The cost of sunscreen could be contributing to the rise in skin cancer cases in the UK, a charity suggests. A survey from Melanoma Focus found that 50% of people think sunblock is too expensive, with 67% saying they would use it more if it was cheaper and 10% saying they don’t use it at all because of the cost. The survey also found that most British people (58%) can’t identify all the signs of melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma Focus is calling for the government to cut VAT on high-factor sunscreens to reduce the cost and make them more accessible to everyone. Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer and the vast majority of cases (86%) are preventable. There are around 16,700 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year, according to Cancer Research UK. Over the last decade, incidence rates have increased by 32%, and are projected to rise by another 9% by 2040. Around 4,000 cases of melanoma in England are linked with lower deprivation. “Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK and the deadliest form of skin cancer,” said Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus. “Wearing a high SPF sunscreen is a hugely important safety measure for protecting against it. “We know that people are experiencing increasing pressures on their finances at the moment but, with skin cancer rates on the rise, the use of sunscreen should be a high priority.” Removing VAT on sun protection products would be “a cost-effective way to cut the overall incidence of skin cancer and could help save lives”, she added. Michelle Richardson, 49, from Petersfield, Hampshire, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2018 after noticing an itchy mole on her back. She had an operation to remove the mole, but 18 months later a scan found the melanoma had spread throughout her body including in her spine, lungs, spleen and brain. “I had immunotherapy treatment for two years and I’m currently in remission and hope it stays that way for as long as possible,” Richardson says. “Sunscreen shouldn’t be a luxury product. It’s essential for protecting the health of the nation so I’m fully supportive of the proposed cut to VAT. “Treatment for melanoma costs the NHS a fortune, so a VAT cut to the thing that can prevent it happening in the first place makes sense financially as well as morally.” MP Amy Callaghan, who is supporting the campaign, said: “More people wearing sunscreen means fewer people getting melanoma. “But when 52% of people in my constituency can’t afford to turn on the heating, it’s unlikely they’ll take on extra expenses like sunscreen. “That’s why we must make sunscreen more affordable by removing VAT.” Melanoma Focus also wants to raise awareness about the early signs of skin cancer. “We’d also urge people to make themselves aware of melanoma symptoms and seek medical help if they notice anything suspicious, particularly any changes to a mole or lesion,” Daniels said. “Early detection leads to a higher cure rate and more treatment options.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ukraine Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra invite Princess Kate to join them on tour ‘Simply no evidence’ for many Mirror phone hacking claims, Prince Harry trial told As Coronation Street puts the spotlight on sepsis, the signs and symptoms to know

The more you talk to a toddler, the more it helps their brains to develop in early childhood, a study has found. Researchers discovered that two-and-a-half-year-olds who heard more speech in everyday life had more myelin in language-related areas of their brains. Myelin is a material produced by the body that forms around nerves, including those in the brain, that allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently. Scientists from the University of East Anglia said their findings demonstrate how speaking to toddlers can shape their developing brains. The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, involved 163 babies and toddlers being given small recording devices to wear for three days. Researchers analysed just over 6,000 hours of language data in total, including words spoken by the children and speech from adults. When the children were asleep, they were carefully placed in an MRI scanner to measure myelin in their brains. The researchers found that toddlers who heard more speech everyday had more myelin, which they said is “likely to support more sophisticated language processing”. Lead researcher Prof John Spencer, from UEA’s School of Psychology, said: “We know that children’s brains develop very rapidly in the first two years of life, with brain volume at about 80 per cent that of an adult brain by the age of two. “Myelin is made up of protein and fatty substances and forms an insulating layer around nerves in the brain.” He added: “Imagine you have a hosepipe with lots of holes in it. “Myelin is like wrapping the hosepipe with duct tape – it insulates neural fibres, bringing more of the ‘signal’ from one brain area to the next.” The researchers said their study is one of the first to show that listening to speech is associated with brain structure early in development. Prof Spencer said: “Prior work showed a similar association in four to six-year-olds, but our findings push this association much earlier in development. Indeed, we even found associations between language input and brain structure in six-month-old infants.” He added: “Although there is still much more to learn about these processes, the message to caregivers is clear – talk to your baby, your toddler, your child. “Not only are they listening, but your language input is literally shaping their brains.” Additional reporting by PA Read More Rihanna and A$AP Rocky celebrate son’s first birthday ‘I don’t get angry’: Pierce Brosnan says meditation is key to managing anger TikTok Tattoogate: How a tattoo artist sparked backlash for ‘absurd’ pricing and design changes Dean Gaffney says I’m A Celebrity ‘saved his life’ after bowel cancer scare Talented boxer reveals first sign of brain tumour after collapsing at service station GB News in ‘significant breach’ of Ofcom rules over Covid vaccine claims

