Latest news with #CancerResearch
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Voices: Putting cancer warnings on alcohol would help me drink less
Back in the early noughties, the indoor smoking ban led to an outcry over 'the nanny state'. The same happened when cigarette advertising was banned, and when manufacturers were required to plaster packs with images of diseased lungs. Yet over the past 40 years, according to Cancer Research, lung cancer rates in men have dropped by around 60 per cent. We may think we crave the rugged freedoms of the Marlboro Man, but given the facts, it turns out we don't actually want to die. And yet when it comes to alcohol, one of the world's biggest killers, a key driver of cancers, heart disease, strokes and obesity, there are no images of rotting livers on the chilled Sauvignon. The presentation of booze in the supermarket aisles is as benign as kitchen roll and chicken pie. It's described on restaurant menus with biblical reverence, it's advertised on TV in a hazy, golden-hour glow, and every other greetings card carries a hilarious reference to the booze-addled nature of the recipient. It is both normalised and celebrated, despite being the fifth greatest risk factor for death in the UK. Now, a group of major medical and health organisations have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling for alcohol to carry explicit warnings that its consumption can cause cancer. The World Cancer Research Fund, which spearheaded the letter, cited 'shockingly low' public awareness that alcohol raises the risk of seven types of cancer – these being breast, bowel, stomach, head, neck, liver and mouth – and insisted that 'bold and unambiguous labelling' is urgently need to help save lives. Token efforts have long been made by the industry to toe a wavering line of responsibility – the number of units a bottle of wine contains written in a font the size of a gnat's IKEA instructions, or a glancing mention that pregnant women shouldn't drink. According to the Advertising Standards Authority, 'Lively, but responsible, social interaction or party scenes with alcohol present are allowed but…no behaviour may be adolescent or childish.' If only that diktat held true in real-life 'party scenes.' Initially, like much of Gen X and our wine-necking Boomer parents, I was resistant to the idea of cancer warnings. If I wanted to slowly kill myself in a responsible and socially acceptable manner, I felt it should be my choice to do so. But after another night of drinking slightly too much with friends, waking bathed in shame and a light prosecco sweat, I reconsidered. Women, particularly, are at risk of harm from alcohol, simply because we're smaller. If every time I picked up the wine bottle to top up my glass – over a healthy dinner! So civilised! – it reminded me that I was increasing my risk of cancer, I suspect I might put it back down. Humans like to ignore the dangers when it's something we want to do until it becomes impossible to turn a blind eye. But this time, it's not so much the consumers resisting warnings as the enormously powerful drinks industry. It's already up against Gen Z's wellbeing crusade, with a tsunami of kumbucha and kefir washing away the old-school shots and spirits from nights out. The risk of drinkers murmuring, 'Actually, I don't think I do want seven types of cancer' and switching the kettle on instead is a step too far. A spokesperson for the Portman Group, which oversees UK alcohol labelling in the UK, says: 'Whilst we do not dispute the link between alcohol and certain cancers… blanket cancer warning labels…can create unnecessary anxiety, eroding trust in health advice and alienating the very people who require support.' As an argument, this is weaker than a sixth-form debating point scribbled on the bus. Imagine the motor industry saying, 'Road signs create unnecessary anxiety. Let's not warn people that they might crash, lest we alienate drivers.' The spokesperson added that most alcohol products already include advice to limit drinking to 14 units a week, and claimed that 'most people drink within guidelines.' According to NHS Digital, however, 24 per cent of Brits drink more than this, while the charity Drinkaware has found that 32 per cent of men and 15 per cent of women regularly sink more than the recommended limit – and it is a limit, not a target. Doctors repeatedly warn that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, and in April, the World Health Organisation advised that women should drink no alcohol at all to avoid a heightened risk of breast cancer. I'm aware that even reading this is annoying. I share the general British resentment over finger-wagging admonishments from the Fun Police. I want to say, 'You'll prise my Picpoul from my cold, dead hand.' The only thing is, I'd rather not be cold and dead – and I'm increasingly convinced that warning labels can only be a good thing. Although, of course, we must be careful how we approach this new regime. After all, we wouldn't want to alienate anybody.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Putting cancer warnings on alcohol would help me drink less
