Renowned dental surgeon and World Oral Health Day Ambassador, Dr. Louisa Ansong Satekla, has disassociated herself from a viral social media post linking her to controversial claims about oral cancer.
Addressing the issue in a post on X, Dr. Ansong clarified that she had never made the statement attributed to her and urged the public to disregard it.
“My attention has been drawn to an image circulating on social media which image bears my likeness, name and a statement purportedly attributed to me,” she wrote.
“I would like to state for the record that I never made the said statement and would want to use this medium to dissociate myself from same. Please be advised accordingly,” she added.
Dr. Ansong’s response follows widespread online discussions over the claim, which falsely linked her professional credibility to unverified medical information.
The CEO of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Professor Dr. Otchere Addai Mensah, has shared that the hospital has been lacking a mammogram machine for the past 18 years.
This essential device, critical for the early detection of breast cancer, has been absent from one of Ghana’s premier healthcare institutions, raising alarms about the state of healthcare in the country.
In an interview with Kojo Marfo on Abusua Nkommo at Abusua965FM, Professor Addai Mensah painted a sobering picture of the hospital’s ongoing struggle with resource shortages.
Professor Addai Mensah pointed out that the lack of a mammogram machine is only one aspect of a broader issue, as the hospital is also facing significant shortages of essential equipment and infrastructure deficiencies.
“For 18 years, Komfo Anokye has not had a mammogram machine—the machine used to check for breast cancer in women.
“These are essential for conducting operations, yet they are not functioning properly,” he said. “So when you ask me what we need most, it’s hard to say because the list is endless.”
He added, “Breast cancer is staged from one to four, with earlier detection offering better treatment outcomes. Unfortunately, about 70% of our breast cancer cases are diagnosed at stages three and four, when treatment becomes far more difficult and outcomes are dire,” he said.
He did not hesitate to point to the root cause of these problems, a lack of adequate government backing.
He stressed that revitalizing a key institution like KATH is primarily the government’s duty. However, due to limited financial resources, the hospital has been forced to reallocate its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) – originally intended for medicines and medical supplies – to acquire equipment that should be provided by the state.
“Our oxygen plant is deteriorating, and we urgently need a new one. “The CT scan machine at the Accident and Emergency Department breaks down frequently, delaying care for patients in critical condition. The MRI machine, which was purchased 12 years ago, possibly not even brand new, has its challenges”, he emphasized.
Professor Addai Mensah also raised alarms about the hospital’s autoclave machines, which are critical for sterilizing surgical instruments.
Despite these challenges, KATH has still managed to make some progress thanks to its IGF.
“The hospital recently purchased nine new dialysis machines at a cost of GH¢500,000 each, along with six months’ worth of consumables. Additionally, six anaesthesia machines were acquired at GH¢400,000 each following renovations to the main theatre,” Prof Addai Mensah stressed.
Princess of Wales Kate Middleton has reportedly turned to faith for support as she navigates her cancer journey.
According to royal biographer Robert Hardman’s newly updated book, Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, Kate, 42, has grown “more interested” in her spiritual life since her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy treatments, a development first disclosed in March.
An excerpt from the book, published in The Daily Mail, quotes a family friend who attends church, saying, “I would say that things are more hopeful there.”
While Kate’s faith has deepened, her husband Prince William, described by sources as “a modern young man,” is reportedly less inclined toward religious ceremony. According to Hardman, William “gets embarrassed by certain aspects of ceremonial and religion,” a contrast to his father, King Charles III, who has long held a “deeply rooted” faith in the Church of England and championed religious values globally.
Hardman’s original release of the book in January 2024 hinted that Prince William might not take on the traditional title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England upon becoming king, breaking with a centuries-old tradition dating back to King Henry VIII. A palace insider noted that, unlike his father and the late Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William is “not instinctively comfortable in a faith environment,” though he respects the institution.
Kate, who revealed her diagnosis in a heartfelt video message in March, completed chemotherapy in September. While she acknowledged her path to full recovery remains ongoing, she expressed hope and gratitude for the strength she has found through faith and family during this challenging period.
Ipswich Town icon and former Scotland boss, George Burley, is currently receiving treatment after being diagnosed with cancer, the Premier League clubhas confirmed.
The 68-year-old, who led the Scottish national team from early 2008 until late 2009, discovered his illness following a period of feeling unwell earlier this year.
Burley enjoyed a long playing career with Ipswich Town between 1973 and 1985, making 500 appearances for the club, and later returned as manager, guiding the team from 1994 to 2002.
“It has been a difficult time, but I am feeling much brighter now,” Burley said. “In fact, I am able to get to matches at Portman Road, and I am enjoying watching the team playing back in the Premier League.
“We are grateful to the club for the support they have shown me and my family, and I would ask that everyone be respectful of our privacy at this time.”
Burley, who played as a defender, also competed for the likes of Motherwell, Ayr United, and Falkirk.
As a manager, he coached clubs including Crystal Palace, Hearts and Southampton.
He was the last manager to guide Ipswich to Premier League promotion before current boss Kieran McKenna did so last season.
McKenna said: “This club has had some brilliant managers, and George is right up there as one of the very best.
“It has been a pleasure to get to know George since I arrived at Ipswich. He is a positive and optimistic character, and I know he will also take that attitude into the battle he now faces. We are all right behind him.”
Club chairman Mark Ashton added: “Our thoughts are with George, his wife Jill and their family.
“It’s always great to see him here in the directors’ box on a matchday, and we will do everything we can to support one of our all-time greats, uniquely asboth player and manager.“
Cancer patients at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital are facing long delays and suspended appointments due to the hospital’s only radiotherapy machine struggling with high demand.
The machine, which frequently breaks down, was recently fixed but still operates at a reduced capacity, significantly limiting the number of daily treatment sessions.
Eight-year-old Joshua, who is undergoing his 33rd cancer treatment session, shared his experience with with the media, explaining that “I feel pain.” He has requested help from former President John Mahama for his treatment fees and hopes to return to school soon.
Joshua is one of the few receiving treatment. Many other patients have been told to wait for scheduling, with appointments for those needing more than six sessions currently paused. The hospital’s oncologists are waiting for extensive maintenance for the radiotherapy machine, which is currently running but limited to just 10 sessions per day.
Professor Joel Yarney, head of the Oncology Department at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, acknowledged the difficulties, stating,
“They have worked on the machine and somehow they were able to get it back on line, but when it stays on for a few hours then the problem resurfaces, so then management has taken a decision that as a stop-gap measure we are treating patients who have about five to 10 treatments left.” he said
Professor Joel Yarney said “We should pay attention to Non-Communicable Diseases and cancer in particular.”
The Minority in Parliament has urged Health Minister Dr. Bernard Oko Boye to tackle the issues related to the hospital’s dependence on a single radiotherapy machine, which has repeatedly fallen short in serving cancer patients’ needs.
Dr. Mark-Kurt Nawane, Deputy Ranking Member of the Health Committee in Parliament, emphasised the urgency, stating, “We aim to raise this issue today, and if necessary, invite the Health Minister to Parliament early next week for a comprehensive explanation, to come to the floor of parliament and explain what is happening, repairs and it breaks down, obviously it will break down, because if you are getting 50% a day to use single machine, that is too much, I mean human beings, even break down, how much more machines,” he added.
Some cancer patients in the country have been left stranded and hopeless following the breakdown of the only cancer treatment machine at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
A MyJoyOnline report indicates that many patients who went to the nation’s premier health facility were left disappointed and unattended as repair work continued on the machine.
The report highlights the frustrations and fears of a breast cancer patient referred from the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).
“I started this journey about two years ago, treating breast cancer at the University of Ghana Medical Center. I initially underwent surgery at UGMC, but after a recurrence, I was referred to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for chemotherapy and radiation therapy,” Sandra told JoyNews in a telephone interview.
“I was scheduled to start my treatment here at Korle Bu. But when I arrived, I was told that the machine had broken down. That was a month ago. I was rescheduled for last Thursday to start my radiation therapy. I managed to receive treatment on Thursday and Friday, and I was supposed to continue from Monday, every working day, for 16 days, but that has been a big challenge.
“Today marks one week, and I’ve only completed two sessions. As I speak, I am returning from Korle Bu; the machine has broken down again. I couldn’t receive my treatment. I’m not just speaking for myself; there are many women in the queue waiting.”
The disturbing situation, which poses a huge threat to Ghana’s health system, was confirmed by Professor Joel Yarney, Head of the Oncology Department at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, who provided further details about the issue.
He disclosed that the country has only two such machines, with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi being the other health facility with the machine.
“We used to have just a handful of cases per day at our facility. These days, we are seeing an increase in the number of cancer cases in the country, and the resources to deal with it are simply not there. We are now dealing with up to 60 cases per day, so that sort of pressure on a single machine will cause it to break down,” he said.
The cost of repairing and maintaining such machines is also very high, further complicating the issue.
Medical doctors at the Oncology Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have taken a stand against the delay in fixing a critical piece of equipment necessary for their work, resulting in them abandoning consulting rooms in protest.
The Linear Accelerator System, which is crucial for radiotherapy services, has been malfunctioning since October 2023, significantly impacting the diagnosis and treatment of cancer cases at the hospital.
Although management has made efforts to repair the machine, it remains non-operational due to delayed access to a water phantom required to calibrate the system.
The doctors expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in fixing the equipment, which has hindered their ability to provide essential medical services to patients in need.
While hospital management has taken steps to address the concerns of the health workers, including establishing a $109,623 Letter of Credit for equipment procurement, the doctors remain dissatisfied with the situation.
However, management has described the doctors’ industrial action as unfair, noting that the strike would also affect other patients who may not necessarily require radiotherapy services.
Experts withinGhana’s cancer treatmentsector have raised alarms over the country’s alarming cancer patient mortality rates due to inadequate care and treatment.
Health professionals, academics, and policymakers highlighted significant concerns including poor data collection, the absence of a cancer registry, and insufficient healthcare facilities nationwide.
Ghana records an overall cancer incidence rate of 120.4 per 100,000 people annually, with a mortality rate of 82.6 percent, according to the International Research Agency for Cancer.
These issues were underscored at the Trust Hospital Cancer Care Academy in Accra, themed “Closing the Care Gap: Advancing Cancer Care through Education and Collaboration.”
The three-day event convened key stakeholders from Ghana’s cancer care sector to address critical challenges and foster collaboration.
Dr. Florence Dedey, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School’s Department of Surgery, emphasized the urgent need for updated policies and data in Ghana’s cancer care and treatment strategies.
“Currently, the existing policy used in cancer care and treatment in Ghana is the National Cancer Control Plan, which was supposed to span a period of time from 2012 to 2016. This policy is out of date, as there has not been any review in recent years. There is also a challenge of limited data, and the probability of the figures for cancer is being underestimated,” she said.
Dr. Florence Dedey stressed the critical need for an effective cancer registry in Ghana to bridge the information gap among cancer patients, enabling more targeted and cost-effective interventions, research initiatives, and enhanced surveillance.
Dr. Wallace Odiko-Ollenu, representing the Ghana Health Service, also highlighted several shortcomings in the country’s cancer care and treatment infrastructure.
He pointed out deficiencies in financing, healthcare personnel, education, and information dissemination, which often lead cancer patients to seek treatment from unqualified practitioners.
Dr. Wallace emphasized the importance of education and collaborative efforts in enhancing cancer care and treatment in Ghana, underscoring the necessity of raising awareness and providing essential insights into cancer management for patients.
“Every successful health-care system relies heavily on education. For the patient, this includes having access to full information about their diagnoses, treatment options, and available support services. It also empowers patients to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts across disciplines within the healthcare sector to enhance early detection and intervention in cancer cases.
