Princess of Wales discusses ‘life-changing' cancer journey during hospital visit
Kate Middleton said that cancer recovery is a 'rollercoaster' and finding a 'new normal' takes considerable time, even after treatment concludes.
The Princess praised the Cancer Wellbeing Centre's 'holistic' support, which includes counselling and dietary advice, for its crucial role in patient and family care.
She emphasised the invaluable nature of strong support networks, describing the healing process as a 'zig-zag' rather than a smooth, linear progression.
During her visit, she planted a Catherine's Rose in the hospital's wellbeing garden. The flower is named in her honour to promote outdoor well-being, with proceeds supporting cancer patient care.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
My mum had chemotherapy to beat cancer but persuaded my sister not to do the same and now she's dead - I'll never forgive her and only have one hope for the future now
Gabriel Shemirani has claimed his mother had chemotherapy to beat cancer but persuaded his sister, who sadly passed away, not to do the same. Cambridge graduate Paloma Shemirani died in July last year aged 23 after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. Her mother, Kate Shemirani, is a notorious anti-vaxxer who was struck off the UK's nursing register in 2021 for her extreme anti-medicine views, including discouraging the use of masks and vaccines. Since Paloma's death, her two brothers Sebastian and Gabriel have claimed their sister refused conventional chemotherapy because of pressure from their mother. Gabriel appeared on Thursday's instalment of This Morning and sat down with co-hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard. He revealed that 'for as long as I can remember' conspiracy theories from his parents featured in his childhood. 'Me and my brother up to the age of 13 believed the royal family were shape-shifting lizards,' he admitted. 'Especially with my mum around the age of 12, it became the medical establishment is out to kill you, they're seeking to kill you, you can't touch them, you can't have vaccines, all vaccines are dangerous, every vaccine is going to kill you,' Gabriel added. 'My mum got cancer in 2012, she got conventional diagnosis, conventional surgery, the surgery was essentially what cured her.' After her experience with cancer, Kate's conspiracies 'accelerated'. 'If you're familiar with Mel Gibson or Jess Ainscough in Apple Cider Vinegar, I think my mum saw this as her opportunity to mould herself as a wellness therapist,' Gabriel explained. Gabriel thinks his mother 'believes some' of the theories but also tried to 'use it as an opportunity'. Around 2016 and 2017, Kate began to try to build an online following but she didn't take off until the pandemic. 'My sister started getting pains in her chest and her back around October 2023 and she was estranged from my mum at this point,' Gabriel recounted. Paloma had a 'conventional diagnosis' and was 'engaging with doctors and had scans'. 'Unfortunately on the 22nd December she got told in hospital that she had non-Hodgkin lymphoma which for a girl of her age with her prognosis, very high survival rate,' he added. 'I remember thinking, she'll do chemotherapy and she'll be fine. She was engaging with her doctors and she was actively weighing up her options but it was when she told my mum 'I've got cancer' that was when the control and coercion started. 'Before I knew it my sister had gone from not speaking to my mum to now she's removed from the hospital, doctors are stopped from contacting her and she's been coerced into doing this alternative therapy that my mum was advocating.' He added: 'My mother and father pressured her into not doing chemotherapy, either it was some of their associates feeding my sister misinformation regarding chemotherapy saying it will kill you or the survival rate isn't true. 'Or they were saying, our treatment is going to leave you fertile and it's 100% chance of survival.' Gabriel recalled how he was told on Christmas Eve by his sister's boyfriend that she had been discharged from hospital and was taking an alternative route. He said: 'I remember in that moment thinking 'Oh god, my sister is going to die if I don't do something as soon as possible'. I know my brother had a similar feeling as well.' Gabriel had expressed how he disagreed with his mum's treatment plan for Paloma and claims he was subsequently stopped from seeing her for the last seven months of her life. Cat asked: 'How do you feel about your mum now in respect to your sister?' Gabriel replied: 'It's my opinion that she sacrificed my sister on the altar of ideology for her own benefit, for her own public exposure. 'I have no feelings towards her. I think she should face justice, I'm determined for her to face justice.' Towards the end of the discussion, Ben said: 'We did reach out to Paloma's mum and dad, your parents, neither responded directly to the allegations but your mother has made unfounded allegations against the hospital and its staff. 'We've seen no evidence to substantiate these claims. The inquest is due to begin next month to establish the circumstances surrounding Paloma's death.' He asked: 'What are you hoping you get from the inquest?' Gabriel said: 'I'm hoping they establish the facts and they find the information that my sister died as a result of the rejection of treatment and as a result the non-Hodgkin lymphoma went untreated. 'For me, a definitive cause of death needs to be established first, before we can start talking about medical negligence and getting justice for my sister and a possible criminal case, it's definitely something I'm discussing with my lawyers.' He hopes to help 'save many other people' from being 'coerced' into alternative treatments. 'But also seeing if we can get the law changed to acknowledge medical coercion better with the online bill that's going through... right now legal but harmful is still allowed and I don't think that should be the case.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Mum shed 4st ‘almost immediately' after simple tweak when ‘vicious cycle' saw her spiral to 18st
