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Daily Record
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Men over 65 face highest risk of little-known cancer that is often diagnosed late
Over half of the patients with this cancer are diagnosed at a late stage, when survival rates are lower. One type of cancer is most common in men over the age of 65, and it is too often diagnosed late due to a lack of awareness. In fact, you've probably never heard of this type of cancer that sees around 12,700 diagnoses in the UK each year, 70 per cent of which are in men. The Medical Negligence team for legal firm Simpson's Millar is urging older men to be aware of head and neck cancer, that sees over half of its cases (53 per cent) diagnosed late. Delayed diagnosis leads to more invasive treatment and a lower survival rate for this cancer that is 2.8 times more likely to affect men aged 65 - 69 than women of the same age. Head and neck cancer affects the throat, nose and mouth, and its symptoms can often be brushed off or ignored. This is why awareness of this little-known disease is so important. Kate McCue, Senior Associate Medical Negligence Solicitor at Simpson Millar, explains: 'Head and neck cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer we see, which makes awareness all the more important. 'Many of the risks such as smoking, alcohol use, and HPV are well understood, yet the public conversation around them is still far too limited. With better education, more people could take steps to reduce their risk, and crucially, spot early warning signs before the disease progresses. 'When cancer is caught early, the outcomes are often significantly better as it can mean simpler treatment, less disruption to the day-to-day life, and a better chance of recovery.' When caught early, head and neck cancer has a survival rate of up to 80 per cent. But if diagnosed late, the chances of survival can drop to just 20 per cent, so knowing how to spot the signs is crucial. Symptoms of head and neck cancer Older men should watch for the following symptoms: Mouth ulcers or sores that haven't healed after three weeks A persistent sore throat or hoarseness A lump in the neck, lip or mouth Difficulty or pain when chewing or swallowing Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit Earache, facial pain or numbness Speech changes or unexplained weight loss Making healthier lifestyle choices, such as stopping smoking, drinking less, exercising regularly and opting for a balanced diet can reduce the risks of head and neck cancer. Risk factors for head and neck cancer While men over 65 have the biggest risk of developing the condition, certain lifestyle choices and other health factors can also increase the chances that an individual will develop head and neck cancer. Cancer Research shares an extensive list of the risk factors for head and neck cancer on their website. These include: Age and sex (men over 65 being at the highest risk) Smoking Drinking alcohol Infections including HPV, EBV and HIV or AIDS Autoimmune conditions Those who have had organ transplants High processed meat intake Those who have previously had cancer Those with a family history of cancer Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Scotland's university cities ranked among the safest in the UK for students
Five of the top ten safest university areas in the UK are in Scotland. Scotland is home to some of the safest cities in the UK for students, according to a new study. The research into road traffic collisions (RTCs) highlighted the risks around university campuses across the country. The analysis, carried out by legal specialists Simpson Millar, examined Department for Transport data to determine the average number of crashes per 100,000 people in every local authority hosting a university campus. The UK-wide average sits at 186 collisions per 100,000 people annually, but several Scottish institutions performed far better than this national benchmark. In fact, five of the top ten safest university areas are in Scotland, with the University of Aberdeen ranking second overall. The Granite City records just 35 crashes per 100,000 people per year, more than five times lower than the UK average. The Universities of St Andrews, Dundee, Stirling, Glasgow, and Strathclyde also made the top 10. While Manchester tops the list, Scottish institutions dominate the rankings overall, reinforcing the country's growing reputation as not only academically competitive, but also safer for students exploring their local surroundings. The report also revealed that Friday at 5pm is the most dangerous time for road collisions across the UK, and October sees the highest number of crashes, coinciding with the return of students for the start of the academic year Mark Howarth, a personal injury solicitor at Simpson Millar, offered a word of advice for young people heading off to study. He said: 'Students face so many big decisions – what to study, where to live and how to get around. "While this report won't change which university you go to, it's a timely reminder for students and parents alike to brush up on road safety. Taking extra care when navigating a new city can help to reduce risks for everyone.' The safest university cities in the UK: University of Manchester – 24 RTCs per 100,000 people University of Aberdeen – 35 University of St Andrews – 67 Cardiff University – 80 University of Bath – 87 University of Dundee – 88 Loughborough University – 92 University of Stirling – 97 University of Glasgow – 99 University of Strathclyde (Glasgow) – 99 Meanwhile, Scotland's top universities were recently ranked according to how well their graduates fare after leaving campus, with the University of St Andrews once again leading the way. A newly released list assessing all 14 of Scotland's universities for the 2024 to 2025 academic year reveals how institutions compare on student satisfaction, entry standards, staff-to-student ratio, continuation rates and graduate prospects. St Andrews not only topped the overall Scottish rankings but also emerged as the best in the country for graduate outcomes, scoring an impressive 89.6 out of 100. It was also ranked fourth across the UK overall. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. St Andrews boasts a remarkable 98 per cent continuation rate, the percentage of first-year students who continue their studies, complete a qualification or successfully transfer to another institution. Coming in second for graduate success was the University of Strathclyde, which achieved a strong graduate prospects score of 85.7. It was ranked third overall in Scotland and holds a continuation rate of 95 per cent.
