Lynda Lees, our President, welcomed 44 members and one guest to our luncheon and to listen to Andy Wilson speak.
Before lunch Lynda took the opportunity to remind members to book their lunch place by the Friday before the luncheon to secure their place, either online or by a lunch booking card at ‘Milner’s’, Leyburn. Carron, as Treasurer, informed members that they needed to complete a first name and surname box when booking online. Members were also requested not to add any other information to these boxes; dietary requirements need to be completed in the dietary boxes. Lynda also requested that members consider joining the committee as there would be changes in the coming year.
After a delicious lunch and raffle prize draw, Andy Wilson was invited to speak. Andy is a long serving charity employee for Yorkshire Cancer Research. Andy outlined through his PowerPoint presentation how different cells in the body were made up of different parts including the nucleus which contain 46 chromosomes. Members were amazed at how long these are. It was explained how mutations within genes can be passed from parents to children and that mutations can increase the risk an individual’s cancer risk. Andy informed the members that whilst there are over 200 different types of cancer, less that 10% are known to be caused by genetics.
The roles of the BRCA genes were explained; BRAC 1 investigates why a gene within the chromosomes break and BRAC2 binds the break together to mend the break. Breaks occur when genes replicate themselves. When a person’s BRAC genes malfunction then any damage can’t be mended. Over time the accumulation of damage leads to increased risks in four cancers: breast, ovaries, prostate and pancreatic. For example, a woman with malfunctioning BRACA gene has a 70% increased risk of breast cancer compared to a woman with fully functioning BRACA genes has a 11% increase in risk. Andy gave Angelina Jolie as an example of actions that an individual can take if they are aware of an increased risk of cancer.
Andy then made members aware of what is available when an individual is aware of a history of the four cancers in a family. These actions include speaking to your GP who may then prescribe a genetic test; private testing is available if your GP is unwilling to book a test. Secondly having a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of the cancer you’re at higher risk from and checking yourself for these. People may also be able to access the national screening programmes at a younger age at more regular intervals.
Lifestyle choices were also highlighted as increasing an individual’s cancer risk such as smoking, being overweight, drinking alcohol, lack of healthy diet and lack of exercise.
Andy made members aware of Yorkshire Cancer Research’s ‘Project C’. The aim of Project C is to find women who have an increased risk of cancer due to genetic links. The project will be looking to sign up 3000 Yorkshire women to identify those with increased risk of genetically linked cancers. Relatively few women with breast cancer are aware that they have an increased risk. Once a woman knows she is at risks then steps can be taken to reduce the risks. Genetic testing can be done through a simple saliva test.
If you are interested, please follow the link to find out more and sign up for the newsletter: www.protect-c.co.uk
Andy also reminded members that people are entitled to request screening for cancers, once they are past the age of screening – please contact your GP or contact the local breast screening service to ask for an appointment: North Yorkshire Breast Screening Service on 01904 725591.
