Section: Health:News Health

HEALTH officials have warned a surge of a “nasty disease” could be on the way if vaccination isn’t prioritised.

Cases still remain high, particularly in two areas of the UK.

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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging patients to prioritise vaccine catch-up appointments this summer, with the latest data showing continued high levels of measles cases.

Fears have now been raised over a further surge once the new school term begins.

Measles activity has increased since April 2025, says the UKHSA.

The most recent figures show an additional 145 measles cases have been reported since the last report was published on July 3.

Cases continue to predominantly be in children under the age of 10 years, and London and the North West have been driving the increase most.

Since January 1, there have been 674 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England, with 48 per cent of these cases in London, 16 per cent in the North West, and 10 per cent in the East of England.

There’s also been a global increase in measles cases, including Europe, over the last year. 

The UKHSA has also stressed holiday travel and international visits to see family this summer could lead to rising measles cases in England when the new school term begins.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist, said: “The summer months offer parents an important opportunity to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up to date, giving them the best possible protection when the new school term begins.

“It is never too late to catch up. Do not put it off and regret it later.

“Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences.

“Two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles.

“Babies under the age of 1 and some people who have weakened immune systems cannot have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles.

“They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.”

The first MMR vaccine is offered to infants when they turn one year old and the second dose to pre-school children when they are around three years and four months old. 

Around 99 per cent of those who have two doses will be protected against measles and rubella.

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Although mumps protection is slightly lower, cases in vaccinated people are much less severe. 

Anyone, whatever age, who has not had two doses can contact their GP surgery to book an appointment.

Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said: “The MMR vaccine is provided free by the NHS and I would urge all parents to check their child’s vaccination records before the new school year or summer travel, particularly as Europe is reporting the highest number of measles cases in 25 years.

“While the NHS delivered tens of thousands of additional MMR vaccinations last year, too many eligible children remain unvaccinated, and we are working with local authorities and the UK Health Security Agency to reach more youngsters, with enhanced vaccination offers in areas with higher cases, including vaccination buses and community catch-up sessions.”

A COMMON sugar substitute used in fizzy drinks, yoghurts and gum could be used to combat one of the deadliest kinds of cancer.

Researchers fermented the zero calorie sweetener and tested it against pancreatic cancer – finding that it killed off malignant cells but didn’t harm healthy ones.

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Stevia is a shrub-like herb used to sweeten drinks and desserts instead of sugar, which can also be bought as powder or tablets.

Previous research has suggested that stevia leaf extracts could have potential “anticancer effects”.

But isolating specific substances within the herb that could help protect against cancer and using them has remained challenging.

Researchers from Hiroshima University suggested fermenting stevia with bacteria can structurally change the extract and produce bioactive metabolites – compounds that can impact living organisms.

Study author Masanori Sugiyama, a professor in the Department of Probiotic Science for Preventive Medicine, said fermentation – or “microbial bio-transformation” – could “enhance the pharmacological efficacy of natural plant extracts” like stevia.

The team tested their theory out against pancreatic cancer cells.

“Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumour of the digestive system with a poor prognosis,” co-author Prof Narandalai Danshiitsoodol said.

“Globally, the incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer continue to rise, with a five-year survival rate of less than 10 per cent.

“The primary reason pancreatic cancer is considered one of the deadliest cancers is its subtle, insidious onset, with most patients being diagnosed at an advanced stage and missing the optimal treatment window.

“Furthermore, pancreatic cancer is highly invasive and prone to metastasis, showing significant resistance to existing treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, resulting in very limited therapeutic efficacy.

“Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new and effective anticancer compounds, particularly those derived from medicinal plants.”

Researchers used lactic acid bacteria to ferment stevia extracts.

They isolated over 1200 strains from fruits, vegetables, flowers, and medicinal plants and evaluated their health benefits.

They finally landed on Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T strain (FSLE) derived from banana leaves “to enhance the antioxidant and anticancer activities of stevia leaf extract through fermentation”.

They tested fermented and non-fermented stevia extracts against pancreatic cancer cells in lab dishes.

Fermented stevia killed pancreatic cancer cells more efficiently than the non-fermented extract, the study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found.

This suggested that “the fermentation process enhances the bioactivity of the [stevia] extract”, Prof Sugiyama said.

Researchers tested out different fermentation levels to see which was most effective against cancer cells.

Lower concentrations didn’t kill cancer cells immediately, but they slowed their growth.

Healthy kidney cells were mostly unaffected by the stevia extracts.

Researchers plan to study how fermented stevia affects cancer in mice next, to see how various dosages will work in living organisms.

“The present study has substantially enhanced our understanding of the mechanism of action of the Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T strain in the fermentation of herbal extracts, while also offering a valuable research perspective on the potential application of probiotics as natural anti-tumour agents,” Prof Danshiitsoodol said.

In the UK, about 10,800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year and 9,600 pass away from it, according to Cancer Research UK.

It’s the fifth most common cause of cancer death.

Since the early 1990s, pancreatic cancer incidence rates have increased by 18 per cent in the UK.

The disease is often diagnosed at a late stage because it frequently lacks noticeable symptoms in the early stages.

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can help extend patients’ lives.

A blood test to pick up early signs of pancreatic cancer is being trialled in patients with a recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes – a known risk factor for the disease.

Meanwhile, researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic have developed a new type of jab to fight pancreatic cancer.

DIY cervical cancer tests will be sent to women’s homes under NHS plans to boost uptake and help eradicate the disease.

The kits will be posted to those who have ignored or missed their smear test invitation and are therefore “underscreened”.

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They contain a swab to self-sample the cervix for human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of viruses that cause 99 per cent of cervical cancers.

The NHS wants to eliminate the cancer entirely by 2040 using screening and vaccination.

But only 69 per cent of women take part in screening, well below the 80 per cent target.

This means that more than five million women in England are not up to date with their check-ups.

The screening programme saves an estimated 5,000 lives per year in England but the number could be higher with better uptake.

Health chiefs said women may avoid their smear test for fear it will hurt or be embarrassing, or because they struggle to find the time.

The new test is a quick at-home sample that is then sent off to a lab in the post.

Health bosses hope it will help overcome barriers that prevent some women from attending cervical cancer screening appointments.

The initiative will be rolled out in January 2026.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “These self-sampling kits represent healthcare that works around people’s lives, not the other way around.

“They put women firmly in control of their own health, ensuring we catch more cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.”

“We know the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances are of survival.

“By making screening more convenient, we’re tackling the barriers that keep millions of women from potentially life-saving tests.”

Research has suggested that offering DIY testing kits could boost uptake.

A trial – led by King’s College London in partnership with NHS England – found that offering self-sampling kits to “under-screened” women when they attend their GP practice and by posting kits to women’s homes could boost uptake in England by about 400,000 each year.

The Department of Health and Social Care said that the new programme “specifically targets those groups consistently missing vital appointments” including younger women, those from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people.

The initiative comes after the UK Health Security Agency revealed that young women in certain parts of England are at higher risk of cervical cancer due to “alarmingly” low uptake of HPV jabs.

At-home cervical cancer screening is part of the government’s upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, due to be published in the coming weeks, which will focus preventing illness instead of only treating it when symptoms appear.