Dr. Ollenu also emphasized the necessity for healthcare professionals to stay abreast of advancements in cancer treatment technologies and emerging trends.
CEO of the Trust Hospital, Dr. Mary Efua Commeh, highlighted the significance of organizing the three-day conference, emphasizing that it offered a platform for both healthcare and non-healthcare professionals to expand their knowledge base.
PICA, or the consumption of non-food items, is often associated with the ingestion of substances like kaolin, a baked solid white clay known as “ayilor” by the Gadangmes and commonly consumed by pregnant women.
The scientific benefits of such practices are explored, including potential relief for diarrhoea and constipation.
Studies suggest that the mineral makeup of kaolin is similar to Bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate), a medication used to treat diarrhoea.
Additionally, clay may aid individuals with irritable bowel syndrome and constipation, while certain types of adsorbent clay may inhibit the replication of viruses like rotavirus.
Beyond gastrointestinal benefits, clay is also considered a natural detoxifier, with studies indicating its effectiveness in absorbing aflatoxins and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium.
While there are potential anticancer properties, caution is advised due to side effects and the risk of heavy metal accumulation.
The FDA has issued warnings about certain types of bentonite clay with high lead levels.
Studies in Ghana have identified health implications associated with consuming kaolin, including the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and traces of lead, nickel, and arsenic.
Despite the risks, the author recommends tapping into the kaolin industry, suggesting that it could generate significant revenue for the government while emphasizing the importance of moderation and hydration when using kaolin for its potential health benefits.
The 75-year-old king said that kind thoughts are a great comfort and encouragement for those affected by cancer.
Buckingham Palace said on Monday that they found out about the illness.
The King has cancer and is staying at Sandringham for treatment.
He found out he had cancer while he was getting treatment for a bigger prostate in January. The Palace said that the kind of cancer the person has is not prostate cancer, but they did not say what kind it is.
In the thank you note, he wrote that he is happy to know that talking about his illness has helped people understand it better and has brought attention to the organizations that help cancer patients and their families in the UK and around the world.
“I have always admired their hard work and dedication even more, because I have experienced it myself. ” The treatment for the king’s cancer.
He left his house in London and went to his other house in Norfolk on Wednesday with the Queen. His younger son, the Duke of Sussex, had come from the US for a short visit earlier that day.
One of Queen Elizabeth II’s guiding principles was “I have to be seen to be believed. ” It means that people have to see something to believe it. The King won’t be appearing for a while because he has stopped doing his scheduled activities.
But people will still hear from him.
And according to the usually formal way that the Royals write, this is quite personal.
Not many people his age have decided to talk about their medical condition with the whole world. The King says he hopes that being open has helped someone.
And there’s more – this is a man who, like a lot of cancer patients, is now being cared for by doctors and nurses. Just like many other patients, he makes a special effort to praise the people who take care of him. He has encountered their work before, but it has never impacted him the way it does now.
The Queen said her husband was really moved by all the letters and messages they’ve been getting from people all over.
She spoke at a event at Salisbury Cathedral on Thursday. She said the support was very uplifting.
Prince William expressed his gratitude for the kind comments at a charity event for London’s Air Ambulance, which was also attended by Tom Cruise. He said the comments were very meaningful to everyone.
“He said the past few weeks have been mostly about health issues. ”
The King’s sister, the Princess Royal, said supportive words for the king and Catherine earlier this week. Anne went to a big rugby game on Saturday between Scotland and France. She was there because she supports Scottish Rugby.
Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles will temporarily postpone his public engagements as he undergoes treatment for cancer.
Prince William is anticipated to fulfill some of his father’s duties during this period.
Although specific details regarding the King’s prognosis have not been disclosed, the Palace has clarified that the illness is not prostate cancer, although it was detected during treatment for an enlarged prostate. The King commenced “regular treatments” for his condition on Monday.
Despite scaling back his public appearances, King Charles will continue fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities as head of state, including administrative tasks and private meetings. His weekly audiences with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are expected to proceed in person unless advised otherwise by medical professionals.
The Palace has affirmed that King Charles maintains an optimistic outlook regarding his treatment and eagerly anticipates resuming his public duties. Both of his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, have been informed about his diagnosis. Prince Harry, who resides in the United States, has spoken to his father and plans to travel to the UK to be with him in the near future.
King Charles has returned to London from Sandringham in Norfolk and has commenced outpatient treatment.
Duchess of York and former wife of Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, has expressed gratitude for the overwhelming “messages of love and support” she has received in the wake of the announcement on Sunday revealing her skin cancer diagnosis.
On Monday morning, the 64-year-old duchess took to her Instagram account, urging everyone to remain “diligent” by regularly checking moles and seeking medical attention if there are any changes in their appearance.
Expressing her surprise at the diagnosis, especially following her treatment for breast cancer last year, the duchess noted that she is in good spirits and surrounded by her supportive family.
“I have been taking some time to myself as I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, my second cancer diagnosis within a year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery,” she said.
She said it was only due to the “great vigilance” of her dermatologist that the melanoma was detected at all.
“I believe my experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma and urge anyone who is reading this to be diligent,” she said.
There has been a slew of royal health news in the last few days: Kate, the Princess of Wales and wife of Prince William, underwent planned abdominal surgery last week, prompting a long break from official duties, while King Charles is due this week to have treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Ferguson posted a picture of herself in Austria, where she was recuperating at the Mayrlife Clinic, a high-end health resort favored by celebrities in a picturesque spa town of Altaussee, before returning home to England.
Known simply as “Fergie” to many, including the red-top newspapers that have closely followed her personal life, she has been firmly the public eye since marrying Andrew in 1986 and perhaps even more so after the couple’s split in 1992.
Renowned Rhode Island traffic judge, Frank Caprio, known as ‘The Nicest Judge in the World,’ disclosed that he is grappling with pancreatic cancer.
The 87-year-old, star of the reality TV show ‘Caught in Providence,’ took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the emotional news, stating that his diagnosis coincided with his birthday last month, a day usually filled with joy for him.
“This birthday is a little different than any other I have ever had,” Caprio expressed. “Quite recently, I was not feeling well and received a medical examination, and the report was not a good one. And so I have been diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas, which is an insidious form of cancer.”
Caprio acknowledged the support of his “wonderful team of doctors” overseeing his treatment in Rhode Island and at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital.
“I pray that God guides their thoughts and their hands in their treatment of me. I know this is a long road, and I’m fully prepared to fight as hard as I can,” he affirmed.
The judge, humbled by the outpouring of friendship and kind messages, made a heartfelt plea to well-wishers. “I would ask each of you, in your own way, to please pray for me. I am in need of the power of prayer, which I believe, in addition to the medical treatment that I’m receiving, is the most powerful weapon to help me survive this.”
Pancreatic cancer, constituting approximately 3% of all cancers in the United States, primarily affects men. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 64,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer annually, with over 50,500 expected to succumb to it in 2023. Symptoms often manifest in advanced stages, including intense back pain, loss of appetite, depression, fatigue, new-onset diabetes, and jaundice.
Expressing gratitude for the support received, Caprio acknowledged that the encouragement and well-wishes “mean the world” to him as he confronts this health challenge. In a poignant moment during the video, he buried his face in his hands and implored, “SAY A PRAYER… Your help will give me the strength to fight this health battle.”
Judge Frank Caprio, having served as a Providence Municipal Court Judge since 1985, is renowned for his caring personality in the courtroom on the show ‘Caught in Providence,’ nominated for a Daytime Emmy award in 2021.
Stephanie Benson, a musician and cancersurvivor, has disregarded the notion that nursing or caressing one’s breasts may prevent cancer.
The artist claimed that such reports are absurd and that it is reckless for anyone to propagate such false information in an interview with Okay FM.
Stephanie Benson pointed out that due of their fear of developing cancer, women may feel pressured to have their breasts fondled even though they do not want to.
“There are certain things you just don’t mess with,” she said, adding that she has been married for decades, has five kids and still got breast cancer.
In order to save lives, Stephaine Benson said it is imperative that the narrative be abandoned and accurate information about breast cancer be disseminated.
The singer has been fairly transparent about her battle with breast cancer throughout the years.
She opened out to her followers in 2022 about the wounds she had sustained during her fight with breast cancer as well as other health problems and her recovery process.
Stephaine Benson said she has lost her nipples due to the severity of her breast cancer, but she is grateful to still be alive.
In a video that she posted to Instagram, she advised viewers to “love yourself; you are all you have and nobody will love you as much as you love yourself.”
Head of the Department of Surgery at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Professor James Edward Mensah, has emphasized the need for the establishment of a comprehensive cancer registry, with a particular focus on prostate cancer patients.
Such a cancer registry would play a crucial role in enhancing cancer research and surveillance.
A cancer registry serves as a centralized database and information system dedicated to collecting, storing, and managing data related to individuals affected by cancer. This registry is essential for monitoring the progress of cancer patients following their diagnosis.
Professor Mensah, who is also the President of the Ghana Association of Urological Surgeons, expressed his concerns to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
He highlighted that the absence of a comprehensive cancer registry has hindered healthcare experts from conducting effective post-diagnosis monitoring.
While acknowledging the existence of a cancer registry at the National Radiotherapy Centre within KBTH, Professor Mensah stressed the importance of establishing a national registry that would consolidate data from all healthcare facilities, major departments, and even private hospitals that treat cancer patients.
This unified approach is crucial because many prostate cancer patients, especially those with underlying health conditions, pass away without a clear understanding of the precise cause of death.
Prostate cancer is a significant health concern, both globally and in Ghana. It ranks as the second most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in 2020.
In Ghana, prostate cancer stands as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and is the most prevalent male cancer seen at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The symptoms of prostate cancer can vary, with the disease often remaining asymptomatic in its early stages. However, as it advances, individuals may experience difficulties with urination, a weakened urine stream, blood in urine or semen, bone pain, unexplained weight loss, and erectile dysfunction.
The disease becomes lethal when it spreads to other parts of the body.
In addition to prostate cancer, the proposed cancer registry would track other types of cancer, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, and various childhood cancers.
Professor Mensah also called for increased awareness to encourage men at higher risk of developing prostate cancer, such as African men and those with a family history of the disease, to undergo PSA blood tests and biopsies for early detection and proper management. He stressed that there are different subtypes of prostate cancer, and not all patients diagnosed with it will succumb to the disease.
Lastly, Professor Mensah urged the government, individuals, organizations, and philanthropists to provide support to the Urological Department at KBTH to ensure effective services for cancer patients.
President of the Ghana Association for the Study of Liver and Digestive Diseases (GASLIDD), Prof Yaw Asante Awuku, has stated that Hepatitis B infection is responsible for around 75% of liver cancer cases in the country.
He explained that presently, Hepatitis B affects one out of every ten Ghanaians, and there is a reported increase in cases. He also pointed out that the transmission methods include lifestyle factors and transmission from mother to child.
In response to this situation, he emphasized the need to strengthen the vaccination of children and conduct vigorous awareness campaigns. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of motivating individuals to undergo testing.
“For those diagnosed to be positive, there are avenues to seek care and prevent one from developing liver cancer or any liver cirrhosis,” he said.
Prof Asante Awuku spoke at the 2023 Africa HepatoPancreatoBiliary Cancer Consortium (AHPBCC) opening ceremony in Accra and also observed that liver cancer is on the rise.
However, he added that there is a ‘Stop Hepatitis C’ project wherein those who are positive are being offered free treatment at all regional and teaching hospitals.
The president of GASLIDD opined that it is important for the state to dedicate funds’ amounts for more research on viral hepatitis: “We are looking at eradicating viral hepatitis; so if we have something dedicated for that, a lot of academic and service institutions will tap into it and make it happen,” he stated.
