Latest news with #RichardBennett
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Dad ‘desperate for a holiday' blamed exhaustion on work only for his daughter to spot sign of killer ravaging his body
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN EXHAUSTED dad was desperate for a holiday - but he got a deadly diagnosis after his daughter spotted a subtle sign of the killer disease at the airport. Richard Bennett, 64, began to feel unwell in the days before his holiday to Portugal with his wife Lesly, 57, in May 2024. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Richard Bennett with his daughter Sophie Credit: SWNS 6 The dad was diagnosed with cancer when his daughter noticed how yellow he looked after returning from his holiday Credit: SWNS 6 The swim coach was told he had stage 4 melanoma Credit: SWNS But the dad dismissed his symptoms as he was "desperate" to get away for a break. Despite the tiredness he felt, Richard put it down to working and his general lifestyle catching up with him. Whilst on holiday, his condition worsened, and Richard noticed changes in his urine and faeces, as well as feeling weaker and struggling to eat. When his daughter, Sophie, 23, picked them up for the airport and exclaimed, "Dad, you're yellow," Richard knew he needed to get help as jaundice had set in. He went to St John's hospital, Livingston before being transferred to Royal Infirmary Edinburgh where he was diagnosed with stage four melanoma - a form of skin cancer - which had moved from its original site and formed a mass on his pancreas. After attempting to overcome the "shock to the system", Richard has remained determined to focus on his work as a swim coach whilst training for a cycle ride to raise money for cancer charity Maggie's. He is currently undergoing immunotherapy once every four weeks to manage his condition. Richard, from Whitburn, West Lothian, said: "It was quite a shock to the system. "It was so difficult for myself and my family. "Even just believing cancer had come to your door and chosen you. Sun Health Explainer: Skin cancer and moles "When I went to the hospital, and I spoke to some of the specialists, they told me it was melanoma, and they told me it was stage four. "All the thoughts in my head was, 'This is it, curtains for me'. "I didn't think there was much of a future left. "I didn't realise that all that stage four means is that the cancer has moved from the original site to somewhere else." Richard initially struggled with coming to terms with the tag of 'stage four' associated with his condition. 6 Richard with his wife Lesley Credit: SWNS 6 Richard's cancer diagnosis was a huge blow to the family Credit: SWNS He said: "It's not necessarily a death sentence. "After reading Chris Hoy's book, I understood more about that, and it's made such a difference." Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy revealed in October 2024 that his stage 4 prostate cancer was terminal, after being initially diagnosed with cancer in September 2023. He published his autobiography All That Matters at the end of last year. Richard said: "I'm trying to be strong for the kids at the swimming club, and when I reflect, there's no point in dwelling on it and being sad - I want to be upbeat and brave. What is melanoma, what are the symptoms and how can you prevent it? Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that has a tendency to spread around the body. It is diagnosed 16,000 times per year, and tragically takes the lives of 2,340 people per year. The number of people being diagnosed with melanoma is increasing, and it is the 5th most common cancer in the UK. But it is also one of the most preventable cancers, with 86 per cent of cases in the UK avoidable. The best way to protect yourself from melanoma is to be sun safe - wear SPF every day, wear a hat and sunglasses and keep out of the sun in the hottest hours. It is also advised to avoid sunbeds. People who are fair-skinned, have blue or green eyes, blonde or red hair and a large number of freckles or moles are more likely to get skin cancer. Surgery is the main treatment for melanoma, particularly if it is found early. This will involve removing the affected tissue in the skin. Radiotherapy, medicines and chemotherapy are also sometimes used to try and stop the cancer from growing. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. What are the symptoms? The key thing to look out for are changes to an existing mole, or a new mole on your skin. Most experts recommend using the simple 'ABCDE' rule to look for symptoms of melanoma skin cancer, which can appear anywhere on the body. There are five letters/words to remember: Asymmetrical – melanomas usually have two very different halves and are an irregular shape Border – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border Colours – melanomas will usually be a mix of two or more colours Diameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma A mole that changes size, shape or colour may be a melanoma. But other signs to look out for include moles that are: Swollen and sore Bleeding Itchy Crusty How deadly is it? Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer. The outlook of a person's disease depends on the stage of the cancer when it was diagnosed. Survival is better for women than it is for men. 'We don't know exactly why this is. It may be because women are more likely to see a doctor about their melanoma at an earlier stage,' says Cancer Research UK. The charity says that generally, statistics show that in England, more than 85 out of every 100 people (more than 85 per cent) will survive their melanoma for 10 years or more after they are diagnosed. Around 100 per cent in England diagnosed with melanoma at stage 1 - when the cancer cells are only in the top layer of skin - will survive for five years or more after drops to 80 per cent for stage 2. Some 70 per cent live for a further five years when they are diagnosed in stage 3, which is when the cancer has started to spread to nearby lymph nodes. At stage 4, when the melanoma has spread elsewhere in the body, almost 30 per cent survive their cancer for 5 years or more. Cancer Research says the stage 4 data does not account for age differences. Age can affect outlook and younger people have a better prognosis than older people. Age can affect outlook and younger people have a better prognosis than older people. What is melanoma? Melanocytes are cells in the skin that give us the colour of our skin because they produce a pigment, known as melanin. When you sit in the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment (a sun tan), which spreads to other skin cells to protect them from the sun's rays. But melanocytes are also where cancer starts. Too much UV causes sunburn, and this is a sign of damage to the skin's DNA. The UV triggers changes in the melanocytes, which makes the genetic material become faulty and cause abnormal cell growth. People who burn easily are more at risk of skin cancer because their cells do not produce as much pigment to protect their skin. Those with albinism are at the most risk because their skin produces no pigment at all. "I'm surrounded by positive people and that in itself gave me a focus to keep going. I'm glad that the swimming club is there in my life. "And my family - even though I feel quite fit and well, even though I'm still trying to push on, they're always making sure I'm okay. "You're so used to looking after your kids and your family but they just took over and looked after me. "If I could turn the clock back, I would have acted immediately. "I don't think it would have made a big difference in respect to my diagnosis, but I would encourage anybody if things are not normal, then please speak to your doctor." Raising awareness Richard has now turned his attention to the Tour De 4 cycling challenge on September 7 - a 38-mile loop around Glasgow in support of cancer research. He said: "I had a mountain bike, and I quite liked going down the trails, but when I read Chris' book, he spoke about arranging the Tour de 4. "I said to my wife that this is something I want to do - it would be good to raise awareness. "As a stage four cancer patient, it would be great to raise money and help people just like me. What does stage 4 melanoma mean? Stage 4 means the melanoma has spread to parts of the body away from the original cancer site and further than the nearby lymph nodes. Melanoma can spread to other areas on the skin or to soft tissue. Soft tissue includes muscles, nerves, fat, and blood vessels. Sometimes it can spread to more than one area. Other common places for melanoma to spread include your: Lymph nodes further away from the melanoma – which ones depend on where the melanoma is Lungs Liver Bones Brain Small bowel Source: CRUK "I've been blown away by the fundraiser - I was so touched by everybody's kindness. "A few days in, and it's over £900 - I can't believe that. "I'm still currently employed by Lloyds Banking, and their support has been outstanding, too." You can support Richard's fundraiser here.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Dad ‘desperate for a holiday' blamed exhaustion on work only for his daughter to spot sign of killer ravaging his body
