Health & Wellbeing

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has raised over £8,000 by auctioning off the strings from the guitar that he used for the last Black Sabbath concert on their world tour. Tony very kindly decided to split the money that he raised between Ward 19 at Heartlands Hospital and Macmillan Cancer Support.

 The music star was inspired to raise money for Ward 19 after visiting a friend of his who was being treated for cancer on the ward and thought that auctioning off his guitar strings would be a brilliant way to do this.

Ward 19 at Heartlands Hospital treats thousands of people from across the West Midlands each year and specialises in treating patients with a wide range of cancers including breast, lung, prostate and leukaemia. Heartlands Hospital Charity raises money to provide ‘added extras’ for the ward over and above that which the NHS can provide.

These added extras help to make life easier for patients and staff on the ward and, to-date, have included medical equipment, special seating for patients and even nurses who provide chemotherapy at patients’ homes.

Tony said: “I am proud to have raised money for Ward 19, my friend received the highest standard of care whilst on the ward and I wanted to do my part to give something back.  I would encourage everyone to do what they can to help support this nationally-renowned local cancer ward.

“Having been treated for lymphoma myself, I am aware of the challenges that being diagnosed with cancer can bring. The incredible staff on Ward 19 do everything they can to ease these challenges and I hope the money raised means they can provide even more for their patients in the future.”

Mr Shankara Paneesha, Haematology Consultant and Heartlands Hospital has asked Tony to be a patron of Ward 19. Mr Paneesha said: “I am delighted that someone of Tony’s fame has decided to fundraise for Ward 19, it will be an honour to have Tony as a patron and I’m sure his influence will help Ward 19 to continue to provide the best possible care for our patients.”

Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising for Heartlands Hospital Charity said: “The Charity is so grateful to Tony for his amazing fundraising efforts. As someone who has spent most of their life in the West Midlands he is well aware of the importance of Ward 19 to the region.”

The national mental health director for NHS England visited Wolverhampton to focus on mental health issues in the Black Country – and was "uplifted and excited" by the work of the City of Wolverhampton Council and its partners.

Claire Murdoch met representatives from the council and a wide range of other organisations at the event at the Civic Centre earlier this month. Hosted by the council, it reflected on the good work taking place in the region to support people with mental health needs, and looked at areas for further development.

Claire, who has been a registered mental health nurse for more than three decades, also met young members of the pioneering HeadStart Wolverhampton programme, which is helping 10 to 16-year-olds cope with life’s challenges.

She said: "I was stimulated, humbled, uplifted and excited by all I heard about the work of the council and its partners. The passion, values and creativity shone through and I really had insight into the ideas and plans. I was blown away by Wolverhampton's youth – the future is bright."

Linda Sanders, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Strategic Director People, said: "Everyone made a strong impact on Claire and I am sure she will utilise some of her findings in her national role and bear Wolverhampton in mind when opportunities arise to contribute further to the implementation of the national programme in the future.

"The day underlined the importance of strong national policy direction with passionate leadership, and the impact of this on local implementation. It was great to hear how pleased Claire is with the way we have embraced the national programme here in the Black Country.

"A key challenge highlighted by Claire was to change the somewhat negative narrative around mental health support and services, and that is something we are determined to do here in Wolverhampton. Our HeadStart programme in particular is a very positive scheme which is an inspiration to us all and which is set to have a huge impact on the lives of so many children and young people."

It’s official, when it comes to packaging, we have lost our senses. New research suggests that our sense of taste, smell and even feel is directly affected by the packaging a product comes in.

In a unique trial, otherwise identical products were rated 35% better overall, simply due to the packaging they were associated with. For instance, perfume was thought to smell 60% nicer and wine tasted 53% better and consumers thought a t-shirt felt 10% more superior, simply if it came in a higher quality pack. The impact of the packaging over senses was so high that people were prepared to pay, on average, nearly three times the price for identical products.

The experiment, commissioned by Packaging Innovations London, selected six everyday items – biscuits, chocolates, perfume, wine, a t-shirt and wine glasses – in a bid to see how much packaging affects the perceived price and quality of a product. Identical items were put to 100 consumers, with half testing the products alongside low-end packaging, and half next to more luxurious packs.

When placed alongside luxury packaging, the perceived quality of products increased dramatically. Biscuits were rated as tasting 51% better and the taste of chocolates improved by 14%. The quality and feel of the wine glasses increased by 37% and the t-shirt by 10%.

The packaging also significantly affected the price consumers expected to pay for otherwise identical items. People were willing to spend nearly seven times more for the same biscuits when they were in the higher-end packaging. This trend continued amongst the other items – wine glasses achieved nearly four times the price, chocolates, perfume and wine nearly three times, and the perceived price of the t-shirt nearly doubled.

