Latest news with #healthstruggles
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
NRL cheerleader Savannah had a 'normal' life... Until she made a devastating discovery in Dolly magazine
From the outside, Savannah McKell seemed to have a picture-perfect life. But behind closed doors, the former Newcastle Knights cheerleader was secretly battling a life-shortening condition. 'People often looked at my life and saw a fairytale - I was cheerleading, modelling and taking glamorous Instagram pictures... What they didn't see was me coughing up blood between cheering, managing life-threatening lung infections, and silently battling cystic fibrosis,' Savannah told FEMAIL. When she was born, her parents were given the devastating news that she might not live past her teens - and if she did, she would likely only reach her early 20s. Her parents kept her life relatively normal, shifting the focus away from her illness so she could simply enjoy being a kid. From the age of 20, she began experiencing more frequent infections and health complications. But it wasn't until she was 24 that her condition took a terrifying turn - after she suffered an episode of hemoptysis, just hours before her engagement party. 'The day I started coughing up cups full of blood was the scariest day of my life,' Savannah recalled. 'As I was rushed to the emergency room, all I could think was I'm not going to get to say goodbye or 'I love you' to my parents or make it to my wedding and marry my husband... The party was at the back of my mind and I just went into survival mode.' Savannah has been living with the incurable disease since she was six weeks old. Growing up, she remembers having a 'beautiful' childhood, even as she navigated life with cystic fibrosis (CF) - a genetic disorder that causes an abnormal build-up of thick mucus in the lungs, airways and digestive system. 'My family kept my diagnosis very positive and almost pretended it didn't exist to me as I was so young and unable to comprehend,' she said. 'I had an amazing family, and we'd spend as many days as we could by the beach to soak up the salt, which helped my CF. I had a lot of extra hospital visits and treatment I had to do but my mum always tried to make them as enjoyable as possible.' Dolly discovery Savannah was never fazed by her diagnosis - until she came across a confronting detail in the teen magazine Dolly that revealed the soul-crushing reality of her life expectancy. 'It was devastating. I knew I was "more prone to getting a cold, cough and flu" but I didn't know my CF came with a very dire life expectancy,' she recalled. 'Finding out at 12 years old - from reading Dolly magazine - that I was nearly "halfway" through my life had a profound effect on me.' After reading the article, she made the decision to keep her condition a secret. 'I chose to keep my CF private in the early 2000s. With the life expectancy being what it was, I didn't want the stigma of being "the sick girl" or that "she was going to die soon",' she said. 'I wasn't ashamed of having CF but I never wanted it to be the talking point to my friends, peers, classmates and just everyone around me. 'Growing up is hard enough without already being labelled as 'different'. I just wanted to be Savannah, not Savannah who has CF.' Her childhood with CF was so normal that she didn't really worry about her diagnosis until she read something about the life expectancy of someone living with CF in Dolly magazine As a child, Savannah knew she was 'different' because of the number of hospital visits she had compared to her school friends and other kids her age. 'Some of them said they'd never been to hospital before, yet I was going once a month for clinics and yearly needles, and needing antibiotics all the time for a "cold",' she recalled. 'The clinic visits when I was young were very traumatic with tubes being shoved down my throat and multiple blood tests, and antibiotics... no five-year-old should have to endure stuff like that so young.' Defying odds As she got older, the life expectancy for people with cystic fibrosis gradually increased to around 30 years. However, Savannah, now 29, has received promising news after defying all odds - thanks to medical advancements, research and a breakthrough prescription drug called Trikafta. 'Life expectancy has increased drastically and continues to increase every day. While it's in no way a cure, it's a big step for cystic fibrosis sufferers. It's now almost double the life expectancy to 60,' she said. What many people didn't see was that Savannah was struggling behind closed doors -coughing up blood between cheerleading and managing life-threatening lung infections How you can help make a difference May is the month of Cystic Fibrosis Awareness. Savannah is sharing her story in support of CF Together. She is hoping to help raise awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis research. You can donate here. 'Trikafta has completely changed my life. I can now go months, if not years between antibiotics, IVs, hospital stays and clinic visits. Something that used to occur monthly. 'I'm not constantly clearing my throat or coughing up thick mucus, I can now take deep breaths and have clear lungs. It also allowed me to fall pregnant naturally which never happened before Trikafta.' Before discovering the life-extending drug, Savannah experienced fertility issues while trying to get pregnant - likely due to her condition. Baby joy She and her husband conceived their first son Elijah via IVF. 