Many cancers no longer 'a death sentence' as treatment on 'cusp of golden era', NHS England medical director says
In his final interview before retiring, Professor Sir Stephen Powis said our understanding of the genetics of cancer and how it can be targeted is being "revolutionised".
Sir Stephen, 64 and a kidney specialist who has been the national medical director since 2018 and throughout the COVID pandemic, told The Times: "We are at the cusp of a golden era in terms of the way we treat a range of cancers.
"For many cancers now, people should be confident that it's not a death sentence and that more treatments will become available."
Sir Stephen said the number of those living longer with the disease and surviving it will continue to increase, while he compared the progress made in cancer treatment to the success in developing treatment for HIV since he qualified as a doctor 40 years ago.
He also spoke of how preventing cancers could also help eliminate certain types of them.
"We can't prevent all cancers, but there are cancers that we can certainly prevent," he said, adding that he hopes lung cancers will become "a lot rarer".
Cancer treatment, he said, would be "driven by genetics" to become more individualised with the increased ability to pinpoint mutations in cells.
Recent Sky News analysis shows that in nearly half of 147 NHS trusts with available data fewer people are now being treated for cancer within the target than at the start of the year.
That target is for 85% of cancer patients to begin treatment within two months of their diagnosis.
Only a small number of trusts have achieved this. While 20 trusts met the standard in January, it is down to 15 trusts in May.
Performance against the target fell in 62 areas overall between Jan and May, and none of those were meeting the target to begin with.
In response to the analysis, an NHS spokesperson said: "Despite the NHS seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer... we know there is more to do to improve early diagnosis, access to tests and life-saving treatments.
"Our 10 Year Health Plan launched last week sets out some of the ways we will transform cancer care to be fit for the future, including innovation to speed up referral and diagnosis, with more to follow in the National Cancer Plan coming later this year."
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The Independent
11 minutes ago
- The Independent
I tried wearing tape over my mouth at night to see if it could actually improve my health – this is what I learned
As a wellbeing editor, I'm all too familiar with mouth taping and the concept of nasal breathing as a way to optimise one's health. But to be honest, mouth taping has never been something I've considered trying. While certain biohacks can be effective, the human body is clever and has evolved to keep us alive – it doesn't actually need much help. Unless you have a medical issue, you probably don't need to optimise your breathing. At least, that's what I thought until I read Breath by James Nestor. This book documented the evolution of the human jaw and respiratory system. It described the effects of variables such as a modern diet of soft processed food on the subsequent rise in mouth breathing. The author met with experts and took part in experiments over several years to find out how and why we all started breathing through our mouths - and what this does to our health in the long term. Some of the purported effects of long-term mouth breathing shocked me. Many seemed incredibly dramatic and, frankly, unlikely. It's claimed that mouth breathing weakens facial structure, causes chronic fatigue, and even increases the risk of infections. So I – along with hordes of people who've watched TikTok videos on mouth breathing – began to wonder if my smooth jawbone and ever-present issues with tiredness might be down to how I breathe at night. Nestor's book was responsible for my interest in the health impacts of breathwork, vagus nerve stimulation and postural alignment. After reading it, I made it my mission to find out whether the points made in the book were legitimate. If they were, I was going to go out and buy some mouth tape. Is breathing through your mouth bad for you? I asked several breathwork experts about the book and they each agreed with several of the points made by Nestor. 'Research that would suggest 30 to 35 per cent of people are falling into some sort of dysfunctional breathing, which is just any way of non optimal breathing or breathing in a way that isn't helping you,' explains breathwork expert Jamie Clements. The health benefits of nasal breathing have been documented since at least the 15th century, when yogic texts described breathwork techniques known as pranayama. Many of these techniques are used by breathwork experts today, particularly alternate nostril breathing or 'nadi shodhana' – which literally translates from Sanskrit as 'channel cleaning'. The claim is that nasal breathing is better for you than mouth breathing. The nasal passages act as a filter, preventing dust, pollen and other allergens from reaching your lungs. Breathing