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Eve Appeal chief executive, Athena Lamnisos, said: “There are so many different reasons why those who are eligible aren’t responding to their cervical screening invitation letter.

“HPV self-testing will be a step change for some. Being able to do the test in their own time and following simple instructions is what many people want and need.

“Ensuring that the under-screened and never screened know about this new test is vital for Eve.”

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, added: “We welcome the UK government’s decision to roll out cervical cancer home screening kits in England – to help remove barriers and make cervical screening more accessible.

“The gold standard way to test for HPV is still a sample taken by a clinician and this will be suitable for most people.

“But beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone, and this move helps to bring us closer to that goal.

“It’s important to remember that cervical screening is for people without symptoms so, if you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation – speak to your doctor.”

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme invites women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 for regular screening.

Under current guidelines, people aged 25 to 49 are called back for a check-up every three years if they test negative for HPV, whereas 50 to 64-year-olds are invited for checks every five years.

But from July, people who test negative during an in-person test with their clinician will be invited back after five years, rather than three, following a recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee.

The change comes after evidence showed that people who test negative for HPV are extremely unlikely to develop cervical cancer within the next decade.

Anyone whose sample shows traces of HPV will continue to be invited to more frequent screenings.  

Digital invitations and reminders for cervical screening were also recently rolled out as part of the NHS App’s ‘ping and book’ service to boost uptake.

Cervical cancer symptoms, such as bleeding between periods and during sex, should be investigated by a GP.

Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7 per cent of cervical cancers.

They cause cell changes which can eventually turn cancerous.

Dangerous strains of the common virus can also lead to mouth, anal, penile, vulval and vaginal cancer.

EXPERTS have issued an urgent warning over popular slushy drinks that could leave children unconscious.

Parents giving the icy shakes to kids as a cooling summer treat were told they may contain high amounts of a sweet syrup that’s dangerous to young children.

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Brightly coloured slushies are a mainstay at cinemas, corner shops and theme parks – especially as temperatures ramp up.

But the sweet icy drinks often contain glycerol, a sugar substitute that gives slushies their signature, semi-frozen texture.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has now updated its guidance to state that slush ice drinks containing glycerol are not suitable for children under seven.

It follows several incidents involving slushy drinks in recent months.

A two-year-old girl was left listless and grey and “20 minutes from death” after having a slushy drink at a neighbour’s birthday party, according to her gran.

And two young boys became violently ill after slurping on slushies as a half term treat.

Earlier this year, the brightly-coloured drinks — which are designed to appeal to children — were linked to the hospitalisation of 21 children aged two to seven.

Members of the food watchdog’s board called for the change after reviewing evidence on the risk of glycerol to young children’s health.

UK guidance previously stated that that slush ice drinks with glycerol are not recommended for children under four due to the risk of glycerol intoxication, and that those under 11 should have no more than one.

Now, the FSA warned parents not to give the drinks to children under seven.

FSA chair Professor Susan Jebb: “In the warm weather, children may be more likely to consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol, so it’s important that parents and carers are aware of the risks.

“As a precaution, the FSA is recommending that children under seven do not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol.”

Slush ice drinks can contain glycerol –  also called E422 or glycerine on some labels – as a substitute for sugar to prevent them from freezing solid.

The sugar substitute is also found in some other foods, but at much lower quantities than in slush ice drinks. 

Consumed at high levels, glycerol can cause very low blood sugar levels and unconsciousness in young children – also known as glycerol intoxication syndrome.

Dr Duane Mellor, registered dietitian and senior lecturer at Aston Medical School in Birmingham, previously told Sun Health why children – who are smaller than adults – are more at risk of drinking dangerous amounts.

“If too much glycerol is consumed too quickly and in too large a volume, it can potentially change the blood concentration,” Dr Mellor said.

“This can then affect the amount of fluid around the brain, leading to symptoms including confusion, dizziness, nausea and even, on occasion, loss of consciousness.”

Pharmacist Abbas Kanani, from Chemist Click, told Sun Health: “Glycerol may cause side effects such as nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, and headaches.

“In the case of slush-ice drinks, the dangers are typically associated with very high levels of exposure and may lead to glycerol intoxication, which could cause hypoglycaemia, shock and loss of consciousness.

“The Food Standards Agency state that there are concerns about its acute effects on young children when consumed in large amounts over a short period, leaving them vulnerable to the symptoms listed above.

“Whilst symptoms are usually mild, young children may suffer from headaches and sickness caused by exposure to glycerol.”

According to the FSA, just one 350ml drink with the highest levels of glycerol could potentially cause a problem for a four-year-old.

In youngsters aged five to ten, one and a half of these drinks can have dangerous effects, if consumed quickly.

‘Protect children’

FSA board members previously conducted a risk assessment of slushy ice drinks in 2023, “which was based on average body weight” estimates for children.

This time, the food watchdog took a more cautious approach, taking into account that some children might have a lower than average body weight for their age.

“The assessment incorporated information from recent glycerol intoxication incidents and assessed the impact of one serving of slush ice drink (350ml with 50,000mg/L glycerol) on children with a lower-than-average body weight for their age,” the FSA wrote.

“As children’s weights vary, body weight has been converted to age to provide more practical advice for parents and businesses.”

The updated advice applies to ready-to-drink slush ice drinks with glycerol in pouches and home kits containing glycerol slush concentrates.

The FSA advised businesses selling slushies to add the minimum amount of glycerol needed to achieve the desired texture.

It also called on businesses to share how much glycerol was being added to drinks and foods.

Prof Jebb said: “We expect industry to share data on the quantity of glycerol in their products to inform our future work.

“Meanwhile, there are immediate actions they can take that can help protect children and reduce the risk from these products.

“For example, retailers should limit cup sizes and should not offer free refill promotions to children under 10.”

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Arla Agnew, two, was left falling in and out of consciousness after enjoying the popular frozen treat at a neighbour’s birthday party.

Arla’s gran, Stacey, 39, told The Scottish Sun that they youngster became “limp and lifeless” in the hours after consuming the drink and was rushed to hospital, where it was found her blood sugar levels were dangerously low.

“The doctor said to us if we had been another 20 minutes it could have been so different. We were absolutely devastated,” the gran added.

Meanwhile, mum Roxy Wallis, 36, said her two sons fell violently ill minutes after drinking slushies.

“My middle child felt sick, dizzy, and incredibly pale. By the time we reached the ticket machine, he had vomited everywhere.

“At this point, my oldest son looked pale and felt sick but wasn’t as bad – he was a bit bigger than his brother.”

Abbas shared advice for parents in the event that their child suffers a reaction after drinking a slushy.

“If you suspect intoxication from a slushie drink and your child is experiencing any symptoms, even if they are mild, seek immediate medical attention.

“This is important so that your child can be assessed and any serious reactions can be ruled out.”

A NEW blood test to pick up early signs of a cancer which kills more than half of people within three months of diagnosis is being trialled by UK doctors.

The genomic test uses blood samples to look for markers of the deadly disease, which often has vague symptoms.

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Currently, the UK doesn’t have a national screening programme for pancreatic cancer like it does for breast or bowel cancer. 

