Unfortunately, breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK and almost 46,000 cases are diagnosed every year. The good news is that due to improved detection and new treatments, the number of women beating breast cancer is increasing each year.

However, breast cancer patients often have to take anti-cancer drugs for up to five years. Find out why it is important to keep taking this medication for so long at our next Cafe Science talk.

Over 40 of you came to Sensation to hear local scientist Colin McCowan, as he discussed how research undertaken at the University of Dundee has shed light on the reasons to take these drugs for so long.

Colin presented a very informative talk that provoked lots questions from the audience and showcased the ground-breaking research taking place at the University of Dundee.

Colin has provided us with some follow-up reading about the research behind his talk as reported in the Herald, an editorial piece from the Herald and a third article from the Scotsman.

What can we learn from studying community health?The press and other media are full of stories proclaiming the next miracle cure or drug for one disease or another. Sometimes you might receive the latest drug from your GP and sometimes not. Have you ever wondered what decisions doctors take when prescribing your medicine?

On Wednesday 8th April, the audience at Sensation learnt how the trial of new drug treatments in different communities is vitally important to gather information, which can be used to treat patients across the whole of the UK.

Dr Pauline Lockhart from the University of Dundee discussed how large scale trials are co-ordinated and gave examples from her latest research, some of which was performed in Dundee. Pauline’s talk and the following discussion focussed on depression and anti-depressant medication.

We were so impressed by Pauline’s talk that we have asked her to present another talk at the beginning of 2010.