Latest news with #TeenageandYoungAdultCancerAwarenessMonth
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sarah Ferguson Unveils New Pics with Her Daughters & Their Body Language Is So Telling
Sarah Ferguson and her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, recently made a joint appearance for a special cause—and this one hits close to home. This week, the three royals visited University College London Hospital to support the #AndYoungPeople campaign as patrons of the Teenage Cancer Trust, a UK-based charity that aims to improve the cancer experience of teens and young adults. The Duchess of York shared a few highlights from their visit on Instagram, and I couldn't help but spot their body language as they engaged with patients and staff. For instance, in the first photo, the royal moms are practically beaming as they pose together in the hallway of the hospital. Also, in the second slide, they wear genuine smiles as they converse with a young patient, indicating an authentic connection. I made yet another key observation in the third slide, where the duchess gently places a hand on one of the patients while sitting with the group. This demonstrates her sincerity and desire to connect with people. The cancer campaign comes after Fergie's double cancer diagnosis, including an early form of breast cancer in June 2023 and malignant melanoma in January 2024. Now, the Duchess is determined to raise awareness of the challenges faced when living with cancer. On IG, she captioned her post, "It was an absolute honour to return to the T12 Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Unit at @uclh, which I opened in 2005, this time with my beloved daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie. I was so proud to stand beside them as fellow Honorary Patrons of @teenage_cancer, united in our commitment to raising awareness of the unique challenges young people face when diagnosed with cancer." She continued, "I've been on my own cancer journey, so I have some understanding of what these incredible youngsters are going through. Teenagers and young adults with cancer face particular challenges—it's particularly concerning that on average it takes them three visits to the GP before they're even referred to a specialist. I'm determined that we improve this situation and have signed @teenage_cancer's open letter to Health Secretary @wesstreeting." In addition, Princess Eugenie shared a carousel of photos from the visit and echoed her mother's sentiments. In the caption, she wrote, "It is so important to shine a light on the charity's vital work, and the unique challenges young people with cancer face, as part of Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month. The T12 teenage and young adult unit at UCLH provides care for up to 20 patients aged 13-19, and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. Thank you so much for having us and for sharing your stories and hope." Stay up-to-date on every breaking royal family story by subscribing here. Sarah Ferguson Shares Candid and Emotional New Video Message: 'I Just Have Got to Say Something'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Cancer diagnosis at 19 left me feeling isolated'
Jake Adams always dreamed of being a sports journalist, but while studying for his qualification at university in 2019 he was diagnosed with brain cancer at 19. After undergoing surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, he was told he was tumour free. But his cancer returned and is now incurable. Every year, about 2,200 teenagers and young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the UK. April is Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, and Jake is calling for more support for younger cancer patients as he battles with loneliness and isolation. The now 24-year-old remembers the day he was rushed to hospital in Sunderland. After months of headaches and feeling tired and sick, he was at work when his legs "were stuck in slow motion" and he started hallucinating. Jake's mother Bev says he had called from work when his colleague grabbed the phone and said they were calling an ambulance. "I said, 'no, I'll come and get him, it will be quicker'. We went to A&E in Sunderland. The doctor just said 'I am so sorry'." Bev didn't know why he was apologising, but later it was confirmed Jake had a brain tumour called medulloblastoma. "It was a bomb of bad news," Jake says. "Just hearing that I've got a brain tumour was almost like a death sentence." He had five surgeries in about seven weeks, Bev says, then radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In September 2020, they got the "lovely" news that Jake was tumour free. "We thought he had nailed it," Bev says. But the worst news was to come. In December 2023, a new tumour was found, this time in Jake's spine. Doctors confirmed it was metastatic cancer, meaning it had spread, and could not be cured. The news that his cancer was now incurable was devastating for Jake. "I was almost jump to the fact that 'I'm going to die in the next few months'." Doctors were still able to treat the spinal tumour and they continue to scan Jake regularly. Jake says it is now hard to see the future, and he now lives each day to its fullest. "The big lesson has been that life isn't guaranteed to be this long journey of 70 or 80 years," he says. But on reflecting how his life was put "on pause" at 19, he says he felt left behind, as others his age got on with living their lives. Jake says he feels "isolated" and that it was "just me at times". "You get the horrible feeling of loneliness," he says. Cancer Research UK says young people aged 19 to 24 should have access to age-appropriate treatment areas and support. It says this might be in their local hospital or at a treatment centre. Helen Gravestock, director of policy and influencing at the Young Lives vs Cancer charity, says: "Recent research found that many young people with cancer, like Jake, struggle with loneliness and have a strong need for connection." Jake says he had "a massive passion for sports", and played rugby and loved football. He was studying sports journalism at university and hoped he would have a family of his own one day. He says he had to let go of those dreams - but is is hanging on to one. While he feels he can't have a relationship, he does have a love - and it is an unusual one for a Sunderland lad. For most of his life, he has been devoted to Arsenal FC and his wish is to one day meet the Arsenal players. "I know it sounds daft, being 24 and wanting to meet your football it's the love I have for the club," he says. If he ever got that chance, would he also grasp the opportunity to interview them and fulfil that dream of being a sports reporter, after all? Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. 'Huge relief' as teen rings cancer-free bell 'I thought 24 was too young to have bowel cancer' Cancer Research UK Young Lives vs Cancer
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Cancer diagnosis at 19 left me feeling isolated'
Jake Adams always dreamed of being a sports journalist, but while studying for his qualification at university in 2019 he was diagnosed with brain cancer at 19. After undergoing surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, he was told he was tumour free. But his cancer returned and is now incurable. Every year, about 2,200 teenagers and young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the UK. April is Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, and Jake is calling for more support for younger cancer patients as he battles with loneliness and isolation. The now 24-year-old remembers the day he was rushed to hospital in Sunderland. After months of headaches and feeling tired and sick, he was at work when his legs "were stuck in slow motion" and he started hallucinating. Jake's mother Bev says he had called from work when his colleague grabbed the phone and said they were calling an ambulance. "I said, 'no, I'll come and get him, it will be quicker'. We went to A&E in Sunderland. The doctor just said 'I am so sorry'." Bev didn't know why he was apologising, but later it was confirmed Jake had a brain tumour called medulloblastoma. "It was a bomb of bad news," Jake says. "Just hearing that I've got a brain tumour was almost like a death sentence." He had five surgeries in about seven weeks, Bev says, then radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In September 2020, they got the "lovely" news that Jake was tumour free. "We thought he had nailed it," Bev says. But the worst news was to come. In December 2023, a new tumour was found, this time in Jake's spine. Doctors confirmed it was metastatic cancer, meaning it had spread, and could not be cured. The news that his cancer was now incurable was devastating for Jake. "I was almost jump to the fact that 'I'm going to die in the next few months'." Doctors were still able to treat the spinal tumour and they continue to scan Jake regularly. Jake says it is now hard to see the future, and he now lives each day to its fullest. "The big lesson has been that life isn't guaranteed to be this long journey of 70 or 80 years," he says. But on reflecting how his life was put "on pause" at 19, he says he felt left behind, as others his age got on with living their lives. Jake says he feels "isolated" and that it was "just me at times". "You get the horrible feeling of loneliness," he says. Cancer Research UK says young people aged 19 to 24 should have access to age-appropriate treatment areas and support. It says this might be in their local hospital or at a treatment centre. Helen Gravestock, director of policy and influencing at the Young Lives vs Cancer charity, says: "Recent research found that many young people with cancer, like Jake, struggle with loneliness and have a strong need for connection." Jake says he had "a massive passion for sports", and played rugby and loved football. He was studying sports journalism at university and hoped he would have a family of his own one day. He says he had to let go of those dreams - but is is hanging on to one. While he feels he can't have a relationship, he does have a love - and it is an unusual one for a Sunderland lad. For most of his life, he has been devoted to Arsenal FC and his wish is to one day meet the Arsenal players. "I know it sounds daft, being 24 and wanting to meet your football it's the love I have for the club," he says. If he ever got that chance, would he also grasp the opportunity to interview them and fulfil that dream of being a sports reporter, after all? Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. 'Huge relief' as teen rings cancer-free bell 'I thought 24 was too young to have bowel cancer' Cancer Research UK Young Lives vs Cancer
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sunderland man says cancer diagnosis at 19 left him feeling alone