AHPBCC 2023 was hosted in partnership with GASLIDD and is an annual scientific conference organised to harness resources and expertise across Africa, the US and Europe to address gaps in research, medical education and training, and clinical care for patients with liver, pancreas and bile-duct cancers.
The consortium has more than 200 clinicians and research investigators who inform new strategies for risk prevention, early detection and improved survival of patients with these cancers. The consortium’s membership represents eight African countries, eight institutions in the US and four institutions in Europe.
The conference in Accra brought together more than 200 participants from across Africa, Europe and the US.
“This is training people and setting the agenda for the future,” he added.
Speakers at the three-day event included Dr. Manal Hassan from the USA and Egypt, who spoke on genomics and cancer risk; and Dr. Samuel Antwi from the USA spoke on the genetic epidemiology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.
Others included Dr. Yvonne Nartey and Dr. Atsu, Ghana; and Dr. Manal El-Sayed of Egypt, who talked about the ‘Stop Hepatitis C’ project in Ghana, among many other renowned international health practitioners.
Speaking on the second annual scientific conference’s side-lines, the Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, disclosed that the ongoing ‘Stop Hepatitis C’ initiative is being supported with one million doses of medicines that cure Hepatitis C.
Touching on the conference, he expressed confidence that the platform will empower practitioners and complement efforts by the government to tackle and eliminate Hepatitis C in the country.’
He also disclosed that the Ministry of Health is planning to fast-track the passage of a law on organ transplants.
Former Bristol Rovers defender Nick Anderton has shared the uplifting news that he is now free from bone cancer.
At the age of 27, Anderton faced a challenging journey, enduring 28 weeks of chemotherapy and undergoing surgery to remove a portion of his femur and knee following his diagnosis with the illness in July 2022.
In April of this year, he made the difficult decision to retire from professional football. However, the latest medical scans have brought positive tidings, indicating that the cancer is no longer active.
Anderton said in a social media post: “Not how I imagined my mid-20s to pan out but it is what it is. Never did I think a sore knee would turn out to be bone cancer. I don’t think it’s really possible to put into words how the last year has been but I’m blessed to still be here battling on.
“Full knee, along with 12cm of my femur replaced with metal, I got to keep my knee cap though! Twenty-eight weeks of chemotherapy and 36 weeks of another drug which is classed as an antibiotic. Close to 70 nights stayed in hospital, a few infections thrown in there just to keep me on my toes.
“My first lot of scans have come back with the best possible news I could have hoped for, no sign of active disease. This journey is by no means over as the cancer can return and I’m going to be checked every few months for the foreseeable.
“I just wanted to let people know and more importantly thank everybody for everything over the last year. The messages I’ve received, the donations to the Go Fund Me and the all-round support has been unbelievable.
“I’m going to try and enjoy some normal life with my family now and make the best memories whilst trying to figure out what’s next.”
Empathetic messages are pouring in on social media for former France Ambassador to Ghana, Anne-Sophie Avé, after revealing that she is battling cancer.
In a video on Instagram, Anne-Sophie Avé shared her ordeal with cancer.
Revealing her health issue, she shared, “As I told you, I had a health issue. It was a recess of cancer I had 14 years ago. I’ve been very lucky because it could be handled through surgery. And now I’m waiting for further treatment, but so far, so good. Next time, recover. I’m doing my very best.”
She specifically mentioned, “And what keeps me going on is that I’m really hoping that as early as August I will be able to come to Ghana, and see all my friends and say thank you to all those who have been so supportive during my time in the hospital and my time in recovery.”
The former ambassador extended her appreciation to those who had been close to her, checking up on her regularly and providing much-needed comfort.
News of her health struggle has deeply resonated with many individuals, who have expressed genuine concern and rallied around her during this difficult time.
Ghanaians have also highlighted the significant impact she made during her tenure as the France Ambassador to Ghana.
Her diplomatic efforts, cultural exchanges, and the deep connections she fostered between the two nations are remembered fondly.
Chief Executive Officer of Trust Hospital, Dr Julianna Oye Ameh has persons who have been diagnosed of cancer to seek medical help.
Allaying public fears on cancer, she stated that the disease is no longer a death sentence as there is an opportunity for treatment and management.
She said this in an interview on the sidelines of the Trust Oncology Cancer program held at the Ghana College of Physicians & Surgeons on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
According to the CEO, her outfit has invested in a Cancer Care Academy which seeks to build the capacity of healthcare professionals about the management of cancer.
She stressed that the increasing prevalence of cancer in the country will require that healthcare providers are equipped to manage the condition effectively.
“Now we realize that cancer is really becoming common. It is one of the commonest non-communicable diseases in our country and therefore, healthcare providers need to know how to manage the conditions, how to diagnose, the advice to give patients, the prevention of cancer, and how to investigate and treat cancer.
“We want the public to know that cancer is no longer a death threat. When you have cancer, there is an opportunity for treatment and management. And so, we want to build capacity for our healthcare providers,” she said.
Dr Julianna Oye Ameh further added that to expand the Trust Hospital’s specialty in cancer treatment services, its Trust Hospital Premium Centre is set aside to provide holistic cancer care, providing a wide range of services, including diagnosis, investigations, among others.
“So, the Trust hospital ventured into the field of cancer treatment a year ago. We built our latest hospital which is the Trust Hospital Premium Centre. In that centre, we have started doing cancer care.
“So, we diagnose the patients, we investigate, we treat, and we give dietary management as well as our psychological treatment so it’s an all in all package for the various disciples to be involved. It is multi-disciplinary care and we do coordinate care case management,” she added.
A significant trial conducted within the NHS has demonstrated promising results for a blood test capable of detecting over 50 types of cancer, according to researchers.
During the trial, the test accurately identified two-thirds of cancers among 5,000 individuals in England and Wales who had sought medical attention for suspected symptoms. Moreover, in 85% of those positive cases, it successfully identified the primary location of the cancer.
Known as the Galleri test, it searches for specific alterations in genetic code fragments that are released from various types of cancers. Early detection of treatable cancers has the potential to significantly improve survival rates.
The test remains very much a “work in progress”, the researchers, from Oxford University, say, but could increase the number of cancers identified.
Often, patients have symptoms, such as weight loss, with a range of possible causes and require multiple tests and hospital visits.
More than 350 of those in the study – the biggest of its kind in patients with suspected cancer symptoms – were subsequently diagnosed with cancer, using traditional methods such as scans and biopsies. About:
75% of those testing positive on the blood test were found to have cancer
2.5% of those testing negative were found to have cancer
Although not accurate enough to “rule in or rule out cancer”, the test was really useful for patients lead researcher Prof Mark Middleton told BBC News.
“The test was 85% accurate in detecting the source of the cancer – and that can be really helpful because so many times it is not immediately obvious when you have got the patient in front of you what test is needed to see whether their symptoms are down to cancer,” he said.
“With that prediction from the test, we can decide whether to order a scope or a scan and make sure we are giving the right test the first time.”
The NHS has also been using the Galleri test, developed by Californian company Grail, in thousands of people without symptoms, to see if it can detect hidden cancers.
Initial results are expected this year – and, if successful, the NHS in England plans to extend the rollout to a further one million people in 2024 and 2025.
The test is particularly good at finding hard-to-spot cancers such as head and neck, bowel, lung, pancreatic, and throat cancers.
Dr David Crosby, from Cancer Research UK, said: “The findings from the study suggest this test could be used to support GPs to make clinical assessments – but much more research is needed, in a larger trial, to see if it could improve GP assessment and ultimately patient outcomes.”
NHS national director for cancer Prof Peter Johnson said: “This study is the first step in testing a new way to identify cancer as quickly as possible, being pioneered by the NHS – earlier detection of cancer is vital and this test could help us to catch more cancers at an earlier stage and help save thousands of lives.”
Recalls from Malaysia and Taiwan after detecting a potentially cancerous substances in the instant indomie noddles, Nigeria’s food and drug regulator has announced that it is making investigations into the brand
Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said in a statement Tuesday it was “taking swift actions” to analyze samples of the product, as well as its seasoning, and will also scrutinize “other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians.”
Health officials in Malaysia and Taiwan last week recalled the noodles saying they had detected a compound called ethylene oxide in the “special chicken” flavor of the noodles.
The Nigerian regulator said Indomie is produced by a local manufacturer and that the special chicken” flavor noodles is not available for sale in the country.
“The public is … informed that the implicated Indomie instant noodle is not registered for sale in Nigeria. It is important to mention that noodles are on the Import Prohibition List of the Federal government of Nigeria and is therefore not permitted for importation to Nigeria,” NAFDAC Director General Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye wrote in the statement.
Indomie: The instant noodle giant in Nigeria
Indonesian food giant Indofoods has defended the safety of its products.
“We would like to emphasize that … our Indomie instant noodles are safe for consumption,” Taufik Wiraatmadja, a member of the board of directors at Indofoods, said in a statement last week.
“All instant noodles produced by (Indofood) in Indonesia are processed in compliance with the food safety standards from the Codex Standard for Instant Noodles and standards set by the Indonesian National Agency for Drug and Food Control (BPOM),” the statement added.
Ethylene oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is used to sterilize medical devices and spices. The United States Environmental Protection Agency found in a report that the gas could contribute to increased cancer risk.
Indonesia’s food and drug monitoring agency also said last week the products available locally were “safe for consumption as it met its safety standards” — despite containing traces of ethylene oxide.
Nigeria is one of the largest instant noodle markets in the world and Indomie is the “market leader in the noodles industry in Nigeria,” according to the Indofoods, which owns the brand.
Indonesian food giant Indofoods says Indomie noodles is available in more than 100 countries across the world in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Indomie first launched instant noodles in 1972 with a chicken flavor but is now produced in many varieties.
Height is a risk factor for developing testicular cancer, according to Dr. Joelle Amissah, a junior resident in general surgery at the Korle Bu teaching hospital.
She explained testicular cancer as cancer of the testis and some of its surrounding structures, which is mostly caused by a genetic mutation that happens while in the uterus but will not manifest until puberty.
According to Ms. Amissah, it has been noted globally that most people who contract testicular cancer are tall, while short men rarely get testicular cancer.
“It hasn’t been explained, but being tall is a predisposing factor to getting testicular cancer,” Ms. Amissah said during a media engagement.
However, she maintained, “being tall” is relative to geographical location. She also added that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is also a risk factor for getting testicular cancer.
“HIV is just a terrible virus. It activates so many cancers and it activates quite a few mutations as well,” she said.
Ms. Amissah stated that being diagnosed with testicular cancer means having subfertility; however, patients can undergo surgery and radiation therapy.
She advised men to examine their testicles once a month to know their status.
The government has been urged to absorb the cost of all cancer treatment in the country.
That, according to the Principal Medical Physicist at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Theophilus Sackey, was crucial to limiting the exposure of patients to quacks and unsafe treatments that often lead to complications and loss of lives.
“Depending on the treatment modality one is put on, one can spend a minimum of GHC10,000 on each and that is an amount the average Ghanaian cannot raise.
“People come here and once they are told the cost, they go soliciting for funds and by the time they come back, a stage one case which could have been easily treated has developed to stage three. Unfortunately, cancer cannot wait and government must help absorb more of these bills,” he pleaded.
Dr. Sackey spoke to the Ghanaian Times at the launch of the center’s 25th-anniversary celebration, which has the vision to provide comprehensive treatment to enhance the quality of life and prolong the survival rate of cancer patients in the sub-region.
On the theme; “25 years of excellence in comprehensive cancer care in Ghana” the celebration brought together founding and present staff of the centre as well as other health professionals at the hospital.