A huge issue is the disease is often diagnosed at a late stage because it frequently lacks noticeable symptoms in the early stages. 

But a new pancreatic cancer test is being trialled in patients with a recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes – a known risk factor for the disease.

People over 50 with a new case of type 2 diabetes have a higher chance of also being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer within three years.

Early data suggests the Avantect test is 68 per cent accurate in picking up people with early stages of the disease, which kills almost 10,000 people every year in the UK.

It’s also 97 per cent accurate in ruling out people without pancreatic cancer.

The new clinical trial has been launched at the Cancer Research UK Southampton Clinical Trials Unit.

Zaed Hamady, consultant surgeon and pancreatic researcher at the University of Southampton, who’s leading the trial, said: “There is currently no targeted early detection or surveillance test for the disease meaning patients are often diagnosed late when they become really unwell.

“If we can develop approaches to detect the cancer sooner, then there are more options we may consider to treat the disease, and patients will have a much better chance of long-term survival.

“Although most people with diabetes will not go on to develop the disease, new onset diabetes is associated with a six to eight-fold increased risk.

“This patient group gives us a way to test how accurate the new diagnostic blood test is, and that could potentially help thousands of people in the future.”

According to researchers, newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients often have similar symptoms as a person with early-stage pancreatic cancer.

This is because the cancer destroys the same insulin-producing cells that are also destroyed in diabetes.

‘Earlier diagnosis would have meant time to make more memories with our children’

Sean Cleghorn’s wife, Allison, discovered she had pancreatic cancer at Christmas 2020 but died four weeks later aged 54.

Mr Cleghorn, a father of three from Kingsclere in Hampshire, said: “The only symptom Allison displayed was some slight indigestion and then she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the autumn of 2020.

“Allison had always eaten healthily, was active and avoided processed food, so this diagnosis was puzzling for us.

“When we learned that new-onset type 2 diabetes was a potential risk factor for pancreatic cancer, we asked for further testing and a scan confirmed she had terminal cancer.

“We hoped she could have chemotherapy to prolong her life, but she became too weak and died four weeks later.

“Perhaps if she had been diagnosed sooner with a test like the one that’s currently being trialled, we may have had time to make more memories with our three children.”

Angelica Cazaly, senior trial manager for the trial, said: “We are asking people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who are attending GP surgeries or diabetic clinics whether they would like to take part in the study.

“Initially, we will collect blood samples from 800 people for testing.

“The results from the test, together with medical information collected from each patient, will help provide researchers with important information on how best to proceed with the rest of the study that will evaluate how accurate the test is at predicting pancreatic cancer.”

‘Exciting time for early detection research’

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Around 10,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year and just one in 20 survive the disease for 10 years or more.

Samuel Levy, chief scientific officer of ClearNote Health, said: “Our early data demonstrate that our Avantect test can identify pancreatic cancer in stages I and II.

“We are excited to collaborate with the Cancer Research UK Southampton Clinical Trials Unit and the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust on this transformative study that could redefine how pancreatic cancer is detected and managed for patients at high risk.”

Dr Chris Macdonald, head of research at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said over 80 per cent of people with pancreatic cancer are currently diagnosed too late for treatment.

He added: “This is an exciting time for early detection research, with tests using blood, breath and urine in development which, if shown to be successful in clinical trials, could save thousands of lives every year.

“Early findings from these tests are very promising, but more research is needed to ensure that they are as accurate as possible before they will be available in the GP surgery.”

WEIGHT loss jabs could prevent a medication taken by millions of women from working – and increase patients’ risk of cancer.

The British Menopause Society said the jabs could cause hormone imbalance in women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), particularly for those with obesity, putting them “at increased risk of womb cancer”.

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It follows warnings to women on weight loss medications to take effective contraception, as the jabs could render the pill less effective.

That’s because weight loss drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro – as well as diabetes jab Ozempic – can delay the absorption of pills taken orally, as well slowing down the passage of food through the gut.

Guidance suggests women taking HRT in pill form may also be at risk.

The British Menopause Society (BMS) told doctors to closely monitor menopausal women on HRT who are also using weight-loss jabs.

The treatment tops up the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which dip to low levels as the menopause approaches.

Data from 2023-24 showed that 2.6 million women in England rely on the drugs to alleviate hot flushes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping and mood changes.

“During the last two years, since semaglutide and tirzepatide [the active ingredients in Wegovy and Mounjaro] received licenses for weight loss, there has been an increase in uptake of these medications through private clinics, while NHS prescribing is limited to specialist weight management services,” the BMS guidance stated.

“There are no current data available about numbers of women receiving HRT concurrently with semaglutide or tirzepatide.”

The most common form of HRT is a progesterone pill alongside a skin patch or gel to deliver oestrogen, but some people opt for a combined pill.

Progesterone balances out the effects of oestrogen, which on its own stimulates the growth of the womb lining, and can cause “abnormal cells and cancer” to grow.

The menopause experts expressed concern over the loss of the progesterone’s protective effect on the womb as a result of weight loss jabs.

They recommended that doctors move women taking progesterone orally to an intrauterine device, such as a Mirena coil, or increase their dose of progesterone.

Prof Annice Mukherjee, a consultant endocrinologist and member of the society’s medical advisory council, who led on the guidance, told The Telegraph that a hormone imbalance could put women “at increased risk of womb cancer” – particularly if they are obese.

“Oestrogen is almost always given through the skin for HRT in women living with obesity, but progesterone is frequently given as a tablet, and that formulation is thought to be the safest route for women who have complicated health issues,” she said.

“If we then start one of these injectable weight-loss drugs, then you’re preferentially stopping absorption of the progestogen that’s coming in orally, but you’re allowing plenty of the oestrogen through the skin.

“The rules are very clear that if you give a very high dose of oestrogen and you don’t give enough progesterone, however that happens, you’re putting that woman at risk of womb cancer,” she said.

Prof Mukherjee said there was currently a “culture of putting women on very high doses of oestrogen”, which can make the womb lining thicken.

“It’s like having a lawn in a woman’s womb. Oestrogen makes the lawn grow. Progestogen cuts the lawn. But if it’s not being cut, it grows thicker, and then you can get abnormal cells and cancer.”

But she also stressed that the biggest risk factor for womb cancer was obesity – meaning that on the whole, weight loss jabs can cut the risk of disease.

“These drugs reduce the risk of cancer,” Prof Mukherjee said.

“But if they are prescribed to a woman who’s on oestrogen through the skin, and she might already have womb thickening because she’s living with obesity, and she’s not absorbing the progesterone because she’s been put on a weight-loss injection, she’s potentially getting loads of oestrogen on top of her thickened womb lining, and that could potentially unmask cancers that are there or drive an early cancer to a more advanced stage.”

The BMS put together the guidelines after calls from GPs for advice to give to patients.

Dr Janet Barter, the president of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, told The Telegraph that weight loss jabs can cause side effects such as “vomiting and severe diarrhoea in some patients”.

“Obviously this could render any medication, such as HRT tablets or oral contraception, ineffective if there hasn’t been enough time for them to be fully absorbed,” she said.

