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King Charles admitted to hospital

<p>Reports from Buckingham palace have revealed that King Charles has been forced to cancel a series of public engagements after being admitted to hospital due to side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment.</p> <p>The Palace released a statement on Thursday evening confirming that the 72-year-old monarch had “experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital” following his scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer. The King has since returned to Clarence House, where he resides with Queen Camilla.</p> <p>“As a precautionary measure, acting on medical advice, tomorrow’s diary program will also be rescheduled,” the Palace added. Although the Palace did not specify the exact nature of the side effects, sources suggest such occurrences are not uncommon among cancer patients.</p> <p>A royal insider described the medical incident to <em>The Daily Mail</em> as a “most minor bump in a road that’s very much heading in the right direction”. However, in order to “protect and prioritise [his] continued very positive recovery”, King Charles has regretfully cancelled his planned engagements in Birmingham on Friday.</p> <p>The King was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February last year and has been receiving outpatient treatment since then. Initially, he had to withdraw from public duties for several weeks but resumed engagements in April. Since then, he has travelled internationally – including a visit to Australia last October – and hosted numerous state visits while continuing his recovery.</p> <p>Last week, King Charles visited Ulster University’s Pharmacy and Pharmacology department in Northern Ireland to learn about their groundbreaking cancer research. During his visit, he shared words of encouragement with fellow cancer patients, quoting Winston Churchill’s famous phrase: “Keep buggering on.” Regarding the side effects of treatment, he remarked, “You just have to push on, don’t you?”</p> <p>While the specific type of cancer affecting the King has not been disclosed, reports suggest that it was caught at a very early stage. Royal sources remain optimistic about his recovery, and say his treatment is progressing positively.</p> <p><em>Image: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet/ Millie Pilkington</em></p>

Caring

"Game changer": Aussie women welcome new early-detection cancer test

<p>Australian women will soon have access to a revolutionary blood test designed to aid in the early detection of breast cancer. The innovative test, known as BREASTEST plus™, was developed by BCAL Diagnostics and is set to complement traditional breast cancer screening methods such as mammograms and ultrasounds.</p> <p>BCAL Diagnostics chair Jayne Shaw <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/public-health/australian-first-blood-test-to-help-early-detection-of-breast-cancer-comes-to-sydney-before-nationwide-rollout-c-18153750" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed to 7NEWS</a> that the development of the test had taken 15 years, describing it as a "game changer" for women worldwide.</p> <p>“The breast test is a game changer for all women everywhere because it’s a blood test to detect breast cancer alongside other diagnostic tools like ultrasound and a mammogram,” Shaw said.</p> <p>She pointed out that a similar blood test for prostate cancer, which has been available since 1989, has significantly improved clinical outcomes for men. “Early diagnosis for all cancers will lead to improved survivability rates, and it was only inevitable that a blood test would be developed to diagnose breast cancer earlier,” she added.</p> <p>One of the major advantages of the new blood test is its ability to detect breast cancer in women with high breast density. Around 40-50% of Australian women undergoing screening have high breast density, which can obscure abnormalities on mammograms and make diagnosis more difficult.</p> <p>With the ability to identify breast cancer markers, the blood test will provide a valuable additional tool for detecting cancers that might otherwise go unnoticed.</p> <p>Breast Cancer Network Australia director Vicki Durston welcomed the new test, especially for its potential to improve the reporting of high breast density cases, where cancers are often missed. “Breast Cancer Network Australia has long been calling for the uplift in the breast density statement nationally to see standardised reporting across the country,” Durston said.</p> <p>She also noted that while high breast density is just one of many risk factors, the new test represents an innovative step forward in improving early detection and treatment.</p> <p>Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Australian women, accounting for approximately 28% of all new cancer cases. In 2024 alone, around 21,194 people were diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia, including 20,973 women and 221 men. However, survival rates have improved dramatically, with Australia’s peak breast cancer body reporting that the five-year survival rate has risen from 78% in 1994 to 92% in 2020, with many people living long and healthy lives beyond this period.</p> <p>While the test currently comes at an out-of-pocket cost, there is hope that the Australian government will eventually provide subsidies under Medicare to make it more accessible. The first tests will be available at the <a href="https://www.sydneybreastclinic.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sydney Breast Clinic</a> starting Thursday, followed by a rollout in Melbourne, with plans to expand nationwide by the end of the year.</p> <p><em>Images: Shutterstock / 7NEWS</em></p>

