Woman who had skin cancer warns of sunbed danger
She said she used oil for sunbathing, adding: "I didn't use high-factor sunscreen or cover up when I was out." In 2022, her partner noticed a white patch on her face.She said: "I thought it was just pigmentation, because it didn't look like a mole or what I took to be the usual signs of skin cancer. "Even the GP thought it was pigmentation. "But I wasn't happy because it just didn't look right so I pushed for some tests."A biopsy revealed she had basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer which develops from cells found in the deepest part of the outer layer of the skin.For most people, this type of cancer does not spread.It can be removed by surgery and no further treatment is required. However, Ms Verrall's carcinoma needed a deep and lengthy incision to remove all traces of it.
Around 3,100 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year in the south-east of England, according to Cancer Research UK.Ms Verrall, who runs an industrial door company, said she is now passionate about urging people to look after their skin."What I went through was traumatising and I don't want other people to experience that," she said.Beth Vincent, Cancer Research UK health information manager, said: "Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of developing skin cancer, compared to never being burnt. "Even on a cloudy day, the sun can be strong enough to burn between mid-March and mid-October."
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Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Edinburgh fundraising walk for 'ray of sunshine' Anna who died months after cancer diagnosis
On a beautiful September day in 2023, a father and daughter duo from Bo'ness took on the 7 Hills Challenge in Edinburgh. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Organised by Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh to support Cancer Research UK, it was a chance for Andrew and Anna Walker to raise funds and have a great day out in a city they both loved. While the Walker family had not been directly touched by cancer, several family friends had received cancer diagnoses and they wanted to do their bit to help. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Andrew and Anna were delighted to play a part in helping to raise just under £42,000, including Gift Aid. Anna was a pure ray of sunshine and loved travelling but was a Bo'ness girl through and through. Sadly, just 15 months later the Walkers were facing their own heartbreaking news. Anna, 25, was in her third year of a teaching degree at the University of Stirling when high blood pressure saw her make an appointment with the GP. On January 3, the Walker family were devastated to learn that Anna had a cancerous tumour. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Further tests later that month revealed the tumour on her adrenal gland was a rare neuroendocrine cancer – called a pheochromocytoma – which was spreading aggressively. On a beautiful day in September 2023, Anna and Andrew were delighted to complete the 7 Hills Challenge, pictured here on the top of Arthur's Seat. While ruling out an operation, Anna's consultants were working on a plan of treatment when, on February 4, she fell ill and was admitted to Forth Valley Royal Hospital. A day later, just a month after diagnosis, the family were told the tumour had enlarged and the cancer had spread; there were no viable treatments, only palliative care. After five days in the hospital and five days at Strathcarron Hospice, Anna decided she wanted to spend her last days at home in Bo'ness. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She spent two weeks there before her medical needs saw her being readmitted to the hospice, where she passed away surrounded by the love of her family on March 9. It meant the world to Anna to graduate with her teaching degree; she is pictured here with her university friends (back l-r) Zoe Ramsay and Caitlin Spence and (front left) Brooke Heary. Described as a ray of sunshine by everyone who knew and loved her, throughout it all Anna remained the same determined young woman, who loved life to the full, she'd always been. And it is in Anna's memory that they will all be taking part in this year's Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh event on August 29. Team Be Like Anna will be led by her mum and dad, Debby, 50, and Andrew, 51, and brother Ross, 22, with many other members of the family and some of her closest friends joining them. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Several of Anna's university friends have also signed up (see separate story, top right), taking Team Be Like Anna to around 40 walkers. Family friends being diagnosed with cancer inspired Andrew and Anna (front) to raise funds for Cancer Research at the 7 Hills Challenge; they are pictured here with their walking team, having conquered Corstorphine Hill. They will jointly be raising funds for research into rare cancers, similar to that Anna was diagnosed with. Other teams taking part in Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh's 7 Hills Challenge will also raise funds for Cancer Research UK, but the whole event this year has been dedicated in Anna's memory. Andrew said: 'Anna will be our motivation and she'll be with us in memory every step of the way. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We're incredibly indebted to the Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh team for dedicating this year's 7 Hills Challenge in her memory. 'It will be a very emotional day for all of us; when we did it in 2023, Anna was not long back from 18 months abroad – she spent a year as an au pair in Australia, before travelling with her boyfriend Dylan to South East Asia. 'At that point, our family had not been touched by cancer in any tangible way. However, several family friends had recently been diagnosed and that was our motivation. 