Brain Tumour UK Patron and renowned spin bowler Phil Tufnell is to star in the BBC's seventh Strictly Come Dancing series from September. He'll be dancing with Katya Virshilas who trained Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez for the film Shall We Dance. This is her first appearance in Strictly, so the duo will face strong competition.
Looking forward to the demanding show, Phil says: “Strictly Come Dancing will be a huge challenge, but it’s nothing compared to living with a brain tumour. A brain tumour can affect co-ordination, balance, movement and any other activity controlled by the brain. Dancing with or even talking to someone you love can be impossible. Having seen the impact of this disease on two of my cricketing pals and their families, I know only too well how devastating a brain tumour can be, which is why Brain Tumour UK is so important to me.”
If you're a Strictly fan, do take every opportunity you can to vote for Phil and keep him in the show: Phil has promised to get us all the publicity he can for its duration, to help raise awareness of brain tumours. You can keep tabs on his progress in the show here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedan...

Brain Tumour UK has welcomed the Government's announcement that a specialist proton therapy centre is to be built in the UK over the next five years to treat brain and spinal chord tumours [1]. But the charity warned that the centres should be the focus of carefully designed scientific research to ensure that the true benefits of the therapy are measured. Furthermore, the therapy will not be of benefit to the most common brain tumours, including gliomas, meningiomas and secondary brain cancer. It will largely be used to treat rare tumours at the base of the skull, including chordomas and chondrosarcomas.

Proton therapy is a form of radiation therapy that has been in use since the 1970s. Proton particles have a large mass and should not spread so far in tissue with the result, in theory, that healthy, non-tumour tissue receives less harmful radiation. This means that a tumour could be given a larger dose of radiation than with normal radiotherapy, whilst causing less harm to the healthy brain.

But although the therapy is theoretically promising, Brain Tumour UK warns that there is a lack of robust evidence to show that it offers significant clinical advantage over modern radiotherapy. A substantial review of the evidence for proton therapy has concluded:

"The claim by proton therapy supporters that protons are the treatment of choice for chordoma and chondrosarcoma [tumours at the base of the skull] is no longer tenable based on the currently available evidence." [2]

Trevor Lawson, a spokesman for Brain Tumour UK, commented:

"The challenge here is that new technologies do not have to clear the scientific research hurdles that we apply to new drugs. Brain Tumour UK welcomes this announcement, but we need to be very clear that proton therapy is not a miracle cure for brain tumours.

"The lack of robust scientific evidence to show that proton therapy offers significant clinical advantage over modern, radiotherapy is a problem. Brain Tumour UK wants the best for patients and the Government must ensure that this new centre undertakes high quality research trials that demonstrate whether this treatment really is the best and which patients are most likely to benefit."

Many of the most reported studies showing proton therapy benefit compared it with older, less precise forms of radiotherapy. Furthermore, proton therapy is of no benefit to the most common brain tumours including gliomas, meningiomas and secondary brain cancer.

ENDS

1. The Department for Health is issuing an announcement on the new unit today (18 August 2009).
2. Proton Therapy in Clinical Practice: Current Clinical Evidence, Brada, M., Pijls-Johannesma, M., and De Ruysscher, D., Journal of Clinical Oncology, 25 ( 10 March 2007

Brain Tumour UK Makes A Splash
Atlantic Row Duo Launch Their Charity Trip


Charlie Marlow, from Stroud and Matthew Mackaness, from Harrogate, both 26, are attempting to row across the Atlantic as part of the Woodvale Challenge in December this year. The pair launched their boat this week, to test, for the first time, the purpose built vessel and make sure it can stand up to the test of what lies ahead.

The duo's 3,000 mile journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean has been described as "the toughest endurance race in the world" but it will all be made worthwhile if they manage to hit their target of £50,000 for their chosen charities, one of which is Brain Tumour UK.

The boys chose to support Brain Tumour UK, as it is a charity close to their hearts. During their training process, the boys have got to know Yorkshire County Cricketer, Simon Guy, who underwent surgery on his brain in February this year. Thanks to the skill of Simon's surgeon, he has made a speedy recovery, making a miraculous comeback to the 1st XI and fully supports both boys as they raise money for a cause that advances brain surgery techniques and treatments.

Although a difficult story for him to tell Simon spoke at Matthew and Charlie's launch in support of their expedition and the worthy causes they are supporting.

Simon said: "My hat goes off to them, they must be mad but they are an inspiration to us all.
"You never think anything is going to happen to you, I kept fit and healthy. But when it did it changed my life, I am so lucky to be here for my wife and two children."

For more information about their charity row and how to donate please go to their website: www.atlanticrow.com .

To join Charlie & Matthew's 'Atlantic Row' Facebook group, go to http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/g...