'Carrying a pregnancy was the hardest challenge physically, as the strain on my body and health was incredibly hard,' the young mum said. 'The only thing that got me through was the beautiful baby boy I was fighting so hard for.' Three months postpartum, Savannah contracted an infection called B. cepacia, often referred to as a 'death sentence' for people with cystic fibrosis. This scare prompted her to start Trikafta after a year of hesitation. Savannah kept her CF a secret from most people for many years due to stigma and a desire to be seen as 'normal' but she has become more open about her condition - especially after having her son 'The thinning of mucus from Trikafta not only cleared my lungs but cervical mucus too, allowing to conceive naturally, something we had tried for many years with no success without IVF,' she said. Thanks to advocacy by CF Together, she now has access to the life-saving medication - something she attributes to giving her the best years of her adult life. Highs and lows Savannah said her condition is now 'very stable'. 'I live 99 per cent of the time a somewhat normal life minus the pills every day and extra precautionary clinic visits. My new life expectancy is promising and I can look to the future without as much fear,' she said. Despite thriving at 29 with a second baby on the way after conceiving naturally, she still struggles with the 'constant mental noise and fear of decline'. 'While we have advancements and fancy new drugs, it still only takes catching one bad bug to completely bring your whole body and life down, as well as the mental side,' she explained. 'CF means taking pills every day, with every meal, since the day I was born - and that hasn't stopped.' What is cystic fibrosis carrier testing? Cystic fibrosis carrier testing is a genetic test that will help to identify if you have changes to the CF gene. The test involves providing a blood or saliva sample and requires a referral from your GP, obstetrician, geneticist, or gynaecologist. There are around 2,000 gene changes that cause CF, and a typical CF screening will identify the most common CF gene changes in Australia. However, there is still a small risk that you may be a carrier of a rare CF gene change. If you have a family history of CF, it is important to tell your GP, obstetrician or gynaecologist before providing your sample for screening. This will ensure that you are being tested for the most common CF gene changes as well as the specific gene change relevant to your family. Making the decision to know your CF carrier status through genetic testing is a choice only you can make. Knowing whether you are a carrier can help inform you of your reproductive options. You can discuss your CF carrier screening options with your GP, obstetrician or a genetic counsellor. On November 1, 2023, reproductive carrier testing for cystic fibrosis, fragile X syndrome and spinal muscular atrophy was made available for every eligible Australian, thanks to two new Medicare item numbers, allowing people to make more informed choices regarding family planning. The test can be ordered before pregnancy or early in pregnancy. Savannah said she's now enjoying living a 'slow, nature-filled life'. 'I'm raising my family without any fear for the future. Something as small as going for a swim at the beach is such a blessing for me and I want to spend the rest of my life just appreciating every second,' she said. For couples looking to start a family, Savannah urges them to get a genetic blood test before trying to conceive. 'CF is genetic but I advise couples looking to start a family to please do a genetic blood test before falling pregnant. My parents had no idea they were carriers and it's surprisingly more common in Australia than you think to be a carrier,' she said. By sharing her story, Savannah wants every young person living with cystic fibrosis to know that their diagnosis does not define them. 'It should never stop you from chasing the life you dream of. Never listen to any one that doubt you or wrap you in cotton wool because of your disease,' Savannah said. 'I chose to keep my illness private growing up, but I've learned that strength doesn't come from pretending everything's ok... it's from being honest and proving people you can do all of this while fighting something so horrific. 'I share my story now because I wish, as a little girl, I had seen someone like me thriving despite their diagnosis. Appearances don't always reflect reality. 'You truly never know what someone is going through behind the scenes. You should always prioritise your health for those who weren't as blessed.' According to CF Together, nine out of 10 children diagnosed with cystic fibrosis are born into families without any prior history of the condition. In cases where there is no family history, both parents of the child who is born with CF must be carriers of the gene change that causes CF. One in 25 people are estimated to carry the gene changes that can cause CF, and most people are completely unaware they are a carrier. CF carrier screening testing is available to help you and your partner find out whether you are among the one million Australians who carry the CF gene change.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Rarely seen son of 90s pop star looks all grown up as he turns 17 – can you guess his famous mum?
