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NOVEMBER 2012 -- Cancer.Vive 2013 Ride applications now open! Cancer survivors of the “shy cancers” (breast, ovarian, cervical, colorectal, prostate and testicular cancer) can now apply to participate in the 2013 Awareness and Educational Ride. The application form can be downloaded from www.cancervive.co.za. In 2012 the team of 25 survivors visited mines, schools, farm workers and factory workers in the Gauteng and Mpumalanga area Lilian Dube in Kagiso during the 2013 Ride. and about 10,000 people were educated. For more information, contact Frieda on [email protected]. Can-Sir members were at Sahara Park, Newlands to educate Cape Cobra supporters about men’s cancer. Alongside the Cape Cobras mascot are Can-Sir members Charlton Frans (left) and Bianca Jacobs with CEO Ismail-Ian Fife attempting to take the bite out of the Cape Cobras FANgS. See story on page 3. New Johannesburg Cancer Buddies People Living With Cancer and CanSurvive Support Group now have another 24 Cancer Buddies trained and ready to help patients, survivors and caregivers. More pictures on page 4. VISION, NOVEMBER 2012 How would we cope? Cancer buddies give back Oncologist James Salwitz writes from the US about the incredible way that people worked together after Hurricane Sandy had devastated the East coast. Would South Africans pull together like this? Our performance in hospitals under normal working conditions doesn’t raise much hope. “The blackout legacy of Sandy affected man, woman and child, plunging all into cold darkness, putting all in harms way. However, for few was this trauma more acute then for cancer patients in the middle of their battle against disease. For hundreds of local patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy this week, suddenly finding themselves without access to critical care was frightening and dangerous. Into this crisis stepped local heroes. “When two of our three offices lost power and heat, 210 patients due to receive vital treatments this week were left without access to ongoing chemotherapy. Another 185 patients scheduled for vital lab testing were in jeopardy and over 400 office visits cancelled. As with sailors suddenly washed overboard, these cancer patients, many frail and vulnerable, had lives suddenly at risk. Our staff of front desk workers, LPNs, RNs, pharmacists, technicians and physicians did not hesitate. They would all say that they were just doing their jobs. If that is true, then how these people do their jobs is an inspiration. “We are three friends Diane, Belinda and Janice who have all lost our mothers to cancer. I am cancer survivor too and during my recovery I was introduced to PLWC Cancer Buddies based at the Vincent Palotti Oncology unit. What an inspirational group of people! I felt an immediate bond with my fellow survivors. Our monthly discussions are a time to reflect on our cancer journey, learn about medical advances, experience alternative therapies, plan our dying ( it is inevitable) and advocate for change. But above all it is an opportunity to celebrate life! “Acting with calm, good humour (actually really awful humour) and intelligence, these professionals organised chaos. Working around downed trees and phone systems, transporting drugs and equipment, jury rigging critical systems to augment struggling electronics, in real time they brought care to cancer patients in critical need. They urged chilled, struggling lab equipment to life, alternative communication systems were rigged, patients contacted and schedules redesigned, on the fly. Chemotherapy was given in exam rooms, at desks, in any available cranny. Doctors wearing hiking boots and jeans, instead of white coats and ties, examined patients. Rather then being left in isolation, frightened patients were given comfort and care, vital medicine, a warm touch and hot coffee (with doughnuts…OK not the best in nutrition, but we will let it slide).” When my friend Janice’s mom fell ill, I introduced her to the group. As a caregiver she too was struck by the joy of this group. Not to mention the advice she got – both on a practical and emotional level. And yet another dimension of the group was revealed. The voice of the caregiver. Us ladies were chatting about our need to pay forward by doing something meaningful for someone else before the end of 2012. Having a mutual love of a glass of champagne and slice of cake we decided to arrange a tea party to raise funds for a worthy cause. With the positive role Cancer Buddies has played in our lives it was the obvious choice to be the beneficiary. We anticipated having a smallish group of ladies to host, but how wrong we were! What happened was an unexpected, overwhelming and wonderful outpouring of love from our friends, family and the greater community. We