This week, Macmillan Cancer Support  published their report Cancer: Then and Now. This report looked at diagnosis, treatment and aftercare from 1970 to 2016.

The report revealed that people are twice as likely to survive at least 10 years after being diagnosed with cancer than they were if they were diagnosed at the start of the 1970s. It is thought that this improvement in survival is due to earlier diagnosis and better treatment. Whilst there is good news generally there are some cancers where survival rates are still very low and these include lung and pancreatic cancer.  Macmillan states that the survival rates for these two cancers have not changed over the past 30 to 40 years.

When it comes to treatment Macmillan’s report reveals that treatment has improved significantly since the 1970s. Treatments now have a greater precision and are thus more effective. Techniques that are used in surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy have been refined so that there are less side effects. In surgery, new techniques that use robotics have allowed previously inoperable tumours to become operable. Radiotherapy has become less crude and new methods can more accurately focus on the cancer.  There are more chemotherapy drugs now than ever before and there is a greater understanding of how to manage the side effects. Newer types of treatments have been developed since the 1970s these include biological therapies which use our body’s immune system to target cancer cells.

Whilst Macmillan’s report celebrates the advances in cancer survival they do highlight that the disease continues to be very devastating affecting a person long after their treatment comes to an end. Many people will experience long-term side effects such as chronic fatigue,  incontinence, disability and general poor health. Thus the need for an effective after-care plan.

When comparing after-care over the last 30 to 40 years, Macmillan’s report explains that in the 1970s and 80s support for patients wasn’t commonplace. Now there are several organisations that offer comprehensive cancer support programmes ensuring that patients are catered for and their needs are met.

Finally, Macmillan’s report looked at end of life care and how that has changed over the years. They state that in the 70s end of life care lacked planning and expertise, but this area has now become a “highly developed field of practice that increasingly puts the patient’s needs and compassion at its heart”

This report was very interesting highlighting the progress that has been made in the treatment, diagnosis and support provided to patients.

The Lake Foundation has been playing its little part through its cancer support group.  For more information about our support group please email us

You can download Macmillan’s report below.

Yesterday, Public Health England published its guidance on how to get adults more active. In their report they state the benefit of physical activity –  it improves the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals. Then they explain how much activity adults should take part in. They recommend that adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more.

They describe moderate-intensity activities as anything that causes you to get warmer and breathe harder and gets your heart rate up,  such as cycling or a brisk walk.

It is also recommended that adults aim to be active daily. Additionally, adults should include a muscle-strengthening activity on at least two days of the week to prevent loss of muscle mass.

Finally, their guidance stresses the importance of minimising the amount of time spent sitting for extended periods of time. This increases the risk of a number of health conditions.

They suggest the following to reduce the amount of time sitting:

• Reducing the time spent watching TV, using a computer or playing video games
• Reducing the amount of time sitting during work
• Walking part of the way on a long bus or car journey

Research has shown that many of the UK’s minority ethnic groups have lower rates of physical activity participation and do not achieve the recommended levels of physical activity. Therefore it’s very important that the black community takes notice and becomes more active. The Lake Foundation through its cycling club is aiming to get our community more active. Please do join us for a fun way to get some exercise. For more information email events@thelakefoundation.com

On 14^th July 2016, Public Health England launched a fourteen week campaign to raise awareness of  the symptoms of lung cancer, lung disease and heart disease.  The campaign will focus on the symptoms of persistent cough and inappropriate breathlessness stressing that a sign of lung cancer or other lung disease could be a cough lasting more than three weeks and/or getting out of breath while doing everyday tasks such as vacuuming.

Additionally, it’s important to note that breathlessness could be a sign of heart disease.

If you, or anyone that you know, are experiencing these conditions please visit your GP and finding these conditions early makes them easier to treat.

Professor Kevin Fenton, PHE National Director for Health and Wellbeing said:

“The estimated number of people with undiagnosed lung cancer, lung disease or heart disease, is deeply concerning. If diagnosed early, these diseases can be managed and treated successfully. This campaign will help people recognise the symptoms and encourage them to seek help, potentially saving lives from what are 3 of the biggest causes of death in England.”

For more information about this campaign, lung cancer and lung disease please click here

The UK’s Change For Life programme has once again teamed up with Disney for the 10 Minute Shake Up campaign. This campaign aims to get children active over the summer by encouraging them to do 10 minute bursts of moderate to vigorous activity throughout the day every day, so they meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity that children need.

The 10 Minute Shake Up was launched in July 2014 and is back this year. The campaign is inspired by Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory and it uses Disney characters like to get kids involved in a range of fun activities such as swimming,  dancing and ball games.

