Patrick James

Let us be honest, certain occasions require a certain image… after all you would not ideally turn up for a boardroom meeting in an oily boiler suit. And as for running shoes … well!

I wonder sometimes though: have I begun the slow decent into that abysmal world of cosy slippers, from which I imagine there is no return, when comfort is one of the things I place a value on… even more so than the value I place on image? …Or more to the point: I now place a value on trying to achieve a balance between the two – functional yet aesthetic! I mean, in a world that can put people on the moon… it should be easy to look well and feel good with what I’m wearing. I’m one of those whose line of work sees me spending a lot of time in a suit and tie, doing the whole formal look, right down to the polished leather-sole shoes. It’s something I’m used to and don’t mind it so much, as in my down-time I get to relax and wear what I like.

However, time changes everything and a recent stumble saw me injuring my knee. All of a sudden what was common-place was now extremely uncomfortable and the only solution was to wear trainers (sneakers) – not an ideal match when it comes to suits. It would seem I had two choices, wear my leather shoes and bear the pain or look ridiculous and turn out in sports shoes. My search began in earnest for something that would go with a shirt and tie and also offer the same support as a good running shoe. To my amazement it wasn’t a long search. All the reputable manufactures of running shoes had a wide range of possible suitable candidates.

After a little consideration I settled on a nice pair of Nike air-sole running shoes, with black soles and black uppers. They were perfect for the job: black, which goes with anything, subtle in design so they didn’t look over the top, but instead looked well and they were comfortable, offering support and easing the pain of my knee injury… thanks to that same ingenuity that put people on the moon and sees the modern world offering a wide range of running shoes.

Certainty: Noun 1 Something that cannot be doubted or is bound to happen.
2 Freedom from doubt; the state of being sure. 3 The state of being bound
to happen.

One certainty in life is that one of the major downsides of being in good health is that all too often it makes it is very easy to forget that “Health” is an issue that affects everyone. It is always relevant – whether someone is well or unwell, young or old and no matter a person’s level of fitness.  It’s the human condition, people are fragile – we age, while our bodies are prone to disease, injury and damage. Like so many, I’m guilty of only thinking about the issue of health when I become sick – and yet it is an issue that is all around us in everyday life from hospitals to headache tablets.

Yet, despite our frailties, people have always striven to overcome the things that threaten our well-being through science and medical research – medicine, new surgical and therapeutic techniques, vaccines and prosthetics have all gone a long way towards improving quality of life. Another is “Controversy” and throughout the history of the world there has always been debate surrounding “New Developments” and Medical Research is no exception.

One such area that has provoked much controversial scrutiny is Stem Cell Research. It’s also a subject that deserves careful consideration. The Harvard Stem Cell Institute conducts extensive research in the field of stem cells which form the foundation for every organ, tissue and cell in the human body. Stem cells may be able to repair or replace damaged tissue, thereby reversing diseases and injuries such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and blood diseases, to name but a few.

Equally as important, while the studies have shown enormous possibilities and potential the issue raises many ethical and moral questions for people. The controversy arises when we look at how Stem Cells are obtained. In short, there are several sources of cells used in research: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. The first, embryonic stem cells are obtained from a fertilized egg (generally taken from embryos created during in vitro fertilization but never implanted in a patient). The second is found in tissues and organs throughout the body (referred to as adult stem cells, or tissue-specific cells and in many cases are confirmed to help repair and maintain injured or damaged tissue).

The important question: Critics argue that life begins at conception and these human embryos should not be used for research. Proponents disagree that life begins at conception and explain that these frozen masses of cells are otherwise destined for destruction.  Both sides of the discussion have valid concerns. In a world that sees people suffer with terrible illnesses, but has also seen ethics and morality ignored in the name of science, we must practice informed care. One final certainty is that while we seek ways of improving health, there must be certainty that what we do is right.

Further Information about stem cells

Recently there has been a lot in the news about the “Big C” (cancer) and various developments taking place in medical research.  One of the most insidious things about this particular disease is that it affects everyone – directly and indirectly and ovarian cancer is no exception.Ovarian cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer, according to the WHC (is the second leading cause of death due to gynaecological malignancies in the world ) – translating into a devastating number of women and their families lives being affected by this life-threatening illness.

Women diagnosed with the disease have a 15 per cent chance of surviving beyond the first five years if the cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage. The five-year survival rate is 80 per cent if the cancer is detected early however a study suggests that “women with ovarian cancer are dying because GPs are failing to detect the early signs of the disease”. One very simple fact that highlights the necessity for medical research and development of a cure.

In my research of the subject, I noted one such company working on a treatment cure are Biocancell, which develops ovarian and bladder cancer treatments based on the use of H19 gene. Interestingly, the first cancer treatment utilizing H19, designated BC-819, works to destroy cancerous cells only. BC-819 is in the clinical trial stage for treatment of ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and superficial bladder cancer. It has also been tested in compassionate use trials for liver cancer and kidney TCC. Clinical results have shown effectiveness in removing existing cancerous growths and keeping patients clear of new growths.

Ovarian and bladder cancer clinical trials are recruiting for BioCancell’s OVARIAN CANCER first treatment, BC-819. To be eligible to participate in this study, patients must meet a number of inclusion/exclusion criteria. For more information fill the information request form. Continue to check this website as trial information and locations are being updated periodically.

http://www.biocancell.com