Slash your risk of bowel and colon cancer with these very surprising foods: They contain the key nutrient proven to help - and which most overlook. Now doctors reveal exactly what to eat
And more recently, research has suggested it can lower cholesterol, improve heart health, reduce our risk of type 2 diabetes and – because it can help you feel fuller for longer – it's even good for weight management.
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The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Doctors dismissed my symptoms as IBS 3 times before giving me 6 months to live – surgery left me ‘gutted like a fish'
A FIT and healthy dad was dismissed by medics three times and told he had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). He was later diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given six months to live. 6 Austin Birks, 65, was immediately concerned when his bowel habits began to change in 2018. As the CEO of a large human resources company, but also a karate teacher, owning his own karate club, Enso Karate Club in Birmingham, Austin is committed to keeping himself in good shape. The regularity and appearance of his stool was different, and he also noticed blood when he went to the toilet. Austin, from Clent in Worcestershire, went to his GP who told him he probably had IBS and recommended some products from the pharmacy. But nothing made any difference so Austin went back only to be dismissed again. When he returned for the third time, a stool sample was taken - only for it to be lost at the hospital. 'By that time, I felt like I was in deep trouble because I'd been losing weight and been feeling a lot of fatigue and those kind of symptoms,' Austin says. 'My girlfriend at the time, Yvonne, encouraged me to get a CT scan done quickly.' The private scan revealed a very large tumour in his bowel. Doctors asked him to come in immediately, and he underwent major surgery because the cancer had also burst through the bowel wall. Diagnosed with bowel cancer at 22 'The wonderful surgeon managed to get rid of the tumour and did her very best, and then I embarked on a series of chemotherapy treatments,' Austin said. 'Within three or four months, much to my amazement and delight, my oncologist, the brilliant Dr Peter Correa, said to me 'it looks like against all odds, the cancer's gone'. 'As you can imagine, that was fantastic news.' Back with a vengeance But only three months later, Austin went back for another scan only to find that actually, the cancer was back with a vengeance - and it had spread. Another surgery was scheduled, but as it was during the Covid pandemic, the night before the operation Austin was called to say there were no beds for him. He was then advised in order to undergo surgery quickly, he'd have to pay for it privately, and that it would cost £51,000. Fortunately, his family helped him raise the money in 24 hours. "I went and had the surgery with two surgeons," said Austin. 'It took five and a half hours, and when I came around, I remember the one surgeon saying to me, 'how do you feel?' 'I said, 'a bit sore', because I'd had about sixty odd stitches. 'The surgeon said 'yes, well, you've been gutted like a fish! The surgery went well - I'll shake you by the hand.' 'I said we shouldn't because of Covid and he joked: 'I've had my hands in your stomach for the last five hours so it won't make too much of a difference!'' Remaining positive Austin came home, recovered and started another round of chemotherapy. Amazingly, within a few months, a scan showed the cancer had gone. But devastatingly, three months later, another scan showed that cancer had come back in two places. He's now undergone 120 rounds of intensive chemotherapy, as well as radiotherapy - and even had to battle sepsis and blood poisoning at the same time. But despite his ordeal, Austin is determined to remain positive and has even engaged in stand-up comedy three times to raise money for Cancer Research UK to try to see the light in his situation. Despite his initial misdiagnosis, he can't speak highly enough of the care he's had from the NHS since finding out he had cancer. He is also hugely grateful to his family and friends. 'I've been very fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful people, and when I have dark moments I go back to all those people, their messages, all that care and that love, and it just sustains you,' he said. 'Plus, the National Health Service has been absolutely magnificent, and I can't fault the South Warwickshire University Foundation Trust and the amazing cancer teams at Warwick and Stratford Hospitals.' 6 6 6 He's outlived his initial prognosis and is passionate about raising awareness of bowel cancer and its symptoms. 'My oncologist said to me that I had a 25 percent chance of lasting two years, but I just didn't believe it was me,' Austin said. 'I had this strong sense of needing to get through this. 'It will be seven years in September with cancer, and I think one of the key things I've learned is your mental and physical strength are absolutely vital to survive.' Austin also blogs about his experience, returned to teaching karate just six weeks after his first operation, and remains committed to staying active. He's taking part in the static bike Tour de 4 as hip issues now prevent him from road cycling, while his brother, Chris Birks, 67, a retired RAF group captain and former station commander of RAF Kinloss, takes on a 37-mile challenge in solidarity, all in aid of Cancer Research UK. 'Since I got cancer, I decided I wanted to try and use it as productively as I could,' Austin explained. 'I try to make my blogs engaging, entertaining and humorous, but at the same time, I don't sugarcoat cancer either: I write about the good, the bad, and the ugly." 