Body

Beloved Neighbours star reveals his dying wishes

<p>Ian Smith has shared his final wishes after being told he has more time to live, despite battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer.</p> <p>Smith, 86, was diagnosed with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma and given a terminal prognosis in 2024. However, in a recent interview on BBC Radio 5 Live, he revealed he had defied expectations and was still going strong.</p> <p>"I'm going to die soon, but I seem to be defying the odds, which is good. I'm not unhappy about that at all," Smith said.</p> <p>The veteran actor recalled the moment he received the unexpected news in December last year, jokingly expressing his gratitude: "The knowledge is saying, 'Ian, you are going to die in March.' I almost gave in, and then on Friday the 13th, I got this good news and, you know what? I just had to say, 'Well, thank you, someone.'"</p> <p>Rather than dwell on his diagnosis, Smith is determined to make the most of the time he has left. While he admits he is still unsure of how best to spend it, one thing on his bucket list is buying a new car – specifically, an electric one.</p> <p>"I'm now thinking of buying a new car. That's not what you do if you're going to die in March," he said with a laugh. "I'm determined to have an electric car before I die. And I was speaking to a salesman. I said, 'Now, what about the delivery? Can you get to me before I'm dead?' And he was so shocked! I said, 'Come on, let's have a giggle.'"</p> <p>Smith has had a long and celebrated career in television, most notably for his role as Harold Bishop on <em>Neighbours</em>. First joining the show in 1987, his character quickly became a fan favourite. Over the years, he made several departures and returns, with his most recent appearance in 2024 before stepping away due to ill health.</p> <p>Jason Herbison, Executive Producer of <em>Neighbours</em>, spoke highly of Smith’s contributions to the show, saying, "The way the residents of Ramsay Street feel about Harold is how we all feel about Ian – we couldn't love him more than we do."</p> <p>Beyond <em>Neighbours</em>, Smith also appeared in the cult series <em>Prisoner</em> and worked extensively in theatre since the 1950s.</p> <p>Smith has faced significant personal challenges over the years. His wife, Gail, passed away in 2019 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a marriage that spanned over 50 years. Additionally, Smith discovered later in life that he had been adopted. He was 54 when his adoptive mother, Connie, revealed the truth shortly before her passing. Smith eventually reunited with his biological mother, Peg Kline, who had been a victim of sexual assault at age 14. They maintained a relationship until her death in 2005, also from cancer.</p> <p>"Dying does change how you live," he said in a previous interview with The Guardian. "I feel like I have become more forgiving, more understanding."</p> <p>Despite his illness, Smith remains grateful for the life he has led. "I know I have cancer because doctors keep telling me I have it. I may get very sick again one day. But I have lived the most privileged life."</p> <p><em>Images: Supplied</em></p>

Caring

"I'm not ready to go yet": Leading Aussie doctor given months to live

<p>Leading melanoma researcher and Australian of the Year recipient Professor Richard Scolyer has revealed that he has only months to live following the return of his brain cancer.</p> <p>Diagnosed with incurable glioblastoma two years ago, Professor Scolyer chose to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/doctor-beats-cancer-using-his-own-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">undergo an experimental immunotherapy treatment</a>, defying his initial six-month prognosis. His remarkable journey was documented in a study published in late February, detailing the innovative approach he helped pioneer. However, after undergoing surgery last week, doctors confirmed that the aggressive cancer had returned.</p> <p>“Unfortunately, there is a larger volume of quickly growing brain cancer (glioblastoma, IDH WT, unmethylated etc.) in my left brain,” Professor Scolyer shared in an emotional social media post on Monday. “The prognosis is poor. Whilst some of my recurrent tumour was removed last week, some of it couldn’t be because of its site.”</p> <p>Despite the devastating news, Professor Scolyer remains hopeful that the experimental treatment he volunteered for could pave the way for future medical breakthroughs. Alongside his colleague and friend, Professor Georgina Long, he was named a 2024 Australian of the Year for their groundbreaking work in melanoma research and immunotherapy advancements.</p> <p>“I greatly appreciate the support of all my family, friends, and colleagues who have been looking after me so well and the incredible research that has been performed,” he said. “I hope the latter will change the field and patient outcomes in the not too distant future.”</p> <p>In a heartfelt interview on <em>A Current Affair</em> with Ally Langdon on Monday, the father-of-three shared his decision to forgo further experimental treatments, choosing instead to spend his remaining time with his loved ones.</p> <p>“It could help, but my heart’s not in the same place as what it was before,” he admitted.</p> <p>“It’s not fair, but there’s a lesson for everyone … make the most of every day because you don’t know what’s around the corner.”</p> <p>“I’m not ready to go yet. I love my life,” he said. “I guess I feel lucky that I’ve been able to go for so long without a recurrence of it.”</p> <p><em>Images: A Current Affair</em></p>

Caring

Beloved champion athlete dies from rare brain tumour

<p>A beloved Australian athlete has tragically died after a high-profile battle with a rare and aggressive brain tumour. </p> <p>Jenny Alcorn, a champion triathlete, passed away on Monday at the age of 66, with her partner Margot Rupe breaking the devastating news. </p> <p>“She pushed every boundary in life and it was incredible,” Rupe said. “She was the love of my life for 20 years, she helped me raise two amazing children."</p> <p>“Yes, triathlon was her life but she always enjoyed all the sports our kids did, she never missed a TSS First 15 game, she never missed a Bond Uni rugby game."</p> <p>“Even on Saturday afternoon, she sat up and watched our son play rugby in Japan, so she was a pretty amazing person."</p> <p>“We’re all heartbroken, our souls are heartbroken, she did everything with love, she loved her family, she loved me, she loved our kids and embraced everything she did.”</p> <p>Alcorn was a sporting legend and Alcorn was recognised just last year at the AusTriathlon Awards, as she was particularly well known in Queensland as a coach, a competitor, and an inspiration to many. </p> <p>In 2016, at the age of 55, Alcorn came out of retirement and won the famous Kona Ironman World Championships in her age group.</p> <p>Last December, Alcorn’s “three-decade contribution” to Australia’s triathlon scene was recognised with the President’s Special Recognition Award, as the Trizone website said, “Her honour highlighted not just her achievements as an athlete and coach, but her inspiring resilience while battling a rare brain tumour."</p> <p>Surfers Paradise Triathlon Club member Dan Teasdale and close friend of Alcorn's paid tribute to his late friend. </p> <p>“She was always a fantastic spectator so you’d hear her yelling out ‘go Danny boy’ on the side of the race,” he said.</p> <p>“She was a very caring, loving person but a tough-as-nails athlete. She never had a bad word to say about anyone she was very inclusive, welcomed everyone and loved the sport triathlon.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Caring