Jake Adams always dreamed of being a sports journalist, but while studying for his qualification at university in 2019 he was diagnosed with brain cancer at 19. After undergoing surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, he was told he was tumour free. But his cancer returned and is now year, about 2,200 teenagers and young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the is Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, and Jake is calling for more support for younger cancer patients as he battles with loneliness and isolation. The now 24-year-old remembers the day he was rushed to hospital in Sunderland. After months of headaches and feeling tired and sick, he was at work when his legs "were stuck in slow motion" and he started hallucinating. Jake's mother Bev says he had called from work when his colleague grabbed the phone and said they were calling an ambulance. "I said, 'no, I'll come and get him, it will be quicker'. We went to A&E in Sunderland. The doctor just said 'I am so sorry'." Bev didn't know why he was apologising, but later it was confirmed Jake had a brain tumour called medulloblastoma."It was a bomb of bad news," Jake says. "Just hearing that I've got a brain tumour was almost like a death sentence."He had five surgeries in about seven weeks, Bev says, then radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In September 2020, they got the "lovely" news that Jake was tumour free."We thought he had nailed it," Bev the worst news was to come. In December 2023, a new tumour was found, this time in Jake's spine. Doctors confirmed it was metastatic cancer, meaning it had spread, and could not be cured. The news that his cancer was now incurable was devastating for Jake."I was almost jump to the fact that 'I'm going to die in the next few months'." Doctors were still able to treat the spinal tumour and they continue to scan Jake regularly. 'Life is not guaranteed' Jake says it is now hard to see the future, and he now lives each day to its fullest."The big lesson has been that life isn't guaranteed to be this long journey of 70 or 80 years," he on reflecting how his life was put "on pause" at 19, he says he felt left behind, as others his age got on with living their lives. Jake says he feels "isolated" and that it was "just me at times". "You get the horrible feeling of loneliness," he says. Cancer Research UK says young people aged 19 to 24 should have access to age-appropriate treatment areas and support. It says this might be in their local hospital or at a treatment centre. Helen Gravestock, director of policy and influencing at the Young Lives vs Cancer charity, says: "Recent research found that many young people with cancer, like Jake, struggle with loneliness and have a strong need for connection." Jake says he had "a massive passion for sports", and played rugby and loved was studying sports journalism at university and hoped he would have a family of his own one day. He says he had to let go of those dreams - but is is hanging on to one. While he feels he can't have a relationship, he does have a love - and it is an unusual one for a Sunderland lad. For most of his life, he has been devoted to Arsenal FC and his wish is to one day meet the Arsenal players. "I know it sounds daft, being 24 and wanting to meet your football it's the love I have for the club," he he ever got that chance, would he also grasp the opportunity to interview them and fulfil that dream of being a sports reporter, after all? Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Sun
21-04-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Heartbreak as ‘athletic' woman, 25, dies after lower back pain blamed on ‘poor posture' was misdiagnosed as sciatica
A WOMAN whose back pain was misdiagnosed as sciatica died from bone cancer less than a year after a tumour was found in her pelvis. "Athletic" Kate Drummond, 25, was "fit and healthy" when in 2020 she began to experience bad back pain. 6 6 6 She initially put this down to "poor posture" or working out too much, according to her 33-year-old sister Kelly Drummond. After the pain radiated to her hip, Kate was diagnosed with "probable sciatica" after visiting the A&E department of her local hospital in Devon in May 2021. Kelly said it was noted she was "one of the youngest patients (doctors) had ever seen" with the condition. After going on to seek an MRI scan through private care, Kate was given the "life-altering" news she had a "grapefruit-sized" tumour in her pelvis in August 2021. She underwent treatment for several months but deteriorated "rapidly" in January 2022 as the disease quickly spread to "almost every part of her body", including her lungs, liver and other bones. Kate died in March 2022 in hospital and her sister Kelly is sharing her story for the first time to urge others to "listen to your body" and "advocate for yourself". "We'd be silly to not assume that things could have been slightly different had she been diagnosed sooner," Kelly, a personal trainer from Devon, told PA Real Life. "When Kate's tumour was found it was large, they described it as grapefruit-sized and it was suggested she may have had cancer in her body for up to two years. "What started as some lower back pain turned into cancer within a matter of days, which then turned into multiple cancerous tumours in almost every part of her body – the rapid progression was shocking. "Kate's story shows just how unpredictable cancer is and clearly, early diagnosis has been shown time and time again to save lives." Kelly said Kate, who worked in customer care for a local company, first noticed something "wasn't quite right" in the late summer of 2020 when she developed "intermittent" lower back pain. "She put this down to working from home, it was the Covid pandemic, and she thought this was due to poor posture or a slightly uncomfortable working set-up," Kelly said. "By January 2021, the pain was more persistent and she had some new pain radiating into her hip as well." Kelly said she and her family members are still struggling to process the loss. "Don't wait, and laugh more, I think she would say." Kate's family and friends continue to honour her in their day-to-day lives by aiming to live for the moment and be more present. "Kate was the most kind and considerate person and people were just generally drawn to her, she was really warm," Kelly said. "She had really good wit and she was just hilarious – she had this amazingly infectious laugh. "We all say her laugh is what we miss most about her." April marks Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month for the Bone Cancer Research Trust, the UK's leading charity for primary bone cancer. To find out more, visit their website here: 6 6 6