“If these side-effects are occurring, then people should discuss the matter with their doctor or specialist clinician to find the combination of drugs that’s right for them.”

Sun Health has contacted Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly – the makers of Wegovy and Mounjaro – for comment.

It follows warnings from the Medicines and Healthcare products Agency (MHRA) that GLP-1 weight loss drugs could reduce the absorption of contraceptives, due to the fact they slow down the emptying of the stomach.

The watchdog also said the jabs should not be used during pregnancy, while trying to conceive or breastfeeding, over fears they could lead to miscarriage or birth defects.

The MHRA explained: “This is because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby.”

Dr Bassel Wattar, a consultant gynaecologist and medical director of clinical trials at Anglia Ruskin University, told The Sun: “It’s not the medication itself, but the weight loss that helps regulate a woman’s hormones allowing her ovaries to function properly again.

“Pregnancy is more of a happy side effect.”

ATOMIC Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton opened up about her skin cancer battle, revealing she was diagnosed with the disease after getting a persistent itchy spot on her back.

In an emotional Good Morning Britain interview, the singer, 42, revealed she’d had basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

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BCC is the most common skin cancer type in the UK.

It begins in the basal cells — a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as old ones die off – and is more likely to develop on skin regularly exposed to the sun, like the face, head or neck.

The cancer often tends to appear as a pearly lump, but it can also develop as a scar-like patch on the skin or rough, scaly growths.

Natasha initially mistook the diseased patch of skin as a mosquito bite.

She told her hosts Kate Garraway and Rob Rinder that she developed an itch after catching a bit too much sun while on holiday in Majorca.

Natasha said: “So I had been on holiday, I wasn’t actually in the sun a lot, my baby was only about five months old and I was breastfeeding.

“One afternoon I had her on my lap, my back was in the sun and I burnt.

“I don’t know if it was later that day or the next day, I had an itchy spot on my back.

“I felt it, I went “oh mosquito bite”.

‘It wasn’t until four weeks later when I was at home and it was itching I was like ‘hang on a minute, that seems a bit long for a mosquito bite’.

‘I asked my husband to have look and he went “oh that’s not a bite,” he took a picture.

Natasha revealed: “Originally it had just been a dark freckle that I’d had on my back for many years.

“It wasn’t even raised, it wasn’t a mole, it was just a freckle.”

The star sought specialist help and was diagnosed with BCC.

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She was able to have the cancerous skin removed and is now living cancer-free.

But she revealed: “Now I have to be really vigilant, I have to check my skin all the time.

“Since then I’ve had a few things appear where I’ve had to go back to the dermatologist, they’re on the ‘watch list’.  

“This is probably something I am going to have to keep an eye for the rest of my life,” Natasha said.

The 4 signs of BCC

When you think of signs of skin cancer, a mole probably comes to mind.

This is usually the case with melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease.

But non-melanoma skin cancer – which includes BCC – can manifest in other more subtle ways.

According to Macmillan Cancer Support, a BCC might have some of these features:

1. A smooth, firm lump that may be pearly, pink, red, brown or black – on black or brown skin, it is more likely to be pearly, brown or black
2. A lump that is sunken in the middle like a crater
3. A flat patch of scaly, crusty or irritated skin
4. A scar-like area of pale, shiny skin

This type of skin cancer tends to be painless but it can cause itchiness or bleeding.

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Over time, a BCC may develop into an open sore that does not heal.

Any part of your skin can be affected, but it’s most common in areas exposed to the sun, such as the:

• Head, face and ears
• Neck and shoulders
• Back
• Hands
• Lower legs

BCCs mainly people with fair skin, but those with other skin types may also be at risk, according to the British Skin Foundation.

Those with the highest risk of developing a basal cell carcinoma are: 

• People with pale skin who burn easily and rarely tan
• Those who have had a lot of exposure to the sun, such as people with outdoor hobbies or outdoor workers, and people who have lived in sunny climates
• People who have used sun beds or have regularly sunbathed.
• People who have previously had a basal cell carcinoma

Almost all cases of BCC can be cured and it’s almost never a danger to life, according to the charity.

However, if a BCC is not treated early, it may get larger and may be more likely to come back.

Treatment can include surgically removing the affected area of skin.

EVERYONE’S talking about fat jabs – the ‘miracle’ injections trimming inches off waistlines, and helping turn the tide on the obesity epidemic.

But what if there was an even easier – and cheaper – way than Ozempic-like injections, Wegovy and Mounjaro?

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Science sits still for no slimmer and already, the next big thing is looming large on the horizon – and it could be as simple as popping a pill.

Slimming tablets have been around for decades, but now scientists want to harness the new momentum in obesity medicine – and use the billions being made from the jabs – to bring pills back with a bang.

Professor Jason Halford, of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, tells Sun Health: “I think pills will eventually replace injections.

“People don’t particularly like them and they’re a bit afraid of injecting themselves.

“You’ve got to have the device, the needle, the sharps bin, it’s got to be refrigerated, there are all sorts of challenges.

“If you can move it all to a tablet you can increase acceptance and hopefully it will be cheaper and become more widely available.”

Professor Richard Donnelly, editor of the medical journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, and clinical adviser at online weight loss clinic Juniper, agrees.

“Thirty years ago weight loss tablets had a terrible reputation and nobody really wanted to prescribe them,” he adds.

“They had rare but severe side effects and weren’t particularly effective.

“Now there is a whole flood of development and a lot to be optimistic about.

“There is a big hope that developing pills will improve accessibility and cost less.”

There are several pills in development – some stimulate the same hormones as jabs to make us feel full, while others mimic bariatric surgery.

The end goal is the same – to do what willpower alone fails to achieve and stop us eating so much.

While some are yet to even be trialled in humans, one has already been submitted for approval in the US, meaning they could be available before the end of the year.

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The most advanced pills being made are by the same companies behind the fat jabs.

Novo Nordisk, creator of Wegovy and Ozempic, has developed a tablet version of semaglutide, the active drug in those injections.

It applied for approval from the US Food and Drugs Administration last month.

Trials showed patients lost an average of 15 per cent of their bodyweight over 17 months on a 50mg daily dose, compared with eight per cent over 12 months on Wegovy.

Participants were three times more likely to achieve “meaningful” weight loss when they were taking the pill, compared to those not taking the tablet.

Rival company Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro (tirzepatide) announced the results of its pill orforglipron in April.

The two drugs both work by stimulating GLP-1 hormones that make you feel full.

Patients taking 36mg of orforglipron lost eight per cent of their bodyweight in 10 months, equating to 1st 2lbs from an average starting weight of 14st 3lbs – while participants taking a placebo lost just 3lbs.

It compares with 15 per cent weight loss in a year on Mounjaro.

Lilly said their pill “could be readily manufactured and launched at scale for use around the world”.

But injections and pills have not been compared head-to-head yet.
Studies are ongoing and taking the science behind these game-changing jabs and applying it to tablets, does not guarantee success.

Pfizer abandoned the development of its drug lotiglipron in 2023 when a trial indicated potential liver damage as a side effect.

Drugs tend to be more easily absorbed by the body when they are injected directly into the bloodstream, compared to being digested through the gut.

