Category: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
THREE; Factual
& Arts TV
Date: 26.10.2004
Printable version
Pioneering breast cancer surgery will be broadcast for the first time
in full on British television on Wednesday 27 October.
Μύ
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ broadcast will be the day before the Royal College of Surgeons'
national launch of the surgeon training programme for this new procedure.
The training is partly funded by the Department of Health.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) procedure, the biggest advancement
in breast cancer surgery in the last 30 years, will be shown as part
of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE's You, Me and Cancer season aimed at raising
awareness of cancer amongst 25-34 year olds.
The programme Breast Cancer - The Operation
on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE, Wednesday 27 October at 9.00pm, will
also show a woman undergoing a full mastectomy and reconstruction with
the aim of demystifying a procedure that thousands of women in the UK
undergo every year.
The operation will be shown fully in context, with an explanation of
the background to the procedure, including how the woman was diagnosed
and why the mastectomy is required.
The surgeon performing the operation, Mr Mark Kissin, is one of the
first specialist breast surgeons in the UK trained to use the SLNB technique.
During the programme, he will explain what he is doing throughout the
procedure.
In addition, experts will explain fully the psychological and physical
impact of the mastectomy and will include interviews with Jane, the
patient, before the operation and follow her as she and her family prepare
for her treatment.
The aim throughout is to show clearly what happens when someone is
being treated for cancer so that viewers will feel more informed and
prepared as a result of watching the programme.
Viewers will also be able to call a freephone Action Line - 0800 056
6065 - or access other cancer support services via
bbc.co.uk/bbcthree.
Currently, when a surgeon thinks there is a chance of cancer spreading
beyond the breast, all the lymph nodes in the armpit are automatically
removed, along with the tumour.
SLNB involves much less radical surgery: the first node any cancer
may have spread to is pinpointed with stealth technology in a short
procedure, with minimal side effects.
This node is then tested for cancer which gives the surgeon a good
indication of whether or not any more nodes should be removed.
The removal of the lymph nodes exposes the patient to the risk of
lymphoedema, painful swelling and numbness of the arm.
So this new SLNB procedure means the patient will have less invasive
surgery and the cost of treatment and length of stay in hospital are
reduced.
Robert E Mansel, Professor of Surgery at Cardiff University, who was
responsible for running the clinical trials in the UK says:
"The clinical trials started in 1999 and while this treatment is not
currently available in local hospitals, I am pleased that the procedure
will be televised and seen by a wider audience.
"This is the biggest change in breast cancer surgery in 30 years
and we want women to become aware of the advantages of this type of
surgery."
Mr Mark Kissin, a major contributor to the trials, says: "My involvement
with the programme has been a very positive experience and I hope it
will show women in a similar position that they will be treated as an
individual and supported by a whole team working with them to make sure
all angles are covered in their care.
"Also I hope that it illustrates how immediate reconstruction,
when properly carried out, can help to minimise the trauma of mastectomy."
Notes to Editors
Programmes to be broadcast in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE You, Me and Cancer
season:
You, Me and Cancer
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE, Sunday 24 October at 10.00pm
One hour short film which follows the progress of three young (20-30
year olds) cancer patients during a four month period.
Breast Cancer - The Operation
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE, Wednesday 27 October at 9.00pm
Programme which shows a woman undergoing a full mastectomy and reconstruction
over several hours with inserts of case studies of women who have had
breast cancer.
Body Hits - Tumour Trouble
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE, Thursday 28 October at 8.00pm
Presenter Dr John Marsden looks at how lifestyles people lead when
they are younger can lead to developing cancer later in life.
My Brother's Cancer
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE, Thursday 28 October at 9.30pm
A personal film documenting the last year of Dan Baldwin's brother
as he died of cancer aged 25.
Hurrah for Cancer
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE, Thursday 28 at 10.30pm
The story of comic Andre Vincent who was diagnosed with kidney cancer.
The Big C
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ THREE, Saturday 30 October at 7.30pm
Concert at Alexander Palace to help raise cancer awareness amongst
a younger audience. Line-up includes Travis, Lost Prophets, Delta Goodrem,
Razorlight, Goldie Looking Chain and Lemar.
Will feature short films telling the personal stories of people whose
lives have been affected by cancer.
Breast cancer facts
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the UK.
One woman in nine in the UK will get breast cancer.
In the UK about 40,700 new cases are diagnosed every year, and about
13,100 die each year from it.
Many more women in their twenties and thirties will have mothers or
other family members or friends affected by the disease.
Although there is a continuing decline in the mortality rates for women
treated for cancer, there is a steady increase in the number of women
diagnosed each year.
In addition, over half (59 per cent) of 25 to 34 year olds recently
polled knew someone who had been diagnosed with cancer in the last five
to 10 years.
Of the people they knew with cancer, breast cancer was the most common
(35 per cent).
Poll: a Ipsos Quest panel Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ questionnaire of 652 respondents
aged between 25 and 34 in October 2004.
