BC research
Genetic research gives new hope for sufferers of aggressive breast cancers An invasive protein molecule could be responsible for some of the most aggressive breast cancers. A new study by the University of South Australia has found a molecule, called ZCCHC24, changes the structure of the cancer cells, thus increasing the disease’s destructive nature. Lead researcher Associate Professor Philip Gregory said understanding how the protein worked could stop the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body and lead to new treatments. “Understanding why some forms of breast cancer spread and others don’t is vital in understanding how to treat breast cancer,” he said. “In this research, we’re drilling down to look at individual cancer cells and trying to find out what makes them turn from being benign to aggressive. “What we’ve discovered is a molecule that appears to be strongly turned on in the most aggressive cancer cells. “When we block the action of this molecule, the cells completely change and become far less aggressive.” In women, breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. It is Australia’s second highest cancer killer. Almost 20,000 new cases are anticipated to be diagnosed in Australian women this year. With Daffodil Day approaching, Cancer Council SA chief executive Lincoln Size said the findings could transform breast cancer treatments in the future, helping thousands. “We’re incredibly proud to fund groundbreaking research such as Dr Gregory’s through Cancer Council’s Beat Cancer Project and encourage the community to show their support this Daffodil Day to enable us to continue to fund this critical work,” he said. Daffodil Day will be held nationally on August 28 to raise money for cancer research projects around the country.Trojan horse
Researchers have successfully tested a “Trojan Horse” drug which can kill cancer and bacterial cells without damaging nearby healthy tissue. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh combined the tiny cancer-killing molecule SeNBD with a chemical food compound to trick malignant cells into ingesting it. The peer-reviewed experimental study was carried out on zebrafish and human cells, but researchers say more studies are needed to confirm if it is a safe and swift method of treating early stage cancer and drug-resistant bacteria. Early days but interesting!
Introduction - Erana from BCNA
Hi everyone! My name is Erana, and I am the Consumer Engagement Coordinator at BCNA. I work with our wonderful Consumer Representatives and oversee our Review and Survey Group. In the coming months, you may notice a few posts from me highlighting external research and survey opportunities that you can participate in. These opportunities have been thoroughly reviewed and approved by BCNA to ensure it is of high quality, relevant to our Policy & Advocacy Strategy, organisational priorities and will lead to tangible benefits for those affected by breast cancer. While we typically share them through our Review and Survey Group communications, we thought it would be beneficial to also share them here for those who aren’t currently part of the Review and Survey Group. If you'd like to join the group, feel free to sign up here Review and Survey Group. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send through a comment or message and we'll do our best to respond as quickly as possible. Thanks, Erana :)
Online Q & A Event - Breast Cancer 2021: Research, Risks and Recovery - Thu, 4 Feb 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Join Breast Cancer Trials and Australia's top breast cancer experts for a virtual Q&A to discuss the latest in breast cancer research. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/breast-cancer-2021-research-risks-and-recovery-registration-132884618471 I registered for this event. The previous one was interesting.
Video re Mets BC .... EVERYONE needs to watch it
My sister just shared this video on Facebook - this video went viral in 2015 in the USA and around the world, currently with 54,000,000+ views on Facebook alone. Holley Kitchen passed away in January, 2016, from Mets BC, age 43. 30% of those diagnosed with 'early, treatable, non spread' BC who have been told there is NED (No Evidence of Disease) will go on to be diagnosed with Metastatic BC - whether they have had their breasts removed or not. Most with BC are not made aware of this possibility in consultations with their surgeon or Oncs - but you NEED TO KNOW - so that if you DO GET unexplained ACHES & PAINS in the coming years - GET CHECKED OUT! It COULD be an indication of a problem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDQ0FjP7J-c And her follow up video a few weeks later - a 40% increase in awareness of Mets BC due to her earlier video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63yTZxj7FOk An interview with Holley Kitchen re Mets BC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijN11LLteTw There needs to be more research into Mets BC - to be able to identify it earlier & treat it better.
