As the daffodils sway in the wind, dancing together with their beautiful bright heads on strong green stems bring together your thoughts of women’s health and for this month of March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian Cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women. In the UK there are approximately 21 new cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed every day. Despite survival rates increasing only 35.3% women diagnosed with ovarian cancer survive their disease for ten years or more. Further research and early diagnosis would help improve this survival rate. Early Diagnosis helps with survival rates, many women unfortunately do not know the symptoms, help them help themselves let them know March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
Photo by makefuneoflife.net
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Most Common:
Persistent Bloating
Feeling Full
Needing to wee often
Stomach Pain
Other Symptoms:
Unintentional weight loss
Tiredness
Post-menopausal vaginal bleeding
Back pain
Indigegstion
Changes in bowel habit
Pain during sex
Early diagnosis is imortant
Please seek medical advice if you have any of these symptoms or are worried. Speak to your GP. Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is a game changer. When a person is diagnosed with stage 1, they generally have a 90% chance of surviving five years or more. However if they ignore the symptoms and the cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage the survival rate is reduced to a staggering 4%. Quite often cancers have spread due to being overlooked or misdiagnosed, when they have metastasised, the cancer becomes more difficult to treat and treatment options become more limited, thus survival rates drastically lower. Hence early diagnosis is important giving the opportunity of providing the best possible care and improving cancer outcomes.
If you are going to read and share one thing this month, please let it be this. Let others know this Mother’s Day Month of March it is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
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During a 2 year project young patients with the use of the headset and SyncVR Fit Application for the duration of their physiotherapy sessions are carried off into a new virtual world. Enjoy time fully immersed in activities such as picking fruit on a tropical island, taking part in archery, brewing potions in the cauldron and boxing in the gym to name a few. Offering not only encouragement for mobilisation but a chance to escape and leave the room from what is going on. Virtual reality comes to Bristol Children’s Hospital
Going into hospital at anytime can be difficult and scary. For children up to the age of 12 frequent visits to The Starlight ward at Bristol Children’s Hospital very often involves treatment and a long stay. Some are in isolation and the ward becomes their home for quite some time. Many already feeling unwell and have gone through difficult treatments. Forcing time apart from family and friends. Taken away from everyday living in general, something many of us all too often take for granted.
The ward boasts wonderful specialist care with amazing staff, availability of super facilities such as the playroom, etc. However the children at times need help with low motivation and something extra as a distraction, yearn for something else.
A two year lease funded by Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity Above and Beyond of three virtual reality headsets supplied by SyncVR Medical made their way onto the ward. The headsets have an application SyncVR Fit enabling the children to take part in their physiotherapy. Even on the more difficult days the googles can be worn in bed. Working with their physiotherapists children can put on a headset escaping the room and find themselves picking fruit in warm and inviting surroundings with green grass and water nearby. Or they may be in the gym, boxing. Regardless of age we all need escapism. Technology made its way to The Starlight ward. Virtual reality comes to Bristol Children’s Hospital.
Mobilisation, Physio and so much more
Physiotherapists tailor sessions to each patients needs and abilities. Pairing up the goggles with an iPad the physiotherapist is able to or help the patient choose icons via the iPad. The iPad shows what the headset wearer is experiencing. The combination of the caring physiotherapist and the headset really helps increase motivation, encourage children to take part in their physio and start to mobilise. Staff can see that the mood is lifted by both patients and parents in the room.
Asking physiotherapist Lucy Lidgett what she thought and if she felt it helped, she felt it most definitely helped and on the days children had low motivation the idea of entering the virtual world inspired them to try she said “something is better than nothing”. Phisio Kate Millar added “the headsets encourage people to be active and gives a reason to get out of bed”
Stem Cell Transplant Nurse specialist Penny Taylor from the outset felt that bringing virtual reality to the ward could only be a positive form of input. She has no hesitation in recommending the headsets. Penny and staff hope further funding will be available so they can continue with headsets and then start to use them for other reasons as well as physiotherapy.
Listening to Nye and his Mum Sarah Clark enthusiastically talk about the virtual reality headsets was a privilege.