AN EXHAUSTED dad was desperate for a holiday - but he got a deadly diagnosis after his daughter spotted a subtle sign of the killer disease at the airport. Richard Bennett, 64, began to feel unwell in the days before his holiday to Portugal with his wife Lesly, 57, in May 2024. 6 6 6 But the dad dismissed his symptoms as he was "desperate" to get away for a break. Despite the tiredness he felt, Richard put it down to working and his general lifestyle catching up with him. Whilst on holiday, his condition worsened, and Richard noticed changes in his urine and faeces, as well as feeling weaker and struggling to eat. When his daughter, Sophie, 23, picked them up for the airport and exclaimed, "Dad, you're yellow," Richard knew he needed to get help as jaundice had set in. He went to St John's hospital, Livingston before being transferred to Royal Infirmary Edinburgh where he was diagnosed with stage four melanoma - a form of skin cancer - which had moved from its original site and formed a mass on his pancreas. After attempting to overcome the "shock to the system", Richard has remained determined to focus on his work as a swim coach whilst training for a cycle ride to raise money for cancer charity Maggie's. He is currently undergoing immunotherapy once every four weeks to manage his condition. Richard, from Whitburn, West Lothian, said: "It was quite a shock to the system. "It was so difficult for myself and my family. "Even just believing cancer had come to your door and chosen you. Sun Health Explainer: Skin cancer and moles "When I went to the hospital, and I spoke to some of the specialists, they told me it was melanoma, and they told me it was stage four. "All the thoughts in my head was, 'This is it, curtains for me'. "I didn't think there was much of a future left. "I didn't realise that all that stage four means is that the cancer has moved from the original site to somewhere else." Richard initially struggled with coming to terms with the tag of 'stage four' associated with his condition. 6 6 He said: "It's not necessarily a death sentence. "After reading Chris Hoy 's book, I understood more about that, and it's made such a difference." Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy revealed in October 2024 that his stage 4 prostate cancer was terminal, after being initially diagnosed with cancer in September 2023. He published his autobiography All That Matters at the end of last year. Richard said: "I'm trying to be strong for the kids at the swimming club, and when I reflect, there's no point in dwelling on it and being sad - I want to be upbeat and brave. What is melanoma, what are the symptoms and how can you prevent it? Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that has a tendency to spread around the body. It is diagnosed 16,000 times per year, and tragically takes the lives of 2,340 people per year. The number of people being diagnosed with melanoma is increasing, and it is the 5th most common cancer in the UK. But it is also one of the most preventable cancers, with 86 per cent of cases in the UK avoidable. The best way to protect yourself from melanoma is to be sun safe - wear SPF every day, wear a hat and sunglasses and keep out of the sun in the hottest hours. It is also advised to avoid sunbeds. People who are fair-skinned, have blue or green eyes, blonde or red hair and a large number of freckles or moles are more likely to get skin cancer. Surgery is the main treatment for melanoma, particularly if it is found early. This will involve removing the affected tissue in the skin. Radiotherapy, medicines and chemotherapy are also sometimes used to try and stop the cancer from growing. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. What are the symptoms? The key thing to look out for are changes to an existing mole, or a new mole on your skin. Most experts recommend using the simple 'ABCDE' rule to look for symptoms of melanoma skin cancer, which can appear anywhere on the body. There are five letters/words to remember: A symmetrical – melanomas usually have two very different halves and are an irregular shape B order – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border C olours – melanomas will usually be a mix of two or more colours D iameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter E nlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma A mole that changes size, shape or colour may be a melanoma. But other signs to look out for include moles that are: Swollen and sore Bleeding Itchy Crusty How deadly is it? Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer. The outlook of a person's disease depends on the stage of the cancer when it was diagnosed. Survival is better for women than it is for men. 'We don't know exactly why this is. It may be because women are more likely to see a doctor about their melanoma at an earlier stage,' says Cancer Research UK. The charity says that generally, statistics show that in England, more than 85 out of every 100 people (more than 85 per cent) will survive their melanoma for 10 years or more after they are diagnosed. Around 100 per cent in England diagnosed with melanoma at stage 1 - when the cancer cells are only in the top layer of skin - will survive for five years or more after drops to 80 per cent for stage 2. Some 70 per cent live for a further five years when they are diagnosed in stage 3, which is when the cancer has started to spread to nearby lymph nodes. At stage 4, when the melanoma has spread elsewhere in the body, almost 30 per cent survive their cancer for 5 years or more. Cancer Research says the stage 4 data does not account for age differences. Age can affect outlook and younger people have a better