QUT research study – Share your thoughts about new breast reconstruction technologies
Hi all, Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) are undertaking research which aims to combine new breast implant technology (involving three-dimensional printing) with standard methods of breast reconstruction to provide women affected by breast cancer with a reconstruction that has a more natural shape and feel. As part of this project, the researchers have developed a short online survey to understand more about how women diagnosed with breast cancer make decisions about whether or not to have a breast reconstruction, as well as how women may feel about the new breast reconstructive technology. Who can participate? You can participate in this study if you: Have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Please note: you do NOT have to have had a breast reconstruction to participate in this project. What does the study involve? Participating in the study involves completing an online survey. The survey will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes and your responses will be anonymous. If you participate in the survey, you will be asked some questions about yourself and the diagnosis of breast cancer. These will include: how many years it has been since your diagnosis of breast cancer, what cancer treatments you received and whether or not you chose to have a breast reconstruction. You will also be asked: If there was a new reconstructive breast technology introduced in clinical practice, what do you think is the most likely event or factor that would influence your opinion or behaviour in relation to choosing the new breast technology over a commonly used operation like an implant or FLAP operation? The survey also includes a couple of general purpose questions relating to human behaviour. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions; the questions help the researchers understand more about how people make decisions. As a token of their appreciation, the researchers are offering participants the chance to go in for a single lucky draw prize of $1,000. If you win, you will receive $500 in cash and the chance to select a charity to win another $500. There is no obligation to participate in this competition. How do I take part? To participate in this study, go to the Study’s webpage: https://survey.qut.edu.au/f/192244/9748/. If you have any questions, please contact Dr Stephen Whyte on sg.whyte@qut.edu.au. Thanks very much for taking the time to consider this opportunity.UK trial
A trial is being conducted in the UK using aspirin as part of treatment for triple negative breast cancer. The article emphasises the trial and methodology is still at an early stage and people should NOT start using aspirin themselves! Trial lead Dr Anne Armstrong said: "Not all breast cancers respond well to immunotherapy. "Trialling the use of a drug like aspirin is exciting because it is so widely available and inexpensive to produce. "We hope our trial will show that, when combined with immunotherapy, aspirin can enhance its effects and may ultimately provide a safe new way to treat breast cancer." Co-researcher Dr Rebecca Lee said their lab findings suggested that aspirin can make certain types of immunotherapy more effective by preventing the cancer from making substances that weaken the immune response. "We hope aspirin can dampen down bad inflammation so the immune system can get on with the job of killing cancer cells," she said.Beta Blockers may have additional benefit
I’ll try and find more on this but from this morning’s news: Australian researchers have made a major medical breakthrough that could extend the lives of people battling breast cancer. Scientists at Monash University have found that everyday anti-stress drugs, called beta blockers, could slow the spread of the deadly disease in the body
What the heck is going on with this BC thing????????
Ok, so I know the figures are 1 in 8 or 1 in 7 depending on which article you read but honestly. When I was diagnosed I knew one of my friends sister had had breast cancer and my family history 3 generations ago. That was it. I would see the bookings come through at work averaging one or two breast surgeries a week and sometimes there would be a few weeks with none at all. Now. WOW! 4 - 6 a week with the majority being 45-55yrs and a definite rise in under 40's. One of my friends mother in law diagnosed last year and now her mother last week. my daughters friends mother, a close work collegue a couple of months ago, a collegues sister a week after that, a collegues daughter around the same time. One of the senior medical consultants. A client drops a horse off to me and has to run or she'll be late for radiation! Bugger me. I get in to work today and ask where so and so is. "Oh, haven't you heard" She's been diagnosed last week and is off for bilat mx and ax clearance. All of these people I know in my little circle diagnosed within the last 12 months. Seriously what the heck is going on?Stop telling women they are too young to have breast cancer
Early-onset breast cancer now accounts for over one-fifth of all breast cancer cases in Victoria, with 1,067 diagnoses out of 5,197 breast cancer cases. The increase is indicative of a national trend. Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is calling for greater awareness, more research, and tailored prevention efforts to address the steady increase in breast cancer diagnoses among women aged 25 to 49, as highlighted in Cancer Council Victoria’s Cancer in Victoria 2023 report. For more information, read BCNA's Stop telling women they are too young to have breast cancer media release.
