor-negative molecular apocrine tumour. Oestrogen-receptor-negative breast cancers such as these can be difficult to treat as they do not respond to hormone treatments like tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors. In more common oestrogen-positive tumours, oestrogen receptors in the cancer cells are switched on by the hormone, fuelling their growth. Oestrogen negative tumours do not have the protein receptors required by hormone to be effective, leaving these women with fewer treatment options.

Scientists at Cancer Research UK’s Cambridge Research Institute have discovered that patients with this kind of difficult to treat tumour could in fact benefit from prostate cancer treatments which target a different receptor. Androgen receptors, a key trigger of prostate cancer, are fuelled by the androgen hormone, testosterone, in a similar way to which oestrogen receptors are fuelled by oestrogen. Researchers found that in oestrogen-receptor-negative molecular apocrine tumours, androgen receptors can also switch on genes that are usually switched on by the oestrogen receptor, fuelling breast cancer growth. As the research is still in its early stages, it is not yet known what fuels the androgen receptor, whether it is testosterone or testosterone, or if the receptor fuels cancer growth independently without the presence of a hormone.

Lead author, Dr Ian Mills, at Cancer Research UK’s Cambridge Research Institute, said of the research: “This important discovery suggests that patients with a type of oestrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer may potentially benefit from therapies given to prostate cancer patients, which could transform treatment for this patient group in the future. But at the moment this laboratory research is still at an early stage. We don’t know if oestrogen or hormones from the androgen family such as testosterone also have a role to play in fuelling the disease in this patient group. The challenge is to pin down these answers through further laboratory and clinical research.”

To read more from Cancer Research UK, please click here.



Una Reynolds

1st July 2011

On the pulse

Cancerkin's News Update.....

Hyde Park Walk 2011

Thank you to everyone who came along on Sunday to take part in the Hyde Park Walk! We had a fantastic turnout of walkers, joggers and runners on our big day out in the Park. Crowds of families, friends, and even a troupe of ballerinas gathered early on Sunday morning at the Hyde Park Bandstand before setting off round the Serpentine to show their support for women affected by breast cancer. We were lucky enough to escape the rain, with sunny spells and a cool breeze making for perfect walking conditions, and all thoroughly enjoyed the day!

To see photos from the walk, head to our Flickr or Facebook pages now! Please tag your friends and ‘like’ the photos and the Cancerkin page while you’re there. We’d love you to share your pictures and your experiences of the day with us, so please contact me at l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk – the best stories and photos will be posted online!

Our wonderful walkers are now busy collecting their sponsorship money – thank you to those who have already sent theirs in! We have already raised almost £17,000 and this total is climbing every day. Please note that the deadline for returning monies is Monday 15th August. On this day we will count up the grand total and announce our top three fundraisers. Each winner will be awarded with luxury products kindly donated by Floris. Please remember to make all cheques payable to Cancerkin and avoid sending cash in the post. Please contact l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk if you have any queries about sponsorship.

June lectures at Cancerkin

Next Tuesday, 28th June from 11am – 1pm, we are pleased to welcome Dr Anmol Malhotra MB BS BSc(Hons) MRCP FRCR, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Lead at the Royal Free Hospital who will give a lecture on recent developments in breast imaging at our second June lecture. This special event at the Cancerkin Centre is open to all patients and supporters and we would love to see you there. Spaces are limited so please contact Una on 0207 830 2323 or u.reynolds@cancerkin.org.uk if you are interested in attending.

Cancerkin’s latest addition…

We are thrilled to welcome our new finance officer Intern, Krupi Mehta, to the Cancerkin Team. Krupi has just graduated from the University of Westminster with a first class honours degree in Accounting and Business Management and she will now be assisting with our finances, accounts and IT over the next few months. Congratulations on your degree and welcome to Cancerkin, Krupi!

Therapies update…

Please note that pilates classes will be taking a break over the summer. The last session before the break will be on Thursday 7th July 2011 at 1.30pm, and classes will recommence on Thursday 8th September 2011 at 1.30pm.

In the News.....

Can a low carb diet prevent or slow cancer?