prognosis than older people. Age can affect outlook and younger people have a better prognosis than older people. What is melanoma? Melanocytes are cells in the skin that give us the colour of our skin because they produce a pigment, known as melanin. When you sit in the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment (a sun tan), which spreads to other skin cells to protect them from the sun's rays. But melanocytes are also where cancer starts. Too much UV causes sunburn, and this is a sign of damage to the skin's DNA. The UV triggers changes in the melanocytes, which makes the genetic material become faulty and cause abnormal cell growth. People who burn easily are more at risk of skin cancer because their cells do not produce as much pigment to protect their skin. Those with albinism are at the most risk because their skin produces no pigment at all. "I'm surrounded by positive people and that in itself gave me a focus to keep going. I'm glad that the swimming club is there in my life. "And my family - even though I feel quite fit and well, even though I'm still trying to push on, they're always making sure I'm okay. "You're so used to looking after your kids and your family but they just took over and looked after me. "If I could turn the clock back, I would have acted immediately. "I don't think it would have made a big difference in respect to my diagnosis, but I would encourage anybody if things are not normal, then please speak to your doctor." Raising awareness Richard has now turned his attention to the Tour De 4 cycling challenge on September 7 - a 38-mile loop around Glasgow in support of cancer research. He said: "I had a mountain bike, and I quite liked going down the trails, but when I read Chris' book, he spoke about arranging the Tour de 4. "I said to my wife that this is something I want to do - it would be good to raise awareness. "As a stage four cancer patient, it would be great to raise money and help people just like me. "I've been blown away by the fundraiser - I was so touched by everybody's kindness. "A few days in, and it's over £900 - I can't believe that. "I'm still currently employed by Lloyds Banking, and their support has been outstanding, too." You can support Richard's fundraiser here.
Edinburgh Live
5 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian dad diagnosed with cancer after 'skin turned yellow on holiday'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A West Lothian man received a shock diagnosis last year after his skin turned yellow while on holiday with his wife. Richard Bennett, 63, started noticing things weren't right with his body before they left for Portugal - including a difference in the colour of his urine. The dad from Whitburn was told his skin was yellow after his daughter picked them up from the airport. After a visit to the hospital, he was told he had stage four melanoma and said the diagnosis came as a 'complete shock'. He is now undergoing treatment every four weeks which is understood to be shrinking the tumour. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Richard said: "I noticed things weren't right before we left for a short holiday. I hadn't told my wife at that point because I was desperate to get away because I had been working so hard. "Two days in, I wasn't feeling well - I had no energy and appetite. When my daughter picked us up from the airport she said I looked yellow. "I had a scan and they found a mass on my pancreas. I had skin cancer but it formed on my pancreas. "When I found out I was distraught because I felt like it was the end for me. I didn't have a lot of clear symptoms so it was a big shock when I found out. "The treatment has quietened everything down and stabilised the tumour. They told me I can have the treatment for two years and after that the therapy will stay in the body and continue to fight it. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "At the start of it all, I was really sad and angry and every time I felt like that I lost a day when I could have been happy and positive." The 63-year-old is now raising funds for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres by taking part in the Tour de 4 cycling challenge — all while living with the stage four diagnosis and undergoing immunotherapy treatment. The event is taking place on September 7 with Richard squeezing in gym sessions twice a week while continuing to work as a swim coach — a role he's passionate about. He added: "When I read Chris Hoy's book, it mentioned he was going to do a fundraiser for people that have stage 4 cancer and to raise awareness. I realised this was something I could do. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "I am doing it because I realised I could and I wanted to - it felt like a lightbulb moment for me." You can donate to the fundraiser here.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
West Lothian swim coach who thought stage 4 cancer diagnosis meant curtains for him is feeling great