And that’s another key consideration – what the potential side effects of these new pills could be.

Unpleasant side effects were the downfall of the old generation of slimming pills.

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The NHS has prescribed a pill called orlistat for years, dishing out £12million worth of it in England last year.

It works by preventing the gut from absorbing fat from food – but it means fat must be passed out in poo instead of digested.

This can lead to flatulence, more regular bowel movements and diarrhoea.

It can also cause bladder pains and breathing troubles – and weight loss doesn’t match up to the jabs.

About eight in 10 patients suffer at least one side effect when using injections, most commonly tummy upset, according to trials.

Early data suggests pills might have similar rates.

Around six per cent of people taking any of Lilly or Novo Nordisk’s pills or injections quit the medicines because of side effects.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, of the Independent Pharmacies Association, says: “The old generation drugs tended to be uncomfortable for a lot of people whereas these new ones are much more effective.

“All medicines will have side effects but the fact that the results are much better now means people are more willing to endure them.”
Prof Donnelly said he still does not expect new tablets to be as strong as jabs, adding: “I don’t think anybody believes these will cause the same level of weight loss that you might be reporting with Mounjaro.

“The flipside of that is that major weight loss might not all be good.

“Some of that might be muscle and if you lose 30 per cent of your body weight that is a fairly major transformation.

“Having an oral agent that reduces your weight by, say, 10 or 15 per cent, might actually be more sustainable, better tolerated and medically safer in some respects.”

While the GLP-1 tablets are likely to be first to market, inventors are also working on a daily pill that mimics the effects of gastric bypass surgery.

‘GASTRIC BYPASS’ PILL

US company Syntis Bio’s offering, named Synt-101 creates a 24-hour lining in the gut that means food cannot be absorbed in the top six inches of the small intestine.

Rather, digestion is redirected to the lower areas of the gut, where hormones that tell the brain we are full, are triggered faster.

Working in a similar vein to surgery, it means patients feel fuller faster – and the lining is passed when the patient goes to the loo the next day.

Synt-101 has passed its first human safety tests and is expected to enter a full-scale clinical trial next year.

Another pill in development, Sirona, is made by UK-based Oxford Medical Products, and contains a “dual polymer hydrogel” that expands in the stomach when it comes into contact with water.

It works like a gastric balloon, filling the patient’s tummy making them feel full for hours, but is passed in their stools “several days” later.

Early data from an NHS trial found patients lost 10 to 12 per cent in a year of treatment and there were no serious side effects.

Experts believe weight loss pills will serve a variety of purposes – as a follow-on treatment after stopping fat jabs, as an option for those who can’t or don’t want to use jabs and for people with less severe obesity, and less weight to lose.

There are hopes they will be less toxic than injections, which often cause side effects like stomach aches, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Weight regain after treatment is also an emerging issue with the jabs, which can currently only be prescribed for up to two years in the UK.

Rahul Dhanda, chief executive of Syntis Bio, said: “Patients don’t want to be stuck on a revolving door of injections and their side effects; they want to be on a manageable and sustainable weight loss path.

“Oral drugs that are simple, tolerable and safe will be the rational choice for maintenance therapy.”

A TOP doctor campaigning for pay rises and strike action has a sideline running two start-up companies, we can reveal.

Cardiologist Dr U Bhalraam is deputy co-chairman of the British Medical Association’s resident doctors committee — which is backing six more months of walkouts.

It is urging members to strike, claiming they are paid 23 per cent less in real terms than in 2008.

This is despite resident doctors — formerly known as junior doctors — getting an almost 30 per cent pay rise over the past three years.

On his website, Dr Bhalraam says he’s “focused on full pay restoration”.

But The Sun on Sunday has found that Dr Bhalraam has also set up two firms of which he is sole director and owner.

He launched Datamed Solutions Ltd, a data processing company, last June and just a few days later UBR Property Holdings Limited, which is described as a letting company.

They are both registered to his smart £330,000 house in Norwich, where he works at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Resident docs have taken industrial action 11 times since 2022, causing about 1.5million appointments to be cancelled.

A YouGov poll of 4,100 adults found almost half oppose the strikes.

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DOES it feel like you’ve tried everything in your quest to lose those final pounds?

While the world is obsessed with Ozempic-like fat jabs, not everyone wants to resort to injecting drugs to shed weight. But what’s the answer when all the fad diets have failed?

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As a nutritionist with over a decade of experience, I’ve seen it all from quick fixes to restrictive plans that rarely deliver long-lasting results. I’m not alone – most professionals in this space would agree that rigid diets don’t work long-term.

But here’s what does…. Rethinking your approach to weight loss and health by focusing on sustainable habits known as diet ‘anchors’.

Anchors are a common concept that many wellness experts (myself included) use with our clients. Think of them as an antidote to fad diets that don’t hold up over time. 

Like the name suggests, these fundamental vows help keep you grounded and consistent. They are easy to weave into your daily routine, making them sustainable, unlike rigid rules that come with most diets. They become so ingrained that they become natural, which is the key to success.

Many of my clients come in thinking they need to overhaul their diet overnight, but when it comes to health, it’s actually the small, steady shifts that have the biggest impact. 

So if you’re fed up of complicated calorie counting, are struggling with flagging energy levels or can’t seem to stick to the new gym routine, try implementing these tried and tested non-negotiable rules to flip the weight loss switch… 

1. BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

It may be the first thing you eat, but breakfast sets the tone for the whole day. The food choices you make have an impact on your blood sugar levels.

Slurping a bowl of milky cereal or a chowing a syrupy stack of pancakes might hit your sweet spot, but sugary breakfasts send your blood sugar levels on a rollercoaster.

What this means, is that after they spike your blood sugar, you soon experience a crash. It results in a mid-morning energy dip and cravings for the biscuit tin come 10am.

Make sure your breakfast choices lean more towards savoury, protein-rich meals to feel fuller for longer with no nasty blood glucose crashes. 

Protein takes more energy to digest than fat or carbohydrates, which means it slightly increases calorie burn, whilst keeping you feeling fuller for longer.

Panfried mushrooms with melted cheese on toast, anchovy and tomato bruschetta or eggs cooked shakshuka style are a protein-fuelled start to the day.

But if you’re limited on time, or on-the-go, try:

• Boil a couple of eggs the night before and serve with salad leaves or wholemeal toast. Make a veggie frittata which can be eaten cold.
• Whizz together a bowl of fruity overnight oats. Pop some oats in a mason jar and cover with milk. In the morning, add a sprinkling of seeds (which are high in plant-based protein), your favourite fruit and a drizzle of honey. 
• Combine plain Greek yoghurt with berries and top with mixed nuts or chia seeds. 
• Nibble a protein bar with a piece of low-sugar fruit such as an apple or pear.

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2. COLOUR, NOT QUANTITY 

Variety is the spice of life, so if you’re eating the same foods day after day you’ll hit a boredom wall and risk nutritional deficiencies. 

To avoid this food rut, rotate the colours on your plate, aiming for a total of nine different shades every day. 

This is easier than it sounds, and the simplest way is to aim for three different vegetables at each meal. 

