Give it a break!

The Cancer & Solidarité Fondation has supported cancer research and research projects for fifteen years. As the Chairmen of Cancer & Solidarité we are pleased to have disbursed 48 grants to young researchers in Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe as well as China and Canada. No less than 11 countries are represented. Thanks to the generosity of our anonymous private donors as well as the communities of French Switzerland and our institutional partners, a sum of 650,000 Swiss francs has been directly channelled into research. The way in which Cancer & Solidarité is financed is clear. The donations received by the foundation are entirely paid out to researchers either as direct grants or as capitalised grants. The operating costs of the Cancer & Solidarité Fondation are kept to a minimum and are covered by special contributions that are kept separate from the donations. In a nutshell, all the donations received go to research. To continue our struggle against cancer and to allow other young scientists to devote their talents and energy to this mission, we continue as ever to need you!

Thierry F. Ador & Olivier Ador

Living proof

What’s up, doc?

Faced with a multiplication of intestinal cancers, the Association suisse des gastro-entérologues is taking actions. Its aim is to obtain reimbursement for colonoscopy screening on persons above 50 years of age. Indeed, the systematic screening of the over-50s could increase life expectancy since 3,000-4,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in Switzerland. The request by these specialists is currently being examined by the federal health authorities. Health insurances do not reimburse screening colonoscopies. However, it should be understood that this examination, which poses very little risk to the patient, costs about 1000 Francs and it is recommended that it should be performed every five years in the risk groups. Systematic screening very probably represents the most effective means for reducing mortality due to cancer of the colon.

Source: Tribune de Genève, September 2006

Vital statistics

Better adapted treatments, increased efficacy of drugs… progress in research allows many cancers to be cured. Today, the disease does not always lead to death. Here are some specific examples:

In men: 95% cure rate for cancer of the testicles. For still mysterious reasons, the number of cases is still increasing steadily. The incidence has increased 3 or 4-fold in the last 50 years. Affecting mainly young men (between 20 and 35 years), it can be cured in 95% of cases.

In children: each year there are 450 new cases of leukaemia in children in France. 80% of them are cured, and the results are improving all the time. According to specialists, progress is primarily due to clinical research.

In women: enormous progress has been achieved against cervical cancer. Five million smear tests each year in France, and the source of this cancer has been detected in 60% of women who are regularly followed up. But what is new for 2007 is that two vaccines will be marketed.

Source: Santé Magazine, Hors Série, 2006

Planet research

• It is because they are not yet differentiated. In other words, not yet specialised. There are more than 200 families of cells in the human body. They certainly use the same genes, but in different ways during the course of their development. Embryonic stem cells obtained between the 2nd and 3rd day of life are still able to develop into any tissue or organ of the body. In time, researchers hope to use these cells in the treatment of many diseases. The most advanced work concerns neurodegenerative diseases, but other research is also promising and the injection of stem cells into a patient's body will one day allow regeneration of tissues.

  Source: Tribune de Genève, August 2006

• Many patients undergoing chemotherapy want to talk about the protocol. But many questions remain unanswered for them. To fight cancer there are increasing numbers of drugs which are called antimitotics because they block cell division and in this way block the multiplication of cancer cells. Despite the proven activity of each of them, they are rarely used by themselves. Better results are obtained if several of them are used together. During each treatment, different antimitotics are administered in precise proportions at precise times. The various combinations that can be given are what doctors call « protocols »

  Source: Santé Magazine, Hors Série, 2006

• Many cancers are directly linked to our lifestyle and our bad habits. It is essential to live a healthy life! Cancer and alcohol, cancer and a sedentary lifestyle, cancer and diet, cancer and smoking - many links that are often the source of this evil. There are some rules to be applied in order to protect against increased risks of developing this disease:
• Limit your consumption of alcohol;
• Stop smoking;
• Eat fruit and vegetables every day;
• Keep your weight under control and avoid fats and sugar;
• Move around! Sports, exercise and walking are beneficial.

  Source: Santé Magazine and TdG, 2006