Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Intimate Moments: Dispelling The Cancer Myth With Real Life - Summer Rain By Nanna Hauge Kristensen., Sophie Townsend

RadioDoc Review

Nanna Hauge Kristensen’s Summer Rain is a small piece in length and in scope. It is intimate, almost fragmentary. It is simply a story of a woman, who is a mother, and a daughter, and who has cancer; a woman undergoing treatment, and raising her child, and dealing with the ramifications of what cancer treatment means. An anthropologist by training, Kristensen’s observational, almost distanced approach style, allows us to glimpse her life, but also to feel it. There is something very empirical about what she’s doing in this piece, and she allows us no room to pretend that her cancer …

‘Swansong’ And ‘ Losing Yourself’: Meditations On Life, Death And The Liminal, Cristal Duhaime

RadioDoc Review

This article considers two very personal audio documentaries that reflect on love and identity via the liminal space between life and death. Swansong, by award-winning UK radio producer Hana Walker-Brown, is set in a hospital, as Hana and her father bear witness to her grandmother’s dying and celebrate her joyful life. Losing Yourself, by US producer Ibby Caputo, is a revelatory account of dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

Swansong is a picture of a person fondly remembered but Hana elevates it beyond eulogy into a multi-layered meditation. Her grandmother Joan’s voice flutters in and out of ethereal recreations of …

First Proof Of Bismuth Oxide Nanoparticles As Efficient Radiosensitisers On Highly Radioresistant Cancer Cells, Callum Stewart, Konstantin K. Konstantinov, Sally Mckinnon, Susanna Guatelli, Michael L. F Lerch, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld, Moeava Tehei, Stephanie Corde

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

This study provides the first proof of the novel application of bismuth oxide as a radiosensitiser. It was shown that on the highly radioresistant 9L gliosarcoma cell line, bismuth oxide nanoparticles sensitise to both kilovoltage (kVp) or megavoltage (MV) X-rays radiation. 9L cells were exposed to a concentration of 50 μg.mL⁻¹ of nanoparticle before irradiation at 125 kVp and 10 MV. Sensitisation enhancement ratios of 1.48 and 1.25 for 125 kVp and 10 MV were obtained in vitro, respectively. The radiation enhancement of the nanoparticles is postulated to be a combination of the high Z nature of the …

The Work Of Living With A Rare Cancer: Multiple Myeloma, Moira Stephens, Heather Mckenzie, Christopher Jordens

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Aim To report findings from a qualitative study of the experiences of long-term survivors of multiple myeloma. Background Multiple Myeloma is a malignant disease of the bone marrow. Until recently, it was rapidly fatal. Although it remains incurable, people diagnosed with it are living longer on average, largely due to new treatments, some of which have onerous side effects. Design Prospective descriptive study. Method A series of 47 in-depth interviews were conducted at 6-12 month intervals over 18 months in 2008-2010 with 10 long-term survivors of myeloma and their primary support person. Interviews were analysed using the constant comparative method …

Anthropogenic Selection Enhances Cancer Evolution In Tasmanian Devil Tumours, Beata Ujvari, Anne-Maree Pearse, Kate Swift, Pamela Hodson, Bobby Hua, Stephen Pyecroft, Robyn Taylor, Rodrigo Hamede, Menna Jones, Katherine Belov, Thomas Madsen

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

The Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) provides a unique opportunity to elucidate the long-term effects of natural and anthropogenic selection on cancer evolution. Since first observed in 1996, this transmissible cancer has caused local population declines by >90%. So far, four chromosomal DFTD variants (strains) have been described and karyotypic analyses of 253 tumours showed higher levels of tetraploidy in the oldest strain. We propose that increased ploidy in the oldest strain may have evolved in response to effects of genomic decay observed in asexually reproducing organisms. In this study, we focus on the evolutionary response of DFTD to …

Synthesis, Structural Characterisation, And Preliminary Evaluation Of Non-Indolin-2-One-Based Angiogenesis Inhibitors Related To Sunitinib (Sutent®), Pichit Sudta, Nicholas Kirk, Anna Bezos, Anthony Gurlica, Rhys Mitchell, Thomas Weber, Anthony C. Willis, Samran Prabpai, Palangpon Kongsaeree, Christopher R. Parish, Sunit Suksamrarn, Michael J. Kelso

