Latest news with #UniversityOfEdinburgh
Daily Mail
28-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Forensic psychiatrist reveals the truth about pedophilia debate
A psychiatrist has revealed whether pedophiles are born or made as a result of nature. Dr Sohom Das who is a forensic psychiatrist, from London has shared content about crime, mental health conditions, and psychology, among other topics. He discussed whether the pedophilia crimes are due to nature or nurture on his YouTube channel. According to the American Psychological Society's dictionary: 'Pedophilia, in which sexual acts or fantasies involving prepubertal children are the persistently preferred or exclusive method of achieving sexual excitement. 'The children are usually many years younger than the pedophile [...] Sexual activity may consist of looking and touching but may include intercourse, even with very young children. Pedophilia is rarely seen in women.' Speaking in the video, the expert said: 'Are you born a paedophile? Well, essentially, no, but the answer is quite complicated, because it's both nature and nurture.' Dr Das went on to explain that while people 'might have inherent, actual preferences [...] at the same time, external events or scenarios can massively increase the risk'. According to the psychiatrist, those who have suffered sexual assault themselves are most at risk. Research released in 2024 showed the scale of the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children, suggesting that more than 300 million are victims every year. In what marked the first global estimate of the scale of the crisis, researchers at the University of Edinburgh found one in eight, or 12.6 per cent, of the world's children have been victims of non-consensual talking, sharing and exposure to sexual images and video in the past year, amounting to about 302 million young people. In addition, 12.5 per cent of children globally (300 million) are estimated to have been subject in the past year to online solicitation, such as unwanted sexual talk which can include non-consensual sexting, unwanted sexual questions and unwanted sexual act requests by adults or other youths. Offences can also take the form of 'sextortion', where predators demand money from victims to keep images private, to abuse of AI deepfake technology. While problems exist in all parts of the world, the research suggests the United States is a particularly high-risk area. Edinburgh university's Childlight initiative – which aims to understand the prevalence of child abuse – includes a new global index, Into The Light, which found one in nine men in the U.S. (almost 14 million) admitted online offending against children at some point. Surveys found seven per cent of British men, or 1.8 million, admitted the same, as did 7.5 per cent of men in Australia. The research also found many men admitted they would seek to commit physical sexual offences against children if they thought it would be kept secret. Childlight chief executive Paul Stanfield said: 'This is on a staggering scale that in the UK alone equates to forming a line of male offenders that could stretch all the way from Glasgow to London - or filling Wembley Stadium 20 times over. 'Child abuse material is so prevalent that files are on average reported to watchdog and policing organizations once every second. 'This is a global health pandemic that has remained hidden for far too long. It occurs in every country, it's growing exponentially, and it requires a global response. 'We need to act urgently and treat it as a public health issue that can be prevented. Children can't wait.'
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Cancer-hit Goodburn secures 100m breaststroke gold
Scottish National Open Swimming ChampionshipsVenue: Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh Date: 27-29 June Coverage: Live on the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer. Archie Goodburn has won gold in the 100m breaststroke at the Scottish Swimming Championships a year on from being diagnosed with brain 24-year-old from University of Edinburgh held off the challenge of Stirling University's Rafe Dobson in a comfortable 1:02.42 at Edinburgh's Royal Commonwealth Pool. Having been runner-up at 50m at the British Championships in April, Goodburn went into the race as strong favourite as he continues to train for this summer's World University Games and next year's Commonwealths in will also be aiming to retain the Scottish 50m breaststroke crown this Aberdeen University's Faye Rogers lowered her own S10 200m butterfly world record by more than half a second to 2:18.24 as she took bronze in the able-bodied final.
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Gaps in genetic testing mean some patients not informed about cancer risk
A new study reveals inconsistencies in genetic testing for Lynch syndrome, potentially leaving cancer patients and their families unaware of their risk of developing other cancers. Lynch syndrome is a rare hereditary condition that elevates the risk of bowel, womb, and ovarian cancers due to a gene mutation affecting DNA error correction. The University of Edinburgh study examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients and found that while 91 per cent of tumours were tested for Lynch syndrome markers, the results were not always communicated to clinical teams, hindering follow-up genetic counselling. Of the 181 eligible participants, only 64 per cent were referred for genetic counselling, and due to long waits and high dropout rates, only 48 per cent ultimately received the test. Dr. Neil Ryan from the University of Edinburgh emphasises the need for mainstream testing to be truly mainstream to ensure timely diagnosis and reduce cancer risk for patients and their relatives.