For example, sneak diced courgette and colourful peppers into bolognese sauces, make use of frozen bagged vegetables into casseroles and soups and add a side salad to your lunch. 

When you lose inspiration, find new recipes on social media; it’s saturated with accounts showing how to make meals that hit all the spots; healthy, delicious, cheap and quick.

Try doubling up on everything you make for a week or two, so that you can freeze portions. That way you always have a healthy meal when you’re in a hurry.

3. UP AND OUT

Kicking back on the sofa and flicking on Netflix might be your current go-to after dinner, but gentle exercise after eating is a science-backed no-brainer weight loss hack that us nutritionists swear by. 

A short walk within a 60-minute window of finishing your meal can help with weight loss as well as ward off disease. It makes all the difference in how your body absorbs carbohydrates. 

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine showed that 20 minutes of walking straight after eating helped muscle cells use glucose more efficiently from the bloodstream which reduces insulin demand and boosts weight loss. 

No time to walk, or stuck at the house? Pace up and down the stairs – set a goal and see if you can increase how many flights you can do over time – or get some chores done around the house.

4. SPICE AND NICE

Lots of us have to make a conscious effort to cook things from scratch. It’s easier to grab ready-to-eat meals for the family, but this is certainly not the best way to lose weight.

If there’s one thing you can do to liven up meals that you’re cooking from scratch – and keep your diet on track – it’s adding flavour. So, include at least one herb or spice at each meal. 

From adding blood-sugar balancing cinnamon to porridge, topping green smoothies with anti-inflammatory golden turmeric and being extra liberal with herbs like sage, basil and parsley in pasta sauces, getting in the habit of seasoning will help to elevate your meals both in taste and nutrition. 

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You can use dried herbs and spices or buy fresh. To keep costs down and wastage low, you can now buy pre-chopped herbs, as well as onions and garlic, in the frozen section.

Want to take it one step further? Create your own little herb garden on a sunny windowsill. Basil, thyme and mint are all super-easy varieties to grow at home. 

5. SELF-WORTH REIGNS

Sustaining motivation to workout and eat well can be difficult at the best of times, but anchoring your thoughts to your goals is the best way to keep your get-up-and-go firing. Keep in mind that success is about consistency, and it’s those small wins that add up over time.

Mantras can help to reinforce your diet choices, so put pen to paper and make up a few that resonate with your goals. 

Some of my personal favourites include “your choices today build results tomorrow”, and “nothing changes unless you change it”.

Self-worth can often shatter on fad diets, but with diet anchors you feel shaped by your positive health choices, so when you do smash one of your micro goals, be kind to yourself.

Even something simple like getting your nails done, or pampering yourself with a candlelit bath, can help to keep motivation high. And if you do fall off the wagon? Don’t beat yourself up for it, every day is a new day with new possibilities to better your health. 

6. PLATE ART

Learning to become meticulous about how you organise your plate is a simple yet powerful anchor that can help to speed up weight loss, and keep those stubborn pounds off.

To build the perfect plate, it’s important to re-think the way you serve your food; Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and peppers as these are high in fibre and contain a hefty dose of nutrients.

Next, dedicate one quarter to protein – this includes foods like eggs, poultry, red meat or tofu to help support muscle health and promote fullness.

Finally, split the remaining quarter between healthy fats, (including avocado, nuts, and seeds), along with complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, wholemeal pasta or sweet potato as these help to sustain energy whilst providing essential nutrients.

The order in which you eat your food can also make a difference to weight loss – it’s a concept called ‘food sequencing’ and can help to improve your body’s insulin response to food.

To practice food sequencing, eat your non-starchy veg first, followed by your protein and healthy fat sources. Save your carbs until last to help minimise blood sugar spikes and aid fullness. 

Louise Pyne is a registered nutritionist. Find her at www.louisepynenutrition.com and on Instagram @loulou_nutrition.

What a balanced plate looks like

How can you make sure you are eating a balanced, filling and nutritious plate at every meal?

Think of your plate divided into different food groups – protein, carbs, fat and fruit and veg.

Protein: David Wiener, training and nutrition specialist at AI-based lifestyle and coaching app Freeletics, told The Sun: “Aim for one to two palm-size portions of lean protein in each meal.”

Protein includes meat (chicken, turkey, pork, beef), beans, peas, lentils and fish.

The NHS Eatwell Guide says to choose lean cuts of meat and mince, and eat less red and processed meat like bacon, ham and sausages.

Aim for at least two portions (two x 140g) of fish every week, one of which should be oily, such as salmon, sardines or mackerel.

Carbs: Carbohydrates should make up about a third of your plate, or a fist-sized portion.

The Eatwell Guide says: “Choose higher fibre or wholegrain varieties, such as wholewheat pasta and brown rice, or simply leave the skins on potatoes.

“There are also higher fibre versions of white bread and pasta.

“Starchy foods are a good source of energy and the main source of a range of nutrients in our diet.”

Fat: Generally the advice is to think of fat like a thumb-sized amount on your plate.

The Eatwell Guide says: “Remember all types of fat are high in energy and should be eaten in small amounts.

“These foods include chocolate, cakes, biscuits, sugary soft drinks, butter, ghee and ice cream.

“They’re not needed in our diet, so should be eaten less often and in smaller amounts.”

But a small amount is still essential for the diet. Try and eat more unsaturated fats (avocado, nuts, olive oil), which are healthier than saturated fats (butter, hard cheese, sour cream).

Fruit and veg: David says: “Make sure you also get lots of colourful fruit and vegetable carbohydrates too.

“Aim for at least five of these portions a day.

“One to two fist-sized portions of fruits and vegetables with every meal is generally recommended.”

Fruit and veg can be fresh, frozen, tinned or dried. You can roast, boil, steam or grill veggies.

AN immune boosting drug can stave off throat cancer for years longer than current treatments, a trial found.

Recovering head and neck cancer patients treated with pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda, remained cancer-free for an average of five years.

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That was twice as long as the 2.5 years for patients given regular chemotherapy.

The risk of tumour cells spreading elsewhere in the body was also 10 per cent lower, the Institute for Cancer Research in London found.

Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy that is given before and after surgery.

It works by boosting the body’s own ability to seek and destroy cancer cells.

Professor Kevin Harrington, trial leader author from the ICR and consultant oncologist at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: “For patients with newly-diagnosed, locally-advanced head and neck cancer, treatments haven’t changed in over two decades.

“Immunotherapy has been amazingly beneficial for patients with cancer that has come back or spread around the body but, until now, it hasn’t been as successful for those presenting for the first time with disease which has spread to nearby areas.

“This research shows that immunotherapy could change the world for these patients.

“It significantly decreases the chance of cancer spreading around the body, at which point it’s incredibly difficult to treat.

“The results of this trial show that pembrolizumab dramatically increases the duration of disease remission – for years longer than the current standard treatments.”

Head and neck cancer refers to a group of cancers that can develop anywhere in the head or neck, including the mouth, the oesophagus, the space behind the nose, the salivary gland, and the voice box.

Standard care, which includes surgery to remove tumours followed by radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, has not changed for these patients in more than 20 years, according to researchers.

