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Powys County Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Childhood cancers which take longest to diagnose revealed in new study
Teenagers and children with bone tumours in the UK are facing longer waits for cancer diagnosis, according to a new review. Babies and those with kidney cancer wait the shortest period before they are diagnosed, academics found. Researchers, led by University of Nottingham, analysed data on 2,000 children diagnosed with cancer between September 2020 and March 2023. Untreated, tumours grow bigger and can spread around the body, requiring more extensive surgery and more intensive therapies to offer a cure. On average, children with cancer were diagnosed within 4.6 weeks. While some children were diagnosed on the same day their symptoms began, others waited up to six years, experts found. The time to diagnosis was found to be longest among 15 to 18-year-olds, who waited for an average of 8.7 weeks before they were told they had cancer. And those with bone cancer were found to wait for more than three months on average, or 12.6 weeks. Meanwhile children under the age of one waited just 3.7 weeks before diagnosis and children with kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, waited for an average of 2.3 weeks before they were diagnosed. But they said that overall, half of children and young people diagnosed with cancer in the UK are waiting for four weeks or more to be diagnosed. They also studied where children were diagnosed and found the majority (67%) were diagnosed after a trip to A&E, after an emergency referral or emergency admission to hospital. Some cancer types, including bone tumours, soft tissue tumours Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and brain tumours, were associated with a higher number of medical visits before diagnosis. Writing in the Lancet Regional Health – Europe, researchers said their work highlights 'disparities for age and diagnostics groups' when it comes to cancer diagnoses as they called for more efforts to 'accelerating diagnosis' for those facing 'lengthy' waits. They said the findings could help inform health officials as they draw up a national cancer plan for England. Dr Shaarna Shanmugavadivel, from the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, said: 'For the first time, we understand the current landscape of childhood cancer diagnosis in the UK. 'There is an urgent need to focus efforts on young people and tumour types such as bone tumours that are still experiencing lengthy intervals. 'Earliest possible diagnosis is key as time is crucial. 'Untreated, tumours grow bigger and can spread around the body, requiring more extensive surgery and more intensive therapies to offer cure. 'The findings will help focus efforts towards closing the gap for these groups, ensuring more children and young people receive a diagnosis sooner.' Ashley Ball-Gamble, chief executive of CCLG: The Children and Young People's Cancer Association, and co-author of the study, added: 'It's crucial that we understand why certain groups, such as older teenagers, or those with certain cancers, such as bone and brain tumours, are likely to face a lengthier diagnosis. 'By recognising these differences, we hope to work towards faster diagnoses and improved survival rates.'
Western Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Childhood cancers which take longest to diagnose revealed in new study
Babies and those with kidney cancer wait the shortest period before they are diagnosed, academics found. Researchers, led by University of Nottingham, analysed data on 2,000 children diagnosed with cancer between September 2020 and March 2023. Untreated, tumours grow bigger and can spread around the body, requiring more extensive surgery and more intensive therapies to offer a cure. Untreated, tumours grow bigger and can spread around the body, requiring more extensive surgery and more intensive therapies to offer cure Dr Shaarna Shanmugavadivel On average, children with cancer were diagnosed within 4.6 weeks. While some children were diagnosed on the same day their symptoms began, others waited up to six years, experts found. The time to diagnosis was found to be longest among 15 to 18-year-olds, who waited for an average of 8.7 weeks before they were told they had cancer. And those with bone cancer were found to wait for more than three months on average, or 12.6 weeks. By recognising these differences, we hope to work towards faster diagnoses and improved survival rates Ashley Ball-Gamble Meanwhile children under the age of one waited just 3.7 weeks before diagnosis and children with kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, waited for an average of 2.3 weeks before they were diagnosed. But they said that overall, half of children and young people diagnosed with cancer in the UK are waiting for four weeks or more to be diagnosed. They also studied where children were diagnosed and found the majority (67%) were diagnosed after a trip to A&E, after an emergency referral or emergency admission to hospital. Some cancer types, including bone tumours, soft tissue tumours Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and brain tumours, were associated with a higher number of medical visits before diagnosis. Writing in the Lancet Regional Health – Europe, researchers said their work highlights 'disparities for age and diagnostics groups' when it comes to cancer diagnoses as they called for more efforts to 'accelerating diagnosis' for those facing 'lengthy' waits. They said the findings could help inform health officials as they draw up a national cancer plan for England. Dr Shaarna Shanmugavadivel, from the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, said: 'For the first time, we understand the current landscape of childhood cancer diagnosis in the UK. 'There is an urgent need to focus efforts on young people and tumour types such as bone tumours that are still experiencing lengthy intervals. 'Earliest possible diagnosis is key as time is crucial. 'Untreated, tumours grow bigger and can spread around the body, requiring more extensive surgery and more intensive therapies to offer cure. 'The findings will help focus efforts towards closing the gap for these groups, ensuring more children and young people receive a diagnosis sooner.' Ashley Ball-Gamble, chief executive of CCLG: The Children and Young People's Cancer Association, and co-author of the study, added: 'It's crucial that we understand why certain groups, such as older teenagers, or those with certain cancers, such as bone and brain tumours, are likely to face a lengthier diagnosis. 'By recognising these differences, we hope to work towards faster diagnoses and improved survival rates.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Childhood cancers which take longest to diagnose revealed in new study
