Latest news with #StephenPowis
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Cancer patients risk dying because of ‘RUBBISH they read on social media', top doctors warn
The NHS, top UK charities and global experts warn the problem is out of control LETHAL LIES Cancer patients risk dying because of 'RUBBISH they read on social media', top doctors warn Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CANCER patients are refusing medical treatment because of rubbish they read online, top doctors warn. People are becoming incurable and even dying as a result of misinformation on social media. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up A study led by the University of Bologna found that almost all cancer-related videos on YouTube and TikTok – between 88 and 100 per cent – contain incorrect information. The NHS, top UK charities and global experts warn the problem is out of control, killing patients who have cancer and terrifying those trying to stay healthy. Professor Richard Simcock, NHS doctor and chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'I recently saw two young women who have declined all proven medical treatments for cancer and are instead pursuing unproven and radical diets, promoted on social media. 'As a doctor, I want to be able to use the best available therapies to help people with cancer. 'A person is perfectly entitled to decline but when they do that on the basis of information which is frankly untrue or badly interpreted it makes me very sad.' Polling by Macmillan has found that 59 per cent of Brits – more than 30million people – believe myths or misconceptions about the disease. For example experts say patients are being sucked in by influencers' claims that low-carb diets can battle cancer, recommendations for unproven drugs, and a belief that negative thoughts can cause relapse. Internet users have also been convinced of false or unproven cancer risks such as from deodorants, mobile phones, underwired bras and dairy, they added. They also accuse search engines and artificial intelligence of regurgitating false information. Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England's medical director, said: 'Social media can provide a supportive community but we're also seeing an alarmingly high level of misinformation on some of these platforms. The signs and symptoms of cancer 'I would urge people to be sceptical of any 'miracle cures' and to use trusted, credible sources like the NHS website. 'These fairy tales aren't just misleading, they can be harmful.' Dr Julie Gralow, president of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, said: 'Several patients of mine wanted an all-natural treatment approach and found clinics online. 'In some cases they died within nine months. 'It's tragic and we wonder what we could have done differently but in the end we can't force anybody to do anything.' About 400,000 people develop cancer in the UK each year and 50 per cent survive for 10 years or more after diagnosis. Matthew Hobbs, of Prostate Cancer UK, added: 'Sadly there are a lot of poor sources of information out there. 'Sometimes they are deliberately pushing unproven treatments or ideas, other times it is well meant advice but lacking expertise and full understanding of all the facts.' Retired breast surgeon Dr Liz O'Riordan said: 'We need to get more doctors talking to patients on social media and explaining things to them.'
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Major TV rule change across UK from October 1
Major TV rule change across UK from October 1 What we see on our screens will change and the government believes it will make a significant difference to our health The changes will come into force on October 1, 2025, it has been confirmed (Image: Getty ) Children will be far less exposed to TV adverts for junk food products as part of a new law in a bid to reduce obesity and associated health risks. The UK government says that such adverts "on television will only be allowed past the 9pm watershed from October 2025 as part of plans to curb childhood obesity." The advertising restrictions will also introduce a ban on paid online junk food adverts. This aims to reduce children's over-exposure to foods high in fat, sugar, or salt, and to help tackle the growing prevalence of obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. As a result of these changes, around 7.2 billion calories per year are expected to be removed from UK children's diets, the government predicts. Not only this, but they expect that it will prevent an estimated 20,000 cases of childhood obesity. The changes for advertising will apply to Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. says that promotion restrictions will impact England only. The advertising restrictions will only apply to food or drink that are determined to be 'less healthy'. There is a 2-stage process for defining a 'less healthy' food or drink product. Speaking about the legislation, which enacts the provisions set out in the Health and Care Act 2022, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting, said: "Obesity robs our kids of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems, and costs the NHS billions. "This government is taking action now to end the targeting of junk food ads at kids, across both TV and online. This is the first step to deliver a major shift in the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention, and towards meeting our government's ambition to give every child a healthy, happy start to life." He said that by the age of five "one in five children have tooth decay because of excess sugar consumption." He continued: "By taking preventative action to tackle the causes of childhood obesity, the government will begin fixing the foundations of good health to protect the health of the next generation." Article continues below NHS National Medical Director Professor, Sir Stephen Powis, added: "NHS figures show that one in 8 toddlers and primary school children are obese, and this is clearly a problem not only because we know that it could lead to young people having health issues later in life, but it's also storing up problems for a future NHS which already spends billions dealing with the issue. "We've always said the NHS can play its part in supporting people who are obese to reach a healthier weight, but we need to work with the rest of society to prevent people becoming overweight in the first place."