Henna Sharma, TV Reporter Published: Invalid Date, THE rarely seen son of a huge '90s pop legend has made a rare appearance. With his striking looks and confident smile, it's clear he takes after his famous mum… but can you guess which chart-topping singer raised this handsome teen? 7 7 7 S Club 7 star Jo O'Meara took to Instagram as she celebrated her son Lenny's 17th birthday. The singer, 46, shared a string of photos posing with his son, as well as younger snaps of him growing up. Jo wrote: "Lenny... 17 years ago today I held you in my arms for the first time! Time has flown by and now you are a young man how did that happen! "I hope you have a lovely birthday! I'm proud of you always darling! As we always say 831". Fans flooded to the comment section to say happy birthday - but also stunned that the youngster was turning 17. One user wrote: "I cannot believe he's 17! Geesh! happy Birthday Lenny." A third penned: "Hbd… wow time has flown." A fourth chimed in: "Blimey! I remember you showing him off on GMTV back in 2008 that's flew." Earlier this week, the noughties pop star has been rushed to hospital as she shared a health update with fans. S Club 7's Jo O'Meara reveals she's in 'horrendous' pain after failed back surgery Taking to her Instagram stories, Jo posted a photo of her looking sad from her hospital bed while wearing a gown. She wrote: "Back in hospital! The back is back! I didn't expect to be in here today." Jo has previously been open about her health struggles. In 2022, she revealed that she was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery that failed. A timeline of S Club's career to date 1998 - The group was formed by ex Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, and was known as S Club 7 1999 - S Club 7 shot to fame in their TV series Miami 7, which aired between April and July that year. They released their debut single Bring It All Back in June 1999. 2000 - Their second TV series L.A. 7 began airing this year, followed by S Club 7 Go Wild! later that year 2001 - The band's boys - Bradley McIntosh, Jon Lee and Paul Cattermole - were photographed smoking cannabis in Covent Garden. They were cautioned by police and released without charge, after which they issued an apology through their publicity firm 2001 - In May this year, the group's first tour - the S Club Party 2001 tour - kicked off 2002 - Paul Cattermole quit S Club 7 to rejoin his school metal band, Skua, after which the group was renamed S Club 2003 - S Club released their first feature film, Seeing Double - 10 days after that they announced on tour that they were splitting up 2003 - 2008 - The group all took on solo projects, with Rachel enjoying a solo singing career and Jo appearing in Celebrity Big Brother in 2007 2008 - Paul declared bankruptcy and sold his 2000 BRIT Award at auction 2014 - On 14 November 2014, S Club 7 reunited for a BBC Children in Need telethon 2023 - Hannah Spearritt said she had been forced into homelessness, living in four temporary homes over a six-month period February 2023 - The group announced on The One Show that they would reunite for a two-week 25th-anniversary tour that October April 2023 - Paul died aged 46 of several heart conditions May 2023 - The group announced they had changed their name to S Club and that Hannah would not join them on their coming tour July 2023 - They released their first new single in more than 20 years, These Are the Days, in memory of Paul October 2023 - The Good Times Tour began on 12 October at the Manchester Arena March 2024 - They released a new version of their son Good Times in honour of Paul, on his birthday 7 March 2024 At the time, she shared a photo on a drip in A&E at 4am in the morning as she struggled with the "worst pain yet'. Jo told her worried followers: 'When am I gonna get a break?? I really thought I was on the road to recovery. '4am this morning the pain was the worst it's been yet! So here we are again ! I am devastated.' Jo was forced to cancel live shows around the same time and had an operation to remove a disc in her back. But she later told how she still in a lot of pain and a scan has revealed she needs further surgery. She said at the time: "As you can see I'm back in bed. That is because the back is playing games again. The pain has been absolutely horrendous and today I got some MRI scan results back that wasn't the result I wanted. 'I've actually got to go back into hospital for further surgery on my back which I'm absolutely devastated about to be honest." The frustrating news had taken its toll on Jo's mental health and she's found it hard to remain positive. She continued: "And it's been making me feel really quite in a bad place if I'm being honest. "I've felt really low. The last few days have been really tough but I'm hopefully with this next surgery, I will be back fighting fit and ready to get out there again so positive thinking." 7 7 7 7
