Latest news with #OHID
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Woman's easy to dismiss problem was deadly cancer linked to common infection that's soaring in young people
A mother-of-two has told of the shock of being diagnosed with deadly mouth cancer while seven months pregnant, despite no family history or obvious risk factors. When Holly Stubbs, from County Durham, noticed a small lump in her tongue, she assumed it was related to pregnancy hormones. She first visited a dentist, who referred her to an oral health specialist, who confirmed her suspicions that it was nothing to worry about. The doctor assured her that, as she didn't drink alcohol or smoke, it was likely a 'pregnancy tumour, known medically as a pregnancy granuloma. The non-cancerous overgrowth of tissue is found in five per cent of pregnant women's gums and tongues. However, the doctor removed a sample of the growth and sent it off for a biopsy just to be sure. At the beginning of May, the results revealed the devastating truth—she had mouth cancer. She said: 'It's just bad luck. It's one of those things. I have no risk factors, but here we are, and we know we haven't removed it all.' Ms Stubbs' diagnosis, shared with 50,000 viewers on TikTok, comes amid a rise in cancers of the mouth and throat in younger people over the last decade. Cancer Research UK data shows a 60 per cent rise in women and a 34 per cent rise in men aged 25 to 49, between 1993 and 2019, developing head and neck cancers, including those of the oral cavity. And a 2024 report by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and the University of Sheffield found the rise in head and neck cancers was driven by a rise in oropharyngeal cancer. This is disease that starts in the part of the throat just behind the mouth and includes tonsil cancer and cancer in the back of the tongue. Doctors have found that oral sex is the biggest risk factor for this type of cancer — outpacing smoking, alcohol consumption and an unhealthy diet. This is because the acts can lead to an HPV infection at the back of the throat or near the tonsil. HPV is a common virus spread through close contact, including sex, and is usually harmless, but in some cases—for reasons not fully understood—it can trigger cancerous changes in healthy tissue. Some 70 per cent of cases of mouth and throat cancers are caused by HPV, according to Cancer Research UK. Experts say those with multiple oral sex partners have an up to nine-fold increased risk of throat cancer. Currently, mouth cancer is the sixth most common type in the UK, with 8,846 new cases diagnosed each year, and around 3,000 deaths. There is a vaccine for HPV which is known to help slash the risk of oral cancer. It is more than 80 percent effective and available in much of the developed world. It is a two-dose vaccine now available for children between ages 11 and 12. The shots come 12 months apart. For people who missed that window, a three-dose shot is available to people 15 to 26. The vaccine has been offered to girls in England and Wales since September 2008 before being widened to include boys in 2019. On the day of Ms Stubbs' diagnosis, the business owner had seven hospital appointments. This included giving her blood thinners as both surgery and pregnancy put her at a higher risk of blood clots. To protect her unborn baby's lungs, she had to have steroid injections as her child had to be delivered sooner than expected. The mother also needed an operation to remove part of her tongue—including the cancer—at 33 weeks pregnant, which left her temporarily unable to talk or eat. The mother revealed the heartbreak of the moment she broke the news to her two young children. 'We've had to give them as many details as we can, without, you know, traumatising them—We're going to just take one day at a time,' she said.' A week ago, during an appointment with her cancer specialist, she learned that the cancer was larger than expected. While doctors were confident they removed all the cancer from her tongue, they said there is a 30 per cent chance it has reached the lymph nodes, meaning it is likely to spread to other areas of the body. The surgeons will perform a second operation to remove them and send the samples off for testing. Ms Stubbs is now awaiting the birth of baby before her next surgery. It is important to catch the early signs of mouth cancer for a better chance of survival as it can spread rapidly. Dentists can help spot the early signs, as can doctors. Tell-tale symptoms include ulcers that last longer than a fortnight, swelling or lumps, red or white patches, loose teeth, chronic sore throat and numbness.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Quarter of adults in York living with obesity, new figures suggest
