logo
Hull graduate with cancer given ceremony at Castle Hill Hospital

Hull graduate with cancer given ceremony at Castle Hill Hospital

BBC News2 days ago
A woman diagnosed with cancer just weeks after finishing her degree was given a graduation ceremony in hospital.Lilli Hales, 20, who had been studying drama and theatre at the University of Hull, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and admitted to Castle Hill Hospital at the end of June.To ensure Ms Hales, who is from Hull, did not miss out on graduating, a ceremony featuring balloons, celebration cakes, a photographer and a marquee was held in the hospital grounds.Ms Hales said not being able to be at her graduation in person was "disappointing" but added: "The decorations, live stream and cap and gown meant I'm not missing out and I still get to celebrate with my loved ones."
Ms Hales described the event, which took place on Tuesday, as "nothing short of amazing".It was the idea of Charlene Kent, a youth support co-ordinator at the hospital, who teamed up with Ms Hales' parents, Tracy and David, to make it happen.This included arranging for the university's graduation ceremony to be live streamed at the hospital and for Lilli to join online via Zoom.Ms Kent said: "It's really important to us to get to know our patients so we can care for the whole person and support their families and loved ones as well."It's been such a special event to be a part of, but it's nothing short of what this special young lady deserves."Ms Hales had been working part-time at Starbucks and had received a 2:1 in her studies when she found out she had AML."I'd been feeling unwell for quite a while, I was pale and I'd been having dizzy spells, so I went to my GP who arranged a blood test," she said.When she was asked back to the GP to receive her results, she said "things started to move really quickly" and she was admitted to the Teenage and Young Adult Unit at Castle Hill the same day."It all felt a bit surreal, like I was in a dream that I was going to wake up from and then find out it wasn't real," she said.
Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Breast cancer breakthrough as new test could revolutionise treatment
Breast cancer breakthrough as new test could revolutionise treatment

The Independent

time26 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Breast cancer breakthrough as new test could revolutionise treatment

A new test for breast cancer patients has been developed which can predict whether or not their cancer is likely to return just two weeks after they start treatment. Experts said thousands of breast cancer patients could be spared unnecessary treatment as a result. The new test has been devised by scientists to detect the likelihood of cancer reoccurring in patients with a type of breast cancer known as oestrogen receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive – which accounts for around 200,000 cases of cancer each year around the globe. Writing in the journal eBioMedicine, experts said the test means that some patients will be able to 'de-escalate' their treatment while it could also help identify those who need 'more intensive therapeutic strategies'. The test, which was developed by scientists at The Institute for Cancer Research, London, correctly identifies the 6% of patients at highest risk of relapse. Researchers analysed tumour samples from 213 patients. They found that two weeks of hormone therapy changes the characteristics of some tumours, causing them to shift their subtype. The patients with the highest risk of cancer returning had a type of tumour called Luminal B that did not change after this short-term hormone therapy. Experts said these patients will require more intensive treatment. They said the findings highlight the benefit of two weeks of hormone therapy before surgery to help guide doctors' decision making. Corresponding author of the study, Dr Maggie Cheang, from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: 'To deliver truly personalised care, we need to refine how we classify breast cancer, so that each patient receives the treatment most likely to benefit them. 'While current classification relies on hormone receptor and HER2 status, we know that patients within these groups can respond very differently to the same therapy. 'Our earlier research identified distinct molecular subtypes within HER2-positive, oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. In this new study, we've shown that these subtypes can shift after just two weeks of hormone therapy. 'This insight helps us identify which patients are likely to respond well and which may show early signs of treatment resistance, offering the opportunity to tailor treatment strategies sooner. 'Ultimately, our findings move us closer to more precise, patient-centred care for this overlooked breast cancer subtype.' Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, added: 'By decoding the underlying biology of tumours, we can tailor treatments to individual patients.' Dr Simon Vincent, chief scientific officer at Breast Cancer Now, which part-funded the study, said: 'These findings add to the growing evidence that genomic testing can play a powerful role in helping to predict the risk of a woman's breast cancer coming back, particularly in people with ER-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer. 'There's potential for women to benefit hugely from this research in the future, with it ensuring they avoid undergoing unnecessary treatment and leading to more personalised treatment plans, so that women receive the most effective therapy for their specific type of breast cancer.'