Many different theories exist about how our diets and the food we eat can affect our risk of developing cancer or can impact upon the growth of cancerous tumours. The latest research to emerge on the topic was published last week in the journal Cancer Research and suggests that a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet could help to slow the growth of tumours and even prevent cancer from developing.

Scientists in Canada reached this conclusion firstly by looking at the effects of two different diets on a group of mice that had cancer. One group of mice was given a typical Western diet, composed of 55 per cent carbohydrate, 23 percent protein and 22 percent fat. Another was given a low-carb, high-protein diet made up of 15 percent carbohydrate, 58 percent protein and 26 percent fat. The growth of tumours was found to be slower in the mice on the low-carb diet than those on the Western one. Researchers then repeated the same experiment on mice who were genetically predisposed to breast cancer. Of these mice, almost 50 percent of those on the Western diet developed breast cancer within their first year of life and only one mouse in this group reached the full life span of two years. None of the mice on the low-carb diet developed breast cancer as quickly and more that 50 percent reached or exceeded normal life expectancy. Lead researcher, Dr Gerald Krystal suggested that the reason behind the study’s results was related to the fuel cancer cell required for growth. Tumour cells need more glucose than healthy cells to grow and a low-carbohydrate diet may help to deprive tumour cells of both glucose and insulin, slowing their development. He also speculated that a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet may boost the immune system's ability to kill cancer cells.

As always, such claims must be approached with caution. In response to the study, Cancer Research UK was quick to highlight that the research is still in its infancy. Jessica Harris, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "This study was done in mice, so it doesn't tell us whether such a diet would have a similar effect in humans. There is a substantial amount of evidence that eating a healthy, balanced diet that's high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in red and processed meat, saturated fat and salt could reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, but it's far too soon to add this dietary pattern to the list."

To read more from CRUK, please click here.

Earlier menarche means increased risk of breast cancer…

Through its Breakthrough Generations Study, which is currently following over 110,000 women living in the UK over a number of decades, breast cancer research charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer has found that teenage girls, particularly those from a lower socio-economic background, are starting their periods earlier. As reported in On the pulse last October, this is a worrying trend, as much research has shown that early menarche is linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Data collected in the study shows that, generally, in girls born in the late 1980s and 1990s, the age at which they have their first period has dropped. In girls born before this time, the average age of menarche had remained the same for several decades. In girls born at the start of the 20th century, the average age was 13.5 years, then 12.6 years for those born in the 1940s. This age remained the same until it dropped again to 12.3 years for girls born in the 1980s. The drop in age has been found to be most pronounced in those from a poorer background. The age at which a girl’s periods start is linked to their body weight. In a society struggling with childhood obesity, the drop in age may well be related to increasing numbers of overweight children, particularly in lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Study author Danielle Morris, from The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in Sutton, Surrey, said: “These results suggest that girls, particularly from poorer backgrounds, are starting their periods younger. While we don’t know all the reasons behind this, changes in diet may have played a part. This decrease is important because the age at which a girl starts her periods can influence her chances of developing breast cancer later in life.” Professor Anthony Swerdlow, from the ICR and co-leader of the Breakthrough Generations Study, added: “Incidence of breast cancer has risen progressively over a long time in the UK. We think these changes have come about through a combination of factors each of which individually makes a small difference. Understanding how these factors influence a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer should allow us to develop strategies for preventing the disease in the future.”

To read more from Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s website, please click here.

Laura Smith

24th June 2011

Cancerkin's News Update.....

Hyde Park Walk this Sunday!

After months of planning and preparation, Cancerkin’s big walk around Hyde Park is finally here! We have been taking last minute entries all week and are expecting a turn out of over 200 walkers. The weather forecast is set for sunshine (fingers crossed no rain!) and the Cancerkin team is looking forward to seeing you all there.

If you have not yet registered but still want to get involved, do not worry, you can register on the day. Just come along to the Hyde Park Bandstand from 9am to sign up and receive you free Cancerkin T-shirt. The walk will then start at 10.30am. Drinks from Sainsbury’s and Ocean Spray will be provided and marshals will be around the course to answer any questions. Please do be sure to bring along sun-cream, hats and anything else you may need and you are welcome to bring a picnic for afterwards. We are able to store this for you but please note there are no refrigeration services available.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at anytime on

l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk.