through the nose also encourages slower, deeper breaths, which can help regulate oxygen, nitric oxide and carbon dioxide levels in your body, helping with circulation and cognitive function. To force your body to breathe through your nose, therefore, you tape your mouth shut. That's all fine, but I wanted to know for myself if this would actually make a difference. The tape I'd seen advertised on social media seemed very gimmicky. After all, do we really need more single-use products that pollute the environment? Do we need another product that lets us pretend that we're taking care of ourselves? When I asked Clements for his view on mouth taping, he explained that while the benefits are 'legitimate and real', he's not as keen on the fact that one 'can't move for videos of mouth taping on Tiktok.' 'I've experienced the positive benefits of mouth taping,' he says. 'But there are important medical concerns around pregnancy, around obesity, around sleep apnea and so on. But I always say if you are generally fit, healthy, and well, and you believe you breathe through your mouth during sleep, then it's actually a really accessible and effective intervention.' Mouth taping – did it work? Though I've attempted to train myself to breathe through my nose – and I think I've done a pretty good job – I know for a fact that when I'm asleep, I can't do much to control my facial muscles, so I probably default to mouth breathing. I decided to take the plunge and see if mouth tape would change my life. I wore my mouth tape every night for three weeks, and once I'd gotten over the guilt about single-use products going straight in the bin - and the cringe factor of becoming a ' morning shed ' person - I started to enjoy the process. One thing I should note is that if you usually enjoy a nice chat with your partner before bed, put your tape on right before you go to sleep – otherwise, it's game over. You can't speak with the tape on. The brand I tested offered green, vaguely lip-shaped stickers (£28, that felt like fabric plasters. Latex-free and hypoallergenic, it felt very sticky on my skin. It's a very strong adhesive - it was probably needed after I'd covered my face in serums and creams before bed - but I worried that I might block the pores around my mouth and end up breaking out. Fortunately, this didn't happen. Some tape brands don't include an emergency breathing hole in their designs, but Mintier does. This felt like a blessing and a curse. On one hand, I was happy to fall asleep knowing I had a failsafe in place should my nose become blocked. But on the other hand, I felt as though I could still breathe through my mouth and might unconsciously start doing so in the night. I was also a little worried in the mornings that my dry lips would peel off with the tape, so I considered shelling out on the brand's more expensive collagen -infused tape (£104, Putting lip balm on before the standard tape meant that it didn't stick properly, and going without it meant rolling the dice each morning, so I attempted to drink more water throughout the day to avoid dry-lip injuries. These issues aside, the sensation of wearing the tape was actually quite nice. I was more mindful of my breathing and took slow, deep breaths before bed that I found soothing. I also noticed that my Oura ring reported fewer waking moments in the night, although my sleep score remained in the 70s and 80s rather than the 90s – which is always my goal. To be fair, these scores were likely down to busy days, later nights and a trip abroad, so I don't think I can blame the mouth tape. The verdict I didn't expect to see any changes to my jawline after three weeks. This was the one reported benefit of mouth taping that I felt was a reach. According to Nestor's research, chronic mouth breathing can potentially affect facial structure over time. I think it's a little foolish to jump to the conclusion that breathing through your mouth will, therefore, literally reshape your face. There were no changes to my face structure as I tested the tape. Taping your mouth shut when you sleep won't give you the ' snatched jaw ' of your dreams. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the effects. I felt more relaxed at bedtime, slept soundly and had a decent sleep score for the full testing period. There was nothing I seriously disliked about the tape, apart from the fact that it wasn't recyclable. There are plenty of celebrities and influencers who've jumped on the mouth taping trend – Gwyneth Paltrow and Tess Daly are fans, and plenty of people took to X to critique Ashton Hall's bizarre morning routine, which, of course, included removing his mouth tape. Unless you have a medical condition that affects your breathing, mouth tape is a perfectly viable sleep aid. You don't need it, but it might help you to practice a more soothing form of deep breathing that could benefit your health long term. I'm a fan of the practice and plan to keep taping my mouth, but I might opt for a more moisturising type of tape and potentially try a brand without a hole in the middle to further my research into the benefits.