Eliza Loukou, Health Reporter Published: Invalid Date, A MUM trapped in a "vicious cycle" that saw her reach 18 stone saw four stone drop off her after kicking a key habit. Kyra Dawson, 31, was a self-confessed "party girl" throughout her teens and would go out "nearly every night" in her 20s. 13 13 13 13 She could easily guzzle down two bottles of prosecco and wine each time - followed by a full bottle of vodka and shots at the club. While hungover, Kyra would order up to five takeaways - including a full-English for breakfast, a kebab for lunch, a Chinese takeaway for dinner, and snacks like Gregg's sausages rolls - before starting the cycle again. At her biggest, she tipped the scales at 18st 5lbs and was struggling to squeeze into a size 18. Kyra confessed that her drinking "spiralled" out of control and knew she a "problem" when she hid her heavy boozing from adoptive mum, Marie Dawson. In 2021, she discovered she was pregnant with her son, Reo, now three, and said his arrival "saved" her life. The mum-of-one credits her weight loss to ditching booze, saying she started shifting the weight after becoming sober. She lost a total of nine stone and dropped down to 9st 10lbs, now wearing a size 8 to 10. Kyra, a beauty therapist, from Loughton, Essex, said: "There is so much sugar in alcohol - as soon as I stopped drinking I lost about four stone. "I really hit rock bottom and knew I had to change. "I was determined to lose weight and look after myself. I'm a mum of two, did drugs, drank wine everynight and didn't think I had an issue - it wasn't until a night at my parents which made me realise I was a functioning alcoholic "My little boy saved my life. "He gave me something to live for and I promised I would be everything he needed. "At my worst, I was ordering five takeaways a day while hungover. "I would eat all day and then start drinking in the evening - and repeat the cycle." 13 13 13 Drinking to cope Kyra grew up in foster homes, before being adopted at the age of 10 by her mum, Marie. She admitted being a "difficult" teenager and using to alcohol to cope. Kyra said: "I had a tough childhood before being adopted. "As a teen, I was rebelling against the world. I started drinking aged 15. "I didn't know I had a problem, I thought I just liked going out and partying. "But all of my friends were drinking alco-pops, and I was having vodka." While hungover, Kyra would order up several takeaways a day including donor kebabs, fish and chips, pizzas and burgers. By the time the evening rolled around, she would go back out with friends and start binge drinking again. Tragedy struck in 2018 when Kyra sadly lost her adoptive mum, Marie, after she developed sepsis while undergoing chemotherapy. Kyra said: "I looked after her and I had to make up her medicine. "It feels unreal, thinking about that time. "I lost her the day after my birthday, very suddenly, she died in my arms. "It was so painful and made things worse. "I partied more, and when I wasn't drinking, I was ordering takeaways and eating junk food. "I battled suicidal thoughts and even attempts after losing her. "Anything to help me cope with the loss." 13 13 13 'Son saved my life' Around August 2020, Kyra met her ex-partner and made the decision to quit-drinking and to start eating more healthily. The real turning point came in February 2021, when Kyra found out she was expecting her first child, her son, Reo. She said: "I'm not with my ex-partner anymore, but we're still on good terms. "I was five months sober when I found out I was expecting my son. "I got pregnant quickly and it really shocked me. "My little boy arriving saved my life. "I wanted to do better for him - make sure he didn't have the childhood I did." I found dancing and moving my body a great way to lose weight, and help my mental health Kyra Kyra completely overhauled her diet and started eating more nutritious meals, putting herself in a calorie deficit. She got herself a gym membership and started going on long walks to help shift some weight, walking up to 10k steps a day. Kyra also credits "dancing everywhere" to her weight loss, and she started making TikTok videos of her busting a move on her account. She said: "There was so many calories in alcohol - especially wine and prosecco. As soon as I stopped drinking, the weight fell off. "Then I ditched the obsession with wanting to eat hungover all the time. "I loved dancing - music really helped me too. Dancing is like therapy and music was an escape. It got me through some dark situations. "I found dancing and moving my body a great way to lose weight, and help my mental health." The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss. But burning fat can be easy and mostly free. In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all... Don't skip breakfast Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry. Eat regular meals Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. Eat plenty of fruit and veg Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. Get more active Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone. Drink lots of water People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. Eat high fibre foods Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils. Read food labels Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan. Use a smaller plate Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full. Don't ban foods Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance. Don't stock junk food To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice. Cut down on alcohol A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain. Plan your meals Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list. By 2024, Kyra had dropped a whopping nine stone and is now down to 9st 10lbs. She said: "With recovery, it's so important to get into AA. "It's very hard to quit by yourself and I've had huge support from that. "I can't believe how far I've come looking back. "I love talking to people and helping them anyway I can. "Hopefully anyone reading my story will take something positive away from it. "You can turn things around with the right support." 