October 2006 podcast transcript

The October podcast kicks off with a roundup from the NCRI conference, catching up with the latest developments in cancer research from around the world. We'll also be finding out about all the activities surrounding Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And there's a chance to win a limited edition pink rubber duck, signed by Sarah Cawood.

Kat: At the beginning of October, the National Cancer Research Institute, or NCRI, held its second annual conference in Birmingham, bringing together the top researchers from the UK and around the world. We’ll be telling you more about the NCRI in next month’s podcast, but here’s Henry Scowcroft with a run-down of the top stories.

Henry: The conference was a fantastic coming-together of cancer scientists and doctors from around the world to present their results and share their experiences.

At the conference, scientists supported by Cancer Research UK announced that they had found a better way to treat kidney cancer in children. The researchers found that a short course of chemotherapy before surgery avoided the need for more powerful chemotherapy and radiotherapy later on. Most children with this kidney cancer, known as Wilms’ tumour, will survive, but sometimes their treatment can cause problems later in life. So this discovery improves the way that Wilms’ tumour is treated in the UK.

Also at the conference, Cancer Research UK-funded tobacco expert Robert West called for the Government to put a 20p levy on the price of a packet of cigarettes, and use this money specifically to combat tobacco smuggling. Our research has shown that price increases are one of the best ways to encourage people to quit smoking - particularly people who would benefit the most, such as pregnant women.

And finally, Cancer Research UK-funded scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research announced that they had found a new gene called BRIP-1, that can increase a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer if she inherits a faulty copy from her parents. To find out more, Kat caught up with lead researcher Professor Nazneen Rahman at the conference.

Interview - Professor Nazneen Rahman: Professor Rahman describes how she discovered the BRIP1 gene, and what it means for women in the UK.

Kat: That was Professor Nazneen Rahman from the Institute of Cancer Research. And if you want to find out more about the latest advances made by Cancer Research UK scientists, then have a look at our News and Resources website at http://info.cancerresearchuk.org.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there have been plenty of fundraising and awareness activities going on around the UK, from Pink Parties to sponsored walks. I spoke to TV presenter Sarah Cawood to find out why she’s been supporting Cancer Research UK this month.

Interview - Sarah Cawood Sarah describes her aunt’s experience of beating breast cancer, and the pink products and clothing she is promoting for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Kat: As Sarah mentioned, Kylie Minogue’s diagnosis of breast cancer did a lot to boost awareness of the disease, particularly among younger women. But most women with breast cancer are over the age of fifty, and older women are at the greatest risk. In fact, women are invited for regular breast screening on the NHS between the ages of fifty and seventy, and can request screening after that. Professor Amanda Ramirez is director of a Cancer Research UK group investigating psychological and social aspects of cancer. I caught up with her at a rather noisy coffee break at the NCRI conference, and asked her whether this so-called “Kylie effect” was a good or a bad thing.

Interview - Professor Amanda Ramirez Professor Ramirez highlights that breast cancer is a disease of older women, and that daughters and grand-daughters should encourage their mothers and grandmothers to be breast aware, and to go to the doctor early.

Kat: Although rates of breast cancer are increasing, the good news is that more women than ever are surviving. In fact, two thirds of women diagnosed today are likely to survive for twenty years or more. Gaye Kasperuk from Sussex was treated for breast cancer a few years ago, and recently made an appearance as a rather adventurous television star on BBC 2’s Extreme Dreams series. I caught up with Gaye at work and asked her to share her story.

Interview - Gaye Kasperuk: Gaye describes her treatment, and her trek to Guyana with Ben Fogle.

Kat: As well as developing new treatments and detection techniques for breast cancer, Cancer Research UK is funding a trial called IBIS-II, which is finding out if breast cancer can be prevented in women who are most at risk. Professor Jack Cuzick is leading the study.

Interview - Professor Jack Cuzick Professor Cuzick explains what IBIS-II is trying to achieve, and that they are still trying to recruit 8,000 women. Post-menopausal women with a strong family history of breast cancer are eligible for the trial. Read more about IBIS-II

Kat: That was Professor Jack Cuzick, who’s leading the IBIS-II trial. But what’s it like to actually take part in the trial? I called up IBIS-II participant Sandy Simpkins in Swindon to find out what’s involved.

Interview - Sandy Simpkins Sandy describes what it’s like to take part in the trial, and that she feels it benefits herself and will help her daughter in the future.

Kat: And if you think you could take part in IBIS-II, have a look at the trial website which is www.ibis-trials.org Finally, Cancer Research UK wouldn’t be able to carry out our vital research into breast cancer, and other types of cancer, without the fundraising efforts of our supporters. I went along to a rather unusual - not to mention wet! - event in Hyde Park, where nearly two hundred swimmers were plunging into the Serpentine to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Interview - Kate Rew, Outdoor Swimming Society Kate describes the Breastrokes event, and her mother’s experience of taking part in a Cancer Research UK-funded trial for breast cancer.

Kat: And if you’d like to support Cancer Research UK, either by donating directly or by getting involved in a fundraising event, visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/supportus

And finally, here’s a chance to win a Cancer Research UK limited edition pink bath-time duck, signed by our celebrity guest Sarah Cawood. Simply fill in the feedback form on the podcast web page to be entered into the prize draw. I hope you’ve enjoyed our first podcast. I’ll be back next month with more news from the NCRI conference, and an update on prostate cancer. And if you’d like to get involved in our podcast, or simply let us know what you think then email us at podcast@cancer.org.uk. That’s all for now - goodbye!

Credits: Presented and produced by Kat Arney Post-production and news by Henry Scowcroft Original music written and performed by Kat Arney and Henry Scowcroft With special thanks to Bojan Vukasinovic, Nicola O’Connor, Jack Wallington and all the participants