were offered donations of both money and food. Some friends responded by arranged phenomenal prizes and others gave of their time and creative talents. The men were not to be outdone. They set out furniture, manned the entrance table, poured hundreds of glasses of champagne and took care of the banking and petty cash. The sun came out just before 3pm and our 70 guests had a wonderful afternoon filled with tea, bubbly, snacks, fun and sharing. We are still receiving donations and have managed to raise in excess of R12 000 thus far! We have been truly blessed! Tollfree service for cancer patients PLWC Cancer Buddies now have a tollfree number - it is 0800 033 337 and it is available 24/7. All cancer patients now have access to free cancer support and can ask any questions about cancer and treatment of cancer; the emotional issues related to the cancer journey; questions about side effects of treatment; assistance with accessing resources like wigs, prosthesis, home nursing and hospice. A big thank you must go to Linda Greeff whose telling of the Cancer Buddies story had such an amazing impact on every single guest. And of to every person who contributed, in any way, to the success of the fund raiser we truly appreciate it. We have already had enquiries about when we will be hosting the next one! “ - Diane Problems relating to access to treatment or services delivery issues can also be reported and they will assist in navigating the complex healthcare system we have in South Africa. No question is insignificant! 2 VISION, NOVEMBER 2012 Guinness World Record attempt CanSir Pulls the FANgS out of Cape Cobras November 9 - What an evening it was! Although we are disappointed in the Cobras loss at the hands of the Bizhub Highveld Lions, our awareness drive was truly memorable, informative, mind blowing and hugely successful. That Sahara Park Newlands was not packed to the rafters may have been a blessing in disguise as we did not have a full complement of members and volunteers due to the short notice of this particular event. Now that we have received the full schedule, Can-Sir members and volunteers will be all hands on deck for the remaining events. Can-Sir will be taking part in a 24-hour Static Cycle Guinness World Record attempt on 24 and 25 November, by supporting all participants and raising much needed cancer awareness and education. Organisers Spin4C and Sponsor’s REFLEX will staging this event at the Kranking Fitness Studio in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. During the course of the evening, we managed to reach 523 FANgS (Fangs is a description for fans) based on flyers issued less flyers returned. teed to have themselves tested for testicular cancer at the next Newlands game - that is a breakthrough if ever there was one!! What was very interesting to note was the fact that most of the men we approached were very receptive with the odd few trying to escape us … lol … we caught them too lol… The biggest plus of the evening was that 90% of the people approached, men and women, were all in agreement that this form of awareness drive was long overdue for men and wanted to see more. Well, we assured them that we will be back and will be present at all of the Cape Cobras home games. During the course of the evening, we had 17 offers from FANgS to assist us at our next Newlands awareness drives - now isn’t that just great!!! Future dates to diarise: Now for the facts: 523 fans were reached; 65 fans had private discussions; 7 fans were counselled and 175 young men have guaran- 16 February: Can-Sir Valentines Day Charity Dance at the Astra Hall, Montana, Cape Town. Bracelet funds the first toll-free line of its kind in South Africa! From now on, all the funds raised through the sale of the bracelets will go towards paying for the monthly maintenance of the toll-free line. We look forward to our next venture at Boland Park and hope that with the added Can-Sir manpower, more people will be reached. 23 November: Can-Sir takes the sting out of Cape Cobras at Boland Park, Boland – Cancer Awareness programme. 30 November: Can-Sir bites into the FANgS at Sahara Park Newlands Cape Cobras– Cancer Awareness programme. The toll-free line is available between 8:00 and 17:00 daily. NO question is unimportant. People Living With Cancer (PLWC) is very proud and even more pleased to announce that the toll-free number for CANCER BUDDIES has gone live and can offer help to cancer patients and their families. Just make the call and it is also free! Patient’s enquiries are taken by trained oncology social workers who then determine the needs of the patient and the family, and the support needed and then the caller is referred to a specifically selected “friend” from a similar diagnosis as the patient. Cancer Buddies who take the hands of the cancer patient