Urgent warning over cocaine brain damage: Bombshell as record levels of snorting among middle-aged revealed. Now experts tell of 'coke strokes', gangrene in the bowel and even dementia
As cocaine use among middle-aged and older Britons hits record levels, experts are warning of a wave of coke-driven dementia cases, thanks to the damage that the drug can wreak on our brains.
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The Independent
9 minutes ago
- The Independent
Cancer, Alzheimer's and infertility ‘strongly' linked to toxic chemicals in food and water by major study
Toxic chemicals present in our air, food and water have been strongly linked with a huge number of environmental problems and serious health issues, including cancer, obesity, dementia, infertility and ADHD. Describing toxicity as 'the most underrated threat facing humanity', a new study has warned that the 'contamination of humans is endemic' and that the risks to planetary and human health are 'widely underestimated', with the impact of pesticide use on cancer rates potentially rivalling that of smoking. More than 3,600 synthetic chemicals from food contact materials, such as packaging and pesticides, are present within human bodies globally, the report revealed, 80 of which are feared to be especially dangerous. Chemicals known as Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) were found in almost everyone tested, with 14 per cent of European teenagers having blood levels high enough to pose serious health risks. Among the shocking findings is the link between pesticide use and leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and bladder, colon and liver cancer – including suggestions that prenatal pesticide exposure increases the odds of childhood leukaemia and lymphoma by more than 50 per cent. Evidence was also gathered showing that synthetic chemicals humans are exposed to have contributed to a global decline in sperm count – for example, men with high levels of certain PFAS have been found to have less than half the normal sperm count of those with low levels. Amid escalating cancer rates, declining fertility, and a surge in chronic diseases, the team behind the report are warning that the current international approach to managing synthetic chemicals is 'inadequate' and 'misunderstood', as they call for more coordinated action across the world and better standardisation to safeguard humans and the planet alike. 'The Invisible Tsunami' report was created by Deep Science Ventures' science team with The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, following an eight-month investigation involving an analysis of peer-reviewed scientific papers as well as interviews with researchers, non-profit leaders, entrepreneurs and investors. The industrial economy has created more than 100 million new chemicals, with 350,000 currently in commercial use after production surged 50-fold since the 1950s, according to the researchers. They explained that toxic chemical exposure, via air, food, and water, originates from fossil carbon feedstocks, which are the carbon-containing components extracted from fossil fuels. The team warned the production of persistent chemicals, a group of toxic chemicals that remain in the environment for a long time, has grown so large that 'a safe planetary boundary has been breached'. As an example, they said PFAS have 'contaminated the entire planet', with rainwater levels often surpassing safe drinking water limits and the chemicals found in the blood of almost the entire population. Non-persistent pollution is equally widespread, with World Health Organization (WHO) data showing that almost all of the global population (99 per cent) breathes air that exceeds the agency's guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants. The team said the report outlines 'strong' causal and correlational links between toxicity and a variety of severe human health conditions, including cancer, obesity, Alzheimer's, pregnancy complications, ADHD, fertility issues, heart conditions, and respiratory ailments. Beyond human health, they warned toxic chemicals are causing 'noticeable and widespread' damage across ecological systems, affecting biodiversity and the delicate balance of natural environments. 'This research, collating peer-reviewed work, shows that humanity is facing a widely underappreciated exposure to chemicals through food, air and water,' said Dr Adam Tomassi-Russell, director of climate at Deep Science Ventures. 'The scale of the problem appears widespread and research shows the need for a fundamental shift in how we approach our understanding, funding and innovation efforts to solve this problem.' Jeremy Grantham, co-founder and chair at The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, added: 'Toxicity is the most underrated threat facing humanity.'
