Cancer affects around one in every 500 children under 15. Survival rates have doubled since the 1960s and on average 80% of children can now be cured. But the chemotherapy treatment they receive can sometimes damage the tiny hair cells in the ear which can cause hearing loss, especially if it’s picked up too late.
Hearing tests are often very difficult to perform on children; they can be inaccurate and sometimes require a hospital visit. The Octoacoustic emissions kit (OAE kit) is an accurate, reliable, simple, bedside tool that doesn’t cause children any stress. It tests hair cell function in the ear and picks up hearing problems very quickly, increasing the likelihood that they can be treated.
Dr David Baguely, Head of Audiology at CUH said: “The generous gift of this equipment will allow a significant advance in the assessment of hearing in these young patients undergoing chemotherapy. The effective and consistent preservation of hearing is our ultimate goal, and this represents a great leap forward.”
The NHS does not to have the funds above and beyond the basic health care resources to provide this piece of equipment on a wide scale. It means CUH will be one of very few hospitals in the UK which will be using the kit on a day to day basis.
James Piper, Head of the Perse Prep School said: “We are delighted to be able to help protect the hearing of young cancer patients by paying for this equipment. The gift was made possible by the enthusiastic fundraising efforts of our pupils, parents’ association and staff”.
Property consultants Savills Cambridge office supported the cause by providing £2000 towards sponsorship of a fundraising ball with the Perse and, in addition, presented an unexpected extra £1000 from the sale of a house on behalf of a parent. Presenting the extra money Ed Meyer, head of residential sales for Savills in Cambridge said: “We are thrilled to have joined forces with the Perse to help raise money for CUH. This is such an important tool for the hospital and I’m very pleased we could help with the fundraising”.
Research and development into the use of the kit will provide insights into mechanisms and timing of hearing loss as well as new chemotherapy programmes that protect hearing in children.
Dr Boo Messahel, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist said: “We are very grateful to the Perse Prep School, PPP and Governors and to Savills for all the support you have given us and helping us make a real difference to our patients.”
Image (L-R): Francesca Richardson, Chad Martindale, Dr Boo Messahel, Sarah Pritchard (parent governors), Diana Borrell Ribes, James Piper, Ed Meyer, Ewan Smith, Shanequa Gayle, Dr David Bagueley
NOTES
- If hearing problems in children are picked up too late, the child can become isolated and may have difficulty making friends and studying/working.
- Whilst hearing aids and therapy can help our department is very keen to look at ways at identifying this complication early as prevention is better than cure.
- The Paediatric Haematology and Oncology department at Addenbrookes hospital is a regional specialist unit treating children from 0-16 years with all forms of childhood cancer. Our patients come to us from all over East Anglia to be treated in our specialists centre. Our team is truly multidisciplinary consists of many people including doctors, specialist nurses, pharmacist, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, audiologists, psychologists, CLIC sergeant social workers, play specialists and teachers! All of us strive to deliver high quality patient care and services.
- In total Perse Prep pupils, the Perse Prep Parents and staff raised more than £35,000 in 2014/15 for charities that help young people suffering from cancer.
- Dr David Baguley is speaking at a public event on 14 November being organised by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, at which he will explain how the future for patients with hearing difficulties is looking much brighter, particularly for those attending Addenbrooke’s. For further information about the event, contact ACT on 01223 217757 or visit www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/alr
*******
For further information, please contact: louise.gosling@addenbrookes.nhs.uk tel: 01223 586 730
Communications Department, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ
_____________________________________________________