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'I dey homeless, my 41-year-old daughter dey miss, my son dey in debt'
Popular Nollywood actress, Jumoke George, don tok say na inside church she dey live for about six years now. Jumoke George for one strong emotional interview wit fellow actress Biola Adebayo on how she begin live for church six years ago, battle wit illness and a missing 41-year-old daughter. Anchor and di owner of TalkToB show, Biola Adebayo bin ask Jumoke George why she bin hide her problem and she respond say na sake of shame and fear say di public go mock her. Di ogbonge actress further explain say na early 2025 her health gbege bin start and sake of dat, she need cancel acting jobs wey she don kollet. "Sometins dey wey dey embarrassing to tok but at dis point, I no get choice. I wan speak out. I dey work but no be like say I dey get jobs every time. "Sometimes, e fit be once in three to four months. Dat na bifor I become ill. Afta I become ill, I bin no fit go for set wey I dey invited to." Jumoke George also tok how pesin bin pay am since 2024 and she later spend di moni to treat herself afta she fall sick. "I bin go anoda location but I no dey able to work. Dey bin bring me back sake of my health. I don do several tests. Dem do some more wey go cost about 400,000. I no know wia to get di money from." 'How I begin live inside church' Jumoke George further narrate how she begin live inside church for about six years afta landlord evict her from her apartment sake of she no fit afford rent. "Di house rent become high and I no fit afford am anymore. Di landlord bin tell me to leave, I beg but e no gree but wetin I wan do?". Na afta den di church leader bin give her one small space to dey stay and she even keep di place as secret pipo sake of embarrassment. "Daddy bin tell me to bring my tins to a place wey e get for me but e too small, and no even contain my tins, so I need to put my luggage wit different pipo. Di tins wey I work for all my life just dey spoil. "Everibodi for church get access to di room. I only dey welcome guests inside daddy living room downstairs wia dem dey hold events like harvest. She den point one space wia she dey put her mattress to sleep. Jumoke George say di 'daddy' wey bin giver her space for di church two years ago die and na di 'mummy' of di church dey feed her most times. "She dey buy drug for me and boil herbs for me". 'My 41-year-old daughter dey miss for four years now' Jumoke George problem no end for her health issue and her homelessness, she also narrate how her first child wey be 41-year old dey miss since di past four years. "My first child, Adeola, dey missing. I don dey look for her for di past four years. Any small money I get from work I dey spend to look for her". "She dey Ibadan wia she dey work and live wit my mama. So my mama just called me one day say she no see Deola wey say she dey come meet me for Lagos. I bin tok say I neva see her," di actress tok. Na later wey 41-year-old Adeola call one day to beg for forgiveness and say she don migrate wit some friends to go find better life but wetin she see dey different from wetin dey bin tell dem. "Since den, I never hear anytin from her. I be di one wey dey take care of her children sake of say I no see di papa of di children since dey separate wen di children bin dey younger". "I no get im number, I no know im town, I no sabi wia to find am. She dey born for 1984, she bin clock 41 on May 1, dis year. If to say she dey here, at least we go dey manage togeda." She also tok about her son, Ife, wey don borrow close to Two million naira for her hospital bills and oda expenses. "Ife, also dey assist me. E don try. I don put am in so much debt, she tok. Di actress say her son Ife salary small but e dey try to take care of her. And e also dey search seriously for im sister. "I don tire. I don try my best as a believer. Even wit my ill health, I don dey fast and pray. I no understand again, whether na spiritual or not, di actress tok as she kontinu dey cry. She beg di public make dem help her out of di wahala.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Peter Andre shares emotional moment he says farewell to his mother who's battling Parkinson's and Alzheimer's in Australia as he prepares to fly back to the UK