Teenagers and children with bone tumours in the UK are facing longer waits for cancer diagnosis, according to a new review. Babies and those with kidney cancer wait the shortest period before they are diagnosed, academics found. Researchers, led by University of Nottingham, analysed data on 2,000 children diagnosed with cancer between September 2020 and March 2023. Untreated, tumours grow bigger and can spread around the body, requiring more extensive surgery and more intensive therapies to offer a cure. On average, children with cancer were diagnosed within 4.6 weeks. While some children were diagnosed on the same day their symptoms began, others waited up to six years, experts found. The time to diagnosis was found to be longest among 15 to 18-year-olds, who waited for an average of 8.7 weeks before they were told they had cancer. And those with bone cancer were found to wait for more than three months on average, or 12.6 weeks. Meanwhile children under the age of one waited just 3.7 weeks before diagnosis and children with kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, waited for an average of 2.3 weeks before they were diagnosed. But they said that overall, half of children and young people diagnosed with cancer in the UK are waiting for four weeks or more to be diagnosed. They also studied where children were diagnosed and found the majority (67%) were diagnosed after a trip to A&E, after an emergency referral or emergency admission to hospital. Some cancer types, including bone tumours, soft tissue tumours Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and brain tumours, were associated with a higher number of medical visits before diagnosis. Writing in the Lancet Regional Health – Europe, researchers said their work highlights 'disparities for age and diagnostics groups' when it comes to cancer diagnoses as they called for more efforts to 'accelerating diagnosis' for those facing 'lengthy' waits. They said the findings could help inform health officials as they draw up a national cancer plan for England. Dr Shaarna Shanmugavadivel, from the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, said: 'For the first time, we understand the current landscape of childhood cancer diagnosis in the UK. 'There is an urgent need to focus efforts on young people and tumour types such as bone tumours that are still experiencing lengthy intervals. 'Earliest possible diagnosis is key as time is crucial. 'Untreated, tumours grow bigger and can spread around the body, requiring more extensive surgery and more intensive therapies to offer cure. 'The findings will help focus efforts towards closing the gap for these groups, ensuring more children and young people receive a diagnosis sooner.' Ashley Ball-Gamble, chief executive of CCLG: The Children and Young People's Cancer Association, and co-author of the study, added: 'It's crucial that we understand why certain groups, such as older teenagers, or those with certain cancers, such as bone and brain tumours, are likely to face a lengthier diagnosis. 'By recognising these differences, we hope to work towards faster diagnoses and improved survival rates.'
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Children and teens with four specific cancers wait longer than necessary to be diagnosed
A new study has found that kids and young people wait longer than necessary to receive their cancer diagnoses, depending on the type of cancer they have. New research has revealed that children and young people are waiting longer than necessary to receive cancer diagnoses, particularly if they have four specific types of the disease. Experts at the University of Nottingham have found that young people suffering from certain types of cancer, such as bone tumours, are being affected by lengthy waiting periods before being diagnosed. The new study analysed children's and young peoples' cancer journeys, from the start of their symptoms until they received their cancer diagnosis. Childhood cancer is a global health issue, and early diagnosis is a major priority in combatting it. A team of researchers, led by Dr Shaarna Shanmugavadivel, Professor Shalini Ojha and Professor David Walker from the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, collected the data of 1,957 children and young people aged zero to 18 years who were diagnosed with cancer between September 2020 and March 2023. Some cancer types, including Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), bone tumours, soft tissue tumours, and brain tumours, were associated with a higher number of medical visits before diagnosis. The Childhood Cancer Diagnosis Study, published in the Lancet Regional Health - Europe, was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Dr Shanmugavadivel said: 'For the first time, we understand the current landscape of childhood cancer diagnosis in the UK. "We can celebrate that ethnicity, sex and socioeconomic status have no impact on time to diagnosis, but there is an urgent need to focus efforts on young people and tumour types such as bone tumours that are still experiencing lengthy intervals. "Earliest possible diagnosis is key as time is crucial. Untreated, tumours grow bigger and can spread around the body, requiring more extensive surgery and more intensive therapies to offer cure.' In the study, the total time from first symptom to confirmed diagnosis varied widely from the same day to several years. The average time to diagnosis was 4.6 weeks, but this varied by age and cancer type. Teenagers aged 15-18 experienced the longest time to diagnosis, which was 8.7 weeks, whereas infants under one year had the shortest at 3.7 weeks. Bone tumours had the longest wait period (12.6 weeks), while kidney tumours had the shortest (2.3 weeks). The number of healthcare visits before a confirmed diagnosis was also examined by the scientists. Most children and young people (74%) had between one and three medical visits before being diagnosed, and two-thirds (67%) were diagnosed in an emergency setting. It became clear that children and young people, particularly teenagers and those with certain types of cancer, experience longer times to diagnosis. 