AFL star's wife spends wedding anniversary in hospital amid cancer battle

<p>AFL star Jeremy Finlayson's wife Kellie Finlayson has revealed she's had a bit of a setback with her health and is spending her second wedding anniversary in hospital. </p> <p>The 29-year-old is battling terminal stage four bowel cancer that metastasised in her lungs. </p> <p>She took to Instagram to share the update from her hospital bed, with a picture of the happy couple showing off their rings on their wedding day, and an updated photo of herself in the ward, with the caption: "Happy anniversary darl. Two years ago V. Today!"</p> <p>"Happy anniversary to me," she added, using a crying with laughter emoji and a bandaged love heart emoji.</p> <p>The AFL star shared his own anniversary message with an Instagram story, writing: "Happy anniversary <3" </p> <p>Kellie did not explain why she was hospitalised. </p> <p>The couple tied the knot back in March 2023 in South Australia.</p> <p>Kellie, who is a mother-of-one, was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 25. </p> <p>She previously opened up about her diagnosis on the Nova podcast <em>Head Game</em>, and shared just how hard her chemotherapy treatment was. </p> <p>"I lost a s--t ton of weight. I mean, I had a stoma, so I had a foreign object on my stomach. I wasn't the normal mum that she should have had, but I was as good as I possibly could be. It was hard," she said at the time. </p> <p>"I was allergic to one of the strands of that chemotherapy, which is why, when I did relapse, I had to change chemotherapy, which meant I lost my hair.</p> <p>"I was on my deathbed. I was getting anaphylactic reactions every three weeks to this chemotherapy. So I was essentially dying every three weeks, just to get better."</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Prince William’s heartbreaking call after Kate's cancer diagnosis

<p>A former aide to the Prince of Wales has revealed that he was at his "lowest" after his wife Princess Kate was diagnosed with cancer about <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/kate-middleton-reveals-cancer-diagnosis-in-heartfelt-message" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a year ago</a>. </p> <p>In an interview with <em>60 Minutes Australia</em>, Jason Knauf, who was the chief executive of William and Kate’s Royal Foundation, revealed the phone call he shared with the Prince of Wales, after Kate's cancer diagnosis last year. </p> <p>"It was awful, absolutely awful. It's the lowest I've ever seen him.</p> <p>"Within a couple of weeks, if you're Prince William, you find out that both your wife and your father have cancer. I couldn't believe it."</p> <p>Princess Kate is now in <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/kate-middleton-confirms-the-end-of-her-chemotherapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remission</a>, while King Charles receives ongoing treatment. </p> <p>The Princess of Wales' diagnosis was made public in March last year, with Knauf recalling: “But the problem was that all this crazy conspiracy theory stuff kicked off in the background, online. ‘Was she really ill?’.</p> <p>“But they didn’t want to say yet that she had cancer because they hadn’t told the children and they were still working through how to tell the children.”</p> <p>Knauf stepped down from his position at the end of 2021. He also previously worked for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as their communications secretary. </p> <p>The Prince of Wales previously told reporters at the end of his visit to South Africa in November last year, that 2024 had been “the hardest year" of his life. </p> <p>"Honestly? It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult," he told the BBC at the time. </p> <p>“But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal.”</p> <p><em>Image: 60 Minutes/ Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

"Dying does change how you live": Beloved Neighbours star opens up about cancer battle

<p>Veteran <em>Neighbours</em> star Ian Smith, best known for his role as Harold Bishop on the popular long-running show, has shared insights into his ongoing battle with cancer, revealing that despite the challenges, he feels "good".</p> <p>Smith, 86, was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/non-fixable-neighbours-icon-reveals-terminal-diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer</a> in 2024, leading to his departure from the beloved soap opera. In a candid interview with <em>The Guardian</em>, he recently reflected on his journey, saying, "I thought I would be stronger, but I am as weak as any human. Dying does change how you live." He added that his illness has made him "more forgiving, more understanding".</p> <p>The actor began chemotherapy and immunotherapy as part of his treatment, which has proved effective despite his terminal diagnosis. Initially, doctors predicted he wouldn’t survive past March 2024, but his successful response to treatment has extended his life expectancy to Christmas 2026.</p> <p>"I know I have cancer because doctors keep telling me I have it," he said. "I may get very sick again one day. But I have lived the most privileged life."</p> <p>Smith first appeared as Harold Bishop in <em>Neighbours</em> in 1987, introduced as the former love interest of Madge Mitchell, played by Anne Charleston. His character became a fan favourite, with Smith making multiple returns to the show over the decades. He initially played Harold from 1987 to 1991 before returning from 1996 to 2009. He later made guest appearances in 2011, 2015, 2022, and most recently in 2024 before stepping away due to his illness.</p> <p>Upon Smith’s most recent departure, <em>Neighbours</em> Executive Producer Jason Herbison paid tribute to his contribution to the show. "The way the residents of Ramsay Street feel about Harold is how we all feel about Ian – we couldn't love him more than we do," Herbison told the <em>Herald Sun</em>.</p> <p>A spokesperson for Network 10 also expressed admiration for the actor, stating, "We are deeply saddened to hear of Ian Smith's cancer diagnosis. He is a cherished member of the <em>Neighbours</em> family."</p> <p>Beyond<em> Neighbours</em>, Smith appeared in the cult TV series <em>Prisoner</em> and worked extensively in theatre since the 1950s. His personal life has been marked by both joy and sorrow. His wife, Gail, passed away in 2019 after her own battle with cancer, after the couple had been married for more than 50 years.</p> <p>Smith also faced personal revelations later in life. At 54, he discovered he had been adopted after his mother, Connie, disclosed the truth before her passing. He later found his biological mother, Peg Kline, who revealed she had conceived him at 14 following a sexual assault. The two maintained a relationship until her death in 2005, also from cancer. Smith shared his adoption story on ABC’s <em>Australian Story</em>.</p> <p>Despite his health struggles, Smith remains positive and reflective, cherishing the life he has led. His impact on Australian TV has certainly solidified his place as one of the industry’s most beloved figures.</p> <p><em>Image: <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Network 10</span></em></p>