are all trained to take calls and deal with the needs of the patient and their journey. The hope and support offered by this service is incredible and assists the patient to feel more in control of his journey with cancer. Toll free number to call is: 0800 033 337 All cancer patients and their families have free access to free cancer support through Cancer Buddies, a project of PLWC. PLWC would like to thank everyone who lent their hands by buying the bracelet and wearing them. You have made this line possible and you will change many lives for the better. Not just today, but forever! PLWC would also like to thank all those who bought the bracelets because you are going to save lives by spreading the message that the early detection saves lives. So go for regular checkups. Visit the website www.cancerbuddies.org.za lend your hand for further information and to buy bracelets online. The beautiful handmade emblem of the wristband was designed and painted by the famous artist Pierre Volschenk. 3 VISION, NOVEMBER 2012 CanSurvive and People Living With Cancer 2012 Cancer Buddy Training Course 4 VISION, NOVEMBER 2012 Cancer.Vive reach out in Namibia Four Cancer.vive members were invited by SPAR Namibia as special guests at the annual Ladies Cancer Breakfast in Swakopmund. More than 500 ladies, all dressed in shades of pink, gathered in a huge marquee tent which was erected on the beach. Raynolda Makhutle, Ray Cassiem, Adri van Nieuwenhuizen and Frieda Henning shared their stories and knowledge on the signs and risks of the “shy cancers” with the ladies. SPAR Some of the 500 ladies who attended the Ladies Breakfast in Swakopmund where Western Cape has been supporting the cause Cancer.vive did what they do best - spread knowledge about the shy cancers. for the last 3 years and it was an honour to be present at the their support towards the “Pink Trees for Pauline – embraced by Swakopmund event, said Frieda Henning. Cancer.vive)-project for 2013. The money raised with this project will be used to spread the word of the importance of early detection for cancer in Namibia. The response from the ladies was overwhelming and four towns (Swakopmund, Walvisbaai, Hentiesbaai and Windhoek pledged CANCER BUDDIES Ride 4 Skin Cancer (R4SC) 2013 The P&P Cape Argus Cycle Tour entries have been opened for a while now and we need to begin preparation for the R4SC in 2013. We will continue our support for Cancer buddies – should anyone wish to find out more information about our chosen charity please visit www.cancerbuddies.org.za It is with great pleasure that we welcome to the team Debbie Thwaits. As the new bond administrator she will take care of the admin associated with the charity. Debs, in consultation with myself, Jill and Chad will run R4SC on a day to day basis. If you would like to participate either in the ride or in any other way towards making the event the success it is, please contact Debs on [email protected] /mobile number is 082 355 177 Do you need a Cancer Buddy? Cape Town Buddies Fundraiser The Cancer Buddies support project emphasises the importance of support while learning to live with cancer, and that this is fundamental to developing a true cancer survivor approach. It is with great pleasure that we can tell you that we donated R4110 into your account today as a result of our fundraiser tea! A heartfelt thank you from Tania and I for your support Elise and for your inspired presence on the day. It was a great success and would not have been so without you. What inspired us? A heartfelt need to give back to such a worthy beneficiary who would in turn use the money to help those who are living with cancer. I lost both my Mom & Sister in Law to cancer this year and both Tania and I have close friends who are directly or indirectly affected by cancer and we just felt we would like to do something… And we are thinking that we will perhaps make it an annual occasion! Thank you both for the wonderful work you are doing – we hope that this contribution will benefit those in need and your cause. – Kim Mortimer Talking with someone who has survived cancer and has regained his or her life offers hope and a sense of empowerment. Through empowerment comes a fighting spirit that can assist in building resilience, and in challenging the process of learning to live with cancer. The service is offered absolutely free via our website at www.cancerbuddies.org.za - or our toll-free line, 0800 033 337, is open to and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer stage, at any age, living anywhere in South Africa. 