Peter Andre posted an emotional moment he said farewell to his mother, Thea, in Australia on Wednesday as he prepared to fly back to the UK. The Mysterious Girl star, 52, has been open about the health struggles his mum, 89, who lives Down Under, has faced in the last few years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. And now he's shared a video on Instagram as he visited her care home before his flight back to see his 'babies' back in the UK. In the clip, Peter can be seen with his mother caressing his face with her hands as she attempts to communicate with him. Alongside the post, he penned: 'Spending time with mum is always the most important part of my trip. Not exactly sure what mum is saying here but words are not always needed. I will be back very soon. 'I Love her so much, I pray she knows that. I also love Australia. But back to my babies now.' And now he's shared a video on Instagram as he visited her care home before his flight back to see his 'babies' back in the UK Peter jetted to Australia to promote his new movie Jafaican. The singer stars as Gary Buckle in the crime-comedy, a con artist pretending to be a Jamaican gangster. Gary, also known as Gazza, must master Jamaican culture in 21 days in order to execute a fraud in London and Jamaica and earn the £35,000 he needs to pay for his grandmother's care. With the film set to release later this year, its trailer showed Peter wearing dreadlocks and putting on a Jamaican accent - something which fans have called 'profoundly disrespectful '. The trailer made fans question: 'Did I wake up in 1998?!' Meanwhile, it comes after Peter opened up about his 'anxious' feelings when visiting his mother in Australia. The star travelled there for work commitments and took the opportunity to spend time with his ailing mother. But despite the joy of seeing his parents, the star admitted that leaving his family in the UK causes him anxiety. Peter shares two teenagers, Junior and Princess, with his ex-wife and former glamour model Katie Price. He also has three younger children, Amelia, Theo, and Arabella, with his current wife, Emily MacDonagh. In his column for OK! magazine, Peter shared: 'It's always so hard leaving the children when I travel. I get quite anxious before I leave. 'But I also feel anxious because I'm going to see my mum for a very limited amount of time in Australia. I've seen Mum and Dad everyday in between work, so it's bittersweet.' He concluded: 'I'm so happy to see them, but also happy that I'll get to go back and be with the children.' In January, Peter gave an update on his mental health struggles he has experienced after having a 'tough' year. The pop star explained that his struggles have largely resulted from his mother's health woes. While the singer touched on the amazing parts of the year, such as welcoming his youngest daughter, Arabella, he confessed that he has 'found parts of the year quite hard.' He told The Mirror: 'Although I've had a lot of highs in 2024, I did experience feelings of anxiety that I haven't had for a long time, especially to do with my mum's health. 'I think that's why I spoke a lot more about mental health, because I wanted to be open and admit that things aren't always great. 'I like to think of myself as a positive person but, truthfully, I have found parts of this year quite hard.' Peter also touched on the sensitive subject in his column for New! Magazine at the start of last year. He said: 'I can't believe I'm nearly 51. I was worried as I approached 50, but I'm over that and I feel great. 'I'm loving life and age is just a number. You can live life to the fullest at any age. 'I will be honest, though, the only thing that makes me sad about getting older is that my parents are too.' Peter continued: 'Although I thank God my parents are still here, I am seeing the rapid decline, especially in Mum. I find that part hard to deal with. 'Like most people, l'm so close to my parents that it is really difficult to come to terms with.' WHAT IS PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? What is Parkinson's disease? Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, according to the NHS website. What are the symptoms? The NHS says there are three major symptoms, including tremors or shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness. Other symptoms include problems with balance, loss of smell, nerve pain, excessive sweating and dizziness. Some people can also experience lack of sleep, excessive production of saliva and problems swallowing, causing malnutrition and dehydration. What are the early signs? Symptoms can start gradually, sometimes beginning with a barely noticeable tremor in just one part of the body. In the early stages, people may show little or no expression, and their arms may not swing when they walk. Speech can also become soft or slurred, with the condition worsening over time. What are the causes? Some scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause of Parkinson's disease. It occurs after a person experiences loss of nerve cells in a part of their brain. However, it is not known why the loss of nerve cells associated with the condition takes place but research is ongoing to identify potential causes. Scientists say genetics factor can increase a person's risk of developing the disease, and can therefore run in families. Other factors attributed to causing the condition include environmental problems such as pollution, though such links are inconclusive, the NHS says. How is it diagnosed? No tests can conclusively show if a person has the disease, but doctors can make a diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history and a physical examination. A specialist will ask the person to write or draw, walk or speak to check for any common signs of the condition. They may even check for difficulty making facial expressions and slowness of limb movement. How many people are affected? Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson's disease in the UK, according to the charity Parkinson's UK. What happens if someone is diagnosed? According to the charity, it is a legal requirement to contact the DVLA, as a diagnosed person will need to have a medical or driving assessment. The organisation also advises people to contact any insurance providers and find out about financial support available. People are also encouraged to partake in more exercise. Can it be treated? Although there is no cure, a number of treatments are available to help reduce the symptoms. The main remedies include medication, exercise, therapy and surgery, which can help people in different ways. What medication is available and what are the side effects? Medication can be helpful in improving the main symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as shaking and movement problems. There are three main types which are commonly used, levodopa, dopamine agonist or a MAO-B inhibitor. Each can affect people in different ways. The drugs do have some side effects, including impulsive and compulsive behaviour, hallucinations, sleep issues and blood pressure changes. What therapy is available? There are several therapies available to those with Parkinson's through the NHS. Among them are physiotherapy to reduce muscle stiffness, occupational therapy to help with completing day-to-day tasks and speech and language coaching. Does this change the way you live? Most people's life expectancy will not change a great deal, though more advanced symptoms can lead to increased disability and poor health. It can also cause some cognitive issues and changes to mood and mental health.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
My girl had a baby against all odds, now she has to say goodbye to him in a matter of days – his sobs rip my heart apart
AS HER son snuggles under the duvet, ready for a bedtime cuddle, Charlie Ainsworth's heart breaks. This should be an ordinary scene, repeated in millions of homes across the country. But Charlie knows her cuddles are numbered, and her time is running out. 7 7 7 Charlie, 37, defied medical advice to achieve her dream of having a child but she will soon have to leave him behind after being told she has only days to live. The mum has battled health problems all her life and was warned by doctors she would never be a mother. But she went on to have a little boy, Elijah, now seven, who she adores. In a cruel twist of fate, single mum Charlie has now been placed on end-of-life care, and her own mum, Belinda, is preparing to bring Elijah up in her memory. Mum of two Belinda, 59, from Accrington, says: 'Charlie never let her health issues define her. 'She has always been so positive, she is a fighter. 'She was determined to become a mother, even though the doctors warned it was dangerous. 'She and Elijah have an amazing bond. But now that Charlie is on end-of-life care, I've had to tell him that his Mummy will soon be a star in the sky. 'It's the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and it broke his heart.' Charlie was perfectly healthy as a young child but aged 8 was diagnosed with an under-active thyroid. The following year, tests showed she was diabetic. Belinda says: 'Charlie never let it upset her. She learned to inject herself and she followed all the rules. She never went on binges or went out drinking. She was a model patient. 