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Dean Gaffney has credited the medical team of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! for catching a sign of bowel cancer early and “saving” his life. The former EastEnders star said he underwent a medical examination in 2020 as he was being considered for an appearance on the show’s Covid-safe version at Gwrych Castle in Wales. The doctors flagged that Gaffney was "losing blood somewhere" after routine blood tests and initially thought he could have anaemia or an iron deficiency. Speaking to the Mirror, Gaffney, 45, admitted he “thought they were being a bit over the top”, but following a colonoscopy, doctors found a number of polyps in his large intestine and referred him for surgery immediately. “There is no doubt I’m A Celeb and its medical team saved my life. I might not be here today if it wasn’t for them finding what they did,” he said. Gaffney divulged that he was admitted to hospital “within hours” and was “under general anaesthetic” when “they took it out”. Recalling the moments after he woke up from the surgery, Gaffney said the doctor told him: “Had you not come to us today, in three years that could have turned to bowel cancer. You’ve been very lucky.” “I still remember his exact words,” Gaffney said. “I feel so, so lucky. It’s made me so careful about checking my stools.” Gaffney wants to raise awareness around bowel cancer, following in the footsteps of the late Dame Deborah James, who died last June of the disease. He described the Bowelbabe activist and fundraiser as “an inspiration to so many”. “I have so much respect for her fight and the awareness she raised for bowel cancer,” he said. “If I can do a small fraction of that for men, it’d make me very happy.” Detailing what the doctors had found in his large intestine, Gaffney said the polyps were “massive” and one was “20mm, which is big for a polyp”. “They didn’t mess about, they put me under general anaesthetic, operated and burned the polyps away. When I came round, I could see the doctors were slightly angry with me and it was serious,” he continued. “They didn’t mince their words and said how lucky I was it had been found now. I was stunned.” The doctors wanted to know why Gaffney had not noticed blood in his stool, to which he replied that he did not “make a habit of looking at my stools”. “Any time I’ve ever seen a bit of red I just think, maybe I’ve had peri-peri sauce,” he added. “I’m so grateful to the people on the show for bringing it to my attention. I check my stools all the time now. I’d urge others to do it too.” Read More Pierce Brosnan says he simply ‘doesn’t get angry’ Bowel cancer ‘red flags’ that can show two years before diagnosis Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers says one food has helped him return to work after cancer treatment GB News in ‘significant breach’ of Ofcom rules over Covid vaccine claims Ex-Corrie star Chris Fountain shares updates after heart surgery for ‘mini-stroke’ Bo Jackson says he will undergo procedure after year-long battle with chronic hiccups

A professional boxer forced to give up his career after a brain tumour was missed by medics for six years told how he was determined to get his life back. Dad-of-two Peter McDonagh, 45, collapsed at a service station in February 2019 after he stopped the car and started vomiting. He was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he underwent a CT scan which identified a brain tumour near his left ear. An MRI was performed, which identified a mass around 2.7cm by 2.7cm with surgeons removing most of the tumour before radiotherapy. But Peter was devastated to be told the mass had been identified on scans in 2013 and 2017, which were carried out for him to renew his boxing licence. Peter, from Leatherhead, Surrey, hoped to return to his old job as a fishmonger, but it was too unsafe due to issues he now has with balance. He now suffers hearing loss, facial palsy, balance disturbance and psychological symptoms, and is plagued by ‘what ifs’ - but is looking forward to getting hitched. Peter said: “Being diagnosed with a brain tumour was a huge shock to me as I’d been undergoing routine scans for many years so I would’ve expected anything abnormal to have been picked up in those. “One of the main things I’ve struggled with as a result of the tumour is my ongoing symptoms and also having to give up my career. “Boxing was a huge part of my life and I’ve found it really tough to come to terms with no longer being able to compete and do what I love. “After my surgery, I tried to return to my pre-boxing trade of a fishmonger but I also had to give that up as I was unable to balance and the risk of getting hurt was too high. “Since then, I get angry and upset sometimes when I think things may have been different if it the tumour been found sooner. “However, I am on the road to recovery and try my best not to dwell on ‘what ifs’ and focus on my future. The consultant neuroradiologist responsible for performing annual MRI screening on Peter as part of his boxing career, admitted that in 2013 and 2017 a brain tumour was visible on scans but wasn’t reported at the time, which “fell below a reasonable standard of care.” It was also admitted that had it been reported, Peter would have undergone earlier treatment - but as it was missed it continued to grow from 2013 to 2019. Peter collapsed on February 4 2019, when he stopped the car, vomited and fell to the ground. After a CT scan was carried out, he went to A&E four days later complaining of dizziness, and was told the CT scan had found a tumour, which was also visible on a subsequent MRI scan. Previous brain scans for his annual boxing licence were reassessed. On March 12 2019, Peter underwent a 15-hour surgery with the aim of removing around 95 per cent of the tumour, leaving a small mass on the facial nerve to allow it to function properly. He was discharged from hospital five days later, with a plan for six-monthly MRI scans. On 15 March, 2021, radiotherapy was performed following growth of the residual tumour. Two years on, Peter continues to be affected by problems with his hearing and balance, as well as occasional facial twitching and tingling, and he also struggles with his mental health. Since retiring from boxing, Peter is now writing a book about his life and the day-to-day difficulties he faces. He added: “While I would give anything to turn back the clock and change what’s happened, I know that’s not possible. “All I can do now is work hard on my rehabilitation. “I’ve had such great support and I’m determined to get my life back. “I’ve even started writing a book and I hope that by sharing my story, I can show others that there’s help out there.” Thomas Riis-Bristow, specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “The last four years have been incredibly difficult for Peter, firstly being diagnosed with a brain tumour but then also having to give up a career he loved as a result. “While he is making great progress with his recovery, he continues to struggle with a number of issues, both physically and emotionally, which have a significant impact on not only him but also his family. “We therefore welcome the admission’s made which will help ensure Peter can benefit from the ongoing rehabilitation he needs to help him move forward with his life. “As part of Action for Brain Injury Week, we join Peter in sharing his story to raise awareness of the help available. We’ll continue to support him as he continues with his recovery.” Action for Brain Injury Week runs from May 15-21 and is supported by the charity Headway. Read More Bowel cancer ‘red flags’ that can show two years before diagnosis Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers says one food has helped him return to work after cancer treatment ‘Hundreds’ of cancer patients denied vital treatment as Israel and Gaza trade fire Father shares cancer symptoms he thought was too much coffee Dean Gaffney says I’m A Celebrity medics ‘saved his life’ after bowel cancer scare GB News in ‘significant breach’ of Ofcom rules over Covid vaccine claims

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