13 September 2012
'Talking about breast cancer' - Wednesday, 19th September
An interactive evening of talks and exhibitions bringing together research, treatment and support will take place at the University of Dundee next week.
'Talking about breast cancer' has been organised by Dundee Cancer Centre, and takes place at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill from 6.15-8.30pm on Wednesday, 19th September.
The Dundee Cancer Centre is a partnership between Cancer Research UK, the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside, uniting cancer doctors, researchers and nurses from across the city.
Event organiser and Cancer Research UK senior research nurse Dr Alison Harrow said, "We hope our event will give people a real insight into the world-leading research taking place in Dundee.
"We hope it will be of interest to everyone in and around Dundee, as well as to breast cancer patients and their loved ones. As well as the life saving research going on, the information evening will also explore the support available for people affected by cancer, as well as how treatment and care is improving as we learn more from people affected by cancer."
The event will explore several key areas relating to breast cancer, and answer three questions asked by people in this area:
- What research takes place locally?
- What support is available for people affected by cancer?
- How is patient experience of treatment & care improving?
Speakers will include leading Dundee-based clinicians and researchers, including Professor Simon Herrington, Professor Kevin Hiom, Professor Alastair Thompson, and Dr Mary Wells.
Breast cancer survivor Linda Dryburgh (58) of Forfar, will talk about why she feels cancer research is so important. The grandmother was entered into a research trial at Ninewells Hospital last year after being diagnosed with breast cancer just before Christmas. The cancer was discovered after she attended for routine screening in Forfar.
The trial, called TARGIT, compared standard radiotherapy with a type of radiotherapy that could be given during surgery. Linda jumped at the chance to take part in the trial as it potentially offered a speedier recovery time and she was determined to get well again in time for a planned trip to Malaysia to visit her son and his family.
Linda, who once worked as a nurse on a breast cancer ward at Ninewells Hospital, said, "I am very grateful that I was given the chance to go on this trial. I think it would have taken me longer to recover had I had to go for 15 separate visits to the hospital for standard radiotherapy, whereas the trial meant that the radiotherapy was administered during the surgery I received to remove the breast lump.
"As well as being fit enough to go and visit my son - something I was looking forward to immensely - receiving radiotherapy in this way also meant I could get back to work a bit quicker.
"It's important for people to realise that there is all this amazing work going on out there. It's made a huge difference to my life and I would like to think that by taking part in this trial, I have helped make things better for women who are diagnosed with cancer in the future."
Interactive exhibits highlighting local research and support networks will be provided by organisations such as Active ABC, Cancer Research UK, Dundee Cancer Centre, Scottish Cancer Prevention Network, Tayside Cancer Support Group, Tayside Tissue Bank, and researchers from across the University of Dundee.
For more information, please contact Alison Harrow a.harrow@dundee.ac.uk or 01382 383692/388551
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 |
