Stories From the Field

Spotting New Markers of Cancer

University of Otago researchers are delving into the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of cancer as a way of taking research from the laboratory bench to the clinical setting.

While some scientists are studying possible new drug therapies at one end of the scale, and others are focused on cancer genetics at the other end, the group at the Dunedin School of Medicine’s Department of Pathology is looking to bridge that gap. In the process the group, involving Professor Antony Braithwaite, Professor Michael Eccles and Dr Janice Royds, in collaboration with Professor Bruce Baguley at the University of Auckland, has identified a number of markers and potential therapeutic targets for breast cancers, brain tumours and melanoma.

Understanding Cell Suicide

Understanding what turns on and turns off apoptosis, or cell suicide, promises to provide a new range of tools for fighting cancer.

 is part of the Free Radical Research Group at the University of Otago, Christchurch.

Apoptosis should be switched on when something goes wrong in a cell, such as when it gets damaged or begins to grow out of control, Dr Hampton explains.

“Unfortunately in a number of cancer cells this pathway gets switched off, and the cell continues to grow.”

Improving Services for Māori

Closed doors’ … ‘wrong name’ … ‘wrong date, come back another day’ … ‘I couldn’t understand what they were saying’ ….

These are some of the responses researchers found when they asked Māori cancer survivors and sufferers, their carers and supporters what it was like going for cancer treatment and to other cancer-related services.

Early Detection the Best Protection

Early detection is the best protection. That’s one of Valerie Pennick’s key messages as she speaks about breast health and breast cancer around the country.

Valerie is a qualified radiation therapist who has worked for 30 years in oncology in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States.

Now she’s helping women throughout New Zealand to be aware of any changes in their breasts and to know what to do if they notice something.

Reducing Risk in the Sun - the Ultraviolet Index

We’re all familiar with it during the summer – on the TV weather, in the daily newspaper and at the outdoor swimming pool. It’s the colourful UV Index telling us today’s risk from the sun. The higher the level the arrow points to the greater the risk of skin damage.