The global Keynote-689 trial was carried out at 192 sites in 24 countries, and involved 714 patients.

Some 363 people received pembrolizumab followed by standard care, with the remainder receiving standard care only.

Pembrolizumab works by targeting a protein known as PD-L1, which is found on T cells and helps the immune system recognise and fight cancer.

By blocking this protein, the treatment helps the immune system fight cancer more effectively.

The treatment is already approved for use on its own or in combination with chemotherapy for patients with a certain type of head and neck cancer that has come back or spread around the body.

The trial, which is being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (Asco) annual meeting, found cancer returned in half the patients given pembrolizumab after five years, compared with two-and-a-half years in those receiving standard care.

After three years, the risk of cancer returning somewhere else in the body was also 10 per cent lower among those on pembrolizumab.

‘It could change the world’

“It works particularly well for those with high levels of immune markers,” Prof Harrington said

“But it’s really exciting to see that the treatment improves outcomes for all head and neck cancer patients, regardless of these levels.”

Around 13,000 Brits develop head and neck cancers each year and 4,200 die from them.

Many tumours are linked to smoking.

Symptoms vary depending on the type of cancer but include: persistent ulcers, white or red patches, lumps, sores and pain.

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WE all function better after a decent night’s sleep, but sometimes life gets in the way and we simply can’t bank the hours of shut-eye we need to feel energised, upbeat and alert. 

Getting up at the crack of dawn for an early morning flight, long train journeys on uncomfortable seats, and staying in unfamiliar hotel beds can make it difficult to get the slumber we want. 

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We may even find it hard to squeeze in a daytime nap on the sofa or in the car when our bodies are crying out for some more rest. 

Joshua Piper, sleep clinician at Resmed UK, tells Sun Health: “Whether you’re on a plane, in a hotel or trying to sneak a power nap in the car, falling asleep away from home can be tricky.

“Thankfully, there are some sneaky little tips that can help you to sleep, no matter your location.”

In a hotel bed…

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YOU’VE splashed out for a trip overseas, staying in a nice hotel with a bed that’s far more luxurious than the one you have at home. 

Yet for some reason, your sleep couldn’t be worse. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. 

Research by the Sleep Foundation found that the majority of people get less sleep in hotels than at home. 

When asked where they slept best, a measly 13 per cent of people chose hotels compared with 65 per cent who chose their own bed. 

Plus, only 54 per cent of people questioned said they got seven hours of sleep a night in a hotel.

“Hotel rooms can throw sleep patterns off with bright lighting, unfamiliar beds, and that ‘not-quite-home’ vibe,” says Joshua.

“Even if the bed is great, your brain is subconsciously on alert. It’s called the ‘first night effect’.”

“One half of your brain stays more vigilant in a new setting as a survival mechanism, especially during deep sleep stages,” adds Jules Goldberg, an expert in sleep health and technology and founder of sleep tech brands, Sleepwave and Snorelab.

Jet lag can play a role, but your production of the sleepy hormone melatonin can take a hit regardless of timezone. 

Routine is key here, according to Joshua. 

“Keeping your bedtime routine the same, even on the road, is one of the simplest ways to ease into sleep,” he says.

“Brush your teeth, do your skincare routine, read your usual two pages of a book. Do whatever tells your brain ‘it’s time for bed’.”

Jules adds: “Keep the room cool and dark. Try setting the temperature to around 18C, which is ideal for sleeping. 

“And if the curtains don’t quite cut it, a sleep mask can help you block out the light.”

She also suggests bringing something familiar to the hotel. 

“Whether it’s your pillowcase or a small item from home, that sense of familiarity can help signal to your brain that it’s time to switch off,” she says. 

On a plane…

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A LONG journey means a long snooze, right? Well, it’s not quite so easy. 

Joshua says that sensory overload can make sleep very difficult. 

Think loud noises, people talking and unless you’ve splashed out for business class, you’ll likely be in an upright, uncomfortable seat too.

Where possible, select your seat in advance – and choose wisely. 

“A window seat away from foot traffic helps, and sitting over the engine can provide that steady white noise effect,” says Joshua. 

Aim to keep your sleep short too – around 20 minutes maximum. You want to feel refreshed, not groggy

Jules GoldbergSleep expert

The exact location of over-engine seats varies, but they’re typically in the middle, near the wings of the plane, or to the rear of the plane.

“Eye masks, neck pillows, warm socks and a blanket go a long way too,” says Joshua.

“And a proper travel pillow can stop your head from nodding and waking you up repeatedly,” adds Jules.

Wear loose clothing when you fly so that your movement isn’t restricted. 

And if you have time before a flight, try to squeeze in some exercise, such as a brisk walk, jog or gym session. 

Research published in the journal Advances in Preventive Medicine found that exercise improves sleep quality and duration.

In the car…

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MUCH like in a plane, if you have a long car journey ahead, you might be planning a little sleep, if the driver doesn’t mind you dozing off!

For a decent rest, recline your seat slightly.

“Being fully upright makes it harder for your body to enter proper rest,” says Jules. “Even 15 to 20 degrees helps.”

As for background noise, go for calm, instrumental music.

“Ambient playlists work best,” says Jules. “But if you prefer, choose a chatty radio station as this may help you to drift off.

“Aim to keep your sleep short too – around 20 minutes maximum. You want to feel refreshed, not groggy.”

Whatever you do, make sure you’re safe and stay belted if you’re in a moving vehicle.

On the sofa…

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BIG night ahead and want to bank some sleep so you can stay awake into the early hours?

“If you’re going for a tactical 3pm sofa snooze, aim for it to be around 20 minutes,” says Joshua. 

“This is typically enough to recharge without dipping into deep sleep. 

“Most of us take eight to 10 minutes to drift off, so set an alarm accordingly.”

While you can’t force sleep, you can create a peaceful, sleep-promoting environment. 

“Even if you don’t fall fully asleep, a period of restful stillness can recharge you enough to feel sharper and more energised,” Jules says.

“Dim the lights as bright light confuses your internal clock, and do a short breathing exercise or body scan to calm your system.”

We tested 10 sleep aids to see which ones really work

By Alice Fuller, Health Features Editor

FROM magnesium to meditation, there are hundreds of alleged tricks to help you get a good night’s sleep.

But which ones really work, and which ones are a waste of time and money? 

As a team, we put 10 of the most popular to the test.

Some had us nodding off within minutes of hitting the hay. Others, not so much. 

If you’re one of the 16million Brits with insomnia or other sleep troubles, here are some products and lifestyle tweaks you might want to try – and the ones you’re better off without…

• ASHWAGANDHA – 5/5
• LACTIUM AND LACTOFERRIN – 0/5
• BLACKOUT SLEEP MASK – 4/5
• INFRARED SAUNA – 3/5
• NO BOOZE – 3/5
• MEDITATION APPS – 3/5
• SLEEPY GIRL MOCKTAIL – 3/5
• DIGITAL DETOX – 2/5
• WARM FEET – 5/5
• SLEEP GOGGLES – 4/5

You can read our full verdict here.

In the journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, mindfulness activities like body scans were shown to help improve sleep quality and even reduce some sleep issues. 