June lectures at Cancerkin

On Tuesday 28th June from 11am – 1pm Dr Anmol Malhotra MB BS BSc(Hons) MRCP FRCR, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Lead at the Royal Free Hospital will give a lecture about recent developments in breast imaging here at the Cancerkin centre. He will then be taking questions from the audience. This special event is open to all patients and supporters.

If you would like to attend the lecture, please contact Una on 0207 830 2323 or u.reynolds@cancerkin.org.uk.

Therapies update…

We would like to thank our Drama Therapist Christine Fox for her efforts in running such a fantastic series of Drama workshops here at Cancerkin, with all those who took part saying how much they enjoyed the sessions. Classes have now finished but we hope to see Christine back at Cancerkin again in the near future.

We would also like to send our congratulations to Alexander Technique Therapist Kate Fun, who gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Benjamin, on Saturday. We wish Kate and Benjamin all the best!

In the News.....

As has been reported in On the pulse in recent months, much research has been published about breast cancer surgery and age. Research has found that the older a patient is, the less likely they are to have surgery, and further data presented this week at the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) conference supports these findings and has found that differences in surgery rates by age cannot be fully attributed to age-related ill health caused by other diseases.

A team of researchers led by Dr Katrina Lavelle at the University of Manchester examined the records of over 23,000 women with breast cancer, to discover the extent to which women over the age of 70 were less likely to receive surgery was due to other illnesses. The women examined were all diagnosed with the disease between 1997 and 2005 and lived in the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East of England. Results showed that overall rates of surgery dropped off with age and that women who did have other illnesses were less likely to have surgery. However, even once ill health related to other diseases had been taken into account, researchers found that the likelihood of surgery still decreased with age. More than 85 per cent of women aged 65 to 70 received surgery as part of their treatment. This figure fell to 70 per cent in those over 70, and to only 50 per cent in those over 80. Older patients were also less likely to have surgery if they were from a deprived area.

Dr Katrina Lavelle said of the findings: “Previous research has shown that older women are less likely to have surgery for breast cancer compared with younger patients. Surgery to remove breast tumours is one of the most effective ways to treat this cancer so it’s important to get a better understanding of what lies behind these differences. This research suggests that the presence of other illnesses, which we know increases with age, does not fully explain the difference in treatment between older and younger patients. The good news is that over the time period we looked at, the numbers of women over 65 having surgery did rise from 68 per cent to 75 per cent.

Our ongoing research, funded by the Breast Cancer Campaign and the National Institute for Health Research, is investigating the extent to which the lack of surgery amongst older women is due to things like overall frailty or patient choice. We are also developing statistical techniques to help to decide which treatment is likely to be the most appropriate based on patient choice, health and acceptable risk, rather than age”

To read more, please click here.

Laura Smith

On the pulse

Cancerkin’s news…


Hyde Park Walk update...

The big walk round Hyde Park is now just over a week away and the Cancerkin Team is looking forward to seeing you all there! We are still taking last minute entries for the walk on Sunday 19th June so if you have not yet registered, there is still time to do so – just send in your registration form as soon as you can. To download an entry form, please visit our website.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at anytime on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk.


June lectures at Cancerkin

In June, Cancerkin is pleased to be holding two special events open to all patients and supporters.

On Tuesday 28th June from 11am – 1pm Dr Anmol Malhotra MB BS BSc(Hons) MRCP FRCR, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Lead at the Royal Free Hospital will give a lecture about recent developments in breast imaging and will take questions from the audience. If you would like to attend, please contact Una on 0207 830 2323 or u.reynolds@cancerkin.org.uk.

On Monday 6 June, Mr Mohammed Keshtgar MBBS BSc FRCSI FRCSC(Gen) PhD, Consultant Surgical Oncologist at the Royal Free and Whittington Hospitals gave a fascinating lecture at the Cancerkin Centre on the topic of ‘Breast cancer management: what the future holds’. Mr Keshtgar explained new research and developments currently being made in the field of breast cancer management before taking a lively question and answer session. We would like to thank him for sharing his time and expertise with us.