Caring

Should Australia mandate cancer warnings for alcoholic drinks?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachel-visontay-2291993">Rachel Visontay</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-mewton-2292647">Louise Mewton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>Alcohol causes huge harm in Australia, <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/article/S1470-2045(21)00279-5/fulltext">responsible for 5,800 new cancer cases per year</a>. Yet many of us remain in the dark about its health risks.</p> <p>In January, the United States’ Office of the Surgeon General, the country’s leading public health spokesperson, <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/alcohol-cancer/index.html">recommended warnings about alcohol’s cancer risks</a> should be displayed on drink packaging.</p> <p>These messages have already been made obligatory in <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(25)00001-8/fulltext#:%7E:text=In%20May%202026%2C%20Ireland%20will,warnings%20(following%20South%20Korea).">Ireland and South Korea</a>.</p> <p>So, do they work? And should we mandate them here?</p> <h2>Isn’t a glass of wine or two good for me?</h2> <p>Most of us know heavy drinking is unhealthy.</p> <p>Yet the belief a few glasses of wine helps protect against heart disease and other conditions has persisted. That is despite <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acer.15299">evidence in recent years</a> showing the benefits have been overestimated and the harms underplayed.</p> <p>In fact, <a href="https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/06-11-2023-joint-statement-by-who-europe-and-iarc-to-the-european-parliament---raising-awareness-of-the-link-between-alcohol-and-cancer#:%7E:text=There%20is%20also%20clear%20evidence,for%20cancers%20can%20be%20established.">any level of alcohol</a> use increases the risk for several types of cancer, including colorectal cancer (affecting the large intestine and rectum) and breast cancer.</p> <p>In recent years, the <a href="https://www.ndph.ox.ac.uk/news/new-genetic-study-confirms-that-alcohol-is-a-direct-cause-of-cancer">evidence has strengthened showing alcohol</a> plays a clear, causal role increasing cancer risk and other serious health problems, as well as <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2802963">all-cause mortality</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2021.102049">One study estimated</a> how many new cancer cases will develop across the lifetimes of the 18.8 million Australian adults who were alive in 2016. It predicted a quarter of a million (249,700) new cancers – mostly colorectal – will arise due to alcohol.</p> <p>We know what causes this harm. For example, acetaldehyde – a chemical produced by the body when it processes alcohol – <a href="https://www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/preventing-cancer/limit-alcohol/how-alcohol-causes-cancer">is carcinogenic</a>.</p> <p>Alcohol also increases cancer risk through “<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/oxidative-stress">oxidative stress</a>”, an imbalance in the body’s antioxidants and free radicals which causes damage to DNA and inflammation.</p> <p>It can also affect <a href="https://www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/preventing-cancer/limit-alcohol/how-alcohol-causes-cancer">hormone levels</a>, which raises the risk for breast cancer in particular.</p> <h2>Australians unaware of the risk</h2> <p>While the harms are well-known to researchers, many Australians remain unaware.</p> <p>Figures vary, but <a href="https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/news/what-do-you-mean-alcohol-causes-cancer-nsw-communitys-views-on-alcohol-and-alcohol-policy-options/#:%7E:text=In%202022%2C%20we%20surveyed%20the,our%20last%20survey%20in%202019.">at best only 59% of us</a> know about the direct link between alcohol and cancer (and at worst, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37247850/">just one in five</a> are aware).</p> <p>Perhaps the best evidence this message has failed to sink in is our continued love affair with alcohol.</p> <p>In 2022–23 <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia/contents/drug-types/alcohol">69% of us drank alcohol, with one in three</a> doing so at levels deemed risky by the National Health and Medical Research Council. For both men and women, that means <a href="https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/alcohol">having more than ten standard drinks per week</a> or more than four in one day.</p> <h2>What are other countries doing?</h2> <p><a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/labelling/pregnancy-warning-labels/pregnancy-warning-labels-downloadable-files#faqs">Like Australia</a>, the US already has warnings on alcohol about its impacts on unborn children and a person’s ability to operate cars and machinery.</p> <p>The US Surgeon General wants additional explicit warnings about cancer risk to be compulsory.</p> <p>This follows Ireland, <a href="https://www.wcrf.org/about-us/news-and-blogs/how-ireland-beat-the-odds-to-introduce-cancer-warning-labels-on-alcohol/">the first country</a> to mandate cancer labels for alcohol. From 2026, alcohol packaging will include the warning: “there is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers”.</p> <p>Other countries, including Norway and Thailand, are also <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/world/alcohol-cancer-warnings-countries.html">reportedly investigating cancer warning labels</a>.</p> <p>Since 2017, alcohol producers in South Korea have had to choose between three compulsory warning labels – <a href="https://iard.org/science-resources/detail/Health-Warning-Labeling-Requirements">two of which warn of cancer risks</a>. However they can instead opt for a label which warns about alcohol’s risks for <a href="https://journals.lww.com/co-psychiatry/abstract/2021/03000/alcohol_use_and_dementia__new_research_directions.15.aspx">dementia</a>, <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31772-0/fulltext?previewDate=09-01-2015+00%3A00+Europe%2FHelsinki%3Fcategory%3Dterveys%2Fapi%2Ffragment%2Fhtml">stroke</a> and <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/interrupted-memories-alcohol-induced-blackouts#:%7E:text=Alcohol-related%20blackouts%20are%20gaps,brain%20area%20called%20the%20hippocampus.">memory loss</a>.</p> <h2>Will Australia follow suit?</h2> <p><a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/about-us/policy-and-advocacy/prevention/alcohol">Australian health bodies have been advocating</a> for cancer warnings on drink packaging for <a href="https://fare.org.au/alcohol-product-labelling-health-warning-labels-and-consumer-information/">over a decade</a>.</p> <p>Currently, whether to include warnings about alcohol’s general health risks is at the discretion of the manufacturer.</p> <p>Many use vague “drink responsibly” messages or templates provided by DrinkWise, an organisation <a href="https://drinkwise.org.au/about-us/#:%7E:text=DrinkWise%20is%20funded%20primarily%20through,financial%20and%20in%2Dkind%20support.">funded by the alcohol industry</a>.</p> <p>Pregnancy <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/labelling/pregnancy-warning-labels">warning labels</a> (“Alcohol can cause lifelong harm to your baby”) only became obligatory in 2023. Although this covers just one of alcohol’s established health effects, it has set an important precedent.</p> <p>We now have a template for how introducing cancer and other health warnings might work.</p> <p>With pregnancy labels, the government <a href="https://www.transparency.gov.au/publications/health/food-standards-australia-new-zealand/food-standards-australia-new-zealand-annual-report-2018-19/4.-highlights/pregnancy-warnings-on-alcohol">consulted public health and industry bodies</a> and gave a <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/labelling/pregnancy-warning-labels">three-year transition period</a> for manufacturers to adjust. We even have examples of colour and formatting of required labels that could be adapted.</p> <p>Perhaps most promisingly, <a href="https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/news/what-do-you-mean-alcohol-causes-cancer-nsw-communitys-views-on-alcohol-and-alcohol-policy-options/#:%7E:text=In%202022%2C%20we%20surveyed%20the,our%20last%20survey%20in%202019.">four in five surveyed Australians support</a> adding these cancer-specific warnings.</p> <h2>Would it work?</h2> <p>We know the existing “drink responsibly”-style warnings are not enough. Research shows consumers find these messages <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16066359.2021.1884229">ambiguous</a>.</p> <p>But would warnings about cancer be an improvement? Ireland’s rules are yet to come into effect, and it’s too early to tell how well South Korea’s policy has worked (there are also limitations give manufacturers can choose a warning not related to cancer).</p> <p>But <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32359056/">a trial</a> of cancer warnings in one Canadian liquor store found they increased knowledge of the alcohol–cancer link by 10% among store customers.</p> <p>Cancer messages would likely increase awareness about risks. But more than that – a 2016 <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4883036/#:%7E:text=The%20results%20of%20the%20present,and%20changes%20in%20drinking%20intentions.">study that tested cancer warnings</a> on a group of 1,680 adults across Australia found they were also effective at reducing people’s intentions to drink.</p> <p>The evidence suggests a similar policy could replicate <a href="https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/20/5/327">the success of cancer warnings on cigarette packaging</a> – first introduced in the 1970s – at increasing knowledge about risks and reducing consumption. Smoking rates in Australian adults <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4392189/">have declined steadily since these warnings were first introduced</a>.</p> <p>It may take years before Australia changes its rules on alcohol labelling.</p> <p>In the meantime, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the current national <a href="https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/alcohol">low-risk drinking guidelines</a>, which aim to minimise harm from alcohol across a range of health conditions.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/246890/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachel-visontay-2291993"><em>Rachel Visontay</em></a><em>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Alcohol and Long-term Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-mewton-2292647">Louise Mewton</a>, Associate Professor, Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/should-australia-mandate-cancer-warnings-for-alcoholic-drinks-246890">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Body

