Cancer patients are waiting longer than ever to start their live-saving treatment, according to research on patient waiting times for 2018. One of Britain’s favourite TV personalities Dame Barbara Windsor has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and London Mayor Sadiq Khan is calling for junk food adverts to be banned on London Tubes.
Cancer Patients Left At Risk
It’s been revealed that cancer patients within the UK are waiting longer than they should for treatment. Patients are supposed to start treatment within 62 days of diagnosis but research carried out has shown that one in six patients are having to wait longer than this. England hasn’t hit it’s target of initiating treatment within 62 days since the end of 2015 and Scotland hasn’t since 2012. Fran Woodard who works for Macmillan Cancer Support has said:
Long waits to start cancer treatment can make an already difficult time even more distressing and unbearable, while also raising the possibility of someone’s health deteriorating further.”
Much like the ever growing waiting times in A&Es across the country, cancer treatment is suffering. This is down to staff shortages and lack of intensive care beds as there is an increasing number needed for patients undergoing surgery.
Eastenders Star Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s
Dame Barbara Windsor’s husband has recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Windsor began her career in the 1950’s and made her film debut in 1954. She’s won many awards and is renowned for starring in Carry On films and for joining the cast of Eastenders in 1994, one of the UK’s most popular soap operas.
Winsor’s husband, Scott Mitchell, has kept the secret for four years since the diagnosis but says her symptoms have become worse in recent weeks. Mitchell has explained that Barbara still wants to be out and about, so sharing the news with the world will explain any confused behaviours and make her feel more at ease.
The director of Alzheimer’s Research UK has praised the couple for going public and raising awareness of the disease. Windsor’s co-star Ross Kemp who played her son in Eastenders has expressed how proud he is of Barbara and Scott for speaking openly about the diagnosis.
London Mayor To Ban Junk Food Ads
London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that junk food adverts are to be banned from London’s tubes and buses in an attempt to combat childhood obesity. Adverts that show food and drink containing high levels of sugar, salt or fat will no longer be allowed, meaning brands like Mcdonald’s will be unable to promote a Big Mac but could show ads for their salads. Khan has said the issue of childhood obesity is a “ticking time bomb” and needs to be dealt with.
London has one of the highest obesity rates in Europe with nearly 40% of 10 and 11-year-olds being obese. Obesity campaigners are welcoming the change and asking for Theresa May to clamp down on its obesity strategy. Places like Amsterdam are tackling the issue head on by introducing regular weight checks, ability and balance tests. Since doing so, they have seen a 12% drop in obese and overweight children.