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

The indolin-2-one fused-ring system and the 2,4-dimethylpyrrole unit represent key structural motifs in the anticancer drug sunitinib (Sutent®) and predecessor angiogenesis inhibitors that have undergone anticancer clinical trials (e.g. semaxanib, SU5416). In pursuit of novel anti-angiogenic scaffolds, we were interested in identifying whether the indolin-2-one group in these structures could be modified without losing activity. This paper describes novel condensation chemistry used to prepare a test series of (E)- and (Z)-alkenes related to SU5416 that retain the 2,4-dimethylpyrrole unit while incorporating ring-opened indolin-2-ones. Unique structural characteristics were identified in the compounds, such as intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the (Z)-alkenes, and …

Self-Reported Side Effects Of Breast Cancer Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Incidence, Associations, And The Influence Of Exercise, Sheridan A. Gho, Julie R. Steele, Sandra C. Jones, Bridget J. Munro

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Purpose Side effects as a result of breast cancer treatment may have a lasting detrimental impact on quality of life. Exercise has been shown to be an effective intervention in post-treatment care. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of breast cancer treatment-related side effects through identifying potential patient characteristic associations, including current levels of exercise.

Methods Four hundred and thirty-two breast cancer patients completed an online survey covering their treatment and demographic background, current exercise levels, and self-reported treatment side effects. Side effects were considered in a binary logistic regression against age, surgery, currently undergoing treatment, and exercise …

A Food Photograph Series For Identifying Portion Sizes Of Culturally Specific Dishes In Rural Areas With High Incidence Of Oesophageal Cancer, Martani Lombard, Nelia Steyn, Hester-Mari Burger, Karen Charlton, Marjanne Senekal

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Rural areas of the Eastern Cape (EC) Province, South Africa have a high incidence of squamous cell oesophageal cancer (OC) and exposure to mycotoxin fumonisin has been associated with increased OC risk. However, to assess exposure to fumonisin in Xhosas—having maize as a staple food—it is necessary to determine the amount of maize consumed per day. A maize-specific food frequency questionnaire (M-FFQ) has recently been developed. This study developed a food photograph (FP) series to improve portion size estimation of maize dishes. Two sets of photographs were developed to be used alongside the validated M-FFQ. The photographs were designed to …

Recent Advance In The Studies Of Beta-Glucans For Cancer Therapy, Jiezhong Chen

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Mushroom has been used for thousand years in China and other Asian countries for health improvement and treatment of disease. A few decades ago, its main component beta-gluean was identified. Beta-glueans are now known to have beneficial effects for the prevention and treatment of many diseases including eanccr, infectious disease, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, atherosclerosis and obesity. The effects are mediated by the different properties of beta-glucans such as immune stimulation and bile acid trapping.

Ascertaining Invasive Breast Cancer Cases; The Validity Of Administrative And Self-Reported Data Sources In Australia, Anna Kemp, David B. Preen, Christobel Saunders, C D'Arcy J. Holman, Max Bulsara, Kris Rogers, Elizabeth E. Roughead

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Background: Statutory State-based cancer registries are considered the ‘gold standard’ for researchers identifying cancer cases in Australia, but research using self-report or administrative health datasets (e.g. hospital records) may not have linkage to a Cancer Registry and need to identify cases. This study investigated the validity of administrative and self-reported data compared with records in a State-wide Cancer Registry in identifying invasive breast cancer cases. Methods: Cases of invasive breast cancer recorded on the New South Wales (NSW) Cancer Registry between July 2004 and December 2008 (the study period) were identified for women in the 45 and Up Study. Registry …

Prevention Of Obesity-Associated Colon Cancer By (-)-Epigallocatechin-3 Gallate And Curcumin, Jiezhong Chen

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Obesity is now recognised as a major global health problem. It accounts for a large proportion of the population and is increasing in both developed and developing countries. Epidemiological evidence and studies in animal models showed that obesity increased the incidence of colon cancer. As obesity is difficult to prevent and treat, it is important to find effective approaches to prevent obesity-associated colon cancer. The prevention strategy should be different from that used for the treatment as clinically used drugs are not suitable for the prevention due to side-effects and cost. Phytochemicals are ideal for the prevention. This review summarises …