Integrated Cancer System Event next week

There will be an Integrated Cancer System event organised by UCL Partners taking place on 14th June from 5.30-7.30pm in the Sheila Sherlock Centre at the Royal Free. Integrated Cancer Systems are replacing the provider components of cancer networks and Tuesday’s event will explain what is happening to them, as well as acting as a public consultation and a chance for attendees to share their views. The event is open to patients and the public. For information and details about how to register, please click here.


Art workshop at Cancerkin

Mary-Anne Paterson will be holding an art therapy workshop this Tuesday, 14th June, 11am to 4pm at the Cancerkin centre. The session is specifically for those who have been to at least one art therapy class before and there will be a charge of £5 per person to cover the costs of materials. If you are interested in attending, please call Una on 0207 830 2323 or u.reynolds@cancerkin.org.uk.


In the news…

Report finds lower breast cancer survival rates amongst poorer women

New research published this week has revealed that poorer women who come from more deprived areas are less likely to survive breast cancer than their more affluent counterparts, due to late diagnosis of the disease. The ‘All Breast Cancer Report’, conducted by the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) is the first in-depth analysis in the UK that examines how treatment and the route of diagnosis – either via breast screening or symptoms of breast cancer being presented to a GP – affect the likelihood of surviving the disease in women from different socio-economic backgrounds.

The comprehensive analysis of breast cancer patients examined information on how long women survived and how they were diagnosed, and data regarding their socio-economic background. Within this, women were split into five groups of differing levels of poverty, ranging from the most affluent to the most deprived. There was little difference found between the groups amongst those diagnosed with breast cancer through the national breast cancer screening programmes across the UK. Ninety nine percent of women in the most affluent group survived the disease for at least 5 years compared with 94 percent of those in the most deprived group that were diagnosed in this way. However, a significant difference was found between the groups in patients whose route of diagnosis was via symptoms presented to a doctor, for example in women who found they had a lump and consequently visited a GP. 83 percent of the most affluent group survived for at least five years, in comparison with 68 percent of in the most deprived group of women diagnosed in this way – a difference of 15 percent.

The huge disparity in survival is ascribed to late diagnosis. Through missed screenings, less awareness of breast cancer symptoms or hesitance about seeing a doctor, poorer women have been found to be less likely to survive because they are diagnosed at a later stage when breast cancer is more advanced. Treatment is as a result more aggressive and even the best treatments available are less likely to be successful.

Gill Lawrence, director of the West Midlands Cancer Intelligence Unit and report author, said of its results: “These figures show that even though a greater number of affluent women develop breast cancer every year, poorer women are more likely to die from the disease. Not going for screening and delays in going to the doctor mean that less affluent women are being diagnosed with later stage cancers which need more invasive surgery and are far less likely to be treated with breast conserving surgery. But, if these women attend screening, are breast aware and go to their doctor as soon as they notice anything unusual for them such as a lump or changes to the nipple like a rash or dimpling there’s no reason why poorer women shouldn’t have the same chance of survival as more affluent women.”

To read the NCIN press release click here, or to read the Cancer Research UK science blog, click here. Cancerkin’s East London breast cancer awareness project is very much focused on this disparity of outcomes: the one year breast cancer mortality rate in East London is significantly higher than in more wealthy parts of London.

Laura Smith

10^th June 2011

On the pulse


Cancerkin’s news…


Hyde Park Walk update...

Cancerkin’s walk around Hyde Park Sunday 19th June is now just weeks away! We would like to take this opportunity to thank our generous sponsors who are supporting the event: GAM, an investment management firm who have kindly funded the printing of our T-shirts, Sainsburys who will be providing bottled water for our thirsty walkers, Ocean Spray who have donated cranberry juice and packets of cranberries to keep up energy levels and Floris who are supplying fabulous prizes for the three walkers who raise the most. Thank you!

We are still taking entries for the Walk so if you have not yet registered for the walk, there is still time to do so – just send in your registration form as soon as you can. To download an entry form, please visit our website, or you can request for a form to be sent to you in the post.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at anytime on l.smith@cancerkin.org.uk.


