- A vital player in the global effort to defeat cancer – through cancer research
Chemo-sensitivity in ovarian cancer
High precision MRI-based prostate radiotherapy
- Update on Sue O'Brien
- What do our supporter say - Supporter survey feedback
- Meat and cancer
Spicy Beef in Corn Tortilla recipe
- Get Involved - Pull the Plug on food advertising campaign
- Thousands take the Life Smart Test
- Meet one of our staff - Kim Pearce
A vital player in the global effort to defeat cancer – through cancer research
Chemo-sensitivity in ovarian cancer
Dr Anna de Fazio
University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital
Each year approximately 1,200 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 750 die from this disease. It is an insidious cancer with no specific symptoms and currently no accurate screening test. Chemotherapy is used for eradicating cancer cells that remain following surgert, however, the response to chemotherapy in individual patients can vary widely and can be difficult to predict.
Dr Anna de Fazio says that she is often struck by how each patient is different and how one patient will get an excellent response to treatment when another will get a very poor result from the same treatment.
“We are taking a novel approach by investigating the subgroup of patients that have a remarkably good response to treatment. Once we identify the genes and pathways associated with this increased sensitivity to chemotherapy, we aim to mimic these mechanisms to sensitise ovarian tumours to current, commonly used chemotherapy agents to improve clinical outcomes.”
“Being able to predict drug response would enable us to identify the women that would be exposed to the toxic effects of treatment without significant benefit and would avoid the delay in selecting a potentially more effective chemotherapy regime.”
“In the long-term there is also the potential for combining chemotherapy with sensitising agents, arising from this project, to reduce the amount of chemotherapy given and thereby reducing side effects.”
“Our research stands to benefit not only ovarian cancer patients, but also patients with other tumour types that are commonly treated with platinum chemotherapy including lung cancer and cancers of the head and neck.”
High precision MRI-based prostate radiotherapy
Dr Peter Greer
University of Newcastle at Newcastle Mater Hospital
Computerised tomography or CT scans are currently used for planning prostate radiotherapy but it is difficult to accurately locate the borders of the prostate gland using this method. The borders are needed to determine the shape and position of the radiotherapy beams to give a high dose to the prostate and a low dose to surrounding normal tissues. If the borders are not clearly visible then a larger volume of radiation is given to ensure the prostate is adequately treated, and so more surrounding normal tissues are treated than necessary.
Dr Peter Greer is developing the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for planning radiotherapy as this method of scanning can more accurately define the borders of the prostate gland.
“MRI scans have improved visibility of soft tissues compared to CT scans,” said Dr Greer. “We aim to develop methods to automatically find the prostate borders on the MRI scans and to plan radiotherapy treatments directly on these scans.”
“Our study has the potential to improve the accuracy of prostate radiotherapy which could result in patients having fewer side effects of treatment and better outcomes. This research could also have a positive impact on health resources with patients needing only one scan.”
Update on Sue O'Brien
You may recall Sue O'Brien who featured in the last Christmas Appeal who had gynaecological cancer.
Due to the overwhelming response of the appeal, she wanted to pass on her heartfelt thanks for all the donations and lovely messages she received.
“I feel very privileged to witness the compassion of strangers. I'm extremely happy with the money raised. It makes me feel that sharing my story with so many people was beneficial to The Cancer Council. It's great that something good has happened out of an event that has been so tough.”
Sue was recently in Sydney to share her story at a function where The Cancer Council publicly announced the new round of research funding.
Photo: Sue and Adam Spencer – 702 ABC radio presenter. Adam was the MC at the research awards announcements.
What do our supporters say?
Here's some feedback given to the recent Supporter Survey:
The work the Cancer Council NSW does is amazing. Keep up the great work. My mum is a survivor of cancer. She was given a month to live 37 years ago and is still thankfully with us. I have been under medical treatment for 25 years to stop the growth of cancer. Thank you for your help.
Sue-Anne, Bidwell
I wish I had used the tremendous helpline a little more whilst supporting my dad through his battle with cancer. I know my dad benefited greatly. I think more carers should be encouraged by doctors or medical staff to call the helpline or be contact by the help line.
Nada, Woy Woy
My brother benefited from new innovation in chemo. You all do fantastic work especially in research. Keep it up. Please. I might need it too one day.
Rosalind, Sawtell
My father recently passed away from prostate cancer… even though he was diagnosed too late and his cancer was too advanced, I think your campaigning is what encouraged him to get checked out.
Allison, Narellan
Please find a cure soon. I have lost 3 family members to cancer. I have a dear friend who has it and she is dear to me. Good luck. Love to all of you.
Elizabeth, Tamworth
Meat and Cancer
Some studies have suggested that people who eat a lot of red meat, in particular processed meat like ham, salami and sausages, are at higher risk of bowel cancer than people who eat little or no red meat. It could be that meat is associated with cancer because it contains a lot of fat, or it could be the way that the meat is prepared, or it could be that people who eat a lot of meat are missing out on foods that lower the risk of cancer like vegetables and fruit.
