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Explore’s Science Café Explodes the Cancer Myth
Theory Café, Explore-At-Bristol, Tuesday 8 July
It’s a fact, cancer will affect one in three of us, and at 7.30 on Tuesday
8 July, Explore-At-Bristol will play host to a Science Café that explodes
the myths about this disease.
Dr Ruth Morse, Senior Lecturer in Medical Genetics at the University of
the West of England will reveal how people’s DNA, the environment and
personal behaviour interact in the development of cancers. Distinguishing
between cancer facts and fictions, she will challenge some of the most
frequent misconceptions of this all too common disease.
Dr Morse says, ‘There is a widely held belief that cancer is something
sinister, which takes over the body, but in reality, it’s less about
malevolent forces, or certain death. We are born with the genes we have,
some of us may have a predisposition, some of us may not, but there are
certain factors such as lifestyle and diet that can increase or decrease
people’s risk and aren’t fully understood. So an understanding of how to
"look after" our genes is important.’
Aside from her academic work, Ruth has personal experience of dealing with
cancer as both her grandparents had the disease.
“I understand how incredibly helpless people feel when dealing with cancer
first-hand," Ruth explains. "There is so much conflicting information out
there that it's difficult to know what to believe. Events like this give
people the confidence to ask any questions they have in a relaxed and
friendly environment. I don't pretend to know everything about cancer, but
I can help to dispel some of the most common myths and help people
recognise the fact from the fiction," she adds.
Ruth says that the controversy over cancer treatments can often be
misinterpreted in the media: " There are many misconceptions about having
cancer treatments withheld, such as the recent court case over the
availability of the drug Herceptin; however, this drug is beneficial to
only about a third of breast cancer patients and can have harmful
side-effects for the other patients,” she explains.
Explore will host a Science Café each month until December in the Theory
Café, with a different speaker from the scientific community tackling a
new subject at each one. There is no need to book in advance and admission
is free, just turn up at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. To find out more about
the Bristol Science Cafes, visit the web site
www.sciencecafe.co.uk
For press enquiries:
Sonja Taylor-Jones
0117 9157152 /
07956 503 478 /
press@at-bristol.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
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Explore-At-Bristol is a leading science centre in the UK
and a major player in the worldwide science centre movement. It aims to
be a world-class science centre that makes a distinctive, valued and
recognised contribution to science learning and public engagement with
science across Europe. A registered charity, At-Bristol has hosted more
than three million visits and continually strives towards making science
accessible to all.
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At-Bristol receives no central government funding and
support from visitors, members, corporate partners and donors means it
can continue to make science relevant and fun for future generations.
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