James Drake-Brockman, Divisional Director of the Easyfairs Packaging Portfolio, comments: “Whilst we expected to see the perceived cost of items increase when people thought it came in higher-end packaging, what we didn’t expect to see was how the packaging actually appeared to affect the senses. Identical biscuits, wine, chocolates seemed to taste better, and people even liked the smell of a perfume more, if they thought it came in a more premium pack.”

The impact of packaging on the pricing of items was dramatically illustrated in the study. Chocolate chip cookies which normally retail at £1.59. When these biscuits were connected with cheaper packaging they were priced at £1.31 by the consumers, whereas their price rose to £8.39 when people assumed they came in a more elaborate canister pack.

One item that did not see a massive disparity between the low and high-end packing was the t-shirt, only achieving a 10% increase in quality rating. One reason for this could be that for higher end fashion, the retail experience itself, the look and feel of the store, is still an important part of the way in which a product’s perceived quality and therefore price is conveyed.

As part of the research people were also asked about their attitudes to packaging. 73% said it is a major factor in deciding which product they go for. Indeed, packaging is so important as a visual determinant of quality that when buying a gift 59% said that, even if they knew the product was inferior, they would be more likely to buy a lower quality item in better looking packaging, than the other way around.

“The study highlights how packaging is a crucial marker for people,” adds James Drake-Brockman, “it signposts to people exactly the value they should place on things. That’s why brands operating at both the premium and lower-end think incredibly tactically about their packaging – taking care to ensure it says the right things about their products. However, for brands operating in the middle, the signs are clear, commanding a higher price, or making it taste, look or feel better may be less about modifying your product and more about taking a fresh look at your packaging.”

Lots of common garden herbs and spices are not only useful for flavouring and spicing up dinner, but many have also been used for over hundreds of years in medicinal practices. Popular ingredients based on their health properties include turmeric, thyme and ginger.

Simon Bandy, General Manager of the nutritional supplements brand Health Plus which has been family run for more than 25 years says:

“Ginger is a strange knobbly root that originated in Asia. It not only tastes great in food and drinks but it has so many benefits too. The natural oil from ginger – gingerol – is the main bioactive compound, responsible for much of its properties.”

Here, Simon talks about the benefits of ginger from consuming it to using it for massage:

Improve circulation Ginger has blood thinning properties and is known as a vasodilator – meaning that it helps to open up blood vessels and allows more blood to pass through, thus improving circulation around the body.

Warm up and relax with massage Ginger can also help to warm you up on a cold day and is great if you are suffering from cold hands and feet due to poor circulation.

Aids good digestion Medical studies have shown that ginger speeds up the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, and lessens discomfort during digestion. It is also well-known for relieving nausea from travelling, pregnancy or post-operatively.

Ease pain As a naturally anti-inflammatory, ginger can be very useful to those who suffer from arthritis, joint pain, menstrual cramps, and some types of headaches.

Recover from coughs and colds We often reach for the hot honey and lemon if suffering from a cold, but adding a generous slice of anti-viral ginger to the mix will help to ease the symptoms and lessen the duration of the virus.

Lower blood sugars Although this area of research is relatively new, good results are showing that ginger may also have powerful anti-diabetic properties. Larger studies will be needed for more conclusive research however.

Simon concludes:

“Although it can be habitual to reach for the pharmacy potions when feeling poorly, it is often the natural, cupboard essentials that can offer relief without unwanted side-effects. And if you don’t usually have ginger in the house, keep a bottle of tincture or supplements in the cabinet.”

When it comes to a young Brit's 'cup of tea' it seems the builder's variety just isn't their bag. Indeed, new research from Mintel reveals that as many as 37% of Brits aged 25-34 have drunk 5-6 different types of tea at home or in the workplace over the past month*, compared to just 3% of those aged 55+.

Furthermore, Brits aged 25-34 are the most likely to drink every variety of tea tracked by Mintel. While three in four (74%) of those aged 25-34 drink standard black tea, around half drink fruit tea or herbal/spice tea (51%), green tea (52%), speciality black tea (50%) and one in three (34%) drink instant tea. However, when considering overall interest in tea varieties, while 70% of Brits drink standard black tea, less than two in five drink fruit tea or herbal/spice tea (36%), green tea (34%), speciality black tea (34%) and less than one in five (17%) drink instant tea.

And while younger Brits are the most likely to have an adventurous taste for tea, they are also the most likely to want to turn to tea to satisfy their sweet tooth. Over half (56%) of those aged 25-34 who drink tea and other hot drinks say that flavoured teas are a good alternative to sugary drinks, up from an average of 49%.

Anita Winther, Food and Drink Analyst at Mintel, said:

“Consumers aged 25-34 have the widest repertoire of tea, which is reflective of this age group typically having a more adventurous attitude towards food and drink, with a greater tendency to seek out new foods and flavours to try. While sweet flavours have been around in the tea market for a while now, these launches will help grow tea usage among younger consumers.”