Back in the early noughties, the indoor smoking ban led to an outcry over 'the nanny state'. The same happened when cigarette advertising was banned, and when manufacturers were required to plaster packs with images of diseased lungs. Yet over the past 40 years, according to Cancer Research, lung cancer rates in men have dropped by around 60 per cent. We may think we crave the rugged freedoms of the Marlboro Man, but given the facts, it turns out we don't actually want to die. And yet when it comes to alcohol, one of the world's biggest killers, a key driver of cancers, heart disease, strokes and obesity, there are no images of rotting livers on the chilled Sauvignon. The presentation of booze in the supermarket aisles is as benign as kitchen roll and chicken pie. It's described on restaurant menus with biblical reverence, it's advertised on TV in a hazy, golden-hour glow, and every other greetings card carries a hilarious reference to the booze-addled nature of the recipient. It is both normalised and celebrated, despite being the fifth greatest risk factor for death in the UK. Now, a group of major medical and health organisations have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling for alcohol to carry explicit warnings that its consumption can cause cancer. The World Cancer Research Fund, which spearheaded the letter, cited 'shockingly low' public awareness that alcohol raises the risk of seven types of cancer – these being breast, bowel, stomach, head, neck, liver and mouth – and insisted that 'bold and unambiguous labelling' is urgently need to help save lives. Token efforts have long been made by the industry to toe a wavering line of responsibility – the number of units a bottle of wine contains written in a font the size of a gnat's IKEA instructions, or a glancing mention that pregnant women shouldn't drink. According to the Advertising Standards Authority, 'Lively, but responsible, social interaction or party scenes with alcohol present are allowed but…no behaviour may be adolescent or childish.' If only that diktat held true in real-life 'party scenes.' Initially, like much of Gen X and our wine-necking Boomer parents, I was resistant to the idea of cancer warnings. If I wanted to slowly kill myself in a responsible and socially acceptable manner, I felt it should be my choice to do so. But after another night of drinking slightly too much with friends, waking bathed in shame and a light prosecco sweat, I reconsidered. Women, particularly, are at risk of harm from alcohol, simply because we're smaller. If every time I picked up the wine bottle to top up my glass – over a healthy dinner! So civilised! – it reminded me that I was increasing my risk of cancer, I suspect I might put it back down. Humans like to ignore the dangers when it's something we want to do until it becomes impossible to turn a blind eye. But this time, it's not so much the consumers resisting warnings as the enormously powerful drinks industry. It's already up against Gen Z's wellbeing crusade, with a tsunami of kumbucha and kefir washing away the old-school shots and spirits from nights out. The risk of drinkers murmuring, 'Actually, I don't think I do want seven types of cancer' and switching the kettle on instead is a step too far. A spokesperson for the Portman Group, which oversees UK alcohol labelling in the UK, says: 'Whilst we do not dispute the link between alcohol and certain cancers… blanket cancer warning labels…can create unnecessary anxiety, eroding trust in health advice and alienating the very people who require support.' As an argument, this is weaker than a sixth-form debating point scribbled on the bus. Imagine the motor industry saying, 'Road signs create unnecessary anxiety. Let's not warn people that they might crash, lest we alienate drivers.' The spokesperson added that most alcohol products already include advice to limit drinking to 14 units a week, and claimed that 'most people drink within guidelines.' According to NHS Digital, however, 24 per cent of Brits drink more than this, while the charity Drinkaware has found that 32 per cent of men and 15 per cent of women regularly sink more than the recommended limit – and it is a limit, not a target. Doctors repeatedly warn that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, and in April, the World Health Organisation advised that women should drink no alcohol at all to avoid a heightened risk of breast cancer. I'm aware that even reading this is annoying. I share the general British resentment over finger-wagging admonishments from the Fun Police. I want to say, 'You'll prise my Picpoul from my cold, dead hand.' The only thing is, I'd rather not be cold and dead – and I'm increasingly convinced that warning labels can only be a good thing. Although, of course, we must be careful how we approach this new regime. After all, we wouldn't want to alienate anybody.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bolton's 'father of fitness' to take on epic challenge to mark landmark birthday
A Bolton man who pioneered the fitness industry in the UK is spending his 90th birthday this summer facing a fitness challenge to raise charity cash. Ken Heathcote, who started Bolton Health Studio in the 1950s which became a blueprint for gyms across the country, is taking part in the Not Out at 90 Challenge. On July 18, he and his grandson Sam will be swimming 90 lengths of Bolton's Nuffield gym before going to Elton reservoir in Bury to swim a further 90 lengths in open water. On a separate day, Sam, who lives in London, will also be lifting 90,000 lb and playing nine sets of tennis. These are all to boost the charities involved: Cancer Research, The Stroke Association and Alzheimer's Research UK. There are also around 30 challenges being taken up by local people keen to back Ken's birthday fundraising efforts. READ MORE: Bolton's Ken Heathcote completes three epic swims Chef Michel Roux big fan of guru Ken Heathcote Bolton's "Fitness Father" tells life story Ken and Sam are carrying on a family tradition of extreme sporting achievement which goes back more than five decades and has raised thousands and thousands for charities. In 1970 Ken ran a marathon between Preston and Morecambe with around 30 competitors and no drinks stands. He tackled all kinds of personal challenges on his milestone birthdays, all aided by his late wife Brenda. (Image: NQ) Ken even ran from John o' Groats in Scotland to Lands End for charity – a feat which was filmed and made into a TV programme. Just before his 84th birthday, Ken triumphed in the Great North Swim, tackling the 5k length of Lake Windermere among 10,000 swimmers. He still swims 90 lengths daily and insists that his positive mindset 'ego and desire to help others' keeps him going. Farnworth-born Ken attributes his own fitness and determination to his father, who first took him swimming – even when the local pool's heating system broke down and the water plummeted to just a couple of degrees. 