logo
Young women ‘at risk' of preventable cancer after low vaccine uptake

Young women ‘at risk' of preventable cancer after low vaccine uptake

Independent20-06-2025
Low uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among children is increasing the risk of cervical cancer for young women in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports.
Significant regional disparities exist in vaccine coverage, with London showing the lowest uptake rates for both girls and boys, while areas like the South East and Northumberland have the higher rates.
The HPV vaccine, typically administered to children in Year 8 or 9, is vital for preventing cervical cancer and also offers protection against other cancers and genital warts.
Health experts, including Dr. Sharif Ismail from UKHSA, stress that the vaccine is a powerful tool for cancer prevention and urge parents to ensure their children receive it.
NHS England aims to eliminate cervical cancer in England by 2040, a goal contingent on increased HPV vaccination rates and consistent participation in cervical screening.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

K18's new heat protectant may be pricey, but its longevity is unmatched
K18's new heat protectant may be pricey, but its longevity is unmatched

The Independent

time26 minutes ago

  • The Independent

K18's new heat protectant may be pricey, but its longevity is unmatched

K18 is fast becoming my go-to brand for effective hair repair formulas, so I jumped at the chance to try its new heatbounce heat protection spray (£48, As the eighth product in its roster, the brand now has an all encompassing collection that covers all your needs, including cleansing, conditioning, smoothing, volumising, repairing and protecting. First, the molecular repair leave-in conditioner (£30, convinced loyal Olaplex users to make the switch to K18. Then came the airwash dry shampoo ( which had even sceptical TikTokers defending its £48 price tag. And now, I'm left wondering – could the brand's latest release really be worth yet another £48? As a beauty writer who tests haircare products day on the daily, I'm not an easy test subject to win over, but even I can't deny heatbounce's unique appeal: that its protection lasts through multiple styling sessions. Scroll on for my honest verdict after trialling with a variety of heat tools. How I tested Testing over the course of three weeks (with early access to the product), I used K18's heatbounce conditioning heat protection spray on my hair in three different settings: before using my hair dryer, before using hair straighteners and before using a hair curler. I applied enough spray to adequately coat my fine-medium thickness hair (around 10 pumps), before brushing and styling as usual. During use, I paid attention to the following criteria: Scent: I considered whether the formula had a scent and, if so, whether it was pleasant or had staying power post-styling Ease of use: With such a high price tag, I wanted a small amount of the formula to go a long way, so I noted how moveable the liquid was once on the hair itself, plus the surface coverage of the mister (was it a fine, widespread mist or more of a powerful stream?) Conditioning benefits: The product mentions conditioning in its name, so I assessed whether or not my hair felt moisturised or dry after use. Protection effectiveness: When my hair suffers heat damage, it leaves a bitter odor in the damage's wake, which was convenient when testing a heat protector. In addition to this unpleasant scent, I inspected my hair post-drying, curling and straightening for any signs of brittleness and notable split ends. However, the latter was more difficult to associate with this particular product, rather than any prior heat damage. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Lucy Smith has been reviewing haircare products for IndyBest since July 2024 and is well-versed on the best products for all hair types and conditions, be they straight, curly or dyed. Specifically, she's headed up The Independent 's guides to the best hair brushes, the best leave-in conditioners and the best shampoos and conditioners, not to mention speaking with expert hairdressers and trichologists. As someone who curls her hair two to three times a week, she was well placed to test K18's latest heat protectant and had a number of tools at her disposal to do so.

Secret lovers of man unite to keep him alive after brain bleed
Secret lovers of man unite to keep him alive after brain bleed

The Independent

time26 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Secret lovers of man unite to keep him alive after brain bleed