Australian Women's Perceptions Of Breast Cancer Risk Factors And The Risk Of Developing Breast Cancer, Sandra C. Jones, Christopher A. Magee, Lance R. Barrie, Donald C. Iverson, Parri Gregory, Emma L. Hanks, Anne E. Nelson, Caroline L. Nehill, Helen M. Zorbas

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background Numerous studies have shown that the majority of women overestimate both their own risk and the populations’ risk of developing breast cancer. A number of factors have been found to correlate with perceived risk. Methods This paper reports on a telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of approximately 3,000 Australian women aged 30 to 69 years, conducted in 2007, and compares the findings with those of a similar survey conducted in 2003. Results There was a clear tendency for respondents to overestimate the proportion of women who will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. Approximately half the respondents …

The Possible Role Of Il-17 In Obesity-Associated Cancer, Tiphaine Gislette, Jiezhong Chen

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Obesity and overweight have become major medical and social problems. Both are increasing worldwide; two-thirds of the population in developed countries is obese or overweight. Obesity has been associated with many comorbidities, including diabetes and heart disease. Studies have also found that obesity is one of the risk factors involved in increased cancer incidence. Many obesity-related factors are responsible, including increased blood levels of insulin/IGF, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and leptin, and decreased blood levels of adiponectin. Recently, it has been shown that IL-17 levels increase in obese patients. IL-17 is well known to increase carcinogenesis; thus, increased IL-17 levels in obesity …

Does Presentation Make A Difference To Risk Perception: Testing Different Formats For Communication Of Cancer Risks, Sandra C. Jones

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Evidence suggests that the presentation format of risk information can affect people’s perceptions of risk and influence health-related decisions. In these studies we investigated the impact of four different risk presentation formats: standard presentation, risk ladder, different base rates and visual representations on women’s perceptions of developing breast cancer of lymphoma. We found that the different presentations had virtually no impact on the participant’s risk estimates. Only in the second study relating to risk perceptions for lymphoma was there a significant difference between conditions for estimated 10-year-risk, with those in the ladder present condition reporting a lower estimated risk. The …

Multiple Myeloma; Clinical Update On A Rare And Treatable Cancer, Moira Stephens

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer, contributing 1% of cancers and 15% of haematological malignancies. Myeloma is an incurable, yet increasingly treatable cancer with people often living in a chronic (controlled) state of relapse, i.e. living with a low level of disease for many years. Survival with myeloma varies from a few months to decades. Nurses play a valuable role in caring for people with myeloma and with their specialist knowledge of the pathophysiology of myeloma and the effects of treatment, together with their therapeutic relationship with the patient and the family, are in an important position to influence care …

Measuring The Combinatorial Expression Of Solute Transporters And Metalloproteinases Transcripts In Colorectal Cancer., Caroline A. Kerr, Robert Dunne, Barney Hines, Michelle Zucker, Leah Cosgrove, Andrew Ruszkiewicz, Trevor Lockett, Richard Head

Graduate School of Medicine - Papers (Archive)

Background It was hypothesised that colorectal cancer (CRC) could be diagnosed in biopsies by measuring the combined expression of a small set of well known genes. Genes were chosen based on their role in either the breakdown of the extracellular matrix or with changes in cellular metabolism both of which are associated with CRC progression Findings Gene expression data derived from quantitative real-time PCR for the solute transporter carriers (SLCs) and the invasion-mediating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were examined using a Linear Descriminant Analysis (LDA). The combination of MMP-7 and SLC5A8 was found to be the most predictive of CRC. Conclusion …

Polysaccharopeptide Enhances The Anticancer Activity Of Doxorubicin And Etoposide On Human Breast Cancer Cells Zr-75-30, Jennifer Man-Fan Wan, Wai Hung Sit, Jimmy Chun Yu Louie

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

In search of natural bioactive microbial compounds with adjuvant properties, we have previously showed that the polysaccharopeptide (PSP), isolated from Chinese medicinal mushroom Coriolus versicolor, was able to enhance the cytotoxicity of certain S-phase targeted-drugs on human leukemic HL-60 cells via some cell-cycle and apoptotic-dependent pathways. The present study aimed to investigate whether the synergism of mechanisms of PSP with certain chemotherapeutic drugs also applies to human breast cancer. PSP treatment enhanced the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin (Doxo), etoposide (VP-16) but not cytarabine (Ara-C). Bivariate bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd)/DNA flow cytometry analysis estimated a longer DNA synthesis time (Ts) for the PSP treated …