Dr. Sackey cautioned cancer patients against using herbal products and unorthodox medications purported to cure cancers.
“From what we know, most of these treatments don’t work. For instance, in the case of breast cancer, there are different kinds, so there is no one size fits all drug or herb that can treat it. Some don’t survive and others have worsened conditions.
Once you are diagnosed, report at the health facility. Currently, we have the capacity to manage all types of cancer in the country and if government is able to support the cost of treatment, we can save lots of lives,” he said.
Reading a speech on behalf of the sector Minister, the Director of Technical Co-ordination at the Ministry, Dr. Baffour Awuah, commended the center for its contribution towards reducing cancer deaths and improving the survival rate of cancer patients in the country.
“The center has reduced referrals of cancer patients outside the country. Now this country can boast of cancer survivors. Twenty-five years of this centre has resulted in comprehensive cancer care in the country, training in the health force for Ghana and Africa, and also a lot of research is ongoing and we all look forward to achieving universal health coverage in cancer care in the country.”
The head of the centre, Dr. Joel Yarney, said it was the hope of the centre to become an ultramodern centre for the diagnosis and management of cancer across the sub-region.
“Cancer is not a death sentence. Early diagnosis and treatment save lives and we encourage all to seek early treatment,” he advised.
Some activities lined up for the 25th anniversary include free cervical and breast cancer screening for staff of KBTH and residents of Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region, a health walk, fundraising and awards for health staff.
Death rates from cancer in the US have fallen by 32% over the three decades from 1991 to 2019, according to the American Cancer Society.
The decline is thanks to prevention, screening, early diagnosis and treatment of common cancers, including lung and breast cancer.
The drop has meant 3.5m fewer deaths.
However, cancers are still the second leading cause of death in the US, after heart disease.
In 1991, the cancer death rate was 215 per 100,000 people and in 2019 it dropped to 146 per 100,000 people.
Lung cancer, of which there are 230,000more cases each year, kills the most patients, 350 per day.
But people are being diagnosed sooner, and technological advancements have increased the survival rate by three years.
Breast cancer rates have actually increased by 0.5% a year since the mid-2000s, which the American Cancer Society report attributes to “more women having obesity, having fewer children, or having their first baby after age 30”. Increased presence of fat tissue can elevate levels of the hormone oestrogen, which has been linked to the cancer.
Though having fewer children or having them later has been linked to increasing breast cancer chances, the link is not well understood.
Mortality rates from breast cancer, though, have declined.
The research found that “at least 42% of the projected new cancers are potentially avoidable”, noting that 19% of cancers are caused by smoking and 18% of cancers are “caused by a combination of excess body weight, drinking alcohol, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity”.
The report also examined racial and economic disparities in cancer outcomes.
The Covid-19 pandemic added to already existing difficulties for marginalised groups to get cancer screenings and treatment.
For nearly every type of cancer, white people have a higher survival rate than black people. Black women with breast cancer face a 41% higher death rate than white women.
One bright spot was that cancer death rates in children and adolescents have seen large declines. Since the 1970s, cancer death rates in children have declined by 71% and by 61% for those ages 15 to 19.
Cancer is the second most common cause of death, after accidents, for children one to 14 years old.
Some cancer progress in children has lagged behind adult research due to “lower enrolment in clinical trials, differences in tumour biology and treatment protocols, as well as treatment tolerance and compliance,” according to the report.
Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has highlighted the need to promote early diagnosis and the accessibility of diagnostic tools in the treatment of all cancers at the just ended U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit Spousal Program conducted in the USA.
In a speech at a gathering organized by Dr. Jill Biden, Mrs. Akufo-Addo emphasized the necessity for all cancers to be covered by national insurance programs.
About 21 wives of African leaders attended the REACH meeting, which took place at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and covered common passions for cancer prevention.
The US-Africa Summit, which included high-level meetings between African leaders and representatives of the Biden-Harris administration, was held concurrently with the cancer summit. The US-Africa Summit sought to strengthen existing alliances in order to address important global issues like national security, food security, climate change, trade, and health.
The meeting’s main focal point was the issue of global cancer prevention and treatment.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo noted several knowledge gaps in cancers affecting women and children and suggested solutions to fill them.
According to her, problems including a lack of awareness and information, late arrival at medical facilities, cancer-causing lifestyle habits, and the expense of treatment are what are preventing many nations from making headway in the fight against cancer.
In order to address the lack of understanding about the illness and its treatments, she advised ongoing media campaigns as well as required routine check-ups every two or five years, depending on age and family history.
She claimed that better dietary decisions and a decrease in the intake of processed, fatty, and alcoholic beverages will both contribute to the eradication of cancer disorders.
Education and training for medical staff, such as cancer specialists for prompt diagnosis, could be another area of investigation.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo said, “We should have coordinated national initiatives to immunise young girls with the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical malignancies.”
She noted that she has been able to get Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme to cover four childhood cancers which make up about 60 per cent of childhood cancers.
“These are Burkitt Lymphoma, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Wilms tumor and Retinoblastoma, “she stated.
“My Foundation also raised money to build a 54-bed hostel for children receiving cancer treatment at our major teaching hospital. This helps to reduce cost of treatment and ensure treatment compliance.”
The First Lady further said together with Roche and the Ghana Health Service, “we are currently conducting education on breast and cervical cancers, training health personnel, screening, referring suspected cases to bigger facilities and treating early-stage cervical cancers with thermal coagulation machines. “
In the meantime, Dr. Biden has announced new initiatives by the White House’s Cancer Moonshot initiative to reduce the “cancer burden” in Africa at the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit event, which took place from December 13 to 15, 2022. These initiatives include funding totaling about $300 million from the U.S. government and its private-sector partners.
Dr. Biden, who has made the fight against cancer a pillar of her work as first lady, shared that when her husband, President Joe Biden, was elected to office and a promise never to waste “this platform”, but to use it to shine a light on issues that she had been working on for many years.
She tasked her colleagues with making every effort to guarantee that they reduced the difficulties and suffering brought on by cancer in the various nations.
“As spouses, we serve the people of our countries, too, ” she stated.
African first ladies who attended the summit included that of Ghana, Cameroon, Liberia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Madagascar, among others.
Cancer research and the enhancement of women’s and children’s health have been given top priority by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD).
The USA is responding to OAFLAD’s request for more effective cancer prevention strategies, including the application of cutting-edge technologies for palliative care, cancer diagnosis, treatment, and screening.
In response to a warning from the European Union, the Mozambican government burned 10,000 cosmetic products that represent a “possible risk” like cancer to human health.
The products include shower gels, shampoos, creams and sprays.
The authorities say they contain substances that can cause cancer, in addition to being harmful to reproductive health and potentially causing infertility.
The EU had warned against the products in early September, said Sheila Mercis, an inspector at the country’s medicines regulatory authority (Anarme).
“By incinerating, we are guaranteeing that in the market, at least, there will no longer be any [harmful] products for sale,” said Paulo Aguiar, a director of Medis Moçambique, which is owned by the Portuguese pharmaceutical group Azevedos.
The manufacturers have already submitted new formulas of the cosmetics in question to Anarme for approval so that they can be imported again “without the harmful substances”, according to Medis.
“All manufacturers in Europe have already withdrawn the [harmful] substance. The next batches will not contain these substances,” Mr Aguiar said.
A teenage girl’s incurable cancer has been cleared from her body in the first use of a revolutionary new type of medicine.
All other treatments for Alyssa’s leukaemia had failed.
So doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital used “base editing” to perform a feat of biological engineering to build her a new living drug.
Six months later the cancer is undetectable, but Alyssa is still being monitored in case it comes back.
Alyssa, who is 13 and from Leicester, was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in May last year.
T-cells are supposed to be the body’s guardians – seeking out and destroying threats – but for Alyssa they had become the danger and were growing out of control.
Her cancer was aggressive. Chemotherapy, and then a bone-marrow transplant, were unable to rid it from her body.
Without the experimental medicine, the only option left would have been merely to make Alyssa as comfortable as possible.
“Eventually I would have passed away,” said Alyssa. Her mum, Kiona, said this time last year she had been dreading Christmas, “thinking this is our last with her”. And then she “just cried” through her daughter’s 13th birthday in January.
Alyssa before chemotherapyAlyssa decided to donate her hair when she found out she would lose it anyway
What happened next would have been unthinkable just a few years ago and has been made possible by incredible advances in genetics.
The team at Great Ormond Street used a technology called base editing, which was invented only six years ago.
Bases are the language of life. The four types of base – adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T) – are the building blocks of our genetic code. Just as letters in the alphabet spell out words that carry meaning, the billions of bases in our DNA spell out the instruction manual for our body.
Base editing allows scientists to zoom to a precise part of the genetic code and then alter the molecular structure of just one base, converting it into another and changing the genetic instructions.
The large team of doctors and scientists used this tool to engineer a new type of T-cell that was capable of hunting down and killing Alyssa’s cancerous T-cells.
They started with healthy T-cells that came from a donor and set about modifying them.
The first base edit disabled the T-cells targeting mechanism so they would not assault Alyssa’s body
The second removed a chemical marking, called CD7, which is on all T-cells
The third edit was an invisibility cloak that prevented the cells being killed by a chemotherapy drug
The final stage of genetic modification instructed the T-cells to go hunting for anything with the CD7 marking on it so that it would destroy every T-cell in her body – including the cancerous ones. That’s why this marking has to be removed from the therapy – otherwise it would just destroy itself.
If the therapy works, Alyssa’s immune system – including T-cells – will be rebuilt with the second bone-marrow transplant.
When the idea was explained to the family, mum Kiona was left thinking: “You can do that?” It was Alyssa’s decision to be the first to take the experimental therapy – which contained millions of the modified cells – in May this year.
Jan Chu, senior research nurse at Great Ormond Street, gives Alyssa the therapy in May 2022.
“She’s the first patient to be treated with this technology,” said Prof Waseem Qasim, from UCL and Great Ormond Street.
He said this genetic manipulation was a “very fast-moving area of science” with “enormous potential” across a range of diseases.
Alyssa was left vulnerable to infection, as the designer cells attacked both the cancerous T-cells in her body and those that protect her from disease.
After a month, Alyssa was in remission and was given a second bone-marrow transplant to regrow her immune system.
Alyssa spent 16 weeks in hospital and couldn’t see her brother, who was still going to school, in case he brought germs in.
There were worries after the three-month check-up found signs of the cancer again. But her two most recent investigations have been clear.
“You just learn to appreciate every little thing. I’m just so grateful that I’m here now,” said Alyssa.
“It’s crazy. It’s just amazing I’ve been able to have this opportunity, I’m very thankful for it and it’s going to help other children, as well, in the future.”
She’s eyeing-up Christmas, being a bridesmaid at her auntie’s wedding, getting back on her bike, going back to school and “just doing normal people stuff”.
The family hope the cancer will never return, but are already grateful for the time it has bought them.
“To have this extra year, this last three months when she’s been home, has been a gift in itself,” said Kiona.
Dad James said: “I find it quite hard to talk about how proud we are. When you see what she’s gone through and her vitality of life she’s brought to every situation, it’s outstanding.”
Prof Waseem Qasim was part of the team that developed the base-editing therapy
Most children with a leukaemia respond to the main treatments, but it is thought that up to a dozen a year could benefit from this therapy.
Alyssa is just the first of 10 people to be given the drug as part of a clinical trial.
Dr Robert Chiesa, from the bone-marrow transplant department at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: “It is extremely exciting. Obviously, this is a new field in medicine and it’s fascinating that we can redirect the immune system to fight cancer.”
The technology, though, only scratches the surface of what base editing could achieve.
Dr David Liu, one of the inventors of base editing at the Broad Institute, told me it was “a bit surreal” that people were being treated just six years after the technology was invented.