Richard Bennett receives immunotherapy and decided to take on a 38-mile cycle challenge An inspirational swimming coach from West Lothian diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after turning yellow while holidaying in Portugal is taking on a cycling challenge. Broxburn-man Richard Bennett is raising funds for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres by taking part in the Sir Chris Hoy Tour de 4 fundraising cycling challenge — while living with stage 4 melanoma. The 63-year-old dad had booked a sunshine holiday last year with his wife Lesley, but while they were away he started feeling unusually weak and noticed worrying changes when he went to the toilet. On returning home his daughter noticed he was jaundiced. Richard, a head coach at Broxburn swimming club, went to St John's Hospital in Livingston that night where he was scanned. The scan showed up a mass in his pancreas but a few weeks later a biopsy revealed he has melanoma (skin cancer). Doctors later confirmed the melanoma had spread to his pancreas, marking it as stage 4. Richard has been undergoing immunotherapy which has prevented the cancer advancing. Richard said: 'It was a year ago just now. Before I went away I'd noticed my urine was darker and the stuff at the other end was lighter. I'd been working hard and had been desperate to get away, just me and my wife. 'I hadn't told my wife beforehand and when I got over there I didn't have a lot of energy and no appetite and thought something wasn't quite right.' Richard then decide to research his symptoms on the internet which suggested he should seek medical attention. 'My daughter Sophie picked me up from the airport and said I looked yellow, so that was jaundice. What had happened was my bile duct had blocked. I was scanned at the hospital that night and there was a mass on my pancreas that they suspected was cancer. It was such a shock. I ended up in the Royal (Edinburgh) for a biopsy and they put a stent in to my bile duct. "They thought it was probably pancreatic cancer which would have probably meant curtains for me. When the biopsy came back a couple of weeks later they told me it was melanoma, skin cancer that hadn't actually formed on my skin. They checked my body and there were no signs. They told me that the mass on my pancreas was effectively skin cancer. I haven't came across anyone else that's happened to. 'When they told me it was stage 4, I thought it would be palliative care and I wouldn't last long. I read Chris Hoy's book and found out that all stage 4 means is that it's moved from the original site to somewhere else, it's not necessarily a death sentence.' Richard is receiving four-weekly immunotherapy treatment which heightens his own immune system to fight the cancer. So far the only side effects he is feeling is numbness in his feet. The mass shrunk and stabilised and there is no growth anywhere else in Richard's body. Richard isn't one for sitting around and was advised by medics to do some light walking. 'I've always kept myself fit so that just wasn't cutting it for me. I joined Xcite gym in West Lothian and told them about my condition, they gave me a training programme which I started doing twice a week and then building it up. 'I'm honestly feeling brilliant, strong. I'm still coaching three or four nights a week. 'I've always had a mountain bike and I've taken this cycling challenge on, which leaves from the Chris Hoy Velodrome on September 7, and is a 38-mile circuit. My friend Iain Blackwood is training me.' Richard has already raised almost £1000 for Maggie's.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU shores up pandemic defences with 478m flu vaccine deal
The European Union has snapped up advanced manufacturing capacity for at least 478 million doses of pandemic flu vaccine, surging ahead in the race to prepare for a possible bird flu outbreak in humans. According to data from the health analytics firm Airfinity, the EU now has signed agreements with seven manufacturers to reserve vaccines – including a new deal unveiled last week with CSL Seqirus for a further 27m doses. Although governments including Canada and the UK have reserved more doses per person, the EU has the largest and most diverse supply chain for a possible influenza pandemic. As reported in the Lancet last week, the recent emergence of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus infections in dairy cows and humans in the US has 'raised alarms regarding the potential for a pandemic'. 'Over 995 dairy cow herds and at least 70 humans have been affected, including cases of severe disease and the first reported H5N1-related death in the U.S'. This emerging threat has caused health authorities across the globe to quietly start planning for a possible spillover to humans, with a clear focus on vaccine supply. The shots the EU now has on standby do not constitute a stockpile. Rather than amassing a store of ready-to-use vaccines which protect against known strains of bird flu, the bloc has bet big on reserving access to outbreak-specific shots. These would be produced after a pandemic was declared and the exact strain of the virus was known – giving the best chance of the jabs being efficacious in humans. Richard Bennett, lead analyst at Airfinity, said the EU was also hedging its bets by doing deals with seven different firms. 