Essendon coach dies aged 59 following cancer battle

<p>Essendon VFL and assistant coach Dale Tapping has passed away aged 59 following a battle with cancer. </p> <p>The football veteran was first diagnosed with myeloma, an aggressive form of blood cancer, two years ago. </p> <p>Despite his health battle, Tapping played a key role leading the Bombers forwards in 2024, and late last year, he was announced as the club's VFL coach for 2025 and 2026. </p> <p>Tapping passed away on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family. </p> <p>“On behalf of everyone at the Essendon Football Club, we are deeply saddened by Dale’s loss,” club president Dave Barham said.</p> <p>“Dale was a man of impeccable character who was universally loved and respected by those who were lucky enough to have crossed paths with him over his 28 years in the football industry.</p> <p>“Our club’s thoughts are with his wife Kellie, children Summer and Mason, and the extended Tapping family at this most challenging of times.</p> <p>“He has left a lasting impact on the Essendon Football Club and across the broader football community, and will be remembered as a selfless individual whose passion and care for people and the game was evident in everything he did.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Essendon Football Club is in mourning after the passing of VFL Senior Coach Dale Tapping on Tuesday morning.</p> <p>A universally loved football person, Tapping bravely fought Myeloma, a form of blood cancer, for over two years.</p> <p>Rest in peace, Tapps ❤️</p> <p>— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) <a href="https://twitter.com/essendonfc/status/1886562363937316975?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>Essendon's AFL coach Brad Scott also paid tribute to his friend and colleague. </p> <p>“Dale was an outstanding coach, but his true legacy lies in the profound impact he had on players and staff personally,” Scott said.</p> <p>“His dedication to their growth — both on and off the field — along with his genuine love for seeing people succeed were qualities admired by all.</p> <p>“It was a privilege to have coached with him, and his legacy at the club will endure through the players and staff he mentored throughout his career.</p> <p>“Dale will be deeply missed by the AFL industry and everyone at the Bombers. Our thoughts are with his wife Kellie, and children Summer and Mason, who have shown incredible strength throughout this difficult time.”</p> <p>Brisbane Lions head coach and former colleague Chris Fagan also paid tribute, by recalling Tapping's impact on his first years at the club. </p> <p>“I met Dale at a Leading Teams leadership seminar in 2016. I immediately admired his enthusiasm and love for coaching and AFL football,” Fagan said.</p> <p>He also recalled how Tapping's positive and resilient attitude helped the Brisbane Lions progress, adding that the VFL coach's “fingerprints are all over” their 2023 premiership. </p> <p>“He was a fantastic football person, a super coach, a great Dad to Summer and Mason and husband to Kel. We will all miss him dearly.”</p> <p>Tapping first went public with his diagnosis in April 2023, sharing how difficult it had been to decide how to tell their kids.</p> <p>“Talking to them, that was ... I’m getting a bit emotional now,” he said at the time.</p> <p>“That’d be the hardest conversation I’ve ever had to have." </p> <p>He is survived by his wife Kellie, and children Summer and Mason. </p> <p><em>Image: X</em></p>

