SouthseaScene

Marie Curie is celebrating the launch of its Helper service in Portsmouth and is calling on people to consider volunteering a few hours of their time each week to support local people with terminal illnesses and their families. The charity is looking for people who are interested in becoming a ‘Marie Curie Helper’, a volunteer who can visit someone with a terminal illness in their own home to provide companionship and emotional support, as well as practical help. While it has previously been available in other parts of the country, this is the first time that people in Portsmouth have been able to benefit from the service. Marie Curie Helper volunteers give around three hours a week of their time to offer a friendly ear and the opportunity to talk through any worries. Volunteers also help by providing practical support, information about local services and enabling carers and family members to take a short break. Rachel Hatcher, Marie Curie Helper Service Manager for Portsmout...

There are a number of excellent science and environmental events in Portsmouth next week! Cafe Scientifique Portsmouth explores Lycopene, a red pigment from tomatoes and its role in cancer, with Dr Mridula Chopra. Cancer remains a challenge to prevent and treat. Cancer preventive agents from natural source are of interest as they pose minimal adverse effects. Several dietary components have been highlighted in this respect. Population based studies have shown that individuals consuming lycopene (pigment that gives red colour to tomatoes) containing foods show lower incidence of cancer. Dr Chopra, from the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Portsmouth, will talk about the mechanisms through which lycopene can inhibit the cancer related processes and relate this to the amount of lycopene that needs to be consumed and factors that can improve its bio-availability. She would also highlight other cancer preventive dietary components. Date: Tuesday 24 May...