Worcestershire Trade Fair Boosts Local Produce
New event in Worcestershire, the Taste Worcestershire Producer & Buyer Event, connects local food producers with buyers to promote sustainable practices and enhance local food supply chains. The initiative aims to support the region's food and drink industry by encouraging the purchase and supply of local products. It brings together buyers from various sectors to source high-quality local goods and increase Worcestershire's food visibility. The event is part of a broader effort to celebrate local food systems and boost the regional economy.
A new trade event, the Taste Worcestershire Producer & Buyer Event, has been established to connect local food and drink producers with prominent buyers from various sectors in Worcestershire. Organized by Visit Worcestershire, this inaugural event aims to promote the use of local produce in the region. It is part of the lead-up to the Taste Worcestershire festival, a three-week celebration of food and beverages scheduled for October. The primary goal is to enhance local supply chains, promote sustainable practices, and minimize food transportation distances.
The initiative is designed to nurture local talent and bolster Worcestershire's food and drink industry. Lorna Robinson, Economy Manager for Worcestershire, highlighted the importance of encouraging all food and drink producers to purchase and supply locally. This approach not only supports local businesses but also contributes to a more sustainable food system by reducing carbon footprints associated with long-distance food transportation.
The event will bring together buyers from the hospitality, accommodation, retail, deli, and farm shop sectors, providing them with opportunities to discover and source high-quality local products. By connecting these buyers with local producers, the event aims to increase the visibility and availability of Worcestershire's exceptional food and drink offerings. This could lead to more local produce being featured in menus and shelves across the region.
The Taste Worcestershire Producer & Buyer Event is seen as a significant advancement in promoting Worcestershire's local produce. It aligns with broader efforts to celebrate and support local food systems, such as the Great Malvern Farmers' Market and other regional food festivals. These initiatives collectively contribute to a vibrant local food culture, benefiting both producers and consumers by offering fresh, locally sourced products and supporting the local economy.
https://www.nbnw.org/news/taste-worcestershire-producer-buyer-event
Saliva Test for Prostate Cancer Detection
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking saliva test for prostate cancer detection, identifying genetic markers in DNA to reduce false positives and uncover aggressive tumors often missed by traditional PSA tests. The test, part of the BARCODE 1 study involving over 6,000 European men, aims to establish improved screening protocols in the UK. Administered at home with a spit sample, the test calculates a polygenic risk score based on 130 genetic mutations, enhancing early detection rates and potentially transforming global screening practices.
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking saliva test that could revolutionize prostate cancer detection, offering a more accurate alternative to the widely used PSA blood test. The test identifies genetic markers in DNA linked to prostate cancer, reducing false positives and unnecessary procedures like biopsies and scans. It also excels at detecting aggressive tumors, which are often missed by PSA tests. This innovation is part of the BARCODE 1 study, involving over 6,000 European men, and aims to establish best practices for national screening programs in the UK.
The saliva test calculates a polygenic risk score based on 130 genetic mutations associated with prostate cancer. Men with the highest scores undergo further screening, including MRI scans and biopsies. Results show that 40% of these high-risk individuals were diagnosed with prostate cancer, compared to 25% detected through PSA testing. Notably, 78% of cancers identified had normal PSA levels but were classified as aggressive. This highlights the saliva test’s ability to pinpoint dangerous cases while sparing low-risk individuals from unnecessary treatments.
Prostate cancer claims around 12,000 lives annually in the UK, yet there is no national screening program due to the limitations of current blood tests. The saliva test offers a simple, cost-effective solution that can be administered at home. Patients provide a spit sample, which is analyzed for genetic variations linked to the disease. Researchers believe this tool could significantly improve early detection rates and reduce mortality by targeting high-risk groups more effectively.
The study findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting and have been described as promising by experts. Researchers emphasize the need for further trials across diverse populations to ensure its applicability worldwide. If successful, this approach could transform prostate cancer care and screening practices globally.
https://www.nbnw.org/news/groundbreaking-saliva-test-prostate-cancer