Caring

John Farnham's son shares major health update

<p>John Farnham's son James has shared a major update on his father's health condition, as he prepares to become a grandfather. </p> <p>The Aussie singer, 75, is recovering from 12-hour surgery for throat cancer, with doctors removing a tumour from his mouth and reconstructing his jaw in August 2022.</p> <p>He has since received an “all clear" as his cancer remains in remission. </p> <p>Speaking candidly to Nat Barr and Matt Shirvington on <em>Sunrise</em>, James updated viewers on his father's condition. </p> <p>“He’s doing great, he’s doing really well, walking around, kicking goals .... annoying mum,” James said with a laugh.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">FARNHAM FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENT 🎤 James Farnham on his dad’s health, an exciting family announcement and the incredible Logies tribute.</p> <p>WATCH SUNRISE FOR MORE | <a href="https://twitter.com/7plus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@7plus</a> ☀️ <a href="https://t.co/pY48wTiLNU">pic.twitter.com/pY48wTiLNU</a></p> <p>— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) <a href="https://twitter.com/sunriseon7/status/1886532531001884967?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>James, who is expecting his first child later this year with his partner Tessa, also revealed that Farnham has decided what he wants his first grandchild to call him.</p> <p>“We’re all really excited, another little Farnham on the way,” James said.</p> <p>“I can’t wait to take him up to the farm and get dad to teach him everything he taught me.”</p> <p>He then revealed that his famous father wants to be called “Pa” when the baby is born.</p> <p>James went on to share details about Cancer Research Giving Day, as since their father’s diagnosis, James and his brother, Rob, have supported cancer awareness and fundraising events including Daffodil Day</p> <p>“Given the fact that dad went through a brutal cancer, we were asked by Daffodil Day to be ambassadors — we jumped at the chance,” Rob told <em>Sunrise</em> last August.</p> <p>“It’s such an amazing opportunity to push that forward. And the things that they do for fundraising and research, it helps recovery process, helps families, helps the people who have the cancer."</p> <p>“Cancer is one of those things that doesn’t just affect the person going through it, it affects everyone else around them.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Sunrise </em></p>

Family & Pets

Little Prince Louis snaps special photo of Princess Kate

<p>Kate Middleton has shared a sweet photo taken by her son, Prince Louis, to mark World Cancer Day. </p> <p>The Princess of Wales is seen with her arms outstretched standing in the middle of a woodland area in Windsor, in the middle of winter, as she stands atop a fallen tree. </p> <p>The caption, written by Catherine and signed 'C', reads: "Don't forget to nurture all that which lies beyond the disease".</p> <p>A second photo, taken by the princess, shows dark foliage lit-up by the sun with the same message, and was tagged #WorldCancerDay.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFndiRbNSeB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFndiRbNSeB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Kate was diagnosed with cancer after abdominal surgery in January 2024 and is making a gradual return to public duties following chemotherapy treatment, which ended in September.</p> <p>In January, the princess announced she was in remission as carried out her first <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/kate-middleton-shares-major-health-update" target="_blank" rel="noopener">solo engagement</a> of the year at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she was treated for cancer.</p> <p>The Princess of Wales spend over an hour at the dedicated cancer treatment facility, engaging in emotional conversations with patients who were facing cancer battles of their own. </p> <p>Catherine later posted a photo of her interacting with a patient and discussing the outing to the hospital, while thanking staff for their support during her treatment. </p> <p>"I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year," the post read. </p> <p>"My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldn't have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional."</p> <p>"It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal."</p> <p>She concluded the post by sharing her wishes for 2025, adding, "I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram / Shutterstock</em></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 16px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Fira Sans', 'Droid Sans', 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #333333; color: #333333;"> </p>

Family & Pets

Fergie opens up about double cancer diagnosis

<p>Sarah Ferguson has opened up about the mental toll of her double cancer diagnosis, admitting that her "mind went to some dark places".</p> <p>The Duchess of York was diagnosed with breast cancer and skin cancer in the same year, telling <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/christmas-appeal-sarah-ferguson-cancer-diagnosis-interview-kt86hm7nq" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Times</em></a> how much her health battle impacted her life. </p> <p>"It was hard. I'm generally a positive person but cancer is like a bomb going off in your life," the 65-year-old told the publication.</p> <p>"One diagnosis is enough to deal with, but I had two in the space of a year. I don't mind admitting that my mind went to some dark places, reflecting on my own mortality."</p> <p>"My family have been an immense support to me through this period," she told the outlet.</p> <p> </p> <p>"I've used meditation and mindfulness to help stay positive and balanced."</p> <p>The royal was recently in Australia for her book tour, where she spoke to <a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/royals/sarah-ferguson-duchess-of-york-breast-skin-cancer-mental-health-admission/232791d3-c991-40fc-99d5-8f9bc5f60a33" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>9honey</em></a> about how she copes with the struggles in her life while also balancing her health. </p> <p>"For anyone thinking, 'Oh, you sound alright Sarah', or Fergie or Ginger or Duchy or whatever you call me, it's because I also do the work," the Duchess of York told <em>9honey</em>.</p> <p>"And I do it with really studying the spiritual side of life and my own darkness. There can be a lot of darkness, and I'm shining light on my darkness."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 16px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Fira Sans', 'Droid Sans', 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #333333; color: #333333;"> </p>