South Wales Guardian
19-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
NHS rolls out plans to find more infected blood victims
People aged 29 and over who newly register with GP practices in England are to be asked if they had a blood transfusion prior to 1996, NHS England said. If they did have a transfusion before 1996 they will be offered a test for hepatitis C, which is known as a silent killer because people can be infected unknowingly for decades before symptoms start and significant damage has already been done. Hepatitis C is a virus that is passed on through blood-to-blood contact and infects the liver. Without treatment, it can cause serious damage to the liver. Around half of the 800,000 people who register with a GP each year were born after 1996, meaning some 400,000 will be asked about their blood transfusion history. NHS England said the new questions for patients will remind them of possible reasons they may have had a blood transfusion, including after an accident, complication during childbirth, surgery, or other medical treatment. People in he UK who had a blood transfusion before 1996 are being urged to get themselves tested for hepatitis C – new NHS figures shared with @PA show that thousands have ordered tests alreadyMy story: #infectedblood — Ella Pickover (@ellapickover) May 29, 2024 If a person is diagnosed they can be given antiviral medication for several weeks, with this treatment curing more than nine out of 10 patients with hepatitis C. The Infected Blood Inquiry, which examined the scandal in depth, recommended that the health service should work to 'find the undiagnosed'. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. And more than 3,000 people have died as a result while survivors are living with lifelong health implications. 'The failures of the contaminated blood scandal have had a horrifying impact for patients and their families for decades, and I would like to reiterate our deepest apologies for the role the health service played in the suffering and loss for so many,' said Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director. 'The NHS is dedicated to implementing the inquiry's recommendations and this simple change to the GP registration process for patients is a vital step forward in ensuring that nobody affected by contaminated blood is living undiagnosed and unsupported. 'By routinely checking their risk when anyone signs up to a new GP and offering fast Hep C tests where necessary, we will ensure any undiagnosed cases can be found and treated as quickly as possible, while enabling thousands more to receive the reassurance of a negative test.' The inquiry into the scandal is currently examining the 'timeliness and adequacy of the Government's response to compensation' for victims, with a report expected later this year. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority said, as of May 6, 677 people have been asked to start their claim and 106 payments have been made, totalling more than £96 million. – Anyone in England over the age of 18 can order a free at-home test for hepatitis C from
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
NHS to ask millions of patients new question to find more infected blood victims
People aged 29 and over who newly register with GP practices in England are to be asked if they had a blood transfusion prior to 1996 Health officials are implementing a new initiative to identify Brits who may have unknowingly received infected blood. Starting immediately, anyone aged 29 or over who registers with a GP practice in England will be asked if they underwent a blood transfusion before 1996, according to NHS England. If the answer is yes, they will be offered a test for hepatitis C, known as a silent killer, as symptoms can go undetected for decades, leading to significant liver damage. The hepatitis C virus is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact and affects the liver. Without treatment, it can cause severe liver damage. Approximately half of the 800,000 people who register with a GP annually were born after 1996, so around 400,000 will be asked about their blood transfusion history. The new questions for patients will remind them of possible reasons for having had a blood transfusion, including accidents, complications during childbirth, surgery, or other medical treatments. If diagnosed, patients can receive antiviral medication for several weeks, which cures over nine out of 10 hepatitis C cases. The Infected Blood Inquiry's recommendation for the health service to "find the undiagnosed" has led to this initiative. Over 30,000 people in the UK were tragically infected with HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood and blood products during the 1970s to the early 1990s, resulting in over 3,000 deaths and ongoing health issues for survivors. "The failures of the contaminated blood scandal have had a horrifying impact for patients and their families for decades, and I would like to reiterate our deepest apologies for the role the health service played in the suffering and loss for so many," Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, said. He continued: "The NHS is dedicated to implementing the inquiry's recommendations and this simple change to the GP registration process for patients is a vital step forward in ensuring that nobody affected by contaminated blood is living undiagnosed and unsupported. "By routinely checking their risk when anyone signs up to a new GP and offering fast Hep C tests where necessary, we will ensure any undiagnosed cases can be found and treated as quickly as possible, while enabling thousands more to receive the reassurance of a negative test." The current inquiry into the scandal is scrutinising the "timeliness and adequacy of the Government's response to compensation" for the victims, anticipating a report later in the year. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority revealed that as of 6 May, 677 individuals have been invited to initiate their claims, with 106 payments already made, amounting to over £96 million. Any adult in England aged 18 and above can request a free hepatitis C home test from
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
NHS rolls out plans to find more infected blood victims
Health officials have launched a new scheme to help identify people who may have unknowingly been given infected blood. People aged 29 and over who newly register with GP practices in England are to be asked if they had a blood transfusion prior to 1996, NHS England said. If they did have a transfusion before 1996 they will be offered a test for hepatitis C, which is known as a silent killer because people can be infected unknowingly for decades before symptoms start and significant damage has already been done. Hepatitis C is a virus that is passed on through blood-to-blood contact and infects the liver. Without treatment, it can cause serious damage to the liver. Around half of the 800,000 people who register with a GP each year were born after 1996, meaning some 400,000 will be asked about their blood transfusion history. NHS England said the new questions for patients will remind them of possible reasons they may have had a blood transfusion, including after an accident, complication during childbirth, surgery, or other medical treatment. People in he UK who had a blood transfusion before 1996 are being urged to get themselves tested for hepatitis C – new NHS figures shared with @PA show that thousands have ordered tests alreadyMy story: #infectedblood — Ella Pickover (@ellapickover) May 29, 2024 If a person is diagnosed they can be given antiviral medication for several weeks, with this treatment curing more than nine out of 10 patients with hepatitis C. The Infected Blood Inquiry, which examined the scandal in depth, recommended that the health service should work to 'find the undiagnosed'. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. And more than 3,000 people have died as a result while survivors are living with lifelong health implications. 'The failures of the contaminated blood scandal have had a horrifying impact for patients and their families for decades, and I would like to reiterate our deepest apologies for the role the health service played in the suffering and loss for so many,' said Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director. 'The NHS is dedicated to implementing the inquiry's recommendations and this simple change to the GP registration process for patients is a vital step forward in ensuring that nobody affected by contaminated blood is living undiagnosed and unsupported. 'By routinely checking their risk when anyone signs up to a new GP and offering fast Hep C tests where necessary, we will ensure any undiagnosed cases can be found and treated as quickly as possible, while enabling thousands more to receive the reassurance of a negative test.' The inquiry into the scandal is currently examining the 'timeliness and adequacy of the Government's response to compensation' for victims, with a report expected later this year. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority said, as of May 6, 677 people have been asked to start their claim and 106 payments have been made, totalling more than £96 million.