5 VISION, NOVEMBER 2012 Hospice is Life James C. Salwitz, MD Dr. Salwitz is a Clinical Professor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. I know that bringing hospice into a discussion says that a problem is present from which the patient will eventually die. That is a tough idea. The problem is that many people confuse hospice with accelerating death. They think only of morphine drips, stopping needed medicines and starvation. This common reaction still surprises me. For I believe hospice is life. He lectures frequently in the community on topics related to Hospice and Palliative Care and has received numerous honors and awards, including the Physicians Leadership Award in Palliative Care. There are several reasons for the confusion regarding the true goals of hospice. First, superficially, most people who go on hospice do indeed die. Therefore, from the outside there may seem to be a cause and effect relationship, e.g. go on Hospice …Hospice makes you die. It may be difficult to see that the patient is living better and perhaps longer. Second, we often delay in calling hospice to the very end, when things may be desperate with symptoms out of control. I cannot count how many times I have seen hospice called during the last two days of life. Then hospice can have relatively little benefit and may in fact have to be very aggressive with medications just to achieve comfort. His blog, Sunrise Rounds, can be found at http://sunriserounds.com failing therapy, progressive disease, limited prognosis and terminal care, all at one time. Thus, we take a short hop from, “you are doing fine” to, “let us talk about hospice.” Hospice can give weeks or months of quality life to a patient and family. In addition to controlling symptoms hospice helps with planning and coping. In this difficult time hospice acts not only as caregivers, but as guides. This can increase the patient’s independence and assure dignity during this part of their life. Remarkably increasing data shows that instead of treating a terminal patient with failing chemotherapy, if you just control symptoms the patient will not only live better, but significantly longer. Occasionally I have seen patients on hospice for more than a year. Not infrequently "terminal" patients given the quality and support of hospice actually regain their health enough to leave hospice. Some of them live for years after, or are healthy enough to resume active cancer care if needed. Finally, I think hospice is confused with death because of the way in which we handle these conversations. Instead of planning when we are relatively well and have time to discuss end-of-life from a perspective of health, we wait until the last minute. Then, as everything is deteriorating we suddenly have to mix statements about Hospice can be a tremendous assistance and gift to a patient and family, going through an end-of-life experience. It provides hope for comfort, quality and dignity. It brings people together. This is precious time, which can be lived well. Life giving hospice can help. In Africa Champion Kudiwa celebrated LIVESTRONG Day with Dave R Mahlangu at the Khumbula High School in Thsolothso, Zimbabwe where they handed out the famous LIVESTRONG wristbands to the eager pupils. Champion and Dave are both LIVESTRONG Leaders and are committed to helping cancer patients in the Bulawayo area. The LIVESTRONG Foundation provides free cancer support services to help people cope with the financial, emotional and practical challenges that accompany the disease. Created in 1997 by cancer survivor and philanthropist Lance Armstrong, the Foundation is known for its powerful brand – LIVESTRONG – and for its advocacy on behalf of survivors and their families. With its iconic yellow LIVESTRONG wristband, the Foundation has become a symbol of hope and inspiration around the world. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised nearly $500 million to support cancer survivors and served 2.5 million people affected by the disease. For more information, visit LIVESTRONG.org. 6 VISION, NOVEMBER 2012 Talking about cancer During 2012 CanSurvive and its project, CanAssist, have joined with the cancer awareness organisation, LiveWell, and have been spreading knowledge of cancer and cancer support to corporates, sporting events, hospitals and other groups. CanAssist has also been providing comforts to chemo patients at the Charlotte Maxeke Chemo Clinic. If you would like to join us or donate in cash or kind, please email [email protected] LET’S TALK ABOUT CANCER Join in the conversation at our CanSurvive Cancer Support Group! On the second Saturday of each month have a cup of tea/coffee, a chat with us and listen to an interesting talk. BOOK NOW FOR OUR END OF YEAR BREAKFAST ON 1 DECEMBER NEXT MEETING: 12 JANUARY Enquiries: 083 640 4949 email: [email protected] The Group is run by members of the Johannesburg Branch of People Living With Cancer in association with the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre and is open to any survivor, patient or caregiver. No charge is made. 7 VISION, NOVEMBER 2012 Dates to remember CONTACT DETAILS People Living With Cancer, Johannesburg, CanSurvive Cancer Support Group : 083 640 4949, [email protected] November 2012 17 22 22 26 Wings of Hope Breast Cancer Support Group 9h30 PLWC Panorama Hospital morning Support Group. Visiting dietician. Reach For Recovery Cape Peninsula Branch. 