The Independent
11 minutes ago
- The Independent
Eat these two foods weekly to improve gut health and reduce tummy troubles, nutrition expert says
In recent decades, the term ' diet ' has become synonymous with weight loss. However, an ever-expanding bank of research tells us that what we eat has impacts extending far beyond the number on our bathroom scales. The food we consume can affect our mood, energy levels and immune system, among other things; its impact on our gut is central to many of these processes. For this reason, gut health has become a topic of increasing interest for many. 'Our research found that over 40 per cent of adults experience tummy troubles,' explains Holland and Barrett's Emily Foster, a certified nutritionist with a masters degree in applied sport and exercise nutrition. 'This indicates there's a need, now more than ever, to understand how to support gut health. Gut health isn't just about the gut either. It's linked to many more elements of health and it can influence other aspects of the body.' The path to a healthier gut, Foster says, is a high fibre diet containing 30 or more plant-based foods per week, with prebiotic and probiotic foods providing extra plus-points. But some are better than others. Here, Foster shares the foods she recommends eating weekly to allow your gut microbiome to thrive, and explains the many benefits each one can deliver. 10-second takeaways Everyone's gut is different, and people are likely to have individual experiences and triggers with their diet. But research supports the idea that a diverse gut microbiome leads to improved gut health and the many benefits that come with it. You can use the advice below to achieve improved gut microbiome diversity and health: Eat 30-plus different high fibre plant foods per week. Prioritise prebiotic fruits and vegetables such as asparagus, onions, garlic, leeks, Jerusalem artichokes, apples, berries and bananas. These feed and fuel the beneficial bacteria within the gut. Aim to consume fermented probiotic fibres such as kimchi, kombucha, kefir, tempeh, miso and sauerkraut at least two or three times per week, varying the ones you eat. If you are new to fermented foods, introduce them into your diet slowly to minimise any possible digestive discomfort – 'your gut microbiome isn't used to such a rapid influx of these new microbes... it's a sign of the beneficial bacteria getting to work'. Swap refined grains in your diet like white flour and white rice for whole grains. Read on for a more detailed list of the ingredients you should be adding to your weekly shopping basket, and why they are worthy of your time. What is a healthy gut? A healthy gut is one with a balanced and diverse microbiome, Foster tells me. 'Within our gut microbiome, we have trillions of different microorganisms – you can think of them like a bustling, microscopic city,' she says. 'There are beneficial bacteria, but also some viruses and fungi in there as well. The aim is to keep that balance in the bacteria, and also diversity within the types of bacteria that we have in our gut. 'There was a really interesting study called the American Gut Project [later renamed the Microsetta Initiative] which highlighted that a more diverse diet can lead to a more diverse gut microbiome, and this is linked to a healthier gut microbiome. '[To achieve this] we want to be consuming plenty of plant fibres to support our gut health. We also want to be consuming lots of different types [of plant fibres] throughout the week as well.' The foods Foster recommends for improving gut health can be split into two camps: foods rich in dietary fibre, particularly prebiotic fibres, and fermented foods with live cultures – many items in this latter camp fall under the probiotic banner. Group one: Foods rich in dietary fibre, particularly prebiotic fibres Fruits (especially those with prebiotic fibres, such as apples, berries, and bananas – bonus points if they are slightly green) Vegetables (particularly those with prebiotic fibres like Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus, leeks, onions and garlic) Legumes Whole grains Nuts and seeds The American Gut Health (or Microsetta Initiative) study mentioned above showed that consuming 30 or more different plant foods per week can increase gut microbiome diversity, and thus gut health. 'These are foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and lentils, and nuts and seeds – even things like herbs and spices count towards it as well,' says Foster. However, gorging on your favourite fruit will soon see you hit a point of diminishing returns – diversity in your diet should be prioritised. 'If you were to eat a banana today, then you had a banana tomorrow, you wouldn't then be able to count that as a second plant food,' Foster continues. 'You need to consume different types of plant foods to reach that recommended 30 different plant foods per week.' For this reason, she says look out for 'plant points' on food packaging, so you know how much closer a food is taking you to that elusive weekly target. Of the plant-based foods listed above, Foster gives special mention to prebiotic fibres. These fibres feed and fuel the beneficial bacteria within our gut, promoting a diverse and balanced gut microbiome. 'Some of the big prebiotic fibres I always encourage people to eat are things like asparagus, onions, garlic, leeks and Jerusalem artichokes – these are all prebiotic vegetables,' Foster says. 