New test taken two weeks after starting treatment for breast cancer can tell if the disease is likely to return
New test taken two weeks after starting treatment for breast cancer can tell if the disease is likely to return

Daily Mail​

time27 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

New test taken two weeks after starting treatment for breast cancer can tell if the disease is likely to return

A new test taken two weeks after starting treatment for breast cancer can tell if the disease is likely to return. The breakthrough could spare thousands of patients unnecessary therapy while allowing others to receive more intensive care sooner. Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, found taking hormone drugs for a fortnight changed the characteristics of some tumours, causing them to shift their subtype. Patients with the highest risk of relapsing had a type of tumour called Luminal B that did not change after this short-term therapy. These cases, accounting for 6 per cent of the 213 patients studied, require more intensive treatment that others could avoid. Experts say the findings, published in the journal eBioMedicine, highlight the benefit of taking hormone therapy before surgery to help guide doctors' decision making. The new test works for a type of breast cancer known as oestrogen receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive, of which there are around 200,000 cases globally each year. Study author Dr Maggie Cheang, from the ICR, said: 'To deliver truly personalised care, we need to refine how we classify breast cancer, so that each patient receives the treatment most likely to benefit them. 'While current classification relies on hormone receptor and HER2 status, we know that patients within these groups can respond very differently to the same therapy. 'Our earlier research identified distinct molecular subtypes within HER2-positive, oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. 'In this new study, we've shown that these subtypes can shift after just two weeks of hormone therapy. 'This insight helps us identify which patients are likely to respond well and which may show early signs of treatment resistance, offering the opportunity to tailor treatment strategies sooner. 'Ultimately, our findings move us closer to more precise, patient-centred care for this overlooked breast cancer subtype.' Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of the IRC, added: 'By decoding the underlying biology of tumours, we can tailor treatments to individual patients.' Dr Simon Vincent, chief scientific officer at charity Breast Cancer Now, which part-funded the study, said: 'These findings add to the growing evidence that genomic testing can play a powerful role in helping to predict the risk of a woman's breast cancer coming back, particularly in people with ER-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer. 'There's potential for women to benefit hugely from this research in the future, with it ensuring they avoid undergoing unnecessary treatment and leading to more personalised treatment plans, so that women receive the most effective therapy for their specific type of breast cancer.'

RSV vaccine to be offered to premature babies in Northern Ireland
RSV vaccine to be offered to premature babies in Northern Ireland

BBC News

time27 minutes ago

  • BBC News

RSV vaccine to be offered to premature babies in Northern Ireland

A vaccination programme to tackle respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is to be extended to cover premature babies born in Northern Ireland.A long-acting injection is to be offered for eligible children from this is a common, but highly infectious, respiratory virus that affects the breathing system, particularly in young children and older infects 90% of children by the age of two and is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation in the first year of life. An RSV vaccine has been available to pregnant women in Northern Ireland since last September and is offered from 28 weeks of new programme will cover those infants born very prematurely and too early to benefit from the RSV vaccination given to their single Nirsevimab injection offers about 80% protection and replaces Palivizumab, which gives 55% protection and is administered up to five follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Chief Medical Officer Sir Michael McBride said: "Vaccinations have been extremely effective in eradicating diseases and protecting children and other vulnerable groups from serious illness and death."Worryingly, we are now seeing a decline in the uptake of childhood immunisations."Vaccinations offer children the very best start in life. Quite simply, if children aren't vaccinated, they're not protected."Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the new vaccine would strengthen winter preparedness in the health service and reduce pressures on GPs, emergency departments and hospital admissions.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store