10h00 Show and Tell. PLWC Vincent Pallotti Oncology Support Group. People Living With Cancer, Cape Town: 076 775 6099, [email protected], www.plwc.org.za People Living with Cancer, Pretoria Support Group Contact: Danie at [email protected] or 083 281 9238 People Living With Cancer, Panorama Support Groups (morning and evening): Emerentia Esterhuyse 021 944 3850 December 2012 1 1 6 9 2 5 6 10 People Living With Cancer, Vincent Palotti Support Group PLWC Johannesburg and CanSurvive Annual End of Year Breakfast, 9h00 at Da Vincenzo Restaurant, Barbeque (Kyalami). Wings of Hope Christmas breakfast, Full Stop Cafe, Parktown North.. GVI Cape Gate Support Group, Reflection on the year and staying focused. PLWC Pretoria Support Group. 14h00 Picnic. Reach for Recovery, Johannesburg, 9:30 for 10:00 GVI Oncology Port Elizabeth - Langenhoven Oncology Centre - Emotional Impact of Cancer. GVI Cape Gate Support Group, Staying focused. PLWC Vincent Pallotti Oncology Support Group. Year in review and celebration. Contact: Linda Greeff 0219494060 or 076 775 6099 GVI Cape Gate Support group: Contact: Caron Caron Majewski, 021 9443800 GVI Oncology Port Elizabeth ( Langenhoven Oncology Centre, LDOC Boardroom) Marina Lourens 0413630581 GVI Oncology Somerset West Group for advanced and metastatic cancers. Contact person: Nicolene Andrews 0218512255 Cancer.vive, Frieda Henning 082 335 49912, [email protected] Can-Sir, 021 761 6070, Ismail-Ian Fife, [email protected]. Support Group: 076 775 6099. Wings of Hope Breast Cancer Support Group Christel Klima 083 693 9236, [email protected] Bosom Buddies: 0860 283 343, www.bosombuddies.org.za. Support Group: 0860 283 343 (BUDDIIE) January 2013 Happy New Year 12 CHOC: Childhood Cancer Foundation SA; Head Office: 086 111 3500; [email protected]; www.choc.org.za PLWC Johannesburg CanSurvive Cancer Support Group 9h00 CANSA National Office: Toll-free 0800 226622 February 2013 9 16 CANSA Johannesburg Central: 011 648 0990, 19 St John Road, Houghton, www.cansa.org.za PLWC Johannesburg CanSurvive Cancer Support Group 9h00 Can-Sir Valentines Day Charity Dance at the Astra Hall, Montana, Cape Town. Reach for Recovery (R4R) : Johannesburg Group, 011 648 0990. Reach for Recovery (R4R) Pretoria Group: 082 212 9933 Reach for recovery, Cape Peninsula, 021 689 5347 or 0833061941 March 2013 9 Reach for Recovery: Harare, Zimbabwe contact 707659. PLWC Johannesburg CanSurvive Cancer Support Group 9h00 Breast Best Friend Zimbabwe, e-mail bbfzim@gmailcom Pink Drive: [email protected], www.pinkdrive.co.za Cancer Centre - Harare: 60 Livingstone Avenue, Harare Tel: 707673 / 705522 / 707444 Fax: 732676 E-mail: [email protected] www.cancerhre.co.zw Thank you to WDGMC ! People Living With Cancer and the CanSurvive and Can-Sir Cancer Support Groups wish to thank Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre for their ongoing support. They have allowed us to use their facilities for our Groups for over two years and this is much appreciated by Group members. We value the support and generosity of WDGMC and their staff and their commitment to improving services rendered to cancer patients and their families. 8 VISION, NOVEMBER 2012 News in brief New target for cancer research Wings of Hope have their last public meeting of the year on 17 November at the Donald Gordon facility, 18 Eton Road, Parktown (9.30 for 10.00). Speakers are Dr. Carol-Ann Benn and Dr. Jeff King. Researchers in scientists' laboratories collaborated to find a patch of amino acids that, if blocked by a drug docked onto the chromosome end at this location, may prevent cancerous cells from reproducing. The amino acids at this site are called the "TEL patch" and once modified, the end of the chromosome is unable to recruit the telomerase enzyme, which is necessary for growth of many cancerous cells. The year end party with big surprises will be on 01.12.2012 @ the Full Stop Cafe. The first three public meetings in 2013 will be on 2 February, 16 March and 4 May. Due to the imminent building alterations at Donald Gordon, the Wings have decided, to accept a generous offer from the German International School to use their facilities for all meetings and workshops in 2013. The address is Road 11 Sans Souci Road, Parktown, which is next to the Guild Road Entrance to Milpark Hospital. "This is an exciting scientific discovery that gives us a new way of looking at the problem of cancer," Cech said. "What is amazing is that changing a single amino acid