'Charlie had always wanted to be a mum, but her doctors warned it could kill her. She got a poodle named Waldo instead, but still, she longed for a baby.' In 2016, Charlie had a mole removed from her thigh and was later diagnosed with melanoma. Doctors believed they had removed the cancer, and she had the all-clear. The following year, to her surprise, she fell pregnant. Belinda says: 'Charlie was over the moon; it was what she'd always wanted. 'But her specialist advised her to have a termination and warned her life was at risk. 'I begged her to think of herself; I knew she wanted a baby, but she was my baby. It was an impossible choice.' 7 7 Charlie continued with the pregnancy, but Elijah was delivered at 28 weeks after she swelled up with fluid. Though Elijah was healthy, Charlie's kidneys were failing. Belinda says: 'Despite her health problems, Charlie was a wonderful mum. 'She was hooked up to dialysis each night at home and she had Elijah in her bed so she could reach him. I had to tell him that his Mummy will be a bright star in the sky and that he will live with me and we will talk about her every day Belinda Ainsworth 'He got so used to cuddling up in bed with his mum that he refused to sleep in his own bed afterwards. They were inseparable. 'As Elijah grew up, she made sure he didn't miss out. She always did the school run, she took him to football, swimming and MMA. Cancer screenings in England CATCHING cancer early gives you the best chance of survival, and a huge part of that is attending regular screenings. NHS programmes can help diagnose the disease, or your risk of it, and improve the likelihood of successful treatment. There are three national screening programmes in England: cervical screening, breast screening and bowel screening. "If you are eligible, please make every effort to have your screening test as they can detect a problem early, before you have any symptoms. ," the NHS says. "Finding out about a problem early can mean that treatment is more effective." Cervical screening This is offered in England to people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 and is routinely carried out every three years up to the age of 49, and every five from 50 to 64. Depending on the result, people may be recalled earlier. During a cervical screening, samples are tested for high risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all cervical cancers. Those that test positive are then analysed further. Breast screening Breast screenings, which involve an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel, are usually offered to women aged 50 to 71 in England. But the NHS is trialling them for women under 50 if they have a high risk of developing breast cancer. Bowel screening This test detects whether patients are showing any early signs of cancer. It is available to everyone aged 50 to 74, with at-home kits automatically sent out every two years, so make sure your GP has your correct address. The test involves providing a small poo sample to be checked for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by cancer. If you're 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60. Source: NHS 'We had days out at crazy golf and Blackpool, and we went on holiday to Turkey.' In April 2021 Charlie underwent a double kidney and pancreas transplant. Though it at first successful, her kidney later failed. Two years later, the cancer returned in her hip and lungs. Last year, doctors found four malignant tumours in her brain. As the cancer continued to spread, Charlie's condition deteriorated. Belinda says: 'With each bombshell, she'd say: 'Oh it's just a blip, I can beat this.' She still continued taking Elijah to football and swimming. 'He took it all his stride too; her strength rubbed off on him.' But last week, Charlie lost all feeling in her left side and doctors have now stopped her treatment and she is on end-of-life care. Belinda says: 'It is devastating. We are living one day to the next. Charlie wanted to be the one to tell Elijah but when it came to it, she wasn't well enough. 'Instead, I had to tell him that his Mummy will be a bright star in the sky and that he will live with me and we will talk about her every day. 'He sobbed his heart out. He's just seven years old and it feels very cruel. 'For now, we are making the most of each precious moment we have left. Charlie is still focussed on being a mother. 'Each day after school, Elijah snuggles in her bed and reads to her. 'She's been through so much and yet she is still fighting; she is living proof that there is nothing more powerful than a mother's love.' You can donate to Belinda's fundraiser for Charlie's final farewell here. 7