A quarter of adults in York were living with obesity last year, new figures suggest. It comes as the number of people in the city who have an unhealthy weight is 'significantly higher' now than a decade ago, according to City of York Council's health boss. The estimates have been published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), using data from the Sport England Active Lives Adult Survey. They suggest that 25.2 per cent of adults in York were living with obesity in 2023/24. The number is an increase of 1.7 per cent compared to the previous year, and up 2.5 per cent from 2018/19. Across England, the figures suggest a growing number of local areas are estimated to have at least a third of adults living with obesity – many of them in the Midlands or the North East. Peter Roderick, City of York Council's director of public health, said the data relating to York is 'similar to the national average, and the numbers of people in the city who don't have a healthy weight is significantly higher now than a decade ago'. A quarter of adults in York were living with obesity last year, new figures suggest (Image: Supplied) He said excess calorie consumption is 'one of the major factors' that contributes to obesity, adding that 'half of our calories now come from ultra processed foods'. Mr Roderick said the council is 'taking action' to combat obesity, including by encouraging healthier food and nutritional options in schools, and providing cookery classes and nutritional education. He added that the council has 'ended the promotion of foods high in fat, salt and sugar, and we're developing plans to shape healthier food environments in the future'. 'We're working with partners across the city to help support everyone to adopt a health approach to nutrition, to consider portion sizes carefully, to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and reduce the portions of non-nutritious ultra-processed foods in their diet. 'York residents looking for ways to lose weight or get more active can find a range of help and support through our Health Trainer service.' Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, has said obesity 'remains one of the biggest public health issues we face as a society'. The figures, he said, 'show a small but concerning rise in the number of overweight and obese people." 'It is crucial we reverse decades of rising obesity rates and the associated cost to the health service, and those who needs support can access help through the NHS weight management programme via their GP," Prof Powis said. Recommended reading: Men's mental health taskforce plan as mayor opens up on his own struggles First five years of life key to preventing obesity, researchers suggest Weight loss injections may have an anti-cancer effect 'beyond weight loss' All the data used by the OHID to compile the estimates is based on height and weight that has been self-reported by the survey's participants, which has then been adjusted to more accurately predict figures that would have been measured by a health professional. 'Obesity is a global and complex public health concern,' an OHID spokesperson said. 'It is associated with reduced life expectancy and is a risk factor for a range of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, liver, and respiratory disease. 'It can also impact on mental health. 'Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, colon and breast cancer, and improved mental health.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Over 30 per cent of adults in Bradford are obese, figures suggest
NEW figures have revealed the scale of the obesity problem among adults in Bradford. The estimates have been published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), using data from the Sport England Active Lives Adult Survey, and suggest that 31.2 per cent of adults living in the area in 2023-24 were obese. This is slightly down from figures from 2022-23, when an estimated 32.9 per cent of adults aged 18 or over were classed as obese. However, the data is still a sharp increase from 2018-19, when 26.5 per cent of adults were obese. Rose Dunlop, interim director of public health at Bradford Council, described obesity as a "growing public health concern globally" and outlined what the authority was doing to help tackle the problem. She said: "In Bradford, we recently launched our Good Food Strategy, which sets our system-wide approach to reducing food poverty, making the supply chain more sustainable, and improve access to healthy food. "Our physical activity strategy, Every Movement Counts, sets out how we are getting people in the district to be more active. "Our Living Well initiative brings together a wide range of resources we have in the district to support children and adults achieve the behaviours which are associated with having a healthy weight, eating a balanced nutritious diet, being more active as we go about our daily activities, and getting good sleep. "From classrooms to campaigns, to community groups and cycle lanes, the aim of Living Well is to transform Bradford a place where it becomes easier for families to live healthier and more active lives. "Under the Living Well initiative, residents of Bradford can also access free home-based support to families and young people who would like personalised confidential support to manage their weight. "Anyone looking for support to ways to improve their wellbeing can visit our website at "We have also just launched our Choose What Works For You campaign which offers people from across the district the opportunity to access a free service to help manage a healthy weight. "This includes Weight Watchers, Slimming World, the Brotherhood and APNA. "These services provide tailored support to help people build better habits, stay motivated and join like-minded people on the same journey in improving health."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More than a third of adults are obese in Darlington and County Durham, data reveals