In Alyssa’s therapy, each of the base edits involved breaking a section of genetic code so it no longer worked. But there are more nuanced applications where instead of switching an instruction off you can fix a defective one. Sickle-cell anaemia, for example, is caused by just one base change that could be corrected.
So there are already trials of base editing under way in sickle-cell disease, as well as high cholesterol that runs in families and the blood disorder beta-thalassemia.
Dr Liu said the “therapeutic applications of base editing are just beginning” and it was “humbling to be part of this era of therapeutic human gene editing”, as science was now taking “key steps towards taking control of our genomes”.
A groundbreaking new kind of therapy has successfully treated a teenage girl’s untreatable cancer for the first time.
For Alyssa’s leukemia, every previous treatment had failed.
In order to create a new live medication, physicians at Great Ormond Street Hospital performed a feat of biological engineering known as “base editing.”
Alyssa is still being watched in case cancer recurs even though it is no longer evident six months later.
Alyssa, who is 13 and from Leicester, was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in May last year.
T-cells are supposed to be the body’s guardians – seeking out and destroying threats – but for Alyssa, they had become the danger and were growing out of control.
Her cancer was aggressive. Chemotherapy, and then a bone-marrow transplant, were unable to rid it from her body.
Without experimental medicine, the only option left would have been merely to make Alyssa as comfortable as possible.
“Eventually I would have passed away,” said Alyssa. Her mum, Kiona, said this time last year she had been dreading Christmas, “thinking this is our last with her”. And then she “just cried” through her daughter’s 13th birthday in January.
IMAGE SOURCE, FAMILY PHOTO Image caption, Alyssa before chemotherapy
IMAGE SOURCE, FAMILY PHOTO Image caption, Alyssa decided to donate her hair when she found out she would lose it anyway
What happened next would have been unthinkable just a few years ago and has been made possible by incredible advances in genetics.
The team at Great Ormond Street used a technology called base editing, which was invented only six years ago.
Bases are the language of life. The four types of base– adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T) – are the building blocks of our genetic code. Just as letters in the alphabet spell out words that carry meaning, the billions of bases in our DNA spell out the instruction manual for our body.
Base editing allows scientists to zoom into a precise part of the genetic code and then alter the molecular structure of just one base, converting it into another and changing the genetic instructions.
The large team of doctors and scientists used this tool to engineer a new type of T-cell that was capable of hunting down and killing Alyssa’s cancerous T-cells.
They started with healthy T-cells that came from a donor and set about modifying them.
The first base edit disabled the T-cells targeting mechanism so they would not assault Alyssa’s body
The second removed a chemical marking, called CD7, which is on all T-cells
The third edit was an invisibility cloak that prevented the cells from being killed by a chemotherapy drug
The final stage of genetic modification instructed the T-cells to go hunting for anything with the CD7 marking on it so that it would destroy every T-cell in her body – including the cancerous ones. That’s why this marking has to be removed from the therapy – otherwise, it would just destroy itself.
If the therapy works, Alyssa’s immune system – including T-cells – will be rebuilt with the second bone-marrow transplant.
When the idea was explained to the family, mum Kiona was left thinking: “You can do that?” It was Alyssa’s decision to be the first to take the experimental therapy – which contained millions of the modified cells – in May this year.
IMAGE SOURCE, GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL Image caption, Jan Chu, a senior research nurse at Great Ormond Street, gives Alyssa the therapy in May 2022.
“She’s the first patient to be treated with this technology,” said Prof Waseem Qasim, from UCL and Great Ormond Street.
He said this genetic manipulation was a “very fast-moving area of science” with “enormous potential” across a range of diseases.
Alyssa was left vulnerable to infection, as the designer cells attacked both the cancerous T-cells in her body and those that protect her from disease.
After a month, Alyssa was in remission and was given a second bone-marrow transplant to regrow her immune system.
Alyssa spent 16 weeks in the hospital andcouldn’t see her brother, who was still going to school, in case he brought germs in.
There were worries after the three-month check-up found signs of cancer again. But her two most recent investigations have been clear.
“You just learn to appreciate every little thing. I’m just so grateful that I’m here now,” said Alyssa.
“It’s crazy. It’s just amazing I’ve been able to have this opportunity, I’m very thankful for it and it’s going to help other children, as well, in the future.”
She’s eyeing-up Christmas, being a bridesmaid at her auntie’s wedding, getting back on her bike, going back to school, and “just doing normal people stuff”.
The family hopes cancer will never return but are already grateful for the time it has bought them.
“To have this extra year, this last three months when she’s been home, has been a gift in itself,” said Kiona.
Dad James said: “I find it quite hard to talk about how proud we are. When you see what she’s gone through and the vitality of life she’s brought to every situation, it’s outstanding.”
Image caption, Prof Waseem Qasim was part of the team that developed the base-editing therapy
Most children with leukaemia respond to the main treatments, but it is thought that up to a dozen a year could benefit from this therapy.
Dr Robert Chiesa, from the bone-marrow transplant department at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: “It is extremely exciting. Obviously, this is a new field in medicine and it’s fascinating that we can redirect the immune system to fight cancer.”
The technology, though, only scratches the surface of what base editing could achieve.
Dr David Liu, one of the inventors of base editing at the Broad Institute, told me it was “a bit surreal” that people were being treated just six years after the technology was invented.
In Alyssa’s therapy, each of the base edits involved breaking a section of genetic code so it no longer worked. But there are more nuanced applications where instead of switching an instruction off you can fix a defective one. Sickle-cell anaemia, for example, is caused by just one base change that could be corrected.
So there are already trials of base editing underway in sickle-cell disease, as well as high cholesterol that runs in families and the blood disorder beta-thalassemia.
Dr Liu said the “therapeutic applications of base editing are just beginning” and it was “humbling to be part of this era of therapeutic human gene editing”, as science was now taking “key steps towards taking control of our genomes”.
Elisabeth Finch, screenwriter for the ABC drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” finally fessed up to her elaborate medical ruse.
“I’ve never had any form of cancer,” she admitted to the Ankler in a bombshell interview.
“I told a lie when I was 34 years old and it was the biggest mistake of my life. It just got bigger and bigger and bigger and got buried deeper and deeper inside me,” she continued.
Finch was put on a leave of absence earlier this year after allegations swirled that she concocted her supposedly debilitating health crises for attention and was placed under investigation following the explosive news.
Several storylines for “Grey’s,” from which she later departed of her own accord, were based on Finch’s supposed life experiences, which she has now confessed were entirely fabricated.
“What I did was wrong. Not okay. Messed up. All the words,” said the former crew member, who first began writing for the hit drama in 2015.
What started as an honest knee injury in 2007 quickly unfurled into a complex monstrosity of falsehoods. The “context” of the lie, she explained, began with an addiction to the intensive care she received after her hiking accident and while recovering from surgery.
Then, it was “dead quiet” — no more special treatment or hands-on care — and, thus, the lie began “in that silence.” She also placed blame on the childhood abuse she suffered at the hands of her brother Eric, accusing him of “terrorizing” her, but not enough to leave a mark.
“I had no support and went back to my old maladaptive coping mechanism,” she said. “I lied and made something up because I needed support and attention and that’s the way I went after it.”
In 2012, she broke devastating news to her friends and colleagues: Doctors allegedly found a tumor. She claimed the rare malignancy was encroaching on her spine and was not responsive to chemotherapy treatments, and she went on to publish multiple personal essays in Elle about her harrowing tale, stories that have since been removed.
She chose the specific type of cancer — chondrosarcoma — due to its difficulty to treat, she told the Ankler. At the time she spun her first fib, she also claimed that she lost a kidney and part of her leg — hence, the knee replacement.
Finch (left) based storylines on the hit drama off of her own life experiences — or so the Shondaland team thought.Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
“I know it’s absolutely wrong what I did,” she admitted. “I lied and there’s no excuse for it. But there’s context for it. The best way I can explain it is when you experience a level of trauma a lot of people adopt a maladaptive coping mechanism. Some people drink to hide or forget things. Drug addicts try to alter their reality. Some people cut. I lied. That was my coping and my way to feel safe and seen and heard.”
Her weave of deception extends far beyond herself. In addition to embarrassing the iconic screenwriter Shonda Rimes — the mastermind behind “Grey’s” — and the entire Disney family, she fabricated the deaths of other people to elicit sympathy. She even went so far as to claim that her brother Eric had committed suicide in 2019.
It turned out he works as a doctor in Florida.
“I didn’t know the connective tissue between my brother and my medical trauma and my depression and PTSD and anxiety,” she said, claiming she’s met with multiple therapists in an attempt to reach a diagnosis. Despite desperate attempts to be labeled with a personality disorder, she said the professionals chalked it up to trauma.
A professor of psychiatry and an adjunct professor of psychology at the University of Alabama spoke to the Ankler about the mysterious case of Elisabeth Finch. The expert, Dr. Marc D. Feldman, said it’s a “classic case of factitious disorder,” despite never meeting the disgraced screenwriter.
“The main reason people seem to do this is that they have an underlying personality disorder or have a difficult time getting their needs met that aren’t self-defeating,” he said. “Instead of asking for attention or care, they engage in pathological behaviors that allow them to get what they want indirectly.”
Finch snacked on saltine crackers — claiming at the time it was the only food she could stomach — while keeping her skin pale and head buzzed. She even went so far as to attach a fake port catheter to herself and would fake vomit in the bathroom to keep the lie alive.
Her performance of a lifetime resulted in her own chair in the writing room, which no one would dare sit in even if she wasn’t present, and she reportedly concocted a slew of supporting lies that painted her as a magnet for misfortune.
Finch rose to acclaim with the “Grey’s” cast and crew, but it quickly disappeared when the truth came to light.Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
“She always had some tragedy or bizarre hardship going on in her life,” recalled an unnamed colleague. “Things that don’t happen to other people happen to her all the time.”
A Gulf War veteran stalked her, slashed her tires and knifed her apartment door, she allegedly claimed. A man exposed himself to her, while masturbating, in a fit of road rage while stopped at a red light, she said. She also claimed she was bombarded with anti-Semitic posters that were pushed under her door.
Finch insisted to the Ankler that those stories were true, although her word has been tainted by her deceitful habit.
Once, she even claimed she had an abortion due to her cancer diagnosis, filming a video for NowThis as political tensions rose around reproductive freedoms.
It wasn’t until March 2022, after more than a decade of carefully crafted lies, that she was caught. Inside sources revealed that her too-good-to-be-true stories were, in fact, just that.
At least, they were too good to be truly happening to her. Doubts over Finch’s claims first arose when a co-worker phoned Jennifer Beyer, Finch’s wife, and noticed that Beyer’s own ailments and incidents bared a striking resemblance to the stories they heard from Finch.
When Beyer met with both Shondaland and Disney, which owns the ABC network, it was clear their sickly screenwriter was healthier than they thought.
“When you get wrapped up in a lie you forget who you told — what you said to this person and whether this person knows that thing — and that’s the world where you can get caught,” Finch said.
Now, her paranoia has dissipated and the only thing left to do is clean up her mess, she said.
“I could only hope that the work that I’ve done will allow me back into those relationships where I can say, ‘OK, I did this, I hurt a lot of people and I’m also going to work my f–king ass off because this is where I want to be and I know what it’s like to lose everything,’” she said.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has been asked to facilitate breast cancer education at the primary school level across the country.
Through this, according to a consultant surgeon, the children will be given the right information as they grow to shape their mindsets about the disease.
The President of Breast Care International (BCI) Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, who made the appeal said that will be the level to get their full attention.
Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai said this during a breast cancer education and screening at Aputuogya in the Bosomtwe district of the Ashanti region, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022.
