LETTER: Think about animals before buying 'pink' in breast cancer awareness month

Dear Editor - Anybody who has picked up a magazine or walked through a shop recently, knows that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
It is hard to miss the displays of pink products that benefit breast cancer charities.
But before you buy, ask yourself if your donation will really help women in relevant ways, or will you simply be funding the same useless animal experiments that have been going on for decades?
The basic model of cancer research has not changed much since the 1970s: Grow cancer cells in a laboratory, inject them into mice, attack the resulting tumours with the experimental drug du jour and see what happens.
But there is a world of difference between humans and animals in their metabolism, biochemistry, physiology, and genetic make-up, so the results seen in mice cannot be reliably applied to people.
Meanwhile, as we spend millions of pounds to cure cancer in mice, we are missing opportunities that could help real women in the real world - such as making breast cancer treatment more accessible and educating people about the role that diet plays in cancer prevention.
Sadly, new technologies that could truly benefit patients - like the three-dimensional model of human breast cancer recently developed by British scientists, made by growing cells from normal and cancerous breast tissue - remain the exception.
This October, we do not need more pink ribbons or pink T-shirts - or mice with breast cancer.
We need a commitment to funding programmes that will result in true medical progress, including better patient services, education, and vital research that does not rely on outdated animal models.
Toni Vernelli
Animal Aid
Bradford St
Tonbridge, Kent
TN9 1AW

Breast cancer hot spot fears are allayed

FEARS that Minehead was becoming a hot spot for breast cancer cases among women have been allayed.
Figures given to The Post showed there had been 18 cases diagnosed in a 14-week period from October, 2007, to the end of the year.
Compared with a national figures which indicated for a town the size of Minehead there should be just 8.7 per year, it seemed there had been a dramatic rise.
The figures were collected from a mobile screening unit which visited the town from October to January of this year, and a local GP surgery.
But Dr Julia Verne, director of the South West Public Health Observatory, said: “This recent increase in the detection of breast cancer for women living in and around Minehead is entirely expected and due to the effectiveness of the mobile breast screening service.
“However, I do appreciate how people may mistakenly jump to the conclusion that there has been a sudden increase in breast cancer when they hear of increased numbers of cases.
“It does not indicate an unusual or higher than expected rise in the disease.
“The same effect occurs whenever the mobile breast screening service visits an area and occurred back in 2004 when the mobile screening service last visited Minehead.
“Breast screening has been shown to save lives. The mobile breast screening service is able to detect breast cancers which women may not be able to detect themselves.
“Early detection and treatment results in the best outcome for the small number of women who may be affected by the disease and I would therefore strongly recommend that all women take up the invitation to be screened when they receive an invitation letter.
“Women who identify a lump in their breast or be concerned about any breast abnormality should make an appointment with their GP to discuss their concerns.”
Dr Verne said given that the population was considerably older in Minehead than in other parts of the country a meaningful comparison of average figures could only be made between age-standardised rates of cancer.
Over the last 10 years of available data (1996 to 2005) there were 129 cases of malignant breast cancer in Minehead, which equates to a age-standardised rate of 125 cases per 100 000.
Dr Verne said it was not significantly different (statistically speaking) either from the English age standardised rate - 120.6 cases per 100,000, or from the age standardised rate for Somerset - 136 cases per 100,000, or from the South West of England - 137 cases per 100,000.
The Somerset Breast Cancer Unit is responsible for providing three-yearly breast cancer screening in the area.
In Minehead, this is provided by a mobile screening unit which visits the town for approximately three months every three years.
The last visit happened between October, 2007, and January, 2008, and the previous one in late 2004.
Dr Verne said: “At this point not all women picked up by the latest breast screening visit have undergone all their testing and treatment.
“Therefore, it is not possible to provide a confirmed number of cases.
“Some of these abnormal breast screenings might also prove not to be cancer.
“In 2004 a similar number was detected compared to the recent mobile breast screening service visit.
“In conclusion, we believe that the number of cases of cancer picked up by this screening round is typical for Minehead, and the overall rate of breast cancer is normal for a town with Minehead’s population and demographic composition.”

Council jewellery sale aids breast cancer charity

A GEM of a sale in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer is being held in the West Somerset Council chamber, in Williton, on Wednesday, October 31.
Event organiser Kayleigh Steadman of KJ Collection, said: “We are hoping to beat the amount we raised at the sale last year, and have some great offers on.
“It is a good opportunity for local people to treat themselves or to find a gem of a present for Christmas.”
A wide range of silver and gemstone jewellery will be on sale, including pendants, rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, as well as a selection of simpler gemstone and glass pendants.
For a more exotic treat, there will be an ethnic touch with hand-crafted jewellery from Peru, and a choice of freshwater pearls in various lengths, sizes, and colours.
Kayleigh said: “Everything in the range is sold at below retail price, so it is all good value for money.
“Fifteen per cent from every sale goes towards the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, so it is for a good cause, too.”
The sale takes place between 11 am and 2.30 pm, ahead of the chamber being used for a meeting of the full council which starts at 5 pm.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is one of two charities being supported this year by KJ Collection.
Anybody interested in holding a charity jewellery sale can contact Kayleigh on 07980 739616 or by visiting www.KJCollection.co.uk.