'Seek help as early as possible' Austin's message to others is to seek help as early as possible if you notice any unusual symptoms. 'If you're in any doubt at all, if you think you might have changing bowel habits, then don't keep quiet, don't be shy and don't be embarrassed, which a lot of people are,' he said. 'As soon as you come out with it and tell the doctor, the quicker the care you can get and the more chance of recovery you have. 'You know your body, and if things change, and you recognise the symptoms, seek help, be persistent, and if you're unhappy, get a second opinion because the sooner you get identified, then the sooner you get treated. "Every single doctor and nurse has just been great - I've been gobsmacked at the care, the attention and the devotion that I've received from people across the NHS. 'If you have any worries, see the doctor and let the machinery take over because they're really good and they know what they're doing. 'You may have one or two negative experiences on the journey, but the quicker you're in that process, the better.' Austin feels that despite his struggles, he's also learned valuable lessons. 'You change your values quite significantly when you're facing this,' he added. 'What suddenly yesterday was important no longer matters at all. 'What really matters is those you care for and those who care for you. As a proud dad to a daughter, I need to keep fighting for her as well as her mum, my family and my friends. 'I most certainly will keep true to my mantra of never give up, never give in!' Donate to Austin and Chris's fundraiser via You can find his blog at What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer? IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough. While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver. If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and don't ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems. The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include: Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example Pain or a lump in your tummy Extreme tiredness Losing weight Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness. In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction. Other signs include: Gripping pains in the abdomen Feeling bloated Constipation and being unable to pass wind Being sick Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools. But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
These five fitness tests will assess how well you are ageing - after study links daily movement to reduced dementia risk
A fitness influencer has shared five simple at-home tests that can reveal how well you're aging. The quick tests check for 'balance, strength and flexibility', which PT Caroline Idiens, 52, from Berkshire, England has hailed as vital to aging well. They include standing on one leg, doing a plank, standing from seated in a chair, squatting and pressing with water bottles for weights, and twisting a towel. If getting out of a chair makes you go 'oof', she warned in an article by The Telegraph, 'it's time to start future-proofing your body'. Standing on one leg tests your ability to balance which requires the eyes, sensory system in the inner ears, and sensory receptors in the limbs to send signals to the brain. This is important because, the 'workout queen of middle England' said: 'A lack of balance has been linked to an earlier death.' You don't need to do it for a long time, either; it can be done for as long as it takes you to tie your shoelace or brush your teeth, she shared. If you're below the age of 40 you should be able to stand on one leg for 43 seconds, but as you get older the time lowers to as little as over five seconds. The second test, planking, assesses your core strength and is an 'effective way to ward off back pain', said Ms Idiens. To do it, she said: 'Place your forearms on the floor directly under your shoulders, lift your body into a straight line so the weight is on your toes and forearms and hold your head in line with your spine.' And if you're looking for an extra challenge, 'try a military plank for 30 seconds', she added—which involves moving from a high plank to a low plank and back up again. But initially, she advised, start out by trying to do a plank for a few seconds at a time, then gradually build up to 60 seconds. 'Even for ten seconds is great for total beginners, and improvements at any age are entirely possible,' she said. The third test, standing from a seated position, can be difficult for those with 'lower levels of body strength', but this can lead to 'falls injury and accidental death', she warned. However, the test has also been shown to predict back pain which can trouble not office workers of all ages, she said. She advised to see how many times you can stand from seated in 30 seconds. The second test the fitness influencer revealed is being able to get up from a seating position How many times should you be able to stand from seating in 30 seconds? If you're aged 60 to 64, the average number of reps is 12 to 17 for women and 14 to 19 for men. If you're aged between 70 and 79, the average number of reps is ten to 15 women and 11 to 17 for men. If you're aged 80 or over, the average number of reps would be eight to 14 for women and eight to 15 for men. Opt for an armless chair with your feet shoulder-width apart and firmly planted on the floor, she advised. Meanwhile, the fourth test involves squatting and pressing with water bottles for weight test for 'functional fitness with compound movements'. These she explained are exercises that mimic real-life movements, such as bending over to pick something up, which are 'essential for longevity'. First