Latest news with #cancerAwareness
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
New dad devastated to be told he is dying from brain cancer days after celebrating son's first birthday
A father has told of his horror after he was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour just days after his son turned one. Elliot Godfrey, from Waddesdon in Buckinghamshire, suddenly began experiencing migraines in March following a family holiday in Mexico. But the 42-year-old dismissed the headaches as merely the stress and tiredness of being a new dad. It was only when his friends noticed his discomfort during his son, Aein's, first birthday party that they urged him to seek medical help. After his symptoms worsened he was rushed to John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford. In April, scans revealed that he has a high-grade glioblastoma—one of the deadliest types of brain tumours. Typical treatment plans for the 'aggressive' cancer—which strikes around 3,000 Brits and 12,000 Americans each year—sees patients have surgery before chemo and radiotherapy. This is still the same way it was treated in the early 2000s. Mr Godfrey, an ex-professional golfer who now owns a golf simulation business, has now undergone surgery to remove 95 per cent of the tumour as well as weeks of gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Recalling his devastating diagnosis, he said: 'They [the doctors] gave me a 20 per cent chance that I could die from surgery. 'Sitting there with my family that, was obviously pretty devastating and quite scary. 'I googled it and the first thing I saw was a picture of Arnold Schwarzenegger as Terminator. 'They literally called it the "Terminator cancer'—the survival rates and the reality of living with this hit really hard.' He added: 'When I got home, my son Aein's one-year-old birthday balloon was still there. 'I sat there, and I thought "will I get to see two, will I get to see four?" 'I just want to be here for as long as possible for him. 'One of the hardest things is you're processing it yourself and also seeing all the people that you love going through trauma. 'You kind of feel guilty, like you've let everybody down. 'I'm incredibly lucky to have my network around me. I didn't think I could love my wife Jess any more but how much she's been there for me every single day is overwhelming. 'She was already the love of my life, but she's gone up a tier or two.' Diagnosed patients usually undergo surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible. This is followed by daily radiation and chemo drugs for around six weeks, after which the drugs are scaled back. Radiation can be then used to destroy additional tumour cells and treat those who are not well enough for surgery. But the cancer can double in size in just seven weeks. Mr Godfrey is currently nearing the end of his six-week course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy but is also tirelessly researching the next steps. Last month, Mr Godfrey launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds to undergo experimental treatments, and raised over £141,000 to date. He hopes to undergo two treatments in Germany that offer 'glimmers of light'. Both have shown promise in early-stage clinical trials but are yet to be approved for routine use on the NHS. One, Tumour Treating Fields, uses a battery-powered cap worn 18-hours a day to disrupt cancer cell division. The other, Dendritic Cell Vaccine Therapy, retrains the immune system to attack cancer cells. 'The GoFundMe page was something that was quite hard to do because I hate asking for help, but it has restored my faith in humanity,' Mr Godfrey said. 'You read about all the bad things that happen in the world, but people are kind and people do want to help each other.' He added: 'I'm doing absolutely everything I can to increase my chances of long-term survival. 'Because of my professional sports person attitude, I've turned this into my life. 'I've gone onto a diet, I'm out running, I'm training. 'We have to keep our foot on the gas—I'm trying to take myself as far into the expected survival as I can because I can't bear to think that's how long I've got. 'Doctors say if they didn't have my notes, they wouldn't believe I had a glioblastoma. 'I feel like for someone with a glioblastoma, grade four, unmethylated, wild type, I'm doing a pretty good job—just trying to keep positive energy and kill it with kindness.' Average survival time for glioblastoma is between 12 and 18 months, according to the Brain Tumour Charity. Only 5 per cent of patients survive five years, it says. The disease killed the Labour politician Dame Tessa Jowell in 2018. In March 2022, The Wanted singer Tom Parker also died following an 18-month battle with stage four glioblastoma.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Mother, 43, who was given 40% chance of survival after bowel cancer diagnosis shares common night time symptom which is often ignored