The exercise brought together female pupils from Esereso D/A Basic School, Feyiase D/A JHS, Aputuogya D/A Primary and Abuontem R/C Basic School.
She suggested that the Girl Child Sections at the various schools, Education Ministry and the Ghana Education Service should take up the matter as a serious issue where breast cancer education will be at the national level.
“Breast cancer education should be started at the primary school level where we can get their full attention. Their mindsets are now being sharpened so we need to be there to give the right information so that it will help them while they growing,” she said.
Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, who is also the CEO of Peace and Love Hospital continues that “they will, in turn, educate their mothers and family members, especially about the myth that the disease is caused by witchcraft and therefore should be treated spiritually”.
She posited that when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, it also affects the children; psychologically, emotionally and their future “so it’s not only women’s health problem but societal and developmental problems that need urgent attention”.
Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe advised the children to report to their parents if they find any unusual thing in the breasts so that action will be taken immediately to avert serious consequences.
They were also educated to cultivate the habit of examining their breasts either by Breast-Self Education BSE or by clinical screening at health facilities.
Some foods and the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients found in them may raise or lower cancer risk. Researchers have been studying how the foods, nutrients, and eating patterns listed below are related to cancer.
Plant-based foods. These foods contain naturally-occurring substances called phytonutrients. Examples include:
Carotenoids, or carotenes, found in red, orange, yellow, and some dark-green vegetables
Polyphenols, found in herbs, spices, vegetables, tea, coffee, chocolate, nuts, apples, onions, berries, and other plants
Allium compounds, found in chives, garlic, leeks, and onions
Antioxidants. Examples include beta carotene, selenium, and vitamins C and E. Antioxidants protect against oxidants, which are substances that can lead to cell damage. Oxidants can be naturally occurring, created by normal cell processes. Or they can be environmental, such as pollution or cigarette smoke.
Other vitamins and minerals. These include calcium, iodine, vitamins A, D, K, and the B vitamins.
Dietary fiber. Fiber helps add bulk to stool. It moves food more quickly through the digestive system. Fiber helps nourish a healthy community of microbes living in the digestive tract. This community is called a microbiome. A healthy microbiome has been linked with a lower cancer risk.
Foods that have fiber include:
Whole grains and seeds, including barley, oats, kamut, spelt, bulgur, corn, psyllium, and rye
Whole grain bread and pasta
Legumes and pulses, including beans, lentils, and split peas
Vegetables and fruits
Protein. These are the major sources of animal protein in most diets:
Meat
Fish
Poultry
Shellfish
Dairy products
Eggs
Of these, red and processed meats raise the most concern in terms of cancer risk. Red meat includes pork, beef, veal, and lamb. Processed meat includes bacon, ham, lunch meats, meat jerky, hot dogs, salami, and other cured meat products. Any amount of processed meat and more than around 18 ounces of fresh meat per week are most strongly linked with a higher risk of cancer.
Alcoholic beverages. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Learn more about alcohol and cancer risk.
Connections between food and cancer
It is challenging to find specific links between a food or nutrient and cancer because:
Foods contain many substances that may either increase or lower cancer risk.
Most people eat and drink a variety of foods. This creates interactions that are hard to study.
The effects of a food or nutrient can vary depending on how much of it you eat.
Some research shows that how a food is prepared may influence its risk or benefits.
Plant-based foods
Fruits and vegetables likely lower risk of several types of cancer, including:
Head and neck cancers
Esophageal cancer
Stomach cancer
Lung cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Prostate cancer
These findings come from the Continuous Update Project and the Third Expert Report on Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective. These reports are funded by the American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR) and World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).
Phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables most likely work together to lower cancer risk, rather than a particular food component affecting risk. Some help regulate hormones, such as estrogen. Others slow cancer cell growth or block inflammation. Many lower the risk of damage caused by oxidants.
Plant-based foods researchers have studied for cancer prevention are:
Cruciferous vegetables. These foods include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and kale. Frequently eating these foods is associated with a lower cancer risk.
Studies show cruciferous vegetables protect against:
Head and neck cancers
Esophageal cancer
Stomach cancer
Several laboratory studies suggest cruciferous vegetables help regulate enzymes that defend against cancer. Studies also show that cruciferous vegetables may stop cancer cell growth in other ways. But these effects may differ between cells and animals used in the lab and people.
Lycopene. This carotenoid is found in tomato products. Other important sources of lycopene include pink grapefruit, watermelon, and apricots.
Studies show that lycopene may protect against cancers of the:
Lung
Stomach
Prostate
Colon
Mouth and throat (oral cavity)
Esophagus
But researchers have not yet demonstrated a direct link between lycopene and reduced cancer risk in controlled clinical trials.
Soy. Soy contains unique phytonutrients. Laboratory studies suggest that these substances help protect against some types of cancer. Clinical trials are more clearly defining the role of soy in cancer prevention.
The relationship between soy and breast cancer risk is especially complex. Current studies suggest eating up to 3 servings of whole soy foods, such as edamame, tofu, soy milk, and miso, is safe and may reduce breast cancer risk. But guidelines do not specifically recommend adding soy foods into the diet to reduce breast cancer risk. Doctors do recommend avoiding concentrated isoflavone pills and powders.
Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
Your body needs vitamins and minerals. They help the body:
Perform essential functions
Grow and develop
Repair itself
Some vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are antioxidants. Research on their role in cancer prevention continues because studies show mixed results.
A review of clinical trials in people shows the following:
Beta carotene. High-dose beta carotene supplements do not seem to prevent cancer. Two large clinical trials have found that people at high risk for lung cancer, including smokers, former smokers, and people exposed to asbestos, have a higher risk of lung cancer if they take high-dose beta carotene supplements.
Calcium and vitamin D. The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) was a large study of women who had been through menopause and were generally well nourished. Researchers studied the effects of supplemental calcium and vitamin D. They found that supplements did not affect colorectal cancer risk.
Folate. Folate is a type of B vitamin found in:
Leafy, green vegetables
Fruits and fruit juices
Dried beans and peas
One form, folic acid, is made in the laboratory and found in dietary supplements. Enriched, white flour is fortified with it. This means that foods made with flour, including breads and cereals, contain folic acid.
Studies show a link between folate and cancer risk. People with low folate levels have a higher risk of:
Breast cancer
Colon cancer
Pancreatic cancer
But clinical studies have not yet shown a relationship between taking extra folic acid and cancer prevention.
Multivitamins. Currently, there is no strong enough evidence that multivitamins reduce cancer risk. But 1 study showed a potential benefit. People who took multivitamins for more than 10 years had reduced colon polyp formation. Some polyps can develop into colorectal cancer if not removed during colonoscopy cancer screening. By reducing polyps, the study suggests multivitamins might also lower colorectal cancer risk. But this research can be difficult to interpret. Usually, the healthiest people get regular cancer screening. And those people also commonly take multivitamins.
Selenium. One study evaluated whether selenium prevents cancer. Supplements did not prevent people with skin cancer from getting a second one. But it did reduce new cases of:
Prostate cancer
Lung cancer
Colorectal cancer
Some studies link selenium to a higher risk of diabetes. So use caution when considering supplements that contain selenium.
Vitamin C. Some studies show diets with higher amounts of vitamin C can lower stomach cancer risk. But results have been inconsistent.
Vitamin E. A large clinical trial called the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) found that participants who took vitamin E had a higher risk of prostate cancer.
High-dose vitamin C and E supplements have been shown to raise the risk of a head and neck cancer recurrence. A recurrence is when the cancer comes back after treatment.
Dietary fiber
The AICR/WCRF study discussed above found connections between fiber-rich foods and reduced cancer risk. This relationship is strongest for colorectal cancer.
Protein
Most studies suggest a link between red meat and a higher risk of colorectal cancer. But avoiding processed meats is even more important. This includes bacon, ham, lunch meats, meat jerky, hot dogs, salami, and other cured meat products. The AICR/WCRF study found these meats increase colorectal cancer risk. The study also found that people can eat up to 18 ounces (510 grams) of unprocessed red meat a week without raising cancer risk.
Obesity
Eating more calories than your body needs can cause weight gain. Many people eat too much food with added sugar and fat. The following foods add extra calories that can contribute to obesity:
Sugar sweetened beverages, including soda and fruit-flavored drinks. Sugary drinks can be hot or cold.
Full-fat dairy products, such as whole milk cheese
High-fat meats, including fried chicken with skin, duck, hamburgers, bacon, ham, sausage, hot dogs, and many deli meats
Obesity is linked to a higher risk of many cancers. Talk with your health care team about whether your weight is affecting your health and cancer risk.
The father-of-three, who hosts Channel 4’s A Place In The Sun and the BBC’s Escape To The Country, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and given only six months to live.
Jonnie Irwin, a TV presenter, has revealed that he has terminal cancer and hopes to use his diagnosis to inspire others to “make the most of every day.”
The father-of-three, who hosts Channel 4’s A Place In The Sun and the BBC’s Escape To The Country, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and given only six months to live.
The 48-year-old has now shared that the disease has spread to his brain, telling Hello magazine: “I don’t know how long I have left.”
Irwin said the first warning sign of his illness came while he was filming in Italy in August 2020, when his vision became blurry.
“Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live,” he said.
“I had to go home and tell my wife, who was looking after our babies, that she was on her own pretty much. That was devastating.
“All I could do was apologise to her. I felt so responsible.”
Irwin and his wife Jessica share a three-year-old son named Rex and two-year-old twins, Rafa and Cormac.
“It’s got to the point now where it feels like I’m carrying a dirty secret, it’s become a monkey on my back,” he said.
“I hope that by shaking that monkey off, I might inspire people who are living with life-limiting prospects to make the most of every day, to help them see that you can live a positive life, even though you are dying.”
He added: “One day, this is going to catch up with me, but I’m doing everything I can to hold that day off for as long as possible.
“I owe that to Jess and our boys, Some people in my position have bucket lists, but I just want us to do as much as we can as a family.”
Despite his diagnosis, Irwin is determined to work as much as possible, saying he is taking the attitude that he is “living with cancer, not dying from it”.
“I want to make memories and capture these moments with my family because the reality is, my boys are going to grow up not knowing their dad and that breaks my heart,” he said.
People with untreatable cancers have had their immune system redesigned to attack their own tumours.
The experimental study involved only 16 patients, but has been called a “leap forward” and a “powerful” demonstration of the potential of such technology.
Each person had a treatment developed just for them, which targeted the specific weak spots in their tumour.
It is too early to fully assess the therapy’s effectiveness and is expensive and time-consuming.
The work focuses on a part of the immune system called T-cells, which patrol the body and inspect other cells for problems.
They use proteins – called receptors – to effectively sniff out signs of infection or deviant cells that have become cancerous.
Cancers can be tricky for T-cells to spot. A virus is distinctly different to the human body, but cancers are more subtle because they are a corrupted version of our own cells.
The idea of the therapy is to boost levels of these cancer-spotting T-cells. It has to be tailored to each patient as each tumour is unique.
This is how it works:
The researchers scoured patient’s blood for rare T-cells that already had receptors which could sniff out their cancer
They then harvested other T-cells that could not find the cancer and redesigned them
Their original receptors, which may find other problems or infections, were replaced with those from the cancer-searching T-cells
Finally, these modified T-cells were then put back into the patient to seek out the tumour
Transforming T-cells into a form that can hunt cancer requiresconsiderable genetic manipulation to both remove the genetic instructions for building their old receptors, and give them the instructions for the new ones.
It was made possible by tremendous advances in the gene-editing technology Crispr, which acts like a pair of molecular scissors – allowing scientists to easily manipulate DNA. The researchers who developed Crispr won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2020.