stand with your feet hip width apart with your toes pointing out in a sumo squat while holding a water bottle in each hand, she explained. Next squat while engaging your core, driving the hips back, putting all the weight through the heels, and keeping your chest and shoulders back. Then as you come back to standing, drive up your arms into a shoulder press, lifting the bottles into the air. You should aim for three sets of ten to 12 reps of the exercise, adding that it is more dependent on a person's general fitness than their age. What should your grip strength be? The average score for women aged 40 to 50, a score of 49 to 56lbs. The average score for men aged 40 to 50, a score of 93 to 108lbs. The average score for women aged 50 to 60, a score of 44 to 55lbs. The average score for men aged 50 to 60 is 86 to 99lbs. The final test involves using a medium-sized bathroom towel, firmly holding it between both hands, and doing a twisting action to wring it out as if it were wet. It can also be done with just one hand, she said, by squeezing a tennis ball as hard as you can for ten seconds before releasing and repeating three times. It is assessing your grip strength, which in midlife, has previously been linked to a lower risk of death and heart attacks. 'To check your progress, you can hold a pair of bathroom scales in both hands and grip as hard as you can on the two sides, observing what the reading is,' she explained. But, the most accurate way, she added is by using a dynamometer also known as a grip strength test, which are available online for £16.99. It comes after earlier this month a new study linked daily movement to reduced dementia risk. The study published in the medical journal Nature, looked at the link between 'youthful' organs and longevity. By measuring certain protein strands in the blood, researchers were able to determine that organs can age at different rates, even when inside the same person. Older biological aging of organs was linked to increased future risk of diseases and death including heart failure, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. The study suggested that a routine of vigorous exercise, a diet rich in poultry and oily fish, and keeping your intellect sharp with further education can all help.
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Top nutrition expert reveals the fruits you should NEVER eat for breakfast: 'This is going to disappoint a lot of people'
A food expert has ranked Britons' favourite fruits based upon their nutritional value—and the ones you'd typically have for breakfast haven't fared too strongly. Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a registered dietitian and the author of How Not to Eat Ultra-Processed, was asked to assess eighteen of Britain's best-loved fruits—from grapes to oranges, strawberries to pineapple—and give them a nutritional value out of five. Speaking to The Telegraph, Ms Ludlam-Raine then shared the best fruits to enjoy regularly, and named the ones which should be seen more as a treat due to their high sugar content, rather than a daily staple. And it's bad news for people who like to start their day with a platter of tropical fruit, or enjoy a pot of supermarket fruit salad stirred in to their yogurt, or mix chopped banana in to their porridge. Coming in last with a score of just 1 out of 5 was melon, with all varieties— watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and galia—languishing at the bottom of the list. Melons are mostly made up of water, are packed with vitamin C, and in some varieties, vitamin A. However, they are as low in calories as they are in overall nutritional value. Ms Ludlam-Raine said: 'Melon is low in fibre and overall nutrients compared with other fruits', adding that they contain a 'moderate amount of natural sugar'. Second from bottom on the list was pineapple, which scored 2 out of 5. This was because it is high in natural sugars, and it's acidic juices can cause irritation to gums. 'Pineapple is rich in vitamin C and contains bromelain, an enzyme that may aid digestion and reduce inflammation,' Ms Ludlam-Raine explained, adding that the spiky yellow fruit is also rich in manganese, 'which supports metabolism and antioxidant function.' Scoring 3 out of 5, and tying with grapes, were bananas, a go-to breakfast choice of millions of people across the world. Ms Ludlam-Raine said the fruits, which are so rich in natural sugar they were once described as 'Mars bars in yellow skin' do still have lots of health benefits, however. She said: 'They are a good source of potassium, vitamin B6 and energy and support heart health.' So what fruits should you be piling high on your plate? The dietician placed oranges, kiwis and berries at the top of her list, giving the colourful, anti-oxidant rich choices 5 out of 5. In the middle, with 4 out of 5 stars, were pears, apples, grapefruits and mangoes. Berries have long been heralded as a super food. All berries are regarded as nutritional powerhouses, packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre. They have been linked to lower levels of inflammation, which can lead to expansive cell and tissue damage. Earlier this year, Dr Nadeem—a healthcare professional at Wellness Drip—told You Magazine that by upping our intake of three vitamin C rich foods, we could cut the amount of sick days we take per year in half. These are oranges, kiwis and strawberries, which were all hovering around the top of Ms Ludlam-Raine's chart. 'Your body can't store vitamin C, which is vital for fighting illness,' Dr Nadeem explained. 'So it needs a steady supply through your diet. 'If you're regularly run down, frequently catching colds, or taking longer to recover, a deficiency is often part of the picture.'