The Sun
10 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘Exciting' new ‘all-over' scan can detect tiny traces of cancer anywhere in the body
SCIENTISTS have discovered a new way to track blood cancer, even when traditional tests miss it. A whole-body MRI scan can detect tiny traces of myeloma, a deadly blood cancer, and could transform how patients are monitored, experts say. 3 3 The test is radiation-free and can flag hidden cancer cells in the body. This is the case even when blood tests, bone marrow biopsies and CT scans show no signs of disease. Experts said that this scanning technique gives doctors an early warning of relapse and help guide future treatment plans. Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is a type of blood cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow. Around 6,200 people are diagnosed with the condition each year in the UK. Charity Myeloma UK estimates that there are around 33,000 people living with myeloma in the UK. It can affect many parts of the body and is not curable, but treatment can keep it under control. The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, trialled the technique on 70 patients undergoing stem cell transplants. They were all given a whole-body MRI before and after the treatment. Writing in the Blood Cancer Journal, experts said that one in three patients had signs of residual disease on whole-body MRI after treatment - which can be given to patients without the use of radiation. Overall survival was also significantly shorter in those with positive MRI findings. What is myeloma? The Royal Marsden has already adopted the whole-body image technique and it could help shape cancer care for patients around the country in the future. One patient under the treatment of the hospital described how the scanning technique "extended his life" and enabled him to "continue serving" the country. Air Vice-Marshal Fin Monahan, chief fire officer for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, was diagnosed with myeloma in 2009 while serving in the RAF. He has since relapsed twice, but thanks to whole-body MRI scans, his cancer was detected much earlier than would have been possible with a traditional CT scan. The father of three, 57, said: "With the constant threat of relapse, myeloma patients are in a long-term mental battle with this insidious disease. "However, being part of the whole-body MRI scan study at the Royal Marsden allowed my cancer to be closely watched and resulted in me being treated sooner than I would have been under normal protocols. 3 "This not only extended my life but after diagnosis, I returned to flying jets and to active operational duties. "I would eventually not be allowed to fly on medical grounds due to myeloma but paved the way to establishing the first training programme of Ukrainian forces in 2015 and I was called upon to run Nato air operations after the invasion of Ukraine. "This cutting-edge treatment not only extended my life but allowed me to continue serving my country." The 10 red flag symptoms of myeloma Myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that occurs in the bone marrow. Despite being the third most common type of blood cancer, myeloma is difficult to detect as symptoms are often linked to general ageing or minor conditions. While it is incurable, myeloma is treatable in the majority of cases. Treatment can lead to periods of remission but the cancer will inevitably come back. Symptoms of myeloma: Persistent or unexplained pain for more than four to six weeks, particularly in the back or ribs Tiredness that doesn't improve with rest (fatigue) Frequent or hard-to-clear infections Easily broken bones or unexpected fractures Experiencing either frequent urination or minimal to no urination Swollen legs or abdomen Nosebleeds or unexplained bleeding or bruising Unexplained weight loss Numbness in the feet, hands, or legs Unexplained shortness of breath Professor Christina Messiou from The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: "This study shows that whole-body MRI gives us valuable information about how well the myeloma has responded to treatment that other tests may miss. "It's exciting that we now have a standardised, non-invasive imaging method that can be used across cancer centres. "Whole-body MRI doesn't involve radiation or intravenous injections, which is important for patients who may require lifelong monitoring. "This is an important step towards smarter and kinder precision diagnostics for patients with cancer" Professor Martin Kaiser, also from The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, added: "Access to this gold-standard precision imaging with whole-body MRI has revolutionised care for myeloma patients. "As the treatment options for myeloma increase and factors such as disease distribution across the body are increasingly understood as important to treatment response, the relevance of the whole-body MRI for personalising treatment will only increase over time."
Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
British woman is trapped in US after breaking her back in horror fall at a summer camp and insurance firm 'refused to pay for her flight home'
A British woman who fell 30ft during a hike has been left trapped in the US with a broken back after her insurance cover to get her home was allegedly turned down. Charlotte Hollins Anderton, from Abergele, north Wales, endured the 'life changing accident' while working her dream job as a summer camp leader in the US. Only July 4, the 23-year-old plummeted 30ft during a hike with children and endured an eight-hour wait for rescue with a fractured spine, two shattered feet and internal bleeding. Following the devastating fall on US Independence Day, Anderton required several operations and intensive care treatment, her family said. A GoFundMe donation page has now been set up to assist in bringing the young woman home, but this comes with a staggering £45,000 price tag. A statement on the fundraising website reads: 'Our beautiful Charlotte was tragically involved in a life changing accident whilst working as a camp leader this summer. 'She has suffered a life threatening fall on the 4th July and has been hospitalised since. Her fall resulted in spinal and foot fractures requiring multiple surgeries, internal bleeding, and admission to the intensive care unit. 'She's also dealing with intense emotional trauma from the fall and it breaks our hearts that we can't be there to help'. The family added that on top of all the 'unimaginable pain and suffering', they have now had to figure out how to bring her back home. 'We were just hit with another worry that her insurance company will not be covering the cost of repatriation from America to back home,' the statement continued. 'She urgently needs to come home for her to access specialist care via the NHS and continue her recovery with family by her side. 'It is because of this that we are reaching out to her friends, and our community around us, to ask if anyone can spare anything to help us with the costs related to her care and journey home. 'Her repatriation currently costs £45,000. We know this is a difficult time financially for so many, and if you are not able to donate, then PLEASE can we ask you to share this far and wide, on your social media and around your work.' The distraught family further explained that they never thought they would find themselves in such a situation, but all they want 'is to have her home'. The statement continued: 'We will be keeping everyone updated every step of the way, and thank you all so much already for your kind words, promises of donations and support. 'It means more to us than you could imagine. Thank you so much.' It comes after a young British holidaymaker died in hospital after plunging from a supermarket carpark in Ibiza last month. The 25-year-old fell from the Mercadona in the resort of San Antonio at around 8pm on July 14. The tourist was left fighting for his life in an intensive care unit at a private island hospital, but succumbed to his injuries the following day. And Keiran Thomas, 25, from Bangor, north Wales, died after falling from his hotel balcony in Malta on the night of July 11. A medical team were called to Triq Spinola at around 4.15am, where they discovered Thomas' lifeless body on the ground outside of the building. Thomas' heartbroken father, Alan Hughes, told the BBC that the family were thankful for the supportive messages they had received from members of the public. He also shared that his son, who had a twin brother, was working as a software engineer at the time of his death, with 'a promising career ahead of him'.