Nine-year-old Nye arrived at Bristol Children’s Hospital. His journey has been a battle to say the least. He has undergone a marathon of treatments. Bravely fought through gruelling chemotherapy and car T cell Therapy.
Nye came to the bone marrow transplant ward for Isolation, treatment, and physiotherapy. The Starlight ward became his home for a long 100 days. A single room, the same cubicle for the duration of his stay he was treated with a stem cell transplant for Relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Pushing his young body to extreme limits.
For this positive youngster physio was something to look forward to.
Listening to 9 year old Nye and his Mum was a privilege, hearing them them talk about their time in the ward and enthusiastically tell of the virtual reality physiotherapy. During his stay he had quite a battle with the spoonful of medicine pushing his young body to its limits.
Mum Sarah said “the medical staff did explain how difficult the treatment would be, but I don’t think anything could prepare us for how Nye would feel. Radiation hit him hard. He lost his core strength, was extremely tired and there were days he was so poorly and tired he couldn’t get out of bed.
With the encouragement and assistance of staff this young boy with vision problems donned a headset. At the beginning Nye’s motivation was low however soon he looked forward to physio sessions. Despite fatigue he was keen to get mobile and actively enjoy the time with the headset on. As strength and confidence grew beating the previous score and doing better than last time was Nye’s ambition. Nye’s Mum said “it was so lovely to watch, seeing him happier and trying was so good. To think this is all free and accessible”. He brought his room and virtual reality together using a chair as a prop.
Nye absolutely loves the virtual reality physio. He didn’t let the fact that he sees out of one eye deter him. Entering this new world not only helped with mobility and offered some distraction but gave a sense of community. These physiotherapy sessions help not only patients like Nye but their families too. Virtual reality offers something very valuable.
At home looking back on his experience Nye said I feel like I was stuck! It really helped me. I escaped this room, this room I’m in. It’s good — It’s nice
VR with SyncVR Medical
Supplier of the headsets SyncVR Medical are proud to be using a platform to make a positive impact in healthcare. The application used on the ward for physiotherapy SyncVR Fit offers a fabulous selection of activities. Enabling patients to take part in physio, lying, sitting or standing. Patients can do full body exercises, lower body and upper body exercises.
Users can take part in a variety of applications including beach ball squats, breathing, goal keeping, tennis, fireflies, archery and witchcraft. Dependent on choice the app helps with different parts of the body including arms, legs, shoulders. It can also help with hand/eye coordination.
On chatting with Jack Cato from SyncVR Medical he said “I feel very proud and privileged to be part of this project which is having such a positive impact. This also inspires me to help more patients like Nye, improving healthcare with extended reality”
Trying out Virtual Reality
Whilst visiting Bristol Children’s Hospital I experienced for myself the headset. As a non gamer I went into it with an open mind. Patiently Jack helped me on with the headset, handed me a controller for each hand. Don’t mind saying I was feeling nervous. I took a breath and opened my eyes. Transported to a tropical island with beautiful lush green grass I gazed at trees with delicious red apples. As I clumsily held the controllers in my hands almost awkwardly I started to pick apples from the tree trying my best to get them in the basket. Soon I was enjoying myself and eager to make sure I got them all collected. I then tried the practice in the gym. Objects flying at me, I soon found myself hitting them while matching the colours.
When I took the headset off I looked around the room. Physio Kate had been in and out of the room whilst I was immersed in the gym. I was totally oblivious of what had been going on in the room. Can honestly say I was definitely transported to another world. Thinking of nothing other than concentrating on the objects and scenery that surrounded me.
Getting the opportunity to use the applications let me see how good they are. After speaking with a young patient, a parent and staff from the hospital I found out how useful virtual reality is to healthcare. Offering distraction whilst helping patients get mobile and giving the chance to visit and enjoy places I never thought possible.
Jack Cato from SyncVR and Physiotherapist, Kate Millar.