A mother who blamed her night sweats on perimenopause has revealed it was an early sign of deadly bowel cancer. Charlie O'Brien, 43, from Bromley in South East London, had previously been fit-and-healthy until she suddenly became very unwell at the start of the year. Doctors found a large tumour on her colon and she was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in January 2025. Heartbreakingly, the counsellor and hypnotherapist was told by doctors she has a 'four in ten' chance of survival. Despite not experiencing most of the classic symptoms, her tumour was already three to four years old, because bowel cancer can be very slow growing. Since her diagnosis, she has been able to 'piece it all together' and has shared what she believes to be the early signs of the devastating disease. Initially she put the on-and-off night sweats she'd had for around two years down to entering perimenopause, but once her tumour was removed 'they've stopped'. Other symptoms she has since linked to the tumour include an aching and pulling sensation on her left side, bloating, tummy cramps, and constipation. Now she has urged others experiencing any of the early signs to 'insist on screenings with your GP if needs be'. In a video posted on TikTok which has been viewed more than 114,000 times, she also shared the usual bowel cancer symptoms she didn't experience. These included blood from the bottom, weight loss, fatigue, vitamin deficiency, and loss of appetite. 'If I can help someone to not go through the dreadful experience I have—these posts are more than worth it,' she wrote in the caption. And it seems her decision to go public with her diagnosis and health battle has already started to have a positive ripple effect. After bravely sharing her experience, many people have told her that they have either had a colonoscopy or booked an appointment for one. Since under going an emergency operation to remove the tumour, Ms O'Brien has undergone eight rounds of chemotherapy, with more to go. The comment section was flooded with messages of support from social media users. One user commented: 'Thank you so much for sharing this. (I) really hope you are okay.' Another said: 'This is so important to spread awareness. I've just been diagnosed and never had any of the classic (symptoms).' It comes amid an alarming explosion of cancers in young people, which has baffled experts. Over the last 30 years, young diagnoses of colon cancer have shot up by 80 per cent across the globe, research suggests. Meanwhile, rates of the disease in older groups, who are statistically more likely to get the disease overall, have either declined or remained stable to the same period. Concerningly, last year experts predicted that deaths from bowel cancer are set to soar by a tenth by 2040. There have been several different explanations proposed by experts for the explosion in cases in young people. Earlier this year a bombshell study found a common food bug E. coli picked up in childhood may be fuelling the epidemic. Other researchers have suggested it could be due to 'accelerated aging' which increases their risk of developing polyps, small growths that can lead to cancer. This aging is thought to be caused by a mixture of lifestyle choices, such as diet and level of exercise. However, it has also been suggested that factors typically outside of an individual's control could be to blame, like chemicals in food, clothing and air. Some studies have pointed to seed oils like sunflower, canola, corn and grapeseed, as the explanation. Meanwhile, a growing number of studies have laid the blame at the foot of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Other theories suggest microplastics—particles of plastic that are transferred on to food from packaging materials—and additives in store-bought foods.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Orpington mum dies after 'perimenopause' symptoms was actually bowel cancer
A mum said knowing she was going to die from bowel cancer allowed her to "live more fully" - and her last few weeks contained "some of the happiest days" of her life. Laura Dawson, 44, suffered with bloating and fatigue for several months before being told she had stage three cancer in March last year. Initially, she thought her symptoms were linked to perimenopause - but one night had to be rushed to A&E because her stomach pain suddenly became so bad she "could not move". The mum-of-two underwent emergency surgery to remove an obstruction on her bowel, and while the operation itself was successful, a biopsy revealed her cancer diagnosis. Laura was supported by St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham, south east London. (Image: SWNS) Laura underwent six months of chemotherapy, and initially the scans were "promising", according to her husband Ben, 49. He said: "We got one clear scan in August and it all seemed promising. But