'It was a beautiful day – the weather was amazing and it was a brilliant way to see Edinburgh, where I was born and educated and Anna knew and loved, from a totally different perspective. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This time, our team – Be Like Anna – is raising money for research specifically targeting rare cancers. 'Remarkably, few cancer specialists have come across a patient like Anna with an illness that progressed as quickly as it did. 'Anna was nothing if not determined at every turn in her life; that was true right through her illness and right to the end. 'She would be content knowing that we're doing something in her name to perhaps help make a difference for other families in years to come.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lou Kiddier, Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh chairwoman, is hoping even more people will sign up to this year's challenge – raising much-needed funds for cancer research. She said: 'This year's 7 Hills Challenge means more to us than ever as we're walking in memory of Anna. 'In 2023, this beautiful, happy-go-lucky young woman joined us on the 7 Hills Challenge. 'In January 2025, Anna was told she had a rare cancer. Two cruel months later, aged just 25, she left this world – and left her family heartbroken and devastated. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Anna's story is a stark reminder that cancer doesn't care who you are. It's why the research we support matters so much. 'So, this one's for Anna. For her family. For her friends. Please walk with us on August 29.' If you would like to sign up a work team, email [email protected]. A Millennium baby, Anna was born in Forth Valley Royal Hospital on December 8, 1999, and went on to be educated at Deanburn Primary and the Academy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Although a Bo'ness lass through and through, she didn't confine herself – a free spirit, her 'adopted dad' Adam in Australia called her a child of the world as she loved travelling and meeting people from all over. Indeed, she had friends in almost every continent! 'She was just that type of girl,' said Andrew. 'She was a true ray of sunshine who knew, and was loved by, so many people.' Among their number were the staff at So Strawberry Caffe in Linlithgow, where Anna worked from the age of 14 and continued to work throughout her university studies. Not afraid of hard graft, last summer Anna also started working as a carer with Bield, another job she held down while studying for her teaching degree. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Initially after leaving school, Anna trained as cabin crew but decided after a year it wasn't for her. She then worked at Nippers Nursery in Kirkliston which cemented her decision to pursue teaching, specifically early years. 'A few days after she was diagnosed, she was due to start a placement at a primary school in Grangemouth,' said Andrew. 'When she called the university to give them an update on her prognosis, they were absolutely amazing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'During her 14 days at home, they decided she would be graduating with her degree and the university team held a lovely ceremony here with her family and friends. 'Anna's gran was a teacher and she'd also been inspired by one of her teachers at Deanburn Primary; it meant the world to her to get her degree and for us to see that. It was a lovely day.' The outpouring of love for Anna has also helped support and bolster the Walkers since her passing. An incredible number of events have been organised to raise funds in her memory for Strathcarron Hospice where Anna spent the last ten days of her life. That too has been a huge comfort for her family. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The fact so much fundraising has gone on in the aftermath of losing Anna is testament to the type of girl she was,' her dad said. 'The Strathcarron fundraising page in Anna's memory is sitting at more than £10,000 just now. 'There's been a fashion show in Linlithgow, people bungee jumping off a bridge at Killiecrankie, 10K events, marathons and one of her best friends is even doing a skydive. 'The scale of fundraising and the response has been remarkable – it's blown us all away. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Life after Anna's passing has been difficult. It's a path we never wanted to be on and never thought we would be on. 'We all miss her – every minute of every day – but doing fundraising events in her memory and seeing how much other people have also rallied to do likewise is incredibly positive. 'It's something Anna would have wholeheartedly approved of.' The Walkers are delighted that people are also raising funds for Strathcarron, where Anna received palliative care in her final days. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Andrew explained: 'Strathcarron did such an incredible job looking after Anna, despite rarely seeing someone with her type of cancer. 'We spoke to specialists at the Beatson, consultants at Forth Valley Royal Hospital and doctors at Strathcarron. 'Everyone we spoke to said they had rarely seen a cancer progress like that in someone of Anna's age. 'That made palliative care slightly more difficult for the team at Strathcarron but they went above and beyond in how they dealt with Anna and us as a family. That place means the world to us. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Therefore, we're delighted Anna's friends are raising funds for both research into rare cancers and for palliative care treatment at Strathcarron. 