Caring

Kate Middleton shares major health update

<p>Kate Middleton has attended her first solo engagement since 2023 to visit nurses who cared for her during her cancer treatment, and has shared a positive update about her health. </p> <p>The 43-year-old royal, who finished her chemotherapy last September, wanted to “show her gratitude” to the team of health professionals based at the Royal Marsden Hospital in west London.</p> <p>The Princess of Wales spend over an hour at the dedicated cancer treatment facility, engaging in emotional conversations with patients who were facing cancer battles of their own. </p> <p>Catherine later posted a photo of her interacting with a patient and discussing the outing to the hospital, while revealing for the first time that her own cancer is in remission. </p> <p>"I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year," the post read. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE0XDdGtCC2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE0XDdGtCC2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldn't have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional."</p> <p>"It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal."</p> <p>She concluded the post by sharing her wishes for 2025, adding, "I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support."</p> <p>While at the hospital, Kate admitted to the patients that she’d had a “really, really tough” time, according to reports from <em><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/royals/32789130/princess-kate-emotional-solo-visit-hospital-cancer-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a></em>.</p> <p>“The treatments are so different and so varied, it impacts families differently,” she said to a patient. </p> <p>A Kensington Palace spokesperson told the publication, “The Princess wanted to make the journey to both show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world leading care and treatment the Marsden provides.” </p> <p>The Palace also announced on Tuesday that Kate would be joining her husband, Prince William, in becoming a Patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.</p> <p>Kate’s poignant visit came exactly one year after she was admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery, during which doctors discovered “cancer had been present”, as the princess revealed in March 2024.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Chris Jackson-Getty/POOL supplied by Splash News</em></p>

Caring

New hope for prostate cancer patients this Christmas

<p dir="ltr">For David Southward, Christmas is a time for family, gratitude, and hope. Diagnosed two years ago with advanced prostate cancer, he has been navigating his battle with hormone therapy and a determination to stay active.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve found regular exercise helps me stay positive,” he says. “But at the end of the day, we need better treatments. Research gives men like me a chance to spend more time with our loved ones.”</p> <p dir="ltr">This year, the <a href="https://giving.pcfa.org.au/">Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia</a> (PCFA) is making that wish a reality through its Christmas Appeal, focused on advancing targeted nuclear medicines. </p> <p dir="ltr">These therapies offer new hope for men like David by addressing metastatic prostate cancer, the most aggressive form of the disease.</p> <p dir="ltr">Australia is leading the development of nuclear medicines that target cancer cells with precision. However, PCFA Chief Executive Anne Savage stresses the need for more research to understand why patients respond differently to these therapies.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For every 10 men diagnosed with prostate cancer, three will develop an aggressive form,” Savage says. “We’re working to help researchers predict which patients will become resistant to radioligand therapy, so they can win the battle and live longer.”</p> <p dir="ltr">One of PCFA's key projects is led by Dr. Kevin Koo, focusing on Alpha Therapy, an emerging treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. This innovative approach aims to shrink tumors and harness the immune system to eradicate cancer cells.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Targeted Alpha Therapy is a promising treatment for metastatic prostate cancer,” says Dr. Koo. “Our challenge is to identify men at risk of developing metastasis, sparing others from unnecessary treatments.”</p> <p dir="ltr">While Alpha Therapies show great potential, researchers still lack a full understanding of their mechanisms.</p> <p dir="ltr">“With most radioligand therapies, tumors shrink on scans, but we don’t fully understand the biological pathways driving this,” Dr. Koo notes. “This becomes problematic when patients develop resistance.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Dr. Koo’s team is collecting blood samples to identify biomarkers that predict resistance.</p> <p dir="ltr"> “In three to five years, we could significantly improve how we tailor therapies to individual patients,” he says.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Christmas Appeal is part of PCFA’s broader mission to lift survival rates and improve quality of life for prostate cancer patients. Over the past 30 years, the organization has helped increase survival rates from 82% to nearly 96%, but more work is needed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Despite progress, 10 men die every day from prostate cancer in Australia,” Savage says. “With an ageing population, research has never been more important.”</p> <p dir="ltr">For David Southward, new treatments represent a chance to keep celebrating Christmas with his family. “Research is hope,” he says.</p> <p dir="ltr">To support PCFA’s Christmas Appeal and help fund lifesaving research, visit: <a href="https://giving.pcfa.org.au/">https://giving.pcfa.org.au</a></p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-e29e3cd9-7fff-3836-247e-32ca4264f5a5">Image credits: Shutterstock / Supplied</span></em></p>

Caring

John Lennon's son reveals shock health diagnosis

<p>John Lennon's son Julian has shared the news of another cancer diagnosis, just before Christmas. </p> <p>Updating his fans on X (formerly Twitter), the 61-year-old revealed that he recently underwent an operation after his dermatologist identified a cancerous mole on his arm.</p> <p>This is Julian's second battle with skin cancer, after he had a cancerous mole removed from his back in 2020. </p> <p>Lennon said he had gone to see his same dermatologist who "literally saved y life" before he headed to Los Angeles to do a series of radio and TV appearances.</p> <p>After finishing his talk show gig on <em>Good Morning America</em>, the musician said he "received a message from Dr Tess, with some urgency to return to Los Angeles, as I had 2 locations on My Skin, Shoulder & Forearm, one of which was Melanoma, that should be operated on ASAP!"</p> <p>"So instead of going home to put my Christmas tree up and happily finish the year off, relaxing at home, I flew directly back to Los Angeles, after all my work in New York was done, and went directly from LAX airport, to surgery..."</p> <p>The star said the recommended surgeon "spent several hours cleaning up and operating on me, with large margins, in the hope that we have, at the end of the day – clear margins, which would mean being free from cancer."</p> <p>Lennon said the surgery was successful and believed the surgeon "has saved the day".</p> <p>The musician then thanked his dermatologist "for being able to coordinate this surgery at such short notice, but for once again, hopefully saving my life".</p> <p>"Obviously good news, would be the best Christmas present ever… Which I'm hopeful for," he continued.</p> <p>The star then used his recent health scare as an opportunity to remind people to get their skin checked.</p> <p>"I love life and I want to live for a very long time and this is one way, and a choice, that could determine your future," he wrote, signing off by wishing everyone happy holidays.</p> <p><em>Image credits: X/JM HAEDRICH/SIPA/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Caring