then in September we got the news that it was back and it had spread. "That was absolutely gut wrenching." Initially, Laura trialled some other forms of chemotherapy - but two months ago she decided to discontinue treatment. The treatment was only making her more ill - and she instead wanted to spend what time she had left with her family and friends. Laura was supported by St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham, who allowed her to live at home for as long as she could - meaning she could enjoy her family's company in a "comfortable and dignified way". Laura died at St Christopher's Hospice on Sunday, June 29 (Image: SWNS) After two weeks, she was transferred to in-hospice care. She died at St Christopher's Hospice on Sunday, June 29. Ben said her death was "peaceful" - and he was with her at the end. He continued: "The care Laura received at home from the carers from St Christopher's allowed her to have her final two weeks at home in a comfortable and dignified way. "Then, during the nearly three weeks she stayed at the hospice, she was so well looked after - and everyone there was so compassionate and so caring - that it made Laura's last few days so good for her. "We're eternally grateful that such a positive experience could come from such a negative situation." Laura said some of her final days had been some of her happiest. (Image: SWNS) Speaking previously about her experience of knowing she was dying, Laura said some of her final days had been some of her "happiest". She said: "Some of the happiest days of my life have been in the last few weeks. "As a society, we shy away from the process of dying. "By doing that, we reinforce negative ideas around death. People think death is always going to be painful and traumatic, but it doesn't have to be. "Deep down we all know we are going to die. Cancer has forced me to acknowledge it. "Since then I've lived more fully than I've ever done, and that has been a gift." Ben explained that he and Laura viewed the time they had together as a blessing - even if they both wished they had longer. Laura and Ben have two sons, Jacob, 17, and Theo, 15. (Image: SWNS) He said: "Laura could have died on that operating table back in March. Life can be cut short unexpectedly and suddenly. "But knowing Laura was going to die meant everyone had the opportunity to say what they wanted to say to her. "When it comes to the funeral, I won't have to stand up there and say all those things I wished I had said to her. "Because I told her, and so did the kids. "Obviously, I'd prefer to keep her - and have her for the rest of my life. Ben said that they will miss Laura "endlessly" (Image: SWNS) "But she died knowing she is loved and that we will miss her endlessly. "That is a blessing." Ben said that throughout the process, he and Laura were always honest with their sons Jacob, 17, and Theo, 15. Ben said: "We've spoken very openly about it all the way through. "We've always told them what the possible outcomes are - because we want to prepare them for what might happen and we want them to be able to trust what we're saying. "That's definitely helped us throughout." He also said the care she received - from the NHS and St Christopher's - had made the experience a lot easier. "From the moment she was admitted into Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, all the care Laura received was incredible," Ben said. "We really are so thankful." Ben said that Laura wanted to share her story to help others. (Image: SWNS) Ben said that Laura wanted to share her story to help other people deal with dying and death. He said: "The way she's approached this has been incredible. I don't think there's been a day in this process where Laura truly let this get to her. "This is unfair. She's had her life cut short by 40 or 50 years. But she's seeing the beauty in the small things - taking joy in what she can do. "They say people are glass half empty or glass half full. Laura was always happy enough just to have a glass. "She wants to share that with people." Laura also used what time she had left to create memories for her loved ones. She wrote letters, organised mementoes, and bought both of her sons sentimental watches. "She bought me one when we got engaged and now the boys have one too," Ben said. "That way, on special occasions, like their weddings, they can look at it and know she's with them and thought about that day." Recommended Reading London woman grateful she's sober after incurable brain tumour London man discovered 5 tumours after craving olives Girl becomes fastest 8 year-old to run a 5k in the world Speaking about Laura, Ben continued: "We met 24 years ago. They talk about love at first sight - and it was that. "She's been my constant companion ever since. "Laura is generous to a fault - and the kind of person who is friends with someone after a minute of chatting to them. "She's just a really, really nice person."