in the TEL patch stops the growth of telomeres. We are a long way from a drug solution for cancer, but this discovery gives us a different, and hopefully more effective, target." Cech is the director of the BioFrontiers Institute, a Howard Hughes Medical Investigator and winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Computer assisted tumour surgery for bone cancer http://tinyurl.com/b2lqpny In the conventional management of bone tumour surgery, surgeons have to integrate two-dimensional (2D) preoperative images to simulate a three-dimensional (3D) surgical plan. Surgeons often have difficulties in accurately executing the virtual surgical plan. Inaccurate tumour resection may lead to local tumour recurrence and death. Surgeons often have to remove normal bone tissues and surrounding structures of the patients and this will impair their limb functions. Vegetable-derived compounds effective for triple-negative breast cancer A new compound created from a rich source in vegetables including broccoli and brussel sprouts has been developed to combat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This research was presented at the 2012 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting and Exposition, the world's largest pharmaceutical sciences meeting, in Chicago during October. Since 2006, orthopaedic surgeons at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have developed and refined the techniques of computer assisted tumour surgery (CATS) which is particularly useful in complicated tumour surgery, such as pelvic / sacral tumours removal and paediatric bone cancers. CATS has been successfully applied to 32 bone cancer patients. The integration of all preoperative information by image fusion not only allows detailed analysis of patients’ anatomy and tumour position but it also enables precise virtual surgical simulation and resection planning. The surgical plan can be executed with the help of a computer navigation system to achieve a high level of precision and accuracy, ensuring clear resection margins and reducing the error in bone resection to less than two millimeters. This technology helps increase the chance of total tumour resection and preserve normal bone tissues and joints. TNBC accounts for approximately 15-20 percent of all breast cancer cases in the US It is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer; it grows faster, spreads to other parts of the body earlier, is harder to detect on a mammogram and recurs more often. Mandip Sachdeva, Ph.D., and Chandraiah Godugu, P.h.D., from Florida A&M University, in collaboration with Stephen Safe, Ph.D., from Texas A&M University, have evaluated the activity of novel C-substituted diindolylmethane (C-DIM) derivatives and demonstrated that they have superior anticancer activities. These synthetic compounds derived from diindolylmethane (DIM), commonly found in various types of cruciferous vegetables, can be used to treat several types of cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer. C-DIMs are also being investigated for their cancer prevention activity. The Chinese University Of Hong Kong. Ketamine used to reduce depression http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/printerfriendlynews.php?new sid=251500 Many chronically depressed and treatment-resistant patients experience immediate relief from symptoms after taking small amounts of the drug ketamine. For a decade, scientists have been trying to explain the observation first made at Yale University. CONTRIBUTIONS FOR PUBLICATION IN “VISION” NEWSLETTER Today, current evidence suggests that the pediatric anaesthetic helps regenerate synaptic connections between brain cells damaged by stress and depression, according to a review of scientific research written by Yale School of Medicine researchers and published in the 5 October 2012 issue of the journal Science. Articles and letters and events submitted for publication in VISION are welcomed and can be sent to: [email protected] Ketamine works on an entirely different type of neurotransmitter system than current antidepressants, which can take months to 9 VISION, NOVEMBER 2012 improve symptoms of depression and do not work at all for one out of every three patients. Understanding how ketamine works in the brain could lead to the development of an entirely new class of antidepressants, offering relief for tens of millions of people suffering from chronic depression. US Department of Defence through its Prostate Cancer Research Programme (PCRP), which aims to promote innovative research focused on eradicating prostate cancer and funds “high risk-high impact” research that is geared toward developing treatments for the disease. "The rapid therapeutic response of ketamine in treatment-resistant patients is the biggest breakthrough in depression