The trial involved people with colon, breast or lung cancers that had failed to respond to other treatments.
The study was designed to test the safety and feasibility of the technology, and showed the modified cells were finding their way into the tumour.
The disease continued to get worse in 11 patients, but stabilised in the other five. However, it will take larger studies to work out the correct dose and how effective it really is.
“This is a leap forward in developing a personalised treatment for cancer,” said Dr Antoni Ribas, one of the researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, who tested the approach developed by the company Pact Pharma.
The results were presented at a meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer and published simultaneously in the journal Nature.
Dr Manel Juan, head of the immunology service at Clinic Hospital in Barcelona, said it was “extraordinary work” and “undoubtedly one of the most advanced in the field”.
He added: “It opens the door to using this personalised [approach] in many types of cancer and potentially in many other diseases.”
Prof Waseem Qasim, who has given life-saving designer immune systems at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said it was a “powerful early demonstration of what might be possible with newer techniques”.
Dr Astero Klampatsa, from the Institute of Cancer Research, London, said the study was “important” but warned that the “time, labour and expense involved” were “huge”.
We eat so many different things daily, and we don’t realize how many are actually harmful to our bodies. It’s vital for you to know which food products are best for your life and diet, which is why we have compiled a list for you.
Make sure you remove these seven foods from your diet to reduce your chances of cancer.
1. Farmed Fish
Many people don’t realize this, but farmed fish is full of harmful chemicals and other ingredients that can harm our bodies. These fish are fed the wrong foods so they can get bigger, and it’s typically GMO. Similarly, farmers use other growing methods that affect our health.
2. Non-Organic Fruits and Vegetables
Fruit and veg are good for you, right? Well, that isn’t always necessarily correct. Whether these foods are good for you will depend on their quality. For example, organic fruit and vegetables offer various health benefits, whereas those that aren’t are harmful to the body.
3. Canned Food
Canned food is not good for our bodies, and that comes down to the amount of BPA in it. It’s a harmful chemical used in many food products, especially those that are packaged in bottles and cans. This chemical has also been linked with people who develop cancer, so it’s best to avoid foods with BPA at all costs.
Young cancerpatients facing rising living expenses are in a “desperate” situation, charities are warning.
According to Macmillan Cancer Support and Young Lives vs. Cancer, the number of persons requesting emergency funds has dramatically increased.
Research suggests tens of thousands of 18 to 39-year-olds with cancer are struggling to pay basic living costs.
Shell Rowe was among those who told BBC Newsbeat they’re worried about becoming financially independent.
She was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 20 in 2019, just as she was about to study film in California for her third year of university.
“I turned to the mirror and it was like a tennis ball in my throat,” she says.
“One minute you’re about to go on this adventure of a lifetime and then you’re sat in a hospital room – you’re bald, you’re looking really skinny and frail.”
More than half of the 18 to 39-year-olds with cancer surveyed by Macmillan and Virgin Money said they needed more financial support to manage the rising cost of living.
One in four young people are getting further into debt or have fallen behind paying rent and energy bills because of increased living costs, according to the survey of 2,000 people across all age groups.
That’s compared with 13% of people with cancer in their 40s and 50s, and 6% of those aged over 60.
The research found almost three-quarters (74%) of younger people with cancer were worried about the cost of food over the next 12 months.
Shell is one of them.
“Prices have skyrocketed. I haven’t been able to work andhaven’t been able to save and get a job,” she says.
“How am I ever going to be able to be financially independent? It really scares me.”
IMAGE SOURCE,KAMUI OSHINO Image caption, Kamui Oshino, whose weight has dropped significantly as a result of treatment, is struggling with food price increases
I
Kamui Oshino, 20, is studying journalism at the University of the West of England in Bristol. They were diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December 2021.
“When you go through chemo, a lot of people start off very underweight. I was 40kg so I had to buy new clothes,” Kamui says.
“And then being on steroids, I had to eat absolutely all the time. Obviously the price of food is going up. I couldn’t afford that.”
More than a tenth (11%) of those surveyed say they’ve had to delay or cancel medical appointments due to the rising cost of petrol.
Many people have to travel long distances for treatment, often in their own cars or a taxi because the risk of infection rules out taking public transport.
Image caption, Tyler Hale was diagnosed with testicular cancer in hospital
Tyler Hale, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November 2021, had to swap from driving his car to taking the bus, which takes an hour each way.
“I’ve had to pay a lot of travel costs to go from Weston-super-Mare to Bristol for treatment. With the costs of that going up, it’s ridiculous,” he says.
A third of young people surveyed also say their mental health has deteriorated with the financial worry.
‘Never been as bad as this’
People with cancer already face significant extra costs of nearly £900 when they get diagnosed, such as buying extra clothes, food or using more heating to stay warm, Macmillan’s data shows.
Now inflation has driven those costs up and the charity says they’ve seen a surge in demand for their means-tested financial grant to help cancer patients with costs, including energy bills.
“In July we saw a 292% increase in grant applications versus the same month last year. It is really worrying to see so many people worried about food,” says Chris Jones from Macmillan.
Macmillan is not the only charity seeing an increase in young cancer patients needing support.
“It’s never been as bad as this. Young people with cancer are in reallydesperate circumstances, because of the cost-of-living crisis,” says Rachel Kirby, chief executive of Young Lives vs Cancer.
The UK charity supports cancer patients under 24 and has given 1,319 people up to £372,825 in financial help since launching its Winter Emergency Grant in 2021 to help with rising costs.
“No young cancer patient should have to think about the choice of putting fuel in the car to get to treatment, or whether they can heat their homes. But those are the kinds of situations they’re facing,” Rachel says.
UK
Macmillan and Young Lives vs Cancer are calling on the government to give more financial help to cancer patients.
“We are calling for the government to really step up and support families with the cost of cancer. Because this situation is only going to get worse as we move into a cost of living crisis over the next six months,” Rachel says.
“There’s an average of a 20-week wait to claim a disability allowance that could help young people with travel and heating costs. We are asking the government to take urgent steps to reduce the delays,” Chris adds.
The Department of Health and Social Care said Prime Minister Liz Truss had announced new measures to help people with energy bills, such as the recent energy price guarantee and £400 discount for all households.
A spokesperson added: “We are streamlining cancer diagnostic services to get people diagnosed faster, backed by £325m.
“The NHS continued to prioritise cancer treatment throughout the Covid pandemic. Overall cancer treatment was maintained at 100% of pre-pandemic levels, and 94% of people starting treatment have done so within a month.”
Early human trials of a novel cancer therapy that employs a common virus to infect and eradicatecancerous cells have shown great promise, according to UK researchers.
While other patients’ tumours shrank, one patient’s malignancy completely disappeared.
The drug is a weakened form of the cold sore virus – herpes simplex – that has been modified to kill tumors.
Larger and longer studies will be needed, but experts say the injection might ultimately offer a lifeline to more people with advanced cancers.
Krzysztof Wojtkowski, a 39-year-old builder from west London, is one of the patients who took part in the ongoing phase one safety trial, run by the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.
He was diagnosed in 2017 with cancer of the salivary glands, near the mouth. Despite surgery and other treatments at the time, his cancer continued to grow.
“I was told there were no options left for me and I was receiving end-of-life care. It was devastating, so it was incredible to be given the chance to join the trial.”
A short course of the virus therapy – which is a specially modified version of the herpes virus which normally causes cold sores – appears to have cleared his cancer.
“I had injections every two weeks for five weeks which completely eradicated my cancer. I’ve been cancer-free for two years now.”
The injections, given directly into the tumour, attack cancer in two ways – by invading the cancerous cells and making them burst, and by activating the immune system.
About 40 patients have tried the treatment as part of the trial. Some were given the virus injection, called RP2, on its own. Others also received another cancer drug – called nivolumab – as well.
The findings, presented at a medical conference in Paris, France, show:
Lead researcher Prof Kevin Harrington told the BBC the treatment responses seen were “truly impressive” across a range of advanced cancers, including cancer of the gullet (oesophagus) and a rare type of eye cancer.
“It is rare to see such good response rates in early stage clinical trials, as their primary aim is to test treatment safety, and they involve patients with very advanced cancers for whom current treatments have stopped working,” he said.
“I am keen to see if we continue to see benefits as we treat increased numbers of patients.”
It is not the first time scientists have used a virus to fight cancer. The NHS approved a cold-virus-based therapy, called T-Vec, for advanced skin cancer a few years ago.
Prof Harrington calls RP2 a souped-up version of T-Vec.
“It’s had other modifications to the virus so that when it gets into cancer cells it effectively signs their death warrant.”
“Scientists discovered that viruses could help to treat cancer 100 years ago, but it’s been challenging to harness them safely and effectively.
“This new viral therapy shows promise in a small-scale early trial – now we need more studies to find out how well it works.
“Research suggests that combining multiple treatments is a powerful strategy, and virus therapies like this one could become a part of our toolkit for beating cancer.”
The Cancer Support Network Ghana (CSNGH), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has donated GHC 8, 000.00 towards the surgery of a 12-year-old cancer patient.
The boy, Bright Acheampong Obour, underwent 10 cycles of chemotherapy to treat spindle cell sarcoma.
Spindle cell sarcoma is a rare cancerous tumour, which can develop in the bone or soft tissue and can also arise in any part of the body but is most common in the limbs.
Obour, who has been out of school for two terms due to his ailment need the amount for excision and skin grafting.
His parents spent huge sums of money for chemotherapy on the boy and were finding difficulty in raising the GHC 8, 000.00.
Mr Richard Mumuni, Media Relations Officer of the CSNGH, presented the cheque to GHC 8,000 to the parents of Obour at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), in Accra.
Mr Mumuni stated that CSBGH’s attention was drawn to the predicament of the boy and decided to assist him.
He said the cost of cancer treatment was high and called on individuals and corporate institutions to assist cancer patients.
Mr Mumuni assured that the NGO would continue to support cancer patients in the country, adding “sometimes people are unable to survive cancer because of financial constraints so let us all come on board and support patients by paying their bills.”
Receiving the cheque, Bright’s father, Mr Joseph KwabenaObour, expressed gratitude to CSNGH for the support.
He said “We have really spent a lot on his treatment so getting GHC 8,000.00 for this excision and skin grafting would have been very hard for us but luckily CSNGH came to our rescue and we are here today, happy and looking forward to the day he will be booked for the procedure. We are elated and grateful.”
A third woman has said she thinks her picture may have been used for a Spanish “beach body” advertising campaign without her permission.
Cancer survivor Juliet FitzPatrick, who has had a mastectomy, thinks a woman in the advert may have been based on her.
The advert by Spain’s equality ministry aimed to encourage women to go to the beach, regardless of how they look.
But now three British women have come forward to say their pictures were used without permission.
One of the complaints came on Friday. On Saturday another woman featured on the poster said her prosthetic leg had been edited out.
The campaign’s creator, Arte Mapache, apologised for using those images without consent.
Sixty-year-old Ms FitzPatrick, from southern England, said the face of the woman who had a mastectomy could be based on one of her pictures.
But she told the BBC on Sunday that the body in the poster was not hers as the woman had one breast while she had a double mastectomy – as the picture below shows.
What happened “seems to be totally against” the theme of the campaign, she added. “For me it is about how my body has been used and represented without my permission.”
Image source, Ami BarwellImage caption, Juliet FitzPatrick was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and is now cancer-free
Ami Barwell, a British photographer who took the above photo, suspects the body in the poster was lifted from her picture of another woman.
“I think that the person who created the art has gone through my gallery and pieced them together,” Barwell told the BBC.
“But without any clarification from the artist I can’t say for absolutely certain,” she added.
