Undercover Appeal
Over 20,000 people are diagnosed with Upper GI cancers each year in the UK.
Wales has one of the highest incidences of some of these cancers and more than 1300 people effected every year.
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a malignancy which affects the upper part of the digestive system, including the stomach, pancreas, oesophagus (the tube between the throat and stomach, sometimes called the gullet) and liver.
Cancers of the lower end of the oesophagus, the top of the stomach and the pancreas are increasing, with the incidence of Oesophageal Cancer rising more rapidly than nearly any other malignancy. These cancers are among the most difficult to treat, as patients are often diagnosed late.
Velindre Cancer Centre has been at the forefront of treatment and research into better treatments, particularly with regard to the use of Radiation treatment.
Improved radiotherapy treatment planning techniques, together with leaders in the field of Upper GI Research have published outcomes for this disease which are amongst the best in the world and lead the UK in innovative trials which seek to improve the results still further.
Velindre Cancer Centres Upper GI Department is launching the ATTAC (Action to Target Treatment Against Cancer) Appeal to increase awareness of these “hidden” cancers, and to raise the money needed to fund vital research programmes.
The Velindre Cancer Centres Upper GI Fund is managed by Dr. Tom Crosby.
“For many years these cancers have been the poor relation in terms of support and developments to the more common known forms of cancer. We are launching the ATTAC Appeal to raise the profile of Upper GI cancers and help us to raise the funds we need to enable us to continue our vital research.”
To help launch the ATTAC Appeal Dr Tom Crosby and 2 colleagues are embarking on a grueling 950 mile bike ride; in June they will be cycling the length of the UK taking the difficult route – Lands End to John O’Groats. To support Dr Crosby, please visit: www.justgiving.com/Tom-Crosby
Dr Cosby said: “We wanted to set ourselves a difficult challenge to help launch the ATTAC Appeal, and this bike ride certainly fits into that category; the money raised from the ATTAC Appeal will allow us to improve the treatment and support of patients with Upper GI Cancers. The aim is through research to better target tumours through novel anti-cancer drugs and more accurate and focused radiotherapy treatments.
In addition, it is hoped that every patient receiving such treatment in Velindre should have the support of a named specialist nurse.”
Jonathan Davies, President of Velindre Cancer Centre said: “I know first hand of the effects of Upper GI cancers, so I will be giving the ATTAC Appeal my full support and would urge everyone to do the same.”
The ATTAC Appeal for Upper GI Research will:
- Coordinate research to enable us to diagnose patients earlier.
- Help and support patients through complicated multi-modality treatments.
- Use targeted biological novel agents and advanced radiotherapy techniques to systematically support patients.
- Carry out research and development to improve the treatments available.
Velindre Cancer Centre is the largest non-surgical cancer Hospital in Wales providing Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and other specialised anti-cancer treatments for over half the people in Wales affected by cancer.
If you would like to support the ATTAC Appeal at Velindre Cancer Centre please make your cheque payable to: Velindre Fundraising ATTAC Appeal, and send to Velindre Fundraising, Velindre Cancer Centre, Whicthurch, Cardiff CF14 2TL. To support this and other Appeals please donate to Velindre Fundraising.
Click here to make a donation to the ATTAC Appeal
|