'He told me 'just do one length' and that one led to another and another. I've used that principle ever since,' he explained. His commitment to raising money for charity began when he was a young bricklayer working at the Christe Hospital and he was sent to fetch some water. 'I wandered onto a ward and there were all these children – from around six to 15 year-olds – all without hair,' he recalled. 'The matron told me they were all suffering from leukaemia and having chemotherapy and that none of the boys would reach 21. I had no idea. It really opened my eyes. 'Ever since, I've wanted to raise money, initially for the children – I can still see them now - and then for other causes.' Follow Ken and Sam's journey on Instagram and TikTok @Notoutat90
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Everything you need to know ahead of Brighton's Race for Life this weekend
More than 2,000 fundraisers dressed in pink are set to descend on Brighton's Stanmer Park for Cancer Research UK's annual Race for Life weekend. The two-day event promises a mix of muddy mayhem and meaningful miles, all in aid of life-saving cancer research. Kicking off the weekend on Saturday, June 28, is the wildly popular Pretty Muddy event. This is a mud-splattered obstacle course for adults and children aged six to 12. Around 1,300 participants are expected to clamber, crawl, and bounce their way through a variety of challenges, including a scramble net, tunnels, a mud pit, climbing frames, space hoppers and, for the grand finale, a giant inflatable slide into a bath of thick mud. The following day, Sunday, offers a cleaner but no less spirited affair, with options for participants to walk, jog, or run 3k, 5k, or 10k routes. Entries are open for the muddy 5k obstacle course (Image: Race for Life) Around 800 people are anticipated to take part in the trio of events, with no pressure to clock a certain time. Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson in Sussex, said: 'We're making a final call to people to join us at Race for Life in Stanmer Park, as their participation and contribution is so important. 'No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it. "We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. "Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years. 'Our events are strictly non-competitive so everyone can have a go- and enjoy every minute. "There's no pressure to finish in a certain time, just give it what you can. "Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, in it for the medals or just for the fun of fundraising, there is a place for everyone." Organisers hope the Brighton weekend alone is expected to raise more than £145,000 to support Cancer Research UK's ongoing mission to beat cancer. Those still keen to get involved can sign up at with a limited-time offer of 'buy two places, get one free' running until June 27. On-the-day registration is also available for any last-minute racers. For those not taking part in the events themselves, there's a call-out for volunteers to help hand out water and medals, cheer on participants, or steward the course. The Race for Life series, sponsored by Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, has raised millions across the UK since its inception in 1994. More than 10 million people have taken part over the decades, contributing vital funds to research breakthroughs.
CNN
3 days ago
- CNN
Harvard researcher accused of smuggling frog embryos faces additional charges
A Harvard University researcher accused of smuggling clawed frog embryos into the United States was indicted Wednesday on additional charges. Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born scientist conducting cancer research for Harvard Medical School, was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Boston on one count of concealment of a material fact, one count of false statement and one count of smuggling goods into the United States. She had been charged with the smuggling in May. Despite the additional charges, Petrova will remain on pretrial release. A lawyer for Petrova could not be reached for comment. She was returning from a vacation from France in February when she was questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Boston Logan International Airport. Petrova, 30, had stopped at a lab specializing in splicing superfine sections of frog embryos and obtained a package of samples for research. Federal officials on the social media website X accused her of lying about 'carrying substances' into the country and alleged that she planned to smuggle the embryos through customs without declaring them. She told The Associated Press in an interview in April that she did not realize the items needed to be declared and was not trying to sneak anything into the country. Petrova was told her visa was being canceled and detained by immigration officials in Vermont after her initial arrest. She filed a petition seeking her release and was briefly sent to an ICE facility in Louisiana, after which a judge ruled the immigration officers' actions were unlawful. In May, she was charged with one count of smuggling. If convicted of the smuggling charge, Petrova faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. She also faces a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the charges of concealment of material fact and false statements.
