PRESS RELEASE: 12th July 2006

Medicine for Members talk: Pathology – the hidden science

On Thursday 13 July, Consultant Histopathologist Dr John Grant will be presenting a ‘Medicine for Members’ talk entitled ‘Pathology – the hidden science’. The talk will start at 1830 hours in the William Harvey Lecture Theatre in the Clinical School at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge and is open to all Foundation Trust members.

Thanks to the popularity of crime dramas, pathologists have become well-known for investigating the causes of suspicious deaths for the police. What people may not know is that a pathologist is far more likely to be busy in a hospital clinic or laboratory helping living people!

Modern pathology is the hidden science that saves lives every day by helping doctors to make the right decisions. Pathologists study the causes of disease and the ways in which disease processes affect our bodies. Recognising the patterns that disease takes allows them to understand what is at the root of a problem, helping them to make the right diagnosis. An understanding of what has gone wrong helps medical staff to devise treatments and put preventative measures in place.

The science of pathology involves all branches of medicine. The doctors who the patient meets in a surgery or clinic all depend on the knowledge, diagnostic skills and advice of some of the 4,000 pathologists working in the UK. Whether it's a GP arranging a pregnancy test or a surgeon wanting to know the nature of the lump removed at operation, the definitive answer is usually provided by a pathologist.

To hear more about this fascinating subject, just come along to the hospital – all are welcome and the talk is free of charge. If you are not a member, but would like to find out more about NHS Foundation Trust status and membership, please call the NHS Foundation Trust office on 01223 256256 or log on to www.addenbrookes.org.uk/foundation

For further press/media information contact: PR & Communications Department, Box 53, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ; Tel: 01223 274 433; Fax: 01223 257 143; Minicom: 01223 274 604.