Lesley will be appearing on behalf of The Eve Appeal, a charity which campaigns to highlight the need for better detection and improved treatment of gynaecological cancers including ovarian cancer.

Lesley will be joined on the stand by the College’s President, Dr Suzy Lishman on 18 May. Tim Wreghitt, Fellow of The Royal College of Pathologists and a retired consultant virologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, who has recently returned in a part time locum post, said:

“We are delighted that Lesley Joseph and The Eve Appeal will be joining us to tell people about the science behind pathology and how plants can enhance our health. The drug Paclitaxel which is used to treat a number of types of cancer, including ovarian cancer, is isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew. Paclitaxel is used to stop cells dividing, which is the basis of its anti-tumour activity.”

Pathologists play a central role in the diagnosis and monitoring of ovarian cancer. The CA125 test is an important way to monitor patients with the illness. A recent study has suggested that the CA125 blood test, measured annually, can help identify women who need further investigation for possible ovarian cancer.

Athena Lamnisos, Chief Executive of The Eve Appeal, said: "Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage - either because a woman doesn't recognise the symptoms, or her GP hasn't. If this cancer is detected and diagnosed early, the prognosis is very different.

Through our world-class research into earlier detection and prevention, we are championing all the gynaecological cancers that are too-little known or talked about. Over 7,000 women a year are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK - that's a brutal statistic, but what's devastating, is that 4,300 of those women will die. 

That's far too many mothers, daughters,partners or friends to lose to this disease. Eve Appeal supporter Lesley Joseph knows just how devastating the diagnosis can be having recently lost a cousin to ovarian cancer.

It's a privilege to be working in partnership with RHS Chelsea Flower show to reach new audiences in innovative ways and thank the fantastic support of The Royal College of
Pathologists in affording us this opportunity. It's with great honour that we also have Lesley Joseph help us spread the message and raise awareness."

The College exhibition Plants, Pathologists and Disease is sponsored by Roche Diagnostics Kate Hoile, HR director at Roche Diagnostics, said:

'Diagnosing cancer early is a challenge but the prize is worth fighting for. Far too many people with cancer suffer through late diagnosis – they need to be tested and treated earlier. Suspected gynaecological cancers can be particularly hard to identify at an early stage. Thankfully, advances in diagnostics offer the potential for women to be tested and treated at the right time. We need to make sure all women have access to innovative tests and treatments.

'We are delighted to sponsor this garden and to help raise awareness of the important role that diagnostics can play in detecting cancers.'

Other common plants on display as part of the exhibition were:

• tobacco plants used in a new treatment to help prevent HIV infection
• white willow - the original source of aspirin which can prevent miscarriage
• spinach, chard and tomato plants which produce vitamin C - vital in the prevention of scurvy.

For further information/photos please contact The Royal College of Pathologists’ Press and Communications Office:

Notes for editors

The Royal College of Pathologists stand, Plants, Pathologists and Disease is in the Discovery Zone at Chelsea Flower Show from 18 May (press day) and then from 19-23 May.

The Royal College of Pathologists is a professional membership organisation committed to setting and maintaining professional standards and to promoting excellence in the practice of pathology. As well as medically qualified members, the College has scientists amongst its membership and represents 19 pathology specialties. It has over 10,000 members who are senior staff in hospital laboratories, universities and industry, worldwide. 

Dr Suzy Lishman is the College’s second female and youngest President in its 52 year history. Suzy is also a consultant histopathologist at Peterborough City Hospital, where she is Head of Department and lead for gastrointestinal pathology. The Eve Appeal is the only UK national charity raising awareness and funding research in the five gynaecological cancers – ovarian, womb, cervical, vaginal and vulval. It was set up to save women’s lives by funding groundbreaking research focused on developing effective methods of risk prediction, earlier detection and developing screening for these women-only cancers. The charity has grown and developed in parallel with its core research team, the Department of Women’s Cancer at University College London (UCL), and has played a crucial role in providing seed funding, core infrastructure funding and project funding in addition to campaigning to raise awareness of women-specific cancers. www.eveappeal.org.uk

Roche Diagnostics serves customers spanning the entire healthcare spectrum – from research institutions, hospitals and commercial laboratories to physicians and patients. Performed on blood, tissue or other patient samples, in vitro diagnostics are a critical source of objective information for improved disease management and patient care. Roche Diagnostics’ areas of expertise covers all in vitro diagnostic segments in all major healthcare areas. Roche Diagnostics offers the industry’s broadest range of diagnostic tests. Our pioneering technologies and solutions not only help ensure an accurate diagnosis, they can detect the risk of disease, predict how a disease may progress, and enable the right treatment decision at the outset. We help patients gain control over chronic conditions by enabling both physicians and patients monitor treatment progress. And, through our successful collaboration with laboratories, we provide the fast and reliable results needed for life-changing decisions.