Depression And Quality Of Life In Cancer Survivors: Is There A Relationship With Physical Activity?, Nancy Humpel, Donald Iverson

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background Evidence is growing on the benefit of physical activity to improve well-being following a cancer diagnosis. This study examined changes in physical activity from pre to post diagnosis and explored this relationship with quality of life and depression. Methods Participants were recruited by posters and by letter of invitation. The questionnaire was completed by 59 prostate and 32 breast cancer survivors. Results Physical activity decreased by 72 minutes per week from pre to post diagnosis, although 20.9% reported having increased activity post diagnosis. Over 30% were considered depressed. Breast cancer participants who increased physical activity post diagnosis reported higher …

Plasminogen Binding And Activation At The Breast Cancer Cell Surface: The Integral Role Of Urokinase Activity, Gillian E. Stillfried, Darren Saunders, Marie Ranson

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

INTRODUCTION: The regulation of extracellular proteolytic activity via the plasminogen activation system is complex, involving numerous activators, inhibitors and receptors. Previous studies on monocytic and colon cell lines suggest that plasmin pre treatment can increase plasminogen binding, allowing the active enzyme to generate binding sites for its precursor. Other studies have shown the importance of pre formed receptors such as annexin II heterotetramer. However, few studies have utilised techniques which exclusively characterise cell surface events and these mechanisms have not been investigated at the breast cancer cell surface. METHODS: We have studied plasminogen binding to MCF 7 in which uPAR …

Counterfactual Thinking In Response To Hypothetical Breast Cancer Scenarios: A Pilot Study, Amy Y. Chan, Sandra C. Jones, Karen T. Rich

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper examined womens counterfactualthoughts in response to hypothetical scenarios aboutearly versus late breast cancer diagnoses.Womenaged 50 and over (N=29) read hypotheticalscenarios about the experience of fictitious womenof mammography screening age and completedcounterfactual statements from the protagonistsperspective.In two scenarios, the protagonist failedto attend mammography screening regularly andwas diagnosed with advanced breast cancer; thethird scenario depicted a woman who hadmammograms biennially and received an early-stagebreast cancer diagnosis.Consistent with pastliterature on counterfactual thinking, participantsgenerated exclusively upward counterfactuals fromthe two late-diagnosis scenarios, and predominantlydownward counterfactuals from the early-diagnosisscenario.Furthermore, participants primarilyfocussed on what the protagonist could personallyhave done differently to lead to a differentoutcome.Hence …

A Structural Basis For Differential Cell Signalling By Pai-1 And Pai-2 In Breast Cancer Cells, Marie Ranson, David Croucher, Darren Saunders, Gillian E. Stillfried

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

PAI-1 and PAI-2 (plasminogen-activator inibitor types 1 and 2) are inhibitors of cell surface uPA (urokinase plasminogen activator). However, tumour expression of PAI-1 and PAI-2 correlates with poor compared with good patient prognosis in breast cancer respectively. This biological divergence may be related to additional functional roles of PAI-1. For example, the inhibition of uPA by PAI-1 reveals a cryptic high-affinity site within the PAI-1 moiety for the VLDLr (very-low-density-lipoprotein receptor), which sustains cell signalling events initiated by binding of uPA to its receptor. These interactions and subsequent signalling events promote proliferation of breast cancer cells. Biochemical and structural analyses …

Oxaliplatin, Fluorouracil, And Leucovorin As Adjuvant Treatment For Colon Cancer, Thierry Andre, Corrado Boni, Lamia Mounedji-Boudiaf, Matilde Navarro, Josep Tabernero, Tamas Hickish, Clare Topham, Marta Zaninelli, Phillip Clingan, John Bridgewater, Isabelle Tabah-Fisch, Aimery De Gramont

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

BACKGROUND: The standard adjuvant treatment of colon cancer is fluorouracil plus leucovorin (FL). Oxaliplatin improves the efficacy of this combination in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. We evaluated the efficacy of treatment with FL plus oxaliplatin in the postoperative adjuvant setting. METHODS: We randomly assigned 2246 patients who had undergone curative resection for stage II or III colon cancer to receive FL alone or with oxatiplatin for six months. The primary end point was disease-free survival. RESULTS: A total of 1123 patients were randomly assigned to each group. After a median follow-up of 37.9 months, 237 patients in the group …