For those of you that don’t know, Dr Patricia Ellis is doing research on women under 40 who have been diagnosed with womb cancer. The money raised has been donated to GRACE & has been ringfenced specifically for Dr Ellis.
She recently sent me an email updating me on her work and I would like to share some of the details with you.
“ I continue to work with young women (15 so far) with endometrial cancer and those with complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH- this condition can develop in to endometrial cancer ) who wish to have a baby despite their diagnosis of having womb cancer/ CAH . I offer them fertility preservation treatment in the form of high dose progesterone and once the cancer or CAH have regressed , they can try for a baby. One lady has been successful in having a baby, and in 9 others, the endometrial cancer/CAH have regressed. Once they have had a baby, the recommendation would always be to have a hysterectomy because the cancer /CAH can come back. ”
It appears that she is now also hoping to start a new research project in October & has a research student to help out.
“ Essentially, Adipocytokines are hormones and biological factors released from the adipose (fat) tissue. From my initial research, there may be differences in these hormones /biological factors in women with endometrial cancer with different BMI. I wish to continue this research with the help of the research student… so I would like to now use the funds that …..have so kindly (been )raised to help pay for the materials and equipment that we will be required to conduct the research in the laboratory. “
According to GRACE there is approx. £12,500 being held by them for Dr Ellis and hopefully this will help with her research.
This research update from Dr Ellis, along with the news of the new dedicated womb cancer charity called Peaches Womb Cancer Trust (website is still under construction but they are on social media as "peaches trust" ) that is being set up by Prof. Emma Crosbie means that womb cancer is getting some attention which is great news.
Hopefully we be able to update you again in the not too distant futurenas we all work to #GiveWombCancerAVoice