A man in a 'vegetative state' will be kept alive after his secret lovers united to oppose a hospital's bid to remove his life support. Referred to as YD in court documents, the 60-year-old man entered what is called a prolonged disorder of consciousness after suffering from a bleed to the brain in October 2024. In August, the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust asked the Court of Protection for permission to remove his clinically assisted nutrition and hydration, which he needed to stay alive. Though YD has been breathing independently since March 2025, he received all of his nutrition and medications through a feeding tube. Without this life support, a doctor concluded he would die within one to three weeks. However, his two partners, both of whom he has known for over 20 years, have successfully stopped the hospital from doing so after telling a judge about his strong belief in the power of spiritual healing. The pair, referred to as JG and MB, told Mrs Justice Theis that YD would not have wanted his support to be withdrawn despite his doctors assessing he was in a 'vegetative state'. Despite not having known each other before YD fell ill, Mrs Justice Theis said: 'They were each able to independently confirm many common features about YD's wishes and beliefs. In particular, regarding the depth of his interest in the spiritual world and his limitless curiosity about such matters that he held strong beliefs about.' Mrs Justice Theis said these beliefs 'are likely to be relevant factors that would inform his decision if he had capacity and would be likely to be a factor in him wishing and feeling that he wanted to continue to be provided with clinically assisted nutrition and hydration'. In the court documents, YD is described by JG - who he has known for 20 years - as 'easy to get on with, humorous, determined and unique'. In her statement, she said she believed YD had not given up on life and 'would absolutely want to continue living, with any chance to improve (however small), until he passes away in a natural and unforced way.' Both she and MB visit YD for six hours each day, with the court documents describing the pair as providing emotional and physical care for him at his bedside. MB has known YD for 24 years, with the pair having gotten engaged seven years ago and lived with each other for four years. She described improvements she had observed and considered he was 'healing himself', noting he has been able to squeeze with his hand and lift his wrist. She said he opens his eyes when she gives him a kiss on arrival and that he can track her with his eyes. Refusing the trust's application, Mrs Justice Theis said: 'Whilst it is recognised that any awareness on the part of YD, if present, is extremely limited and there may be little or no further improvement and a trajectory of general deterioration it is far from clear that in the circumstances YD is in he would regard his continued existence as a burden. 'There is a strong presumption in favour of preserving life which, in my judgment, having carefully evaluated the evidence in this unusual case, the Trust has not discharged.'

Drug that slows onset of type 1 diabetes licensed for use in UK-first
Drug that slows onset of type 1 diabetes licensed for use in UK-first

The Independent

time26 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Drug that slows onset of type 1 diabetes licensed for use in UK-first

A groundbreaking drug that slows down the development of type 1 diabetes has been licensed for use in the UK. Teplizumab can allow patients to live 'normal lives' without the need for insulin injections. Experts hailed the decision by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as a 'breakthrough moment' that represents a 'turning point' in how the condition is treated. About 400,000 people in the UK have type 1 diabetes, a lifelong condition which causes the immune system to attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin helps the body use sugar for energy, and without this hormone, blood sugar levels can become dangerously high. Type 1 diabetes needs constant management to keep blood sugar within range, with patients required to take insulin through injections or pumps. Teplizumab trains the immune system to stop attacking pancreatic cells. It is taken by an IV drip for a minimum of 30 minutes over 14 consecutive days. The drug, which is already approved in the US, has been authorised for use by the MHRA to delay the onset of stage three type 1 diabetes in adults and children aged eight or over by an average of three years. Ahmed Moussa, general manager of general medicines UK and Ireland at Sanofi, which makes teplizumab, said: 'One hundred years ago the discovery of insulin revolutionised diabetes care. Today's news marks a big step forward.' The UK is the first country in Europe to be granted a licence. Type 1 diabetes develops gradually in three stages over months or years. Stage three is usually when people start to experience blood sugar problems and are diagnosed with the condition. According to the MHRA, teplizumab is used in people with stage two type 1 diabetes, which is an earlier stage of the disease during which patients are at a high risk of progressing to stage three. Parth Narendran, a professor of diabetes medicine at the University of Birmingham and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, said: 'Teplizumab essentially trains the immune system to stop attacking the beta cells in the pancreas, allowing the pancreas to produce insulin without interference. 'This can allow eligible patients to live normal lives, delaying the need for insulin injections and the full weight of the disease's daily management by up to three years. It allows people to prepare for disease progression rather than facing an abrupt emergency presentation.' Following the decision by the MHRA, the cost-effectiveness of teplizumab will be assessed by NHS spending watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to determine if it can be rolled out on the health service. Karen Addington, chief executive of the charity Breakthrough T1D, said: 'I am personally delighted and welcome the MHRA's approval of teplizumab. 'After years of research, clinical trials and drug development, we have an incredible breakthrough.' Reacting to the announcement, Dr Elizabeth Robertson, director of research and clinical at Diabetes UK, said: 'Today's landmark licensing of teplizumab in the UK marks a turning point in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. 'For the first time, we have a medicine that targets the root cause of the condition, offering three precious extra years free from the relentless demands of managing type 1 diabetes.' Dr Robertson added that the 'next steps are critical'. 'To ensure teplizumab reaches everyone who could benefit, we need it to be made available on the NHS, and the rollout of a screening programme to identify those with early-stage type 1 diabetes,' she said.

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