The UK is a world class leader in cancer research, since 2001 all the hard work given by all at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) has played a very large part in this. Numerous Clinical Trials and research have taken place and helped save the lives of those affected by cancer. The news of the charity winding down has came as a shock to many; patients and health professionals included. There will be many memories and stories to tell as the news hits of the Cancer Research Institute closure after 22 Years.
The charity grew over its 22-year lifespan, linked up with many partners including Blood Cancer UK,Breast Cancer Now, Prostate Cancer UK,Pancreatic Cancer UK, plus many more. Fabulous work has taken place including trials, research, specialist cancer groups, and networks. All for the greater good of those affected by cancer; working together scientists, researchers, patients, and funders to improve coordination of cancer research throughout the UK and beyond. Improving the lives of millions of people around the world.
Almost 400 000 new cancer cases are diagnosed every year in the UK. Understanding the way to treat the cancer for the best possible outcome is the goal. The NCRI was a partnership providing an area where researchers and those affected by cancer (patients, carers, etc) where they could discuss ideas, talk about research and trials and most importantly improve and save lives.
Prof Lawrence Young, Professor of Molecular Oncology, University of Warwick, said: “This is shocking news that will significantly impact cancer research and the development of new treatments in the UK. This is yet another blow to the UK research community and to the position of the UK as a world leader in cancer research”.
NCRI at its best
The abrupt closure of the NCRI will be a huge void in cancer research. The charity well and truly made its mark, bringing the whole cancer research community together covering the whole UK and beyond. Working to improve the overall quality of life of anyone affected by cancer. Understand the cancers, develop the treatments, lessen the symptoms! For some prostate and breast cancers NCRI came into its own with trials, involving radiotherapy combination treatments resulting in treatment reduction from weeks to days.
There were so many trials and research projects that have helped and will still go on to help so many people. A study showing Children with kidney cancers continue to be diagnosed with larger and more advanced tumours in the UK and Ireland than in other Western European countries, according to research presented at the NCRI Festival
A study by Dr Jonathan Wadsley, a consultant clinical oncologist let us know Patients with low-risk thyroid cancer can receive lower doses of radiation treatment. Thyroid cancer is relatively rare with a diagnosis of 3500 people per year in the UK, there were 434 patients in the trial. Contributing to a good study.
Professor Robert Huddart, Professor of Urological Cancer at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Chair of the NCRI radiotherapy working group (formerly known as CTRad), was saddened to hear the upsetting news. He said:
“The UK has developed the reputation for the delivery of high quality, innovative academic trials that has changed practice and improved the outlook and lives of millions of people around the world. In radiotherapy examples include trials that have introduced advanced technology reducing side effects and improving outcomes, changed prostate and breast treatments from five weeks or more to a few days.”
Professor Nick James, Professor of Prostate and Bladder Cancer Research at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, commented: “This news is astonishing. It could be devastating for people with cancer in this country.”
As a charity partner, Deputy Director of Research Blood Cancer UK, Sarah McDonald comments on the need for the need for clinical trials. Stating they are the route for those living with blood cancer to access treatment.
Sarah commented “It’s sad this long-standing multi-partner collaboration will be winding down. The partnership has had success, helping thousands of people get access to new potentially life-saving treatments” “NCRI has played an important role at Blood Cancer UK. We’re deeply committed to continue collaborating with researchers, patients, charities, and government to ensure the hard work of the NCRI isn’t lost.”
The NCRI have made this decision after much thought and debate. The uncertain economic and research environment has had an impact on the charity; After consulting with stakeholders, it was questionable that NCRI would be able to survive in the long term. Therefore, proving a risk of operational failure. Hence the decision to close.
Fiona Driscoll NCRI Chair stated: “It is with a mix of pride and regret that we write to inform you that, after 22 remarkable years, the NCRI will be winding down. This decision has not been taken lightly and has huge impact on the NCRI staff. We are grateful for their continued support, hard work, and professionalism at such a challenging time.”
This is dark day, especially for anyone affected by cancer. A massive blow for research and clinical trials. Remembering the extremely hard work that has taken place, passing on information is vital so the wonderful work of the NCRI is carried on.
EJY Medical Writing 