Couple accused of faking six-year-old child's cancer

<p>South Australian couple has been arrested after allegedly faking their child’s cancer diagnosis.</p> <p>A man and woman, both aged 44, allegedly requested donations to fund ongoing medical treatments for their six-year-old child. </p> <p>They even allegedly shaved their child's head, eyebrows and placed them in a wheelchair with bandages to imitate the effects of cancer treatment, but their child was healthy. </p> <p>“Our investigation has confirmed the child is not seeking medical treatment,” Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia said.</p> <p>“We believe this farce illness is causing significant and serious psychological harm to the child and their sibling.”</p> <p>The pair allegedly received around $60,000 in donations over a two-week period. </p> <p>The allegations were first reported to police on November 26, with the couple being arrested and charged with two counts of criminal neglect and deceiving another to benefit self on Friday, according to SA Police. </p> <p>Both of the couple's children have been removed from their custody and are now staying with a relative. </p> <p>The parents were refused bail and will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday.</p> <p>Anyone who may have donated money or has further information have also been asked to contact police. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Legal

Acclaimed musician dies after cancer diagnosis

<p>Acclaimed Melbourne musician Dean Sky-Lucas has tragically died just days after he was rushed to hospital for the removal of a stomach ulcer.</p> <p>Sky-Lucas was a singer, accompanist, lecturer and multi-instrumentalist who performed with several orchestras in Melbourne and Tasmania.</p> <p>The musician took to Facebook on November 18th to tell his followers he was about to undergo surgery to remove the stomach ulcer, which is believed to be from an advanced cancer. </p> <p>Just 18 days later, a family member posted to his Facebook page to make the shocking announcement of the beloved singer’s death.</p> <p>“I am very sad to announce that our beloved Dean unexpectedly passed away today,” the post said.</p> <p>“His exact cause of death is uncertain but we do know that while he was still in hospital recovering from surgery he learned that he had advanced cancer.</p> <p>“I am so sorry to deliver this shocking news this way. Please send him your loving thoughts and prayers.”</p> <p>Sky-Lucas’ death has prompted a flood of tributes, as one friend wrote online, “Devastated. Beautiful man.”</p> <p>“Oh, I’m so shocked. Our lovely Dean. Such sorrowful news. The world will be less for his loss,” another wrote.</p> <p>Others remembered him for his musical talents, as one fan wrote, “Oh no, that’s so sad. He was such a fine musician and we enjoyed his sojourn in NZ a few years back. A terrible loss."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

Australian broadcasting legend dies at age 78

<p>Australian broadcasting legend Clive Robertson has died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. </p> <p>Robertson changed the faced of news reading in the mid-1980s, going off script and making jokes and becoming a ratings sensation for Channel Seven.</p> <p>Robertson began his broadcasting career in 1972 with the ABC before moving to Seven in the 1980s.</p> <p>He was the face of 7News programs such as <em>11AM</em> and <em>Newsworld</em>, and was also a high-rating radio star.</p> <p>At the peak of his fame as an Australian news broadcaster, he was married to another Seven star of the time, Penny Cook from <em>A Country Practice</em>. </p> <p>Robertson once told ABC’s <em>Talking Heads</em> program of his unusual style of news delivery, “I thought I’ll muck around and then they’ll take me off it, you see. And it didn’t work that way … I’d have to say the order of things especially at Channel 9, the order of news items."</p> <p>"And if I said, ‘Look, this is really important’, I’d look at the camera and say, ‘This is a really important story’ and set it up, and if it was an important story, then the audience think, ‘Oh this guy’s a good filter.’ If you said, ‘Look, this is a silly item, I don’t know why we’re running it’ and you run it and it is a silly item, you’ve got them."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven </em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

Happy news after AFL great's devastating diagnosis

<p>Anthony Rocca has shared a positive update on his cancer battle. </p> <p>The Collingwood goalkicking great was diagnosed with with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier this year after a series of tests and scan, and had to step back from his role as coach of under-18s side Northern Knights to get treatment. </p> <p>On Tuesday, he revealed that he had undergone the final day of his sixth and last round of chemotherapy, which had been successful, with two years of maintenance immunotherapy to go. </p> <p>“I’m fortunate to be able to say that all is looking great and it has gone to plan,” Rocca wrote on social media. </p> <p>“A heartfelt thank you to my oncologist, nurses and all the staff at Epworth hospital.</p> <p>“They are truly remarkable, caring and show great teamwork dealing with people with challenging circumstances.</p> <p>“I am feeling great and looking forward (to) 2025.</p> <p>“Thank you to everyone who has called and texted, your love and support is greatly appreciated.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDYW8whygYE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDYW8whygYE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Anthony Rocca (@anthonyrocca23)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The AFL great received an outpouring of support current and former Collingwood stars including Scott Pendlebury, Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox, who all celebrated the happy news. </p> <p>His wife also shared that she and their children Mia and Max are “so proud”.</p> <p>“Chemo was tough, but you were tougher,” she wrote.</p> <p>“You were the perfect patient, never complaining and took everything in your stride.</p> <p>“We love you so much and we are also thankful and grateful to the oncologist, nurses and staff at Epworth. We f***en love you!”</p> <p>Rocca retired in 2009 after a long career in the AFL that began with the Sydney Swans.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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