research in a half century," said Ronald Duman, the Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry and Professor of Neurobiology. Through pioneering research on the monoamine oxidase-A enzyme (MAO-A) conducted by University Professor Jean Shih, it is already known that this particular gene plays a role in depression, autism, aggression and other mental illnesses. Efforts to develop drugs that replicate the effects of ketamine have produced some promising results, but they do not act as quickly as ketamine. Researchers are investigating alternatives they hope can duplicate the efficacy and rapid response of ketamine. Source: Yale University “The objective of this study is to determine the functional role of MAO-A in human prostate cancer progression and metastasis, and to evaluate the effectiveness of novel MAO-A inhibitors to target prostate cancer cells, with the promise of preventing and eradicating prostate cancer growth,” explained Shih, who holds the Boyd P. and Elsie D. Welin Professorship in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Better collaboration between palliative care docs and oncologists needed Because MAO-A inhibitors are successfully being used to treat other diseases linked to this enzyme, such as depression, Shih believes the right inhibitors can treat prostate cancer growth and eventually eliminate the cancer all together. Cancer doctors often refer their patients to palliative care very late in the course of disease, according to a new survey from Canada. http://tinyurl.com/bz3jrxv "All palliative specialists believe that palliative care should be involved early," said Dr. Camilla Zimmermann of Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, who led the study with funding from the Canadian Cancer Society. "Despite that and despite guidelines to refer early, many studies have shown that palliative still happens too late, in the last few months of life." Rather than providing aggressive medical treatments, palliative care focuses on improving a person's well-being by offering pain management as well as psychological, social and sometimes spiritual care. http://bit.ly/Phb4FH Journal of Clinical Oncology, online October 29, 2012. Personalised prostate cancer screening may save unnecessary treatment Targeting prostate cancer screening based on a man's age and genes could potentially save thousands of men from unnecessary treatment and save the NHS millions of pounds. The research was presented at the NCRI Cancer Conference in Liverpool recently. The researchers, funded by Cancer Research UK, developed a theoretical model to compare the effectiveness and cost of two different approaches to prostate cancer screening. The model showed that a personalised approach - based on a man's age and looking for the common genes that increase the risk of prostate cancer - would result in fewer deaths from the disease and cost tens of millions less for the NHS to roll out com- Imatinib may help treat aggressive lymphoma You don’t need to face cancer alone! Based on the results of a new study, researchers are developing a clinical trial to test imatinib (Gleevec) in patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects children and young adults. You are invited to join us at our Cape Town Cancer Support Groups: The researchers found that a protein called PDGFRB is important to the development of a common form of ALCL. PDGFRB, a growth factor receptor protein, is a target of imatinib. Imatinib had anticancer effects in both a mouse model of ALCL and a patient with the disease, Dr. Lukas Kenner of the Medical University of Vienna in Austria and his colleagues reported October 14 in Nature Medicine. Vincent Pallotti Hospital in the GVI Oncology unit: Contact Linda Greeff 0219494060 To test the treatment strategy in people, they identified a terminally ill patient with NPM-ALK-positive ALCL who had no other treatment options and agreed to try imatinib. The patient began to improve within 10 days of starting the therapy and has been free of the disease for 22 months, the authors reported. Panorama Support Groups (morning and evening): Contact Emerentia Esterhuyse 021 944 3850 The planned clinical trial will be based on the expression of PDGFRB in tumours. See the calendar on page 8 for dates or contact the PLWC helpline on 076 775 6099 http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/103012/page3#b WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU USC study progression of prostate cancer We are here to help A new study is being funded by a three-year grant awarded by the 10 VISION, NOVEMBER 2012 pared to screening all men aged 55 to 79 every four years with the PSA test. The model also showed 50 per cent fewer men would need to be screened and 18 per cent fewer men would be diagnosed with the disease - possibly