25 April 2012

'Cancer: What's Poverty Got To Do With It?' - Cafe Science event on 30th April

The links between poverty and cancer will be outlined at the next Cafe Science event taking place in Dundee.

Professor Nora Kearney, from the University of Dundee, will look at whether there is a causative effect, and whether economic circumstances determine whether someone survives or not, when she delivers a talk entitled 'Cancer: What's Poverty Got To Do With It?' at Chambers Coffee House on Monday, 30th April.

"Cancer affects us all," she said. "The chance is, you know someone with cancer or who has had cancer. Luckily most of us today also know someone who is living with cancer and not dying from cancer.

"There is no doubt that survival rates for cancer have improved in the last decade. However, many more people might survive cancer if poverty didn't exist. Does poverty really make a difference in a country where health care is free? And do we really want to eradicate poverty or is it necessary in our society and others around the world?"

Cafe Science was launched in January 2008, and has attracted almost 3000 people since then. The monthly events are informal discussions led by leading local researchers from the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, James Hutton Institute and Dundee Science Centre that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening locally.

Professor Kearney's talk takes place at Chambers, South Tay Street at 7pm on Monday, 30th April, and will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Entry is free and open to all, and while the event is not ticketed people are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Twitter users who can't make the event can follow the debate through the @revealsresearch account and using the hashtag #CafeSciDundee.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277