'Berries and apples contain pectin, which is a type of prebiotic fibre. And bananas, especially slightly green ones, have resistant starch in them, which is again a prebiotic fibre to help feed that beneficial bacteria. 'Things like legumes, lentils, chickpeas and beans also have soluble fibre as well as resistant starch, feeding that good bacteria.' Another of Foster's recommendations is to swap refined grains in your diet, like white flour and white rice, for whole grains. 'Go for oats, barley, quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat and spelt,' she advises. 'Unlike refined grains, they retain their germ, their endosperm and their bran [the nutrient-rich embryo of the grain, the nutritious tissue that surrounds it, and the hard outer layer of the grain, respectively]. 'This makes whole grains rich in various types of fibres that are fermentable by the gut bacteria, again feeding that good bacteria within the gut. 'All fruit, vegetables and fibrous foods are great, but while all prebiotics are types of fibre, not all dietary fibre is prebiotic. Those prebiotic ones I've mentioned are especially beneficial for supporting the gut microbiome.' Group two: Fermented foods with live cultures Kimchi Kefir Kombucha Sauerkraut Tempeh Miso Live yoghurt If you've ever found yourself involved in a discussion about gut health, then someone has probably prescribed you a diet containing kimchi, kefir and kombucha. These are examples of probiotic fermented foods, and they can play a role to play in keeping your midsection content. 'Fermented foods, especially those that contain live cultures, are particularly good for the gut microbiome because they contain the beneficial bacteria strains within them,' says Foster. 'Instead of just feeding what you've already got within the gut, you're actually putting new strains in there as well, which is going to help to support diversity within the gut microbiome. 'Most, not all, fermented foods are probiotics, because not all of them actually contain live cultures. So things like beer, for example, are technically a fermented food, but it's not one we would encourage people to consume more of.' But, Foster adds, there are 'no official guidelines on how many types of fermented foods we should eat per week'. 'I always recommend aiming to eat them two to three times per week to start off with,' she continues. 'More is even better, and ideally, you are consuming different types of fermented foods on those two to three days, because the different fermented foods will contain different strains of beneficial bacteria. 'One important thing to note is that, if we do incorporate fermented foods into our diet, incorporating them slowly is better because it's quite common to experience a little bit of digestive discomfort when introducing fermented foods for the first time. 'This is because our gut microbiome isn't used to such a rapid influx of these new microbes. And it's a sign of the beneficial bacteria getting to work. It can be beneficial to start small and then gradually increase [the amount of fermented foods you eat] to allow time for your microbiome to adapt.' Below, you can find Foster's top recommendations for fermented foods to include in your weekly plans. Kimchi 'Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made from fermented cabbage,' Foster says. 'There are usually other vegetables in there, and things like chilli, garlic and ginger as well. 'It contains beneficial strains of bacteria to increase diversity and balance out the gut microbiome, improving overall digestion and potentially enhancing immunity. It's also rich in things like vitamin K and C for general health, and antioxidants from the vegetables that are in it.' Kefir 'Kefir is a fermented milk drink with a texture similar to a thin yoghurt. It's made with kefir grains, but these aren't actual grains – they're what's called a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, which is known as a SCOBY in a lot of scientific research. 'Again, they offer beneficial bacteria and yeast to support gut microbiome diversity. They have calcium in there as well to support bone health, and protein to support muscle maintenance.' Foster recommends using kefir in smoothies, overnight oats or even drinking a shot glass of the stuff in the morning. However, she advises being wary of flavoured kefir drinks as these can often contain added sugar. Kombucha 'Kombucha is a great one because it can be a good alternative to having a fizzy drink in the afternoon or having an alcoholic beverage when you're out,' Foster says. 'It has that beneficial bacteria, but it also has quite a nice flavour to it, so it still tastes like a bit of a treat.' Tempeh and miso 'Tempeh and miso are both fermented soy,' Foster explains. 'Tempeh comes in blocks, and a lot of vegan recipes use it as a bacon alternative because, if you fry it up or pop it in an air fryer, it has quite a nice taste to it. 'Then miso comes in a little pot, and it's generally an easy one to incorporate within meals – it's really nice to use in Asian dressings.' The benefits of including high-fibre foods in your diet 'Fibremaxxing' is currently trending on TikTok, and with good reason – there are plenty of benefits to upping your intake. The government guidelines recommend 30g of dietary fibre per day for adults, but many people are currently falling short of this standard, with most managing less than 20g. 