Indeed, it seems that young consumers in particular are turning away from the traditional cuppa and are keen to see more of an experimental approach to tea. Two in five (40%) Brits aged between 16 and 34 who drink tea or other hot drinks say that they'd be interested in knowing more about how to pair tea with savoury food, up from a UK average of 28%. Meanwhile, 12% of adults who drink tea or other hot drinks say that they'd be interested in trying teas tailored for drinking as an alternative to wine, rising to 15% of those aged between 35 and 44.

But for some, even binning the bag appeals. Almost one in five (18%) of those aged between 16 and 44 who drink tea and hot drinks would be interested in trying tea crystals, compared to 6% aged 55+. Meanwhile, 10% of those aged under 45 would be interested in trying liquid instant tea concentrate, compared to 6% of those aged 55+.

“While there is a long history of pairing tea with sweet food in the West, Eastern cultures have more traditions when it comes to drinking tea with savoury foods. However, there have been moves to spark interest around the latter beginning to emerge in the West. Unlocking savoury usage occasions for tea could help to combat the falling sales.” Anita adds.

However, while younger consumers exhibit an enthusiastic approach to tea, overall tea sales in the UK are in hot water. Sales of tea fell by 5% in 2016 to 77 million kg, while the market is estimated to steep by a further 3% in 2017 to 75 million kg. What's more, tea sales look set to come under further strain, with the market forecast to fall by 13% over the next five years to reach 65 million kg in 2022.

Indeed, while the humble teapot is something of an icon for the British nation, it seems that a coffee pot may be more fitting for the older generation. While older consumers are still the most frequent tea drinkers, 52% of those aged 55+ drink standard black tea once a day or less. Among this group, over half (55%) say they do not drink it more often as they prefer the taste of coffee. In comparison, while 80% of those aged between 16 and 34 drink standard black tea once a day or less, just one in four (23%) of this group say this is because they prefer the taste of coffee.

Instead, it seems it's the sweet tooth of the younger consumer that is turning them away from the tea caddy. One in five (21%) Brits aged 16-24** say they don't drink tea more often as it tastes too bitter, compared to 10% of those aged 55+ who say the same. Meanwhile, one in six (18%) of those aged under 25 say they don't drink it more as they prefer sweeter drinks, compared to just 3% of those 55+.

“Tea remains under pressure from a barrage of competition from other drinks. While coffee has successfully injected connoisseur, indulgent and on-trend elements to the category, tea continues to struggle to deliver the same experience. This poses a marked threat to the category. Where tea has failed to establish itself as a menu staple for younger adults, it is likely to struggle to gain ground in their drinks repertoires later on.” Anita concludes.

Beetroot has become a firm favourite and is often featured on restaurant menus and in recipes. Even Paralympic gold medallist David Weir announced that a shot of beetroot juice was the secret to his success, thus increasing its popularity.

The benefits of beets

Beetroot has long been used for liver disorders due to its ability to help stimulate the liver’s detoxification process. Being high in fibre also enables it to aid with the overall digestive system, beneficial to those who may suffer with a sluggish constitution. Beetroot is an excellent source of iron and folate (naturally occurring folic acid) so can prove beneficial to pregnant women.

More recent studies are revealing beetroot has positive results for lowering blood pressure, aiding exercise performance and helping to prevent dementia. Some studies have even shown beetroot to increase levels of antioxidant enzymes and white blood cells in the body – both responsible for detecting and eliminating abnormal cells.

Fun beet facts

Some people claim that the juice, massaged into the scalp, can clear up dandruf

Since the Victorian era, people have used it to dye their hair

It can be used as a sugar substitute when baking cakes due to its naturally sweet taste

The Romans even used it as an aphrodisiac due to its high levels of boron

In some cultures, it is believed that if a man and a woman eat from the same beet, they will fall in love

Beets can be made into a wine-like beverage that tastes like Port

Simon Bandy, who is General Manager at nutritional supplements company Veganicity, which has launched a new Beetroot nutritional supplement says: “Beetroot has been cultivated for humans since the Roman times and is now a staple in any good salad. When you read about its nutritional qualities, you will understand why. We developed high strength capsules to enable customers to gain the maximum benefits from this marvellous vegetable without having to consume the equivalent of four roots per day!”

The University of Wolverhampton offered visitors from Pancreatic Cancer UK the chance to examine its cancer research facilities.

University staff and students hosted the group visit which included people who had been affected by pancreatic cancer, trustees and the charity’s staff. The group were taken on an exclusive tour of the state of the art facility, where researchers demonstrated the latest technologies and techniques being employed to tackle pancreatic cancer.

University of Wolverhampton researcher, Professor Weiguang Wang, has been awarded more than £73,000 by Pancreatic Cancer UK to investigate the effectiveness of using a treatment for alcoholism, Disulfiram, to treat pancreatic cancer.

There are currently very few treatments for the disease, and less than seven per cent of people survive for five years or more after diagnosis in the UK.

More than 800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the West Midlands on average every year. Survival has barely improved