Internship opportunity at Cancerkin...

Are you or do you know of a bright, enthusiastic graduate who would be interested in working at Cancerkin? We are looking for such a candidate to begin an Accounts, IT and Office Manager internship starting in June. To find out more please visit the graduate talent pool website. To apply, please send a CV and covering letter, clearly stating why you want this internship and what you feel you can bring to the role, to v.todd@cancerkin.org.uk.


June lectures at Cancerkin

In June, Cancerkin is please to be holding two special events open to all patients and supporters.

On Monday 6th June from 3pm - 5pm, Mr Mohammed Keshtgar MBBS BSc FRCSI FRCSC(Gen) PhD, Consultant Surgical Oncologist at the Royal Free and Whittington Hospitals will be giving a lecture entitled ‘Breast cancer management: what the future holds’ here at the Cancerkin Centre. The lecture will be followed by a question and answer session.

Then on Tuesday 28th June from 11am – 1pm, Dr Anmol Malhotra MB BS BSc(Hons) MRCP FRCR, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Lead at the Royal Free Hospital, will be talking about recent developments in breast imaging, before taking questions from the audience.

If you would like to attend either of these lectures or have any questions please contact Una on 0207 830 2323 or u.reynolds@cancerkin.org.uk.


In the news…

Breakthrough in triple negative research

Around one in six women with breast cancer in the UK are affected by triple negative breast cancer – that amounts to around 8,000 patients a year. This kind of breast cancer tends to be more aggressive and difficult to treat, as the cancers do not have hormone receptors of HER2 receptors. The lack of receptors means that tumours do not respond to targeted therapies such as Herceptin or hormone therapies like tamoxifen and treatment options for this group of patients are currently limited.

In an exciting new study published this week in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, US researchers have identified overactive genes in triple negative breast cancers which could provide a new drug target for such tumours. Scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the US have succeeded in identifying a pool of 15 genes that are required by triple negative breast cancer cells to grow. Although only in the early stages of their research, scientists think that the discovery of the genes could potentially lead to the development of the first targeted treatment for triple negative breast cancer.

Dr Caitlin Palframan, Policy Manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said of the study: “This research is very exciting as new treatments for triple negative breast cancer are urgently needed. There are limited treatment options available for this group of patients so a targeted treatment would be a real breakthrough. However, this is early stage research in mice and we look forward to seeing if this approach will prove effective in the upcoming clinical trials.”

To read an article in The Telegraph, click here, or to read more from Breakthrough Breast Cancer, click here.


New drug for advanced breast cancer

A new drug called Eribulin (or Havalen by its brand name) has now been launched in the UK after it was approved for use last month. The chemotherapy drug is designed to treat patients with advanced breast cancer and may be given to patients who have been given other treatments without success or who are unable to take two common types of chemotherapy drugs, amthrocycline and taxane.

Eribulin is a chemotherapy drug that is derived from chemicals found in sea sponges. The drug functions by binding itself to microtubules, structures that allow cell division. By binding the microtubules, the drug leaves cancer cells unable to divide and forces them to self-destruct. Other chemotherapy drugs also do this but but the way in which Eribulin works is currently unique.

Research into the drug suggests that Eribulin may help to extend the lives of breast cancer patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of their bodies. The recent phase III ‘EMBRACE’ trial into the drug examined 762 patients with metastatic breast cancer and found that women who were given Eribulin lived for a median of 13.1 months compared to women who were given a standard treatment recommended by their doctor who lived for a median of 10.6 months.

Dr Andrew Wardley, consultant medical oncologist and co-chair of the Breast Group at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, said: "Eribulin addresses an urgent need for new treatment options for women with advanced breast cancer who have previously received multiple treatments." Julia Frater, senior information nurse at Cancer Research UK, said: "It's really good to hear new treatments for breast cancer are being licensed and we look forward to seeing NICE's final appraisal decision. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the UK so it's vital that we continue to look for different ways to treat the disease."
To read a Cancer Research UK press release, please click here.

Laura Smith 3rd June 2011