'If we fall short of that fibre intake, we're potentially limiting the diversity within our gut microbiome, which is going to have an effect on digestive health and may impact things like nutrient absorption,' Foster explains. 'If we don't have a healthy gut microbiome, it could link to poor immunity, as well as issues with mood or stress through the gut-brain axis link. A low fibre diet also has the potential to be linked to quite a few gut conditions as well.' But for those able to hit their fibre goals with consistency, many potential benefits await. A large-scale 2019 review of data from existing studies, published in The Lancet, found that people who met the recommended daily fibre intake had significantly lower risks of dying from, or developing, several major health conditions (coronary heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer and cancer-related mortality) compared to those with lower fibre intakes, Foster explains. 'Other positive impacts are going to include regular bowel movements and generally improved gut health,' she continues. 'You're feeding that gut microbiome, which has loads of other impacts on a variety of health areas. 'A high fibre diet is linked to better weight management as well, because fibre is quite satiating and helps you feel full – the types of food that are high in fibre tend to be quite low in calories. It is beneficial for things like cholesterol levels and heart health, too.' Foster adds that everybody's gut is different as a result of their diet, environment and many other contributing factors. This is partly why Holland and Barrett's latest campaign has made gut health one of its key pillars. 'It's about empowering people to take control of their own gut health and educating people that the importance of gut health goes beyond just products and supplements,' says Foster. 'Yes, supplements can be beneficial, but it's also about creating an environment that helps those beneficial bacteria thrive through things like food and lifestyle. 'People go through different experiences [with their gut health] and have different triggers, so it can be really beneficial to get personalised, unique and tailored advice.' The Independent spoke to Dr Johnny Drain, the scientist-turned-chef who many of the world's top restaurants turn to for all their fermentation needs.
Daily Mail
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
How Queen Camilla ended up pleased with a discarded sweatband: EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE
Prince William, keen to ditch the tradition of sprawling portfolios of royal patronages, is taking a forensic interest in a report from research body Giving Evidence. It shows when disgraced Andrew was forced to abandon his patronages, there was no financial difference recorded. A source reports William, keen to concentrate on a few causes of personal interest, believes this could be applied across the board. Those on committees value royal connections for the garden party invitations, a visit once in a blue moon and the slight chance of an MBE, but whether it makes any difference to donations is now very doubtful. Seems that William, who has long-questioned the point of hundreds of patronages, might have been right all along. There can be advantages to a front row seat in Wimbledon's royal box – other than the tennis. Ten years ago Andy Murray rashly celebrated a win by hurling his wristband in the direction of Queen Camilla. Unimpressed, she wrinkled her nose and eyed it with disgust but soon came up with a bright idea. She got Murray to sign it and then popped it on eBay to raise funds for an animal charity. It was sold for £2,100. Well-nourished Health Secretary Wes Streeting, appearing on ITV's This Morning, makes the mistake of mentioning presenter Ben Shephard's topless display, saying: 'I'm probably not going to be on the front of Men's Health magazine in quite the way you were.' Shephard declares: 'I've just had a message from the editor of Men's Health saying 'You're on! Wes Streeting, front cover'.' The visibly-embarrassed politician replies: 'Oh, God. You've stitched me right up. The office is going to love this.' Streeting, taking on the BMA, might peruse the King's 1982 speech from when he was elected president of the association. 'I received a letter from a member of the medical profession who said his fellow members were pleased I was honouring them by accepting,' Charles declared. 'He ended by reminding me the initials BMA stand for BIGOTED MORIBUND and APATHETIC! I shall watch my step as carefully as I can.' Looking back at Monty Python breaking up following lucrative reunion shows in London in 2014, Eric Idle takes aim at fellow member Sir Michael Palin, snapping: 'Michael said he was sad to see us break up? He was the first to leave! He's such a hypocrite... I can't believe Michael said he was sad. He turned down the opportunity to do it in America, in Australia, in South Africa. He turned down $30million!' Deep breaths, Eric. Live Aid performer Nik Kershaw claims Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have never forgiven Phil Collins for his 'not very clever' drum playing in Philadelphia. 'They have never released the Live Aid footage for Phil on the drums,' says Kershaw 'The 40-year grudge. It is a bit of a shame ain't it?