'The findings will help focus efforts towards closing the gap for these groups, ensuring more children and young people receive a diagnosis sooner,' said Dr Shanmugavadivel. 'The results will feed into the Child Cancer Smart campaign led by CCLG: The Children & Young People's Cancer Association, which aims to promote earlier diagnosis, through awareness and education of the public and healthcare professionals.' Ashley Ball-Gamble, CEO of CCLG and co-author on the study, said: 'Childhood cancer knows no boundaries - it affects children and young people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. However, our research has revealed important differences in how long diagnosis takes. "It's crucial that we understand why certain groups, such as older teenagers, or those with certain cancers, such as bone and brain tumours, are likely to face a lengthier diagnosis. By recognising these differences, we hope to work towards faster diagnoses and improved survival rates." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
News18
15-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Is Your Period Telling You Something? Early Signs Most Women Miss
Last Updated: According to Apollo Health of the Nation data, the incidence of type 2 diabetes among postmenopausal women has soared from 14% to 40%, while obesity affects up to 86% of women For decades, menstruation has been viewed as a monthly inconvenience or a reproductive checkpoint. Rarely, however, is it recognised for what it truly is: a vital sign. Just like blood pressure or heart rate, the menstrual cycle offers critical insight into a woman's overall health—insights that are too often overlooked or misunderstood. In India, conversations around women's health still pivot primarily around fertility and childbirth. But what about the years that follow? The sharp rise in chronic conditions among women in their 40s and 50s demands urgent attention. According to Apollo Health of the Nation data, the incidence of type 2 diabetes among postmenopausal women has soared from 14% to nearly 40%, while obesity now affects up to 86% of women in this demographic. These are not just numbers; they are early warning signs of a health system that has failed to evolve alongside women's physiological realities. Dr. Tripti Dubey, Senior Consultant – Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Robotic Surgery at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, shares all you need to know: The Silent Signals of a Shifting Body Before menopause sets in, women's bodies undergo subtle, often unspoken transitions. Irregular periods, heavier or lighter bleeding, increased fatigue, mood fluctuations, and unexplained weight gain—these aren't just inconveniences, they are signals. More importantly, they may be early indicators of insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, cardiovascular risks, or even cancer. In fact, a study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia (2024) found that more than 60% of Indian women with irregular periods in their 30s were later diagnosed with metabolic conditions by their 50s. Yet, the link between menstrual health and chronic disease remains largely unaddressed in public health conversations. This oversight is not just clinical; it is cultural. Our health infrastructure has been designed around childbearing, not longevity. And while maternal health deserves its due attention, the silence around post-reproductive health care is costing lives. Rethinking the System: A New Framework for Women's Health It's time for a radical shift. At Apollo, we've begun piloting midlife metabolic clinics—multidisciplinary hubs that screen for and manage chronic conditions in women aged 40 and above. These clinics don't treat menopause as an isolated event but as part of a broader metabolic journey. They integrate bone density tests, cardiovascular and cancer screenings, mental health counselling, and personalised nutrition plans into routine care. Moreover, we are advocating for gender-specific medical protocols that recognise the biological and hormonal differences in how diseases present and progress in women. For example, while heart disease is the leading cause of death among Indian women, symptoms often go unrecognised due to their divergence from male-centric diagnostic models. The Role of Early Intervention Early menstrual irregularities, changes in mood, skin issues, or unexplained weight shifts are not just cosmetic or transient concerns—they are clinical clues. Educating women to observe these patterns and seek timely intervention could significantly reduce their risk of developing full-blown chronic diseases later in life. Healthcare providers, too, must recalibrate their approach. A woman in her 30s presenting with period irregularities should not be dismissed with a generic prescription. Instead, her care plan should include screening for insulin resistance, PCOS, thyroid function, and cardiovascular and cancer risk markers. Beyond the Clinic: Policy and Awareness A true transformation will require more than clinical change. It demands policy reform. India's public health programmes must expand beyond maternal care to include preventive health checkups for midlife women, public awareness campaigns on perimenopausal changes, and insurance schemes that cover long-term chronic care. Educational institutions and workplaces must also play their part by creating safe spaces for menstrual and menopausal conversations and by supporting women through these physiological transitions with empathy and resources. The Path Ahead If the body whispers before it screams, the menstrual cycle is the first whisper. It tells us when something is off—long before a formal diagnosis appears on a chart. Yet most women, conditioned to normalise pain, irregularity, and discomfort, miss the message. And when the silence stretches too long, the consequences often become irreversible. The question is not whether we can build a better system for women's health. The question is: Will we listen in time? Because a missed period isn't always about pregnancy. Sometimes, it's about a much larger, more complex story—one that could change the trajectory of a woman's entire life. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 15, 2025, 10:05 IST
