National Blood Cancer
Conference heads for Liverpool
A national blood cancer charity is
bringing their Patient and Carer blood cancer conference to Liverpool, on
Saturday, 20 May 2017. Leukaemia CARE is welcoming anybody affected by a
blood cancer such as Leukaemia to join them at the event.
The national charity holds a number of events like this across the UK, each year
and is host to a popular blood cancer support group in the City.
The day is a great chance to learn about subjects such as the psychological
impact of cancer and what treatments are on the horizon, as well as being able
to share experiences with fellow patients and their families.
The event is free of charge to attend and includes a lunch.
Esther Wroughton, Director of CARE for the charity, said:- "Our conference
events are always busy with people who want to share experiences and learn more
about the condition they are faced with.
It's important that people are able to access the right support and information
and we are looking forward to bringing this event to Liverpool".
Bookings are now being taken for the event which is being held at the Marriott
Hotel, at 1 Queen Square, Liverpool.
Delegate tickets can be booked
online or by ringing the Leukaemia CARE
Office via calling them for free on:-
08088 010 444.
Help Southport fundraisers
call cancer's bluff
LOCAL cheese and wine lovers are
invited to a special 'Call my Bluff' themed tasting evening this month to
raise money for cancer research.
The Southport-based fundraising committee for North West Cancer Research will
hold the is event on Friday, 21 April 2017, at Hillside Golf Club, with all proceeds
donated to the charity, which funds life saving cancer research.
As well as raising money, guests will also raise a few glasses, as they sample
various wines and attempt to sort fact from fiction by guessing the correct wine
type from a panel of statements.
Tickets cost ₤20 and includes:- entry, 6 wine samples and a selection of
locally sourced cheeses, which have been paired with the wine choices.
Last year's event raised ₤1500 for North West Cancer Research. This year the
Liverpool branch of Barclaycard has agreed to match fund up to ₤1000 of the
money raised.
Olive Cutts, chair of the Southport Committee, said:- "Last year's
(2016) event
was great fun and we are expecting this year
(2017) to be even better.
We have already seen a positive response from the local community with over half
of tickets sold. With the help from Barclaycard Match Funding we will hopefully
raise even more money this year, for North West Cancer Research."
North West Cancer Research is the region's biggest funder of cancer research and
has committed to funding more than ₤11million worth of life saving cancer
research over the next 5 years.
The Call My Bluff cheese and wine evening starts from 7pm, on Friday, 21 April
2017, at Hillside Golf Club, Hillside, Southport, Merseyside.
If you want to purchase tickets please contact
Olive Cutts via sending an email to:-
olive.cutts@talktalk.net. |
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Grey hair linked with
increased heart disease risk in men
GREY hair has been linked with an
increased risk of heart disease in men, in research presented at EuroPrevent
2017. "Ageing is an unavoidable coronary risk factor and is
associated with dermatological signs that could signal increased risk. More research is
needed on cutaneous signs of risk that would enable us to intervene earlier in
the cardiovascular disease process." said Dr Irini
Samuel, a cardiologist at Cairo University, Egypt.
Atherosclerosis and hair greying share similar mechanisms such as impaired DNA
repair, oxidative stress, inflammation, hormonal changes and senescence of
functional cells. This study assessed the prevalence of grey hair in patients
with coronary artery disease and whether it was an independent risk marker of
disease.
This was a prospective, observational study which included 545 adult men who
underwent multi slice computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography for
suspected coronary artery disease. Patients were divided into subgroups
according to the presence or absence of coronary artery disease, and the amount
of grey / white hair.
The amount of grey hair was graded using the hair whitening score:-
1 = pure
black hair.
2 = black more than white.
3 = black equals white.
4 = white more
than black.
5 = pure white.
Each patients' grade was determined by two
independent observers.
Data was collected on traditional cardiovascular risk factors including:-
hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidaemia, and family history of coronary
artery disease.
The researchers found that a high hair whitening score (grade 3 or more) was
associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease independent of
chronological age and established cardiovascular risk factors.
Patients with
coronary artery disease had a statistically significant higher hair whitening
score and higher coronary artery calcification than those without coronary
artery disease.
In multivariate regression analysis, age, hair whitening score, hypertension and
dyslipidaemia were independent predictors of the presence of atherosclerotic
coronary artery disease.
Only age was an independent predictor of hair
whitening.
"Atherosclerosis and hair greying occur through similar biological
pathways and the incidence of both increases with age. Our findings
suggest that, irrespective of chronological age, hair greying indicates
biological age and could be a warning sign of increased cardiovascular risk." said Dr Samuel.
Dr Samuel said asymptomatic patients at high risk of coronary artery disease
should have regular check ups to avoid early cardiac events by initiating
preventive therapy.
"Further research is needed, in
coordination with dermatologists, to learn more about the causative genetic and
possible avoidable environmental factors that determine hair whitening. A larger
study including men and women is required to confirm the association between
hair greying and cardiovascular disease in patients without other known
cardiovascular risk factors. If our findings are confirmed,
standardisation of the scoring system for evaluation of hair greying could be
used as a predictor for coronary artery disease." said Dr Samuel.
UK's TV Licensing now targeting Boat Owners
WITH increasing numbers deciding to
choose a life on water, TV Licensing is urging boat dwellers in Southport to
ensure they are correctly licensed to watch TV. More than a quarter of today's
33,000 boats moored on UK waterways are used as primary residences as opposed to
10 years ago when it was just 10% of 31,000 boats. By law, residential boat
owners need a TV Licence to watch live television, or catch up TV on BBC iPlayer.
This is true no matter what device is used, how the programmes are received, or
whether the boat is cruising or moored.
Matthew Thompson, spokesperson for TV Licensing, said:- "A life afloat has
become an appealing option for many, so it is important boat owners understand
the same rules apply when it comes to watching TV. We don't want anyone to be
caught out of their depth if they are found watching live TV, or BBC programmes
on iPlayer, on board without a valid licence. If caught, boat owners face
prosecution and a fine of up to ₤1,000."
Beryl McDowall, General Secretary of the Residential Boat Owners' Association (RBOA),
said:- "There are many things to consider when taking the plunge and
moving to a life on water. These include sorting out a boat licence, surveying
costs, safety certificates, as well as insurance. It's also important boat
owners understand all of the legal responsibilities, which include getting a TV
Licence if their boat is their main residence; we don't want anyone to get
caught out."
It's easy to pay for a TV Licence or update details online, using a forwarding
address if necessary. There are many ways to spread the cost, including weekly,
fortnightly or monthly cash payment plans and direct debit options, which can be
set up quickly. You do not need a fixed address to receive your TV Licence, as a
licence can be arranged for your boat and sent to you by email. Canal boat
owners should visit:-
TVLicensing.Co.UK/Info for more information
about when a licence is needed. |