Both Ms FitzPatrick and Barwell only found out about the poster after they received messages on social media on Saturday.
Both of them have said they have contacted the artist Arte Mapache but are still waiting for a response.
Over the past few days British models Nyome Nicholas-Williams and Sian Green-Lord said their pictures were used in the poster without their permission.
Arte Mapache issued an apology.
“Given the – justified – controversy over the image rights in the illustration, I have decided that the best way to make amends for the damages that may have resulted from my actions is to share out the money I received for the work and give equal parts to the people in the poster,” the artist said.
“I hope to be able to solve all this as soon as possible, I accept my mistakes and that is why I am now trying to repair the damage caused,” she added.
The BBC has reached out to both Arte Mapache and the Spanish government for comment but has received no response so far.
In a statement earlier this week, Spain’s Women’s Institute said the campaign was a response to the “fatphobia, hatred and the questioning of non-normative bodies – particularly those of women, something that’s most prevalent in the summertime.”
Scientists at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have warned that children are at a higher risk of developing cancer by consuming watermelon.
This comes after their findings revealed unacceptable levels of pesticide residues like DDT in watermelon on the market in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
Although the organochlorine pesticides are banned for agricultural use, some farmers are using them, a situation which has adverse health effects on consumers.
In an interview with JoyNews, on Thursday, the lead scientist, Prof Nathaniel Owusu Boadi, revealed that since children consume the fruit more, they stand the risk of developing cancer.
“We looked at three of them; banana, pineapple and watermelon. For watermelon, the risk of consumption for adults was low, whereas that for infants was alarmingly high.
“We say alarmingly high because the factor that we got was far greater than one, which means that it is alarming. Also, when we looked at the carcinogenic risk, we also realised that the children are at risk of having cancer by consuming watermelon because of the level of organochlorine pesticide that was found [in the fruit],†he explained.
The scientists assessed the levels of organochlorine pesticide residues in fruits and determine the potential risk associated with the exposure to these pesticides.
For the study, the researchers used about 120 fruits from five communities in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The results showed that although the levels of the pesticides were undetectable in bananas and pineapples, they were above the permissible limits in watermelons, which pose long-term risks to the consumer, especially children.
“Levels of methoxychlor, Aldrin and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) exceeded the maximum residue limits in watermelon.
“Estimated health risk revealed that Aldrin in watermelon could pose potential toxicity to the consumer. Estimated average daily intake for Aldrin was above the acceptable average daily intake.
“The combined health risk due to consumption of each fruit variety was minimal but, the overall health risk index due to consumption of all the fruits was higher than 1, indicating potential health risk to consumers,†the researchers added.
They have called for a regular monitoring of pesticide residue in fruits and the appropriate actions taken to protect consumer health.
A nine-year-old Ghanaian child cancer survivor, Brenna Fosua Addai, has appealed to the international organisations and donors, to go to the aid of cancer children in Ukraine.
According to her, because of the war in Ukraine there could be shortage of cancer drugs in the country.
This is because there had been cancellation of international flights to the country and medical supplies could not made to the country.
Reports from international media indicates that, children suffering from cancer have had their treatments interrupted after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The report states that, doctors fear a lack of treatment would mean the children would get sicker or even die if they were not evacuated.
In a solidarity message to the two countries and world leaders, she called for cease fire and negotiation to end the conflict in Ukraine and bring peace in the region.
“They’re vulnerable and this is not the fault of theirs. I plead with world leaders to have mercy on them so that they could have their treatment to save their lives,” she stated.
Little Breana who has been advocating for childhood cancers and hoped to become an ambassador for children with cancer also called on the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intervene by using his international reputation to influence Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
“I know the president is a listening father and will hear our cry, I plead with him and his wife to intervene to ensure these kids survive,†she added.
COVID-19Â is most likely to affect vulnerable patients through secondary conditions and several underlying health problems, a resident doctor at the Department of Family Medicine at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has said.
According to Dr Ernest Anim Opare, the Coronavirus pandemic has placed persons with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Cancer, and Diabetes at higher risk due to the rate at which their immune system has been compromised.
He intimated that the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. But for some, especially those with health problems and obese persons, it can cause more severe illness and lead to death.
In spite of these factors that suggest persons with immunodeficiency can barely survive the coronavirus disease, Dr Opare believes such persons can fight the virus.
To prevent sickness, he said persons with compromised immune system can avoid exposure to the virus by using everyday preventive measures like social distancing, frequent hand washing, maintaining of a healthy lifestyle by eating right, getting at least eight hours of sleep and reducing stress; and continue their medication.
However, he encouraged persons suffering from obesity to be mindful of their eating habits and urged them to engage in regular exercises to boost their chances of fighting the deadly virus.
“Unhealthy nutritional habits could increase the risk of developing obesity that beyond being a chronic state of inflammation, it is often complicated by heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease that have been demonstrated to increase the risk for more serious complications of CoVID-19.†He reiterated.
New cancer cases are on the decrease in Mauritius. According to the National Cancer Registry Report 2018, released on the occasion of the World Cancer Day 2020, new cancer cases have decreased by 3.3% in 2018 as compared to 2017.
The three most common types of cancer among females are breast cancer, colorectal and ovaries cancers while prostate, colorectal and lung cancers are more prevalent among males in Mauritius. There were 2380 new cancer cases, that is 959 among males and 1421 among females in 2018 in Mauritius, which represents a general decrease of 2.8 % of new cancer cases.
The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Hon. Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, during the official launching of activities to mark World Cancer Day 2020 at L’Escalier Mediclinic, made an appeal to the population to go for free screening services available across the country. Dr Hon. K. K. S. Jagutpal pointed out that “early detection of cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment and reduces the risks of premature death”.
“Cancer does not discriminate and can affect everyone regardless of social status, race, gender, and religion,” said the Minister of Health and Wellness, who urged all citizens to avail of the facilities provided by the Ministry for cancer screening. It was highlighted that many types of cancers common in Mauritius, including cancers of the cervix, breast and colon, can be cured when detected at an early stage.
Dr Laurent Musango, World Health Organisation Representative in Mauritius, during his address, pointed out, “Cancer is a terrible scourge that results in immense tragedy, compounding physical problems and emotional distress for patients, their families, friends, acquaintances and colleagues”. He emphasized the importance of avoiding risk factors and lifestyles linked with cancers.
“Eating a healthy diet, being physically active, keeping a healthy weight, as well as quitting smoking and alcohol remain the main recommendations to help reduce risk of some cancers”, said Dr Musango
The WHO Representative in Mauritius recalled that globally, one in five people are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 75, and the incidence continues to rise as life expectancy increases and patterns of disease change. He said that the cancer burden in the African Region is projected to increase from over one million new cases in 2018 to over two million cases by 2040.
Dr Musango emphasized that WHO is working with governments and partners to improve the availability of medicines and technologies, and to build capacities among health workers and communities to prevent cancer and care for patients.
He congratulated the Government of Mauritius for its efforts in strengthening the National Cancer Prevention and Control Programme as part of efforts in achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals target 3.4 on reducing premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases.
“We need to accelerate action to prevent cancer and ensure people have access to early screening and people-centred care’, said Dr Musango who call on the Government of Mauritius to continue improving cancer services, building capacities, and strengthening surveillance systems to better understand cancer burdens and trends. An appeal was also made to all individuals and communities to support overcoming of the stigma that surrounds cancer. Family members and friends were encouraged to seek early screening, treatment and care.
Various activities were offered by the Ministry of Health and Wellness namely breast and cervical cancer screenings, yoga demonstration, exhibition on healthy life style and healthy diet and medical check-ups to mark the World Cancer Day 2020 in Mauritius. In addition, sensitization campaigns on the theme ” I Am and I Will” are being broadcast on the national television while awareness sessions are held in the community at the level of Health Centres, Women Centres, Social Welfare Centres and schools. A pamphlet on ‘Mieux Comprendre Le Cancer’ was also distributed to the population.
There has been a strengthening of the National Cancer Prevention and Control Programme in Mauritius which includes free cancer screening, vaccination programmes, in particular the HPV vaccine for young girls to prevent cervical cancer and intensive ongoing awareness campaigns across the Republic of Mauritius to educate the population.
Mauritius is among few African countries that has the basic infrastructure and facilities for therapy of cancer such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
A new state-of-the-art specialised cancer care hospital equipped with upgraded modern equipment and evidenced-based specialized medical service will soon be operationalised in Vacoas to provide appropriate treatment to all cancer patients.
Egypt’s Minister of Education Tarek Shawki denied media reports that the ministry will put off the second school semester, scheduled to resume on 8 February, due to coronavirus outbreak.
“There is no change for the time being. We will inform everyone if there is any update, but we have to leave these decisions to the relevant authorities,” Shawki posted on Facebook.
He requested the public not to participate in creating “a state of panic” across the country.
The fast-spreading virus first surfaced last month in the Chinese city of Wuhan, killing some 304 people in China so far and infecting more than 11,000, mostly in China.
Egypt has taken precautionary measures against the virus, including screening travelers arriving at its airports.
The deadly epidemic, which has spread to 24 countries, has not been detected in Egypt or any country in the Middle East, with the exception of the United Arab Emirates, where six people have been diagnosed with the virus, according to the World Health Organisation.
The UN health agency on Tuesday warned cancer cases would rise by 81 percent in low- and middle-income countries by 2040 because of a lack of investment in prevention and care.
The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) said in a report that these countries had focused their limited resources on combating infectious diseases and improving maternal and child health instead of fighting cancer.
It said they often had the highest cancer mortality too.
“This is a wake-up call to all of us to tackle the unacceptable inequalities between cancer services in rich and poor countries,” Ren Minghui, a WHO Assistant Director General, said in the report.
“If people have access to primary care and referral systems then cancer can be detected early, treated effectively and cured. Cancer should not be a death sentence for anyone, anywhere,” he said.
The report, timed to coincide with World Cancer Day, said an investment of $25 billion (23 billion euros) over the next decade could save seven million lives from cancer.
“Controlling cancer does not have to be expensive,” Andre Ilbawi, of the WHO’s department for management of non-communicable diseases, told journalists.
The annual report found that overall cancer cases in the world would rise by 60 percent by 2040 and said tobacco use was responsible for 25 percent of cancer deaths.
Elisabete Weiderpass, director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which works with the WHO, said better cancer treatment in high-income countries had resulted in a 20-percent drop in mortality between 2000 and 2015.
But in poorer countries, the reduction was just five percent.
“We need to see everyone benefiting equally,” she said.
While cancer had long been considered a disease of wealthy countries, this was no longer the case, the report said. It pointed out that one in five people worldwide would face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.
On 13 September, both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) published their decisions to review the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in medicines containing the drug ranitidine.
NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) on the basis of animal studies.
NDMA is found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables, but is not expected to cause harm when ingested in very low levels, EMA says.
Ranitidine products are used to reduce the production of stomach acid in patients with conditions such as heartburn and stomach ulcers.
They are available over-the-counter and on prescription.
Who has recalled the products so far?
CVS’s announcement on Saturday said it was suspending the sale of Zantac and CVS Health brand ranitidine products “out of an abundance of caution”.
“Zantac brand products and CVS brand ranitidine products have not been recalled, and the FDA is not recommending that patients stop taking ranitidine at this time,” the company said.
Walgreens, Walmart and Rite Aid in the US had earlier taken a similar decision.
Canada and France have removed the drugs from pharmacy shelves. A number of other countries have followed suit.
Health regulators are urging people taking ranitidine not do discontinue it immediately.
The FDA said, however, that those taking it by prescription should contact health professionals about alternatives. And those buying it over the counter could consider other options.
French authorities also emphasised there was no “acute risk” and patients should not stop the medication or return it to pharmacies.