'It's all in Anna's memory and we can't thank everyone enough for the incredible support they have given to us and the love they've shown for Anna.' With the Walkers now gearing up for the 7 Hills Challenge on August 29, they'll be busy in the next month getting their steps in. For, unlike the walk with Anna in 2023 – when they travelled between the hills via car – this time round they'll be hoofing the route every step of the 27km loop. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It should take Team Be Like Anna around six hours all in, scaling the seven summits and distances between. For Andrew, it might be a wee bit of a walk in the park compared to other team members. For as Scottish Water's head of corporate affairs, he has taken on many walking challenges for another cause close to his heart, WaterAid. Just for fun, he's also bagged more than 100 Munros – at least 12 of which he completed with Anna. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, he's still getting his steps in to make sure he's ready for the big event on August 29. He added: 'It's a wee bit more of a challenge this time as we're walking the whole route, which makes it a big old walk. 'Knowing we're doing it in Anna's memory will help push every one of us to the finish line. Anna would be determined to do it – we will be too.' Team Be Like Anna has so far raised £2420 + £560 in Gift Aid; to support them visit An outpouring of love for Anna Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the four months since Anna's passing, friends and family have struggled to come to terms with her sudden passing. In the void that such a lively and caring lassie has left, they have been inspired by her love for life and steely determination. And, in Anna's memory, they've already pulled out all the stops to raise more than £10,000 for Strathcarron Hospice … and counting. A host of other events have also been lined up this year which will see that fundraising tally soar even higher. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Anna's uncle Scott has already completed a 10K and half marathon in her honour and is gearing up for a marathon in September. The Walkers have also been invited to take part in another walk, organised by Anna's friend, Lauren, from Chichester and will be travelling down south later this year to join in. Andrew said: 'Anna met Lauren seven years ago when she spent the summer at Camp Thailand, teaching children English. They've been friends ever since. 'Lauren is doing a 25-mile walk between Bognor and Brighton beaches for Strathcarron Hospice later this year and we're planning on going down as a family to take part. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The sheer scale of fundraising in Anna's memory is overwhelming. 'Our hope is that, between the research and palliative care funds, it will help other families in the future.' If you'd like to lend your support, visit
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Fewer resident doctors thought to have gone on strike than in last year's stoppage
Thousands fewer resident doctors are thought to have joined picket lines on Friday during the first day of a five-day strike compared with last year's mass turnout. Although NHS England will only publish data on turnout and cancellations next week, hospital leaders are understood to have observed fewer resident doctors (previously known as junior doctors) on strike and less disruption to services than during the last round of industrial action, which ran from March 2023 until July 2024. While ministers and officials will not receive any statistics until after the five-day stoppage ends on Wednesday, there is a hope within government that the impact might be mitigated, in part by a lower strike turnout. The British Medical Association (BMA) is refusing to comment on how many of its members have joined the stoppage until it is over. The strike will continue until 7am on Wednesday. The public have been urged to keep coming forward for NHS care during this period, and NHS England has urged hospital chief executives to keep routine operations and appointments and only reschedule if there is a risk to patient safety. The NHS chief executive, Jim Mackey, told broadcasters on Friday that the NHS was taking a new approach after learning from previous strikes that 'harm to patients and disruption to patients was much broader than the original definitions'. 'Colleagues in the service have tried to keep as much going as humanly possible as well, and the early signs are that that's been achieved so far, but it is early doors,' he said. 'The thing that colleagues won't compromise is safety in the actual delivery. But it does look like people have really heard that. They're really pulling together to maximise the range of services possible.' Mackey noted that further strikes were 'possible' given the BMA has a six-month mandate. Speaking shortly after the start of the strike on Friday morning at the NHS England headquarters in London, where officials are monitoring its impact, Wes Streeting, the health secretary, praised NHS staff who, he said, were trying to limit its effects. This included, he said, 'many resident doctors who have ignored their union and are turning up for work'. Streeting warned, however, that patients would feel the impact, saying: 'We know that there have been operations, appointments and procedures already cancelled, and we know that there will be real challenges over the next five days.' Calling the BMA's decision to hold the strike a 'reckless and unnecessary action', he added: 'We won't let the BMA hold this country to ransom.' The BMA has agreed to requests for doctors to come off picket lines and work in hospitals experiencing the most pressure. One doctor was told to return to work at Nottingham City hospital's neonatal intensive care unit over the weekend, and a request from Lewisham hospital in south London for two anaesthetists to work on Saturday was also accepted. Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion A smaller strike turnout has been expected because the BMA achieved a lesser mandate in the strike ballot than in 2023. Of 48,000 members, 55% voted, of whom 90% supported industrial action – representing less than half of members – compared with a turnout of 71.25% in 2023's expanded electorate, of whom 43,440 (98.37%) voted to go on strike. During the last round of 12 strikes in 2023 and 2024, nearly 1.5m appointments were rescheduled. In the final industrial action from 7am on Thursday 27 June to 7am on Tuesday 2 July, 23,001 staff were absent from work at the peak of the action. The BMA is asking for a rise of 29% over the next few years in order to achieve what it considers to be full pay restoration to pre-2008 levels, after the 2023 industrial action resulted in a pay bump of 22% to cover 2023-24 and 2024-25. At present, ministers have offered a 5.4% pay rise for 2025-26. The BMA council chair, Dr Tom Dolphin, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that a 'clear, guaranteed pathway' to pay restoration would be required for resident doctors to return to work He said: 'So you've got last year's pay offer which did indeed move us towards [pay restoration], but Wes Streeting himself said that pay restoration is a journey, not an event, implying that there would be further pay restoration to come, and we were expecting our pay to be restored in full – that's our campaign's goal. We got partway there, but then that came to a halt this year.' Keir Starmer made a last-minute appeal to resident doctors, saying the strikes would 'cause real damage'. 'Most people do not support these strikes. They know they will cause real damage … These strikes threaten to turn back the clock on progress we have made in rebuilding the NHS over the last year, choking off the recovery,' the prime minister said.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Graham Thorpe's care had 'failings' in last months of his life, says coroner
There were 'failings' in the provision of former England cricketer Graham Thorpe's care in the months before he died, a coroner has said, as a conclusion of suicide was recorded at an inquest. Thorpe, 55, died on 4 August 2024 after being struck by a train at a railway station in Surrey. He had 'spiralled into depression' after losing his job as a batting coach in 2022, and tried to take his own life on another occasion, Surrey coroner's court heard. He also asked his wife for help to end his life. The coroner, Jonathan Stevens, said the last time Thorpe was seen in person by healthcare professionals was on 26 March 2024. 'In my judgment there were shortcomings in the care that should have been provided to Graham in the last four months or so of his life,' he said. Stevens added that 'there were failings in the provision of his care', but said that, on the evidence, he could not conclude those failings were gross and that, without them, Thorpe would not have died. He said healthcare appointments were offered to Thorpe, but he 'found it hard to attend these' because of his mental health. Stevens found that 'someone should have gone to see him to properly monitor and assess him, to do a face-to-face risk assessment and understand and address his care needs as required by the care plan'. The inquest heard that healthcare professionals did not consider Thorpe to be in a 'crisis situation' after he missed an appointment with the community mental health team on 28 June. At the time, Thorpe's wife, Amanda, told his care coordinator over the phone that her husband had been asking her 'for help to end his life'. During the same phone consultation, Thorpe said he 'hadn't been out for a while' and 'didn't see the point of being here', but had no immediate plans to act on his suicidal thoughts. The coroner said: 'I don't accept that when Graham was constantly asking his wife to help him end his life, which was a new presentation … that he was not at that point in crisis. 'It's clear there were shortcomings in his care. If he had been seen in those last four months, particularly after that incident on 28 June, I cannot say whether it would or would not have made any difference.' In May 2023, Thorpe had suicidal thoughts and was given inpatient treatment. Stevens said that 'some similar protective measures should have been considered in June 2024'. An investigation was carried out by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS trust after his death. Thorpe was a mainstay of the England men's cricket team for many years, as a batter between 1993 and 2005, and then as a coach for 12 years. During his international career, he struck 16 Test hundreds for England, including a debut century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993. In all formats, he represented his country 182 times. Amanda Thorpe told the inquest the termination of his employment with the England and Wales Cricket Board was a 'real shock to Graham', which was the 'start of the decline of his mental health'. Speaking outside the coroner's court, she said: 'We will never get over the tragic loss of Graham, and we miss him every day. He was my best friend, my soulmate, and he was just a joy. And he loved life – but he got very ill.' Mark McGhee, the family's legal representative, said the coroner had found 'significant shortcomings' in the care provided. He said Thorpe's family 'hope that the coroner will address these concerns' so that such a loss 'never happens again'. Jo Lynch, the chief nursing officer for the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS trust, said: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Graham Thorpe and our thoughts are with Graham's family and loved ones. 'We will reflect on the coroner's findings and our role in Graham's care with a view to continuous improvement and learning.' In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@ or jo@ In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at