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
More testing needed for genetic cancer risk as too many women ‘missed', experts say
A new study has revealed that families of some cancer patients are being denied the opportunity to learn about their potential cancer risk due to inconsistencies in genetic testing. Academics have warned that the absence of adequate testing for Lynch syndrome is leaving some cancer patients unaware of their risk of developing other cancers. Lynch syndrome, a rare hereditary condition, elevates the risk of cancers of the bowel, womb, and ovaries. It arises from a gene mutation affecting DNA error correction during replication, potentially leading to uncontrolled cell growth. NHS guidelines stipulate that patients with bowel or womb cancer should undergo tumour assessments for Lynch syndrome markers. The identification of these markers should prompt a referral for genetic testing, confirming the diagnosis and enabling access to support and guidance regarding cancer risks for both the patients and their families. A new study by academics at the University of Edinburgh found not all womb cancer patients are being sent for genetic testing. Researchers examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients across the UK and Ireland between 2022 and 2023. They found that 91 per cent of tumours were tested for markers of Lynch syndrome, but the test results were not routinely communicated to the wider clinical team. This means that follow-up genetic counselling and blood tests were not always arranged. Of the 181 participants eligible for genetic counselling, just under two-thirds (64 per cent) were referred for appointments, according to the study, which has been published in the journal BMJ Oncology. Researchers said those who were referred faced long waits, resulting in high dropout rates, meaning only 48 per cent of those eligible went on to get the test. Experts from the university said gaps in testing mean some womb cancer patients with Lynch syndrome go undetected. Family members are also left vulnerable to cancer risk, unaware they may have the condition. Dr Neil Ryan, from the University of Edinburgh, who leads the UK audit and research collaborative in obstetrics and gynaecology, said: 'Despite clear guidance and excellent rates of tumour testing, too many women with Lynch syndrome are still being missed because they're not referred for definitive blood testing in a timely way. 'This not only denies them the chance to reduce their future cancer risk but also prevents their relatives from being tested and protected. 'Tumour testing is only cost-effective if it leads to diagnosis — we urgently need to make mainstream testing truly mainstream.'
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Women with genetic cancer risk being ‘missed' due to testing gaps
Families of some cancer patients are being denied the chance to find out about their cancer risk due to gaps in genetic testing, a new study has suggested. A lack of testing for Lynch syndrome also means some cancer patients are unaware of their risk of developing other cancers, academics said. Lynch syndrome is a rare condition which runs in families which puts people at a higher risk of developing cancers of the bowel, womb and ovaries. It is caused by a mutation in the gene that fixes mistakes in DNA when it is copied, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Patients with bowel or womb cancer should have their tumours assessed for markers of Lynch syndrome, according to guidance for the NHS. If these markers are identified, patients should be referred for genetic testing so the diagnosis can be confirmed and they can get support and advice about cancer risk for themselves and their family. A new study by academics at the University of Edinburgh found not all womb cancer patients are being sent for genetic testing. Researchers examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients across the UK and Ireland between 2022 and 2023. They found that 91% of tumours were tested for markers of Lynch syndrome, but the test results were not routinely communicated to the wider clinical team. This means that follow-up genetic counselling and blood tests were not always arranged. Of the 181 participants eligible for genetic counselling, just under two-thirds (64%) were referred for appointments, according to the study, which has been published in the journal BMJ Oncology. Researchers said those who were referred faced long waits, resulting in high dropout rates, meaning only 48% of those eligible went on to get the test. Experts from the university said gaps in testing mean some womb cancer patients with Lynch syndrome go undetected. Family members are also left vulnerable to cancer risk, unaware they may have the condition. Dr Neil Ryan, from the University of Edinburgh, who leads the UK audit and research collaborative in obstetrics and gynaecology, said: 'Despite clear guidance and excellent rates of tumour testing, too many women with Lynch syndrome are still being missed because they're not referred for definitive blood testing in a timely way. 'This not only denies them the chance to reduce their future cancer risk but also prevents their relatives from being tested and protected. 'Tumour testing is only cost-effective if it leads to diagnosis — we urgently need to make mainstream testing truly mainstream.'
