Tag: Royal College of Physicians

Rag: A History of Blood

NEW EXHIBITION at THE ROYAL COLLEGE of PHYSICIANS

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (“the College”) is later this week launching a new exhibition “Rag: A History of Blood.” The exhibition- which runs from Friday 27th February- uncovers the history of blood and explores the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, menstruation and menopause as well as the subject of scientific racism.

It will feature textile art created by artist Leigh Bowser and The Blood Bag Project, a craft project which raises awareness of Diamond Blackfan Anaemia and includes interviews with HIV/AIDS survivors and specialists who were working during the height of the global HIV epidemic including Edinburgh-based Dr Jacqui Mok. A first edition of rare text Antonie van Leeuwenhoek’s Arcana Naturae Detecta – the book which showed the first ever drawing of a blood cell- will be on display. The exhibition is divided into the themes of blood-based scientific discoveries, blood myths and stigma and the blood trade.

Blood has been studied and analysed for thousands of years and examined for its ability to give life, to spread disease and to sow division. Bringing together artefacts spanning scientific illustrations, textile art, interviews, early modern rare books and medicines, “Rag: A History of Blood” highlights the social, medical and cultural impact of blood.

Dr Daisy Cunynghame (curator of ‘Rag: A History of Blood’) said: “Blood is fascinating because it is so much more than a body fluid. We might need it to live, but we also need it as an idea, as a basis for our storytelling and our social taboos. We use it to mean so many things – the blue blooded, the blood brothers, each from our own bloodline.

“ We really wanted this exhibition to have a grounding of science, but to look at how the idea of blood touches all of our lives.

The idea that menstruation is a source of shame, and how that ancient idea is still with us now and still makes people ashamed to admit they are on their period, or they are going through the menopause.

“It was fascinating pouring through hundreds and hundreds of historic images of wombs in our collections and yet not being able to find any of non-pregnant women. And to read the euphemistic language used – ‘the flowers’, ‘the sickness’ and ‘the monthlies’ for menstruation, ‘the change’, ‘unthroned queen’ or ‘old maid’s anxiety’.”

Exhibition Launch of Rag: A History of Blood | Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Experts discuss ways to improve brain tumour diagnosis in Scotland

A Glasgow-based company which is developing a diagnostic tool to detect brain tumours is one of the organisations taking part in roundtable discussions today – 5 February – to review the brain tumour diagnosis pathway in Scotland. 

GPs, NHS representatives, researchers, representatives from the Chief Scientist’s Office, the Scottish Steering Committee and The Brain Tumour Charity – representing the patient voice – are also taking part in the meeting at The Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh.  

More than 1,000 people in Scotland are diagnosed with a brain or central nervous system tumour each year1 so there is an urgent need to prioritise better care. In addition, The Charity’s Improving Brain Tumour Care surveys show one in three people visit their GP more than five times before they are diagnosed.  

Now Dxcover Limited is working alongside researchers at the University of Edinburgh to develop a blood test and AI algorithms that could enable earlier diagnosis in primary care settings by analysing blood samples to look for signs of a brain tumour. Early research suggests that this technology could offer a promising diagnostic tool, although more testing is required.

Dxcover
Dxcover1

Cameron Miller, Director of Policy and Strategy at The Brain Tumour Charity said: “This roundtable is a stepping stone to ensure that the right conversations are taking place while these diagnostic tools are being developed.

“When they are ready for patients, we want to ensure that they can access them as quickly as possible. It is also key to ensuring policymakers truly understand the barriers to brain tumour diagnosis and the need to improve current diagnostic pathways.” 

Brain tumours can be hard to diagnose due to their non-specific symptoms, including headaches, vomiting and visual disturbances. An early diagnostic test to help identify which people with these symptoms are most likely to have a brain tumour would help prioritise demand on imaging facilities such as MRI and CT scans.  

Dxcover is currently running a performance evaluation study across seven sites in the UK and Europe, to understand the effectiveness and viability of their technology.  

Prof. Matthew J. Baker, CEO of Dxcover said: “Dxcover has patients at the heart of its thinking. This roundtable is key to changing the picture for brain tumour patients and one which we are excited to be a part of.  

“We have recently launched our EMBRACE study – a pan-Europe 2,200 patient performance evaluation of the Dxcover® brain cancer liquid biopsy which will enable CE marking and provide a much-needed tool for patients.” 

Dr Paul Brennan, Reader and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at the University of Edinburgh said: “During several clinical studies involving patients in Scotland we have demonstrated that the Dxcover test is an efficient and effective strategy for brain tumour detection. 

“The next step is to find the best route to implement this test into routine care and this roundtable brings together the stakeholders needed to achieve that.” 

To find out more about The Brain Tumour Charity’s work with policymakers and healthcare professionals, visit thebraintumourcharity.org