There's no reason to cut out meat completely, but eating it in moderation is a wise choice. The Cancer Council recommends limiting your red meat intake to about 65-100g, three or four times a week. And go easy on the processed meats as they are high in fat, salt and nitrates – once a week is plenty.
If you are a big meat eater, you should try boosting your intake of vegetables, fruit and cereal foods. You might try filling half your dinner plate with vegetables; put more vegetables and less meat in stir-fries; add carrot, celery and peas to Bolognese sauces and substitute lentils, chickpeas or red kidney beans for meat in casseroles, soups and salads.
Spicy Beef in Corn Tortilla
Ingredients:
350g rump steak, scotch fillet or topside, thinly sliced
1 red capsicum, deseeded and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
125g pkt fresh or canned mini corn, halved
8 corn tortillas
1 cup hummus
4 lettuce leaves, shredded
Marinade:
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2-3 drops tabasco or 1 finely sliced fresh chilli (optional)
Combine marinade ingredients, pour over steak and marinate for 30 minutes, turning occasionally. Heat oil in frypan and pan-fry meat over moderately high heat until lightly browned. Stir in capsicum and corn and heat through. Spread hummus on each corn tortilla and top with lettuce and meat mixture. Fold tortilla around filling, securing with a toothpick if required and serve. |
Pull The Plug on Food Advertising Campaign
Australia's prevalence of childhood obesity is now amongst the highest in the world. Currently 50% of obese children and 75% of obese teenagers are likely to progress to adult obesity. Overweight and obesity is about more than individual choices. Heavy advertising is adding to an environment where unhealthy food choices become the automatic, easy choices, and high-energy foods become normal. Studies show that food marketing has an effect on children's food preferences, the food they ask their parents to buy (pester power), and the food they ultimately eat.
The Pull the Plug campaign is a national campaign targeting the review of the Children's Television Standards (CTS) by the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA). Pull the Plug aims to restrict the advertising of junk food during children's viewing times. This will reduce the ‘pester power' to buy junk foods and support a more balanced diet. Whilst the problem of childhood obesity is complex and a solution involves a variety of approaches, reducing the demand of children for junk food has shown to be a major factor in fighting obesity.
Sign onto the campaign at www.cancercouncil.com.au/pulltheplug/
Thousands take the Life Smart test
More than 6000 Australians have completed The Cancer Council's online questionnaire to find out which aspects of their lifestyles may be increasing their likelihood of developing cancer.
The Life Smart website helps visitors identify areas where they could make some cancer smart changes and encourages them to set a personal goal. Visitors from NSW can opt in to receive email or SMS prompts, and a phone call from a health coach to help them on their way.
Life Smart visitors have set goals to:
- Lose weight 33%
- Become more active 19%
- Cut down on alcohol 15%
- Eat a healthier diet12%
- Have a cancer health check 8%
- Quit smoking 6%
- Protect themselves from the sun 6%
Visitors are encouraged to set specific and realistic goals, such as increasing their vegie intake from one serve daily to two serves daily within say four weeks. After four weeks, they might revisit the Life Smart website and set a new goal to increase their vegie intake to three serves daily.
If we all made a few life smart changes, we could reduce cancer deaths in our community by 50%. Take the life smart challenge now http://lifesmart.cancercouncil.com.au
MEET ONE OF OUR STAFF
Kim Pearce
What do you do?
I work as Project Co-ordinator (local support), in the Supportive Care Development Unit. My job involves working with cancer support groups and establishing training for these groups to increase the capacity of support in NSW.
Another aspect of my role is developing partnerships, such as the current partnership with YWCA (Young Womens Christian Association), where we are developing a state wide exercise program for people with cancer.
Why did you choose this work?
My background is as an oncology nurse in the psycho-social supportive care area. In 1991, I came to The Cancer Council NSW to work on the Helpline. I then coordinated the Helpline before moving into the supportive care area in 2001, where I have run the telephone support group program and worked on the Living with Cancer program. I also worked for 2 years as a Telephone Case Worker working for our Behavourial Research Unit on The Supportive Care Study.
The thing that I really loved about my time in the Helpline as an oncology nurse was that it addressed the entire cancer journey – prevention, treatment and right through to bereavement of people impacted by cancer.
Toughest part of the job?
After 15 years of working with The Cancer Council, the toughest part of my job is finding the time to share the information and knowledge that I have acquired through my experience with people both internally and externally.
Most satisfying part?
At the Helpline, the most satisfying part was that you had people calling in at a bad point and you became part of the process of helping them. People called in burdened, and by providing them with information and clarifying any misconceptions they may have had, at the end of the call, they were in a different place. You felt that you'd made a difference and that was so satisfying.
Now that I work with the Supportive Care Development unit, the most satisfying part is seeing how health professionals and consumers can learn from and support each other to lead support groups. And when we are thanked for being there for them – it is just fantastic.
What are you most proud of?
Organisationally, I am really proud of the fact that we have a complete division that comprehensively looks at cancer support and information, and that I am a part of that.
I am also proud of the way that we work with the support groups in the community. To have those relationships is a real achievement for the organisation.