More than a third of adults in Darlington and County Durham are now classed as obese as the figures continue to rise, new data has shown. According to figures released by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, both areas are showing a continuing rise in the levels of obesity amongst adults. The latest statistics from the Sport England Active Lives Adult Survey for 2023/24 show that in Darlington, 34.2% of adults are now living with obesity- up from 30.8% in 2021/22. In County Durham, the rate stands at 33.5%, an increase from 32.6% the previous year. These numbers put both Darlington and County Durham significantly above the national average and among the 44 local authorities in England where more than one in three adults are obese. The figures reflect a growing national trend, but the increases in the North East are particularly sharp. Darlington, in particular, has seen one of the steepest increases in the country, up by 3.4 percentage points in just two years. The OHID data is based on a rolling survey conducted by Sport England, which gathers information on physical activity, health behaviours and lifestyle habits across the country. The findings underscore growing concerns about the public health impact of obesity, which is linked to a higher risk of serious conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Health experts say the rise in obesity is being fuelled by a combination of unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles and the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted exercise routines and access to healthy food for many communities. READ MORE: New British Steel jobs created on Teesside as Government step in 102-year-old Darlington veteran on memories of VE Day and poignant message for future VE Day LIVE: Events across County Durham and Darlington to mark 80th anniversary A Department of Health & Social Care spokesperson said: 'This Government has already taken action to tackle the obesity crisis by stopping junk food ads being targeted at children across TV and online, which will reduce the number of people living with obesity by 20,000 and deliver health benefits to the economy worth £2 billion. 'We've also given local authorities stronger powers to block applications for new takeaways near schools and we are commissioning research to improve the evidence on the health impacts of ultra processed foods. 'Through our Plan for Change, we will shift the focus from sickness to prevention, reducing the burden of obesity on public services and the NHS.' All the data used by the OHID to compile the estimates is based on height and weight that has been self-reported by the survey's participants, which has then been adjusted to more accurately predict figures that would have been measured by a health professional.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More than a third of adults are obese in Darlington and County Durham, data reveals
More than a third of adults in Darlington and County Durham are now classed as obese as the figures continue to rise, new data has shown. According to figures released by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, both areas are showing a continuing rise in the levels of obesity amongst adults. The latest statistics from the Sport England Active Lives Adult Survey for 2023/24 show that in Darlington, 34.2% of adults are now living with obesity- up from 30.8% in 2021/22. In County Durham, the rate stands at 33.5%, an increase from 32.6% the previous year. These numbers put both Darlington and County Durham significantly above the national average and among the 44 local authorities in England where more than one in three adults are obese. The figures reflect a growing national trend, but the increases in the North East are particularly sharp. Darlington, in particular, has seen one of the steepest increases in the country, up by 3.4 percentage points in just two years. The OHID data is based on a rolling survey conducted by Sport England, which gathers information on physical activity, health behaviours and lifestyle habits across the country. The findings underscore growing concerns about the public health impact of obesity, which is linked to a higher risk of serious conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Health experts say the rise in obesity is being fuelled by a combination of unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles and the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted exercise routines and access to healthy food for many communities. READ MORE: New British Steel jobs created on Teesside as Government step in 102-year-old Darlington veteran on memories of VE Day and poignant message for future VE Day LIVE: Events across County Durham and Darlington to mark 80th anniversary A Department of Health & Social Care spokesperson said: 'This Government has already taken action to tackle the obesity crisis by stopping junk food ads being targeted at children across TV and online, which will reduce the number of people living with obesity by 20,000 and deliver health benefits to the economy worth £2 billion. 'We've also given local authorities stronger powers to block applications for new takeaways near schools and we are commissioning research to improve the evidence on the health impacts of ultra processed foods. 'Through our Plan for Change, we will shift the focus from sickness to prevention, reducing the burden of obesity on public services and the NHS.' All the data used by the OHID to compile the estimates is based on height and weight that has been self-reported by the survey's participants, which has then been adjusted to more accurately predict figures that would have been measured by a health professional.