reducing the problem of over-diagnosis and saving men from unnecessary treatment that can lead to side effects like impotence and incontinence. Source: Cancer Research UK New medication may reduce risk of dying from advanced prostate cancer New hormonal medication (enzalutamide) has reduced the risk of dying from advanced prostate cancer during the trial period with patients by 37 % and the risk of the PSA level increasing by 75% and, at the same time, enhancing the quality of life of the patients. These were the results obtained in phase 3 of an international multicentre clinical trial in which the University Hospital of Navarra took part. The research was published by The New England Journal of Medicine and in which hospitals from 15 countries and 1,199 patients participated. In fact, as Doctor Ignacio Gil Bazo, specialist at the Department of Oncology of the University Hospital of Navarra stated, “these highly spectacular results caused an unexpected suspension of the clinical trials and patients taking placebos were offered the opportunity of receiving enzalutamide”. http://tinyurl.com/98ue7x9 Do doctors grieve? Do doctors grieve when their patients die? In the medical profession, such grief is seldom discussed - except, perhaps, as an example of the sort of emotion that a skilled doctor avoids feeling. But in recent paper in Archives of Internal Medicine (and in a forthcoming paper in the journal Death Studies), Leeat Granek, health psychologist and a postdoctoral fellow at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, and his colleagues reported that in their research about oncologists and patient loss: Not only do doctors experience grief, but the professional taboo on the emotion also has negative consequences for the doctors themselves, as well as for the quality of care they provide. Informed choices about cancer screening Informed Choice about Cancer Screening consulted with the public, experts and opinion leaders on a new way of presenting information about the harms and benefits of cancer screening between January and September 2012. Our engagement process has now closed. Over 1,000 people took part in our online poll and we have also received input from a range of academics, experts in screening, charities, people affected by cancer, NHS organisations and experts in communicating with the public. The results of the poll are now available here. Feedback has shown that there is an appetite from the public for more information on the benefits and harms of screening, as well as a desire to make an informed choice about whether to participate. However, there is also recognition that providing this information in a balanced, understandable way is not an easy task. We are currently analysing these responses and will be revising our proposed approach in light of the feedback we have received. Our findings and recommendations will be made available on this site shortly. Our revised approach will be used to develop information for the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes. Following the recent publication of an independent review into breast cancer screening, led by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, we will be considering how best to revise the information provided to women invited to have breast cancer screening. http://www.informedchoiceaboutcancerscreening.org/ Breast cancer in men is rare, but it’s real! According to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, 2,190 cases of male breast cancer were diagnosed in 2011, less than one percent of all breast cancers in the United States. Yes, male breast cancer is rare, but so are a lot of life threatening diseases. Don’t take a gamble on something as important as your life. The study took place from 2010 to 2011 in three Canadian hospitals. they recruited and interviewed 20 oncologists who varied in age, sex and ethnicity and had a wide range of experience in the field - from a year and a half in practice in the case of oncology fellows to more than 30 years in the case of senior oncologists. They found that oncologists struggled to manage their feelings of grief with the detachment they felt was necessary to do their job. More than half of the participants reported feelings of failure, selfdoubt, sadness and powerlessness as part of their grief experience, and a third talked about feelings of guilt, loss of sleep and crying. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/opinion/sunday/whendoctors-grieve.html?_r=1 DISCLAIMER This newsletter is for information purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. Please consult your doctor for personal medical advice before taking any action that may impact on your health. The views expressed are not necessarily those of People Living With Cancer, CanSurvive or those of the Editor. 11