13 13 What to do if you think are an alcoholic IF you're struggling with alcohol addiction, the most important thing is to recognise the problem and seek support - You don't have to face it alone. Seek Professional Help GP or Doctor – A medical professional can assess your situation and provide advice on treatment options. Therapists or Counsellors – Talking to an addiction specialist can help address underlying causes and develop coping strategies. Rehab or Detox Programmes – If physical dependence is severe, medically supervised detox may be necessary. Consider Support Groups Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – A well-known 12-step programme that provides peer support. SMART Recovery – A science-based alternative to AA, focusing on self-empowerment. Local Support Groups – Many communities have groups tailored to different needs.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Soon you'll get fat jabs for free at the local shopping centre, as per new NHS plan - amid growing alarm over lethal side effects
Patients could soon get their weight-loss jabs for free via shopping centres, according to the new 10-year-plan for the NHS. It comes as the Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the injections were the 'talk of the House of Commons tea rooms'. The 10-year plan for the health service says there is a need to expand access to weight-loss services and treatments and bring them closer to where patients live and work. It says the Government will work with industry 'to test innovative models of delivering weight loss services and treatments to patients effectively and safely' in convenient locations, which may include 'on the high street, or at any out-of-town shopping centre'. Digital-only models, where everything is done and managed online, may also be put in place, the plan says. Furthermore, companies will not just paid if people lose weight, 'but if that also translates into outcomes that really matter for patients, such as fewer heart attacks, strokes or cancer diagnoses'. Earlier, Mr Streeting said weight-loss jabs should be available according to need, not the ability to pay. At the moment, people with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more, or 30 but with a linked health condition, can be prescribed jabs on the NHS through specialist weight-management services. Other people are paying hundreds of pounds a month to get the jabs privately. Mr Streeting told LBC radio: 'Weight-loss jabs are the talk of the House of Commons tea rooms, half my colleagues are on them and are judging the rest of us saying 'you lot should be on them'. 'And the thing is, if you can afford these weight loss jabs, which can be over 200 quid a month, well that's all right for you. 'But most people in this country haven't got a spare two and a half grand a year and often the people who have the worst and most challenging obesity also have the lowest income. 'So I'm bringing to weight loss jabs the principle of fairness which has underpinned the NHS. 'It should be available based on need and not the ability to pay. 'And that's what we're going to do on weight-loss jabs, as well as a number of other things, including people getting more fit, more active, supporting people on diet and nutrition….that's the bit of the weight-loss jab debate that sometimes gets lost. He said obesity cost the NHS billions a year, adding that taxes have been going 'up and up' to pay for the health service. But the plans for a greater roll-out of the jabs come amid concerns about rare but potentially deadly side effects. Last month, the UK medicines regulator launched a probe into the safety of fat jabs after hundreds of users developed pancreatitis, leaving ten dead. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it has received more than 560 reports of people developing an inflamed pancreas after taking so-called 'GLP-1' injections since they were first launched. The MHRA is now calling for users who are admitted to hospital with pancreatitis to report the side effect to authorities using the regulator's Yellow Card scheme. Healthcare workers can also submit a report on patients' behalf. Other data collected by the watchdog has linked 107 fatalities linked to blockbuster weight loss jabs such as Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy. As anyone can use the system—patients as well as their medics—a death being linked to a specific drug is not proof it was responsible. The MHRA highlights that some reactions—including fatal ones—may simply be coincidence. For example, a patient taking a weight loss jab may experience a fatal heart attack, but the event may have nothing to do with the drug they were taking at the time. Recent estimates suggest that about 1.5 million people in the UK are taking weight loss jabs, many of which are bought privately due to NHS rationing. Most side effects linked to the jabs are gastrointestinal including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea.