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Julian McMahon Praised Daughter Madison's Career Achievements 4 Months Before His Death at 56
Nearly four months before Julian McMahon's tragic death at 56, he made it clear how overwhelmingly proud he was of his daughter. 'Taught my first yoga class today at @ahanayoga!!' McMahon's daughter, Madison, wrote via Instagram on March 8. "I guess dreams do come true ✨.' The Australian actor was the first to comment on the post, hyping up the 25-year-old's achievement. 'Your [sic] awesome!!!!!' McMahon, who shared Madison with ex-wife Brooke Burns, replied. Holly Marie Combs, Rose McGowan and More Mourn Julian McMahon After His Death at 56 Madison replied to her father's message at the time, playfully correcting his grammar. '@julianmcmahonofficial, no YOU'RE awesome,' she wrote. McMahon, who was best known for roles on Charmed, Nip/Tuck and Marvel's Runaways, died earlier this month after a private battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. 'With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer,' his wife, Kelly McMahon, wrote in a Friday, July 4, statement. 'Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.' She continued, 'We ask for support during this time to allow our family to grieve in privacy. And we wish for all of those to whom Julian brought joy to continue to find joy in life. We are grateful for the memories.' Julian married Kelly in 2014. He was previously married to Dannii Minogue from 1994 to 1995 and Burns, 47, from 1999 to 2001. Kelly Carlson Says She's 'Shocked and Saddened' By 'Nip/Tuck' Costar Julian McMahon's Death Burns, for her part, broke her silence on Julian's passing on Saturday, July 5. 'Rest in Peace,' she captioned a throwback photo of the late Australian star and Madison. In the comments section, Hallmark star Kristoffer Polaha offered his support. 'I'm praying for you and Maddy as you and her especially grieve this out ❤️,' Polaha, 48, replied. Other stars, including members of Julian's Charmed family, have also expressed their heartbreak and condolences. 'I'm heartbroken. Julian McMahon was magic. That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence,' Alyssa Milano wrote via Instagram. 'He walked into a room and lit it up — not just with charisma, but with kindness. With mischief. With soulful understanding.' The 52-year-old actress added, 'Julian was more than my TV husband. He was a dear friend. The kind who checks in. The kind who remembers. The kind who shares. The kind who tells you the truth, even when it's uncomfortable — but always with love.'
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Common food and waterborne bug to blame for millions of cases of ‘silent cancer' mistaken for heartburn
A COMMON bug lurking in food and water is driving millions of cases of cancer worldwide, experts warn. New research from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the WHO, reveals that around 15.6 million people born between 2008 and 2017 will face stomach cancer in their lifetime. 1 Of these cases, some 11.9 million (76 per cent) will be due to infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). It's a common stomach bacteria spread through person-to-person contact and contaminated food or water. Asia bears the brunt of new cases, with countries like India and China hardest hit. But the Americas might see as many 2 million cases, Africa 1.7 million, and Europe 1.2 million. H. pylori is a bacteria that infects the lining of the stomach. Detecting the bug is simple, using blood, breath or stool tests, and treatment typically involves antibiotics. But most people never realise they're infected. This is because when symptoms do appear, they can easily be mistaken for run-of-the-mill indigestion, which can cause bloating, nausea, heartburn, or feeling full quickly after eating. Other symptoms include loss of appetite or losing weight without trying, stomach pain, a lump feeling at the top of the stomach and feeling very tired. Experts say this could be fuelling a surge in stomach cancer, often dubbed a 'silent killer' because symptoms are vague and easy to ignore. Netflix star Rob 'The Rabbit' Pitts dies at 45 following health battle after telling fans goodbye in heartbreaking clip Scientists are still working to understand exactly how the bug causes cancer. It's also been linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. The authors of the study, published in Nature Medicine, are now calling for greater investment in the prevention of stomach cancer, particularly through population-wide "screen and treat" programmes for H. pylori. However, Cancer Research UK said stomach cancer rates in the UK have actually been falling - over the last decade, they have dropped 26 per cent and are projected to fall further by 2040. Dr Rachel Orritt, a health information manager at the charity, said: "H. pylori infection increases the risk of stomach cancer, but it's not a common infection in the UK. "It's also important to note that stomach cancer cases have been decreasing in the UK for decades, and they're expected to continue to fall. "Although this is an important issue worldwide, in the UK other preventable factors cause more cancer cases. "Ways to reduce your cancer risk include stopping smoking, keeping a healthy weight, cutting down on alcohol and eating a healthy, balanced diet." For the study, scientists examined the incidence of stomach cancer from 185 countries in 2022 and combined it with projections of future deaths. They looked at the potential impact of screen-and-treat strategies for H. pylori and found the number of stomach cancers could be cut by up to 75 per cent overall. Asia accounts for two thirds of projected future cases, with 10.6 million cases (68 per cent of the total), followed by the Americas (2m or 13 per cent), Africa (1.7 million or 11 per cent), Europe (1.2m or 8 per cent), and Oceania (0.07m or 0.4 per cent). Dr Jin Young Park, leader of the gastric cancer prevention team at IARC and co-author of the study, said: "It is essential that health authorities make gastric cancer prevention a priority and accelerate efforts to control it by planning pilot and feasibility projects, including H. pylori screen-and-treat programmes."