To find out more visit their website here and for resources to get you started click here

A study published yesterday by the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health has found that a plant-based diet significantly reduces a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially if that diet is rich in quality plant foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes.

The study found that just moderate changes in a person’s diet can lead to significant reduction in risk. They found that  people who maintained a plant-based diet that was low in animal foods were 20% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes and those that consumed a healthy version of a plant-based diet were 34% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

This study is very important to the black community as our community is at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The Lake Foundation encourages everyone to turn towards a more plant-based die to reduce their risk of this condition.

If you’re planning on travelling to Rio for the Olympics you may be worried about the Zika virus. Yesterday, Public Health England issued travel and health advice for all those wishing to travel to Brazil for the Olympics. They have recommended that pregnant women postpone non-essential travel until after pregnancy as being infected with the Zika virus whilst pregnant can lead to babies developing microcephaly.

For more information please visit PHE’s website here

The Lake Foundation is delighted to invite you to attend its event ‘Fibroid Focus’ where we will be focusing on the treatment of fibroids. At this event, you will hear from experts in the field discussing all treatment options including natural ways of managing the symptoms of fibroids.

Speaking at this event will be Mr Rajiv Varma, a consultant gynaecologist, who will provide an overview of the treatment options available on the NHS, their pros and cons and what steps to take to ensure you’re getting the best treatment possible. You will also hear from Leah Salmon, The Naturally You Coach, who will outline the impact of diet on fibroids and how a healthy diet can reduce your risk and help in the treatment and prevention of fibroids. Lillian Lartey will discuss the power of exercise in preventing and managing the symptoms of fibroids, Olivia Haltman will look at a sometimes forgotten area for fibroids patients, how to manage the psychological impact and Patricia Ferguson will discuss the use of herbal remedies in treating the symptoms of fibroids.

Additionally, we’ll have some great organisations exhibiting on the day so you can find out more about women’s health in general.

Join us on 30th July 2016 for an informative, empowering session. Book early to avoid disappointment, spaces are limited.

Doors open at 12pm and you can visit the information tables; the presentations start at 1pm.

For more information and to book your place, please click here

Back in March Public Health England launched their ‘One You’ campaign which aims to help adults across the country avoid health conditions caused by modern day life.

In this age of technology it can be very hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle with many of us spending most of our day sitting in front of a computer. This new campaign urges everyone to move more, eat well, drink less and be smoke free. It also provides advice on reducing stress level and sleeping better.

Professor Sir Muir Gray, clinical adviser for the One You campaign said:

“Although it has been customary to blame people for their ‘lifestyle’ we now appreciate that we need to take into account the environmental pressures that make it difficult to make healthy choices, having to sit 8 hours a day at work for example, and then drive an hour home. One You is designed to help every individual identify not only their risks but also the pressures they face in their life and the stress that results, and then support them with personalised tools and advice.”

The One You website is great resource for health information and on this website you can take the ‘How Are You’ quiz to assess how healthy your lifestyle is as well as download a range of free apps to get you fit and healthy.

Penny Brohn Cancer Care is pleased to announce that its Living Well with the Impact of Cancer course will be coming to Croydon on 10^th and 17^th June 2016.

Penny Brohn Cancer Care’s course is a 2 day course over 2 weeks and will be held at Croydon University Hospital. The course can be attended by patients at any stage of illness and supporters such as a friend, family member or carer will also benefit from attending.

This is a free course that offers peer support, lifestyle recommendations and self-help tools. It will cover: nutrition, exercise, relaxation/stress management, emotional support, managing the impact of  cancer on close relationships and financial/welfare issues.

For more information on this course please download the flyer below or visit www.pennybrohn.org.uk/national-living-well-services and to book a place please complete the booking form below and email it to bookings@pennybrohn.org.uk

Last month Public Health England launched their new Eatwell Guide which aims to give the public clear guidance on what a healthy diet looks like. This new Eatwell Guide replaces the Eatwell Plate and now encourages people to include more fruit, vegetables and starchy carbohydrates in their diet and less sugary foods and drinks.

The new Eatwell Guide is based on the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition’s 2015 report on carbohydrates and health. It encourages the public to eat 30g of fibre a day, less than 6 grams of salt a day and that women should consume less than 20 grams of saturated fat a day and men less that 30 grams. The new guide also recommends that people consumes less than 30 grams of sugar a day and adults should be aiming to drink 6-8 gasses of fluids ideally from water, lower fat milks and unsweetened drinks.

A major difference between this new guide and the previous Eatwell Plate is the removal of sugary drinks. Additionally foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar have been moved to the outside of the guide to stress that they do not form part of a healthy diet.

The Eatwell Guide is  a useful resource for anyone wanting clear recommendations on healthy eating. You can read more about it here