A body scan involves focusing on a spot on your body, such as your right foot, and noticing how it feels or if there is any pain or tension. 

Then, you move on to another area until you’ve covered your entire body. 

By this point, you’re hopefully drifting off – or already asleep! 

On a boat…

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WHETHER it’s a cruise ship, ferry or commuter boat, trying to catch some Zzzs on the water isn’t always smooth sailing. 

“With long-term motion comes some detriment,” says Joshua.

“Motion sickness has been shown to have negative effects on sleep duration and quality. 

“This often creates a vicious cycle, as sleepiness increases the risk of motion-related illness.”

The best thing you can do is maintain a consistent sleep schedule, sticking to your wind-down activities like normal to prepare your body for sleep. 

For me, the bedroom is for sleep and, if the stars align, sex! That’s it. No TV, no laptop, no doom-scrolling. Otherwise, your brain won’t associate that space with winding down

Joshua PiperSleep clinician

Avoid using screens before hitting the hay as this can exacerbate the symptoms of motion sickness as your brain is receiving conflicting signals from your eyes and inner ear about movement. 

But, boat sleeping isn’t all bad. Joshua says that the gentle rocking can actually help support sleep. 

“Plus, quite often, being at sea means you are governed by natural light, which can have positive effects on sleep as you align more closely to your natural circadian rhythm, aka your body clock,” he adds. 

“We also tend to have reduced noise pollution and other environmental disturbances. 

“Just make sure everything is tied down!”

In your own bed…

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WE all want to get good sleep at home. 

While the NHS recommends we get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, half of Brits don’t get nearly enough, according to research by YouGov.

More than a third (34 per cent) struggled to drift off three or more times a week, and almost half (44 per cent) have called in sick to work because of extreme tiredness, research by Resmed shows. 

Making your bedroom a sleep sanctuary goes a long way in improving your shut-eye. 

“It’s about giving your brain the right signals,” Joshua says.

“For me, the bedroom is for sleep and, if the stars align, sex! That’s it. No TV, no laptop, no doom-scrolling. 

“Otherwise, your brain won’t associate that space with winding down.”

You also don’t need to spend thousands of pounds on blackout blinds or fancy gadgets.

“Start with small steps, like an eye mask, a bit of down time before bed, even dimming the lights,” he adds.

“Stick to the same wake-up time (on weekends too) and get some morning sunlight. 

“It’s the best natural reset for your body clock.”

The 8 sleep-destroying habits that are waking you up in the night

By Lucy Gornall, health writer

IT can be frustrating when you get into bed early, ready for a solid night’s rest, only to wake up several times. 

Bad sleep can leave you grouchy, unproductive and of course, very tired.

Young children, loud noises and a restless sleeping partner can all cause you to wake up in the night.

But if none of these are affecting you, then why are you still unable to sleep through, undisturbed? Experts say it could be one of eight things:

1. Your sleep posture is wrong
2. You’re not getting enough sunlight in the day
3. You have sleep apnoea
4. You’re having coffee in the afternoon
5. You’re stressed
6. You’re eating chocolate after dinner
7. You’re having wine with dinner
8. Your joints are aching

You can read the full article, which includes how to combat these issues and top feeling tired all the time, here.

ENGLAND will roll out the world’s first gonorrhoea vaccine campaign this summer.

The NHS said it will begin immunising against the sexually transmitted infection, also known as ‘the clap’, in August.

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Health chiefs reckon they can prevent around 10,000 cases per year with an existing meningitis vaccine.

Cases have tripled since 2012 and hit a record 85,000 in 2023.

Local sexual health clinics will offer the jab to gay and bisexual men, who are most at risk.

Patients will receive the 4CMenB vaccine for meningitis B, which has been found to nearly halve the chances of catching gonorrhoea in adults.

The jab is already routinely given to babies to protect them from MenB, but its protection wears off as they grow up.

Vaccination could also head off growing concerns about superbug versions of the infection, which are resistant to antibiotics.

Dr Amanda Doyle, of NHS England, said: “The launch of a world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhoea is a huge step forward for sexual health.

“It will be crucial in helping to reduce the rising rates of antibiotic resistant strains of the bacteria.”

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection spread by unprotected sex.

Many people do not have any symptoms but if it is left untreated it can spread and lead to infertility.

It is the second most common STI in Britain by new cases per year, after chlamydia.

The vaccine rollout was approved by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) after research by Imperial College London suggested it could prevent 100,000 cases and save the NHS £8million over the next 10 years.

Dr Sema Mandal, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: “In 2023 we saw gonorrhoea diagnoses reach their highest since records began in 1918. 

“Not only will this rollout protect those that need it most, but it will make the UK the first country in the world to offer this.

“STIs aren’t just an inconvenience – they can have a major impact on your health and that of your sexual partners.”

Public health minister Ashley Dalton added: “Once again our NHS is leading the way.”

VAPING is more addictive than nicotine gum and has a “high potential for abuse”, experts warn.

A study by West Virginia University in the US found that young people enjoy vaping more than chewing gum, which makes it more addictive.

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E-cigarettes were originally invented to help smokers quit tobacco and reduce their risk of cancer.

However, use of the gadgets rocketed in people who never smoked and has become an addiction in its own right.

The study tested the effects of e-cigs and nicotine gum in 16 current or former smokers aged 18 to 24.

They had no nicotine overnight and then chewed gum for 30 minutes or used a vape in the morning, before answering questions about their cravings.

Lower cravings & higher satisfaction

Results showed that people who used vapes rated their cravings and withdrawal feelings significantly lower than gum users, and rated their personal satisfaction higher.

This suggests the e-cigs have a stronger effect which may make it easier to get hooked.

Study author, PhD student Andrea Milstred, said: “Today’s electronic cigarettes have great potential to produce addiction in populations that are otherwise naive to nicotine.

“This often includes youth and young adults.”

The British Government plans to outlaw disposable vapes and crack down on the flavours that are allowed, in a bid to make them less appealing to teenagers and young people.

Writing in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research, Ms Milstred suggested vaping might be more addictive than gum because it uses a form of nicotine that does not taste as bitter or harsh.

What are the new vape laws?

Ministers have pledged to crackdown on poorly regulated vapes and e-cigarettes following an explosion in the number of teenagers who use them.

New rules for manufacturers and shopkeepers are expected to come into force in late 2024 or early 2025.

They are set to include:

• Higher tax rates paid on vapes increase the price and make it harder for children to afford them
• A ban on single-use vapes in favour of devices that can be recharged
• A ban on colourful and cartoonish packaging that may appeal to youngsters
• Tighter controls on flavourings and a ban on unnecessarily sweet or child-friendly ones like bubblegum and candy
• More regulation on how and where they are displayed in shops, potentially putting them out of sight
• Harsher penalties for shops caught selling them to under-18s

The ban on disposable vapes is part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping.

A report published by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) last June found 20.5 per cent of children in the UK had tried vaping in 2023, up from 15.8 per cent in 2022 and 13.9 per cent in 2020.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also announced plans to impose a tax on imported e-cigs and manufacturers, making vapes more expensive.

The duty will apply to the liquid in vapes, with higher levels for products with more nicotine.