Latest news with #bowelcancer
The Independent
29-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Schools urged to stop serving ham due to bowel cancer risk
Schools should stop serving sausage rolls and ham sandwiches due to their 'concerning' link with bowel cancer, a report has warned. The Food Foundation charity said schools should axe processed meat after revealing over a third (36 per cent) of meat eaten by children in the UK is processed. Ham is the most common meat used in school lunches, followed by sausages and sausage rolls at number five, according to the report. 'The current regulations for schools to serve meat three days a week should be relaxed,' the report, based on NHS diet surveys, warned. 'Guidance should recommend removing or limiting the amount of processed meat being served to schoolchildren.' Processed meat is meat that has been preserved by smoking, curing, salting or adding preservatives. This includes sausages, bacon and ham, as well as chicken nuggets. The charity said the amount of this kind of food eaten by Britain's youngsters was 'concerning' due to a greater risk of developing a number of chronic diseases including bowel cancer. Rebecca Tobi, a manager at the foundation, told The Times: 'The UK's food system is rigged against parents trying to feed their families healthy foods, with processed meat an affordable and all too available option when eating out of the home. 'As a nation we are eating too much processed meat, despite a very strong body of evidence linking it to a host of chronic diseases.' Early onset bowel cancer in those aged 25 to 49 is increasing globally, but England is among the countries with the biggest rise, averaging a 3.6 per cent increase every year, Cancer Research UK experts said. Last year, Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'A cancer diagnosis at any age has a huge impact on patients and their families. 'While it's important to note that rates in younger adults are still very low compared to people over 50, we need to understand what's causing this trend in younger people.' Symptoms include changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you, according to the NHS. Blood in your poo, which may look red or black, as well as tummy pain, a lump in your tummy, bloating and losing weight without trying are symptoms.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Colorectal care facility for patients opens at Warwick Hospital
A new colorectal care facility has opened at a Warwickshire hospital funded by a bowel cancer survivor's charity cycle Harrington Suite at Warwick Hospital was made possible due to the "tremendous fundraising efforts" of its namesake, Mark Harrington, the NHS trust's charity Harrington, a bowel cancer patient who had life-saving surgery at the site in 2023, raised £9,320 for the charity by cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats last year."The Harrington Suite is a much-needed facility for both patients and medical staff," he said. "Patient diagnosis and care can now be attended to in a private, relaxed environment," Mr Harrington added.A local Affected by Bowel Cancer (ABC) Club is based at the hospital and supports all patients living with the disease within the local area."The official opening of the Harrington Suite is the culmination of a lot of effort by all concerned, but especially Mark who undertook this arduous cycle event," added Brian Wakefield, chairman."We, the ABC Club, are proud to have been able to contribute and see the very valuable new Harrington Suite fully operational." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cancer patient says bike 'like therapy' as he takes on charity ride
A man with bowel cancer who was told he has less than a year to live is taking part in a charity motorbike ride to raise awareness of men's Eaton, who is undergoing palliative chemotherapy, will join the Salisbury Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride (DGR) 61-year-old bought a motorbike and rekindled his passion for riding after being told he had terminal stage four cancer last year, as the disease had spread to his liver."I didn't think I'd be here to do this year's ride," he said. "Just being well enough to ride as much as I can, if the weather is good and I am feeling good, it is a good day." The Salisbury ride is one of thousands taking place globally to raise money for the men's health charity Movember, which funds work in men's mental health, prostate and testicular the past decade the DGR has seen more than 500,000 riders take to the streets, often on classic motorcycles and wearing vintage event began 10 years ago as a small ride in 64 cities and is now hosted in 1,000 places. DGR founder Mark Hawwa said: "Together with Movember, we've turned passion into purpose – funding life-changing research and programs for prostate cancer and men's mental health. We can't wait to see what the next 10 years brings." Mr Eaton, who lives on the border of Wiltshire and Dorset, near Shaftesbury, said he wanted to take part in the ride as he experienced a prostate cancer scare in 2016, and had lost close friends to mental illness."I have to accept things," he said. "The DGR family have been supportive."Promoting the conversation around getting yourself checked for prostate cancer is a really important part of what happens at the event, along with male suicide prevention." Mr Eaton sold a motorbike when he was diagnosed last year, but decided to buy another one and start riding again when his cancer progressed."Anybody with a hobby that's as encompassing as riding a motorcycle will tell you that it's therapy."It's very uplifting, you feel alive, you're focused on the ride and I'm not worried about the fact that I've only got a few months to live." Dan Cooper, Movember's director of innovation, said: "Every ride, every dollar, every story like Paul's helps fund life-saving research, vital support services, and community programs around the world. "These rides spark real conversations and powerful moments of connection - helping men live longer, healthier lives. That's the power of this movement." The 26 mile (42km) ride starts in Compton Abbas airfield at 10:00 BST and finishes at Old Sarum airport, Salisbury, at 12:00 BST.