'This diversification reduces the risk of supply disruption if one manufacturer encounters production issues, and prevents monopolising capacity from any single supplier,' he said. Other countries have also set about reserving access to as-yet-unmade vaccines. Germany has secured production capacity or 400 million doses, under a framework that would also distribute manufactured jabs to the wider European Union. Vaccine resilience and flexibility Meanwhile the UK and Canada have reserved 100m and 80m doses respectively. Although this equates to more shots per person than the EU has access to (1.5 per capita for Britain, two for Canada and one for the EU), the supply chains are less diverse. Canada is reliant on GSK, while the UK has a single deal with CSL Seqirus, according to Airfinity. Unlike the other countries included in the analysis, the US does not have enough doses to cover its entire population. Mr Bennet said this is unsurprising, 'given previous [US] demand for pandemic vaccines'. During the H1N1 'swine flu' outbreak in 2009, national vaccine coverage was just 27 per cent, though this jumped to 69.5 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic. Still, the superpower has 250m doses of pandemic flu shots reserved with CSL Seqirus and Sanofi, plus a stockpile of 20m shots against known strains of bird flu already circulating. 'Most countries depend on a handful of manufacturers for pandemic flu vaccines. Seven companies produce over 85 per of global supply, leaving national stockpiles vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, production delays, or supply chain shocks,' the Airfinity analysis warned. 'The EU has reduced reliance on single suppliers by securing contracts with multiple manufacturers, creating a more resilient and flexible vaccine procurement strategy during emergencies.' Production delays and vaccine nationalism The coronavirus pandemic highlighted the threat of vaccine nationalism, production delays and export restrictions. India's export bans, for instance, stalled the rollout of shots from Covax, which sought to buy immunisations for developing countries. The US also imposed limits on the export of vaccines and the critical equipment and materials needed to make them, while the EU threatened to block the export of AstraZeneca shots made for the UK government in the Netherlands. Ray Longstaff, director for Pandemic and Outbreak Preparedness and Response at CSL Seqirus, said the company has designed its manufacturing network and contracts to ensure minimum disruption in the face of these sorts of threats. 'In our agreements, we have supplied safeguards and comprehensive information about how we will not only meet the timelines … but also the kind of preparedness measures that we put in place to protect supply chains,' he said. 'It's something that we take very seriously.' CSL Seqirus Liverpool's refrigerated warehouse, where vaccines for flu – including H5N1 – are stored before shipment - Simon Townsley/The Telegraph The company – which has manufacturing sites in the UK, US and Australia – is one of the world's largest producers of seasonal flu shots. It also has a bird flu vaccine programme, plus a separate initiative to create pandemic-specific vaccines. If the WHO declared a pandemic, all manufacturing would switch to solely respond to the given outbreak. The pharmaceutical firm's latest deal reserves 27.5m pandemic flu doses for 17 participating EU member states, which would be manufactured at the CSL Seqirus site in Liverpool using an egg-based production method. The company now has deals to supply pandemic shots to more than 30 governments worldwide, including the UK. Mr Longstaff said he could not discuss specifics of the contracts – which include reservation fees that are invested in 'maintaining readiness and preparedness' – and downplayed the ramifications of potential tensions between governments in a pandemic scenario. He also stressed that the company would support lower income countries through the WHO's Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework. Agreed after the 2009 swine flu outbreak, this requires companies to donate 10 per cent of their pandemic influenza shots, in real time. This principle has also been incorporated into the new WHO pandemic treaty, set to be approved at the World Health Assembly in Geneva later this month, in an attempt to ensure that wealthy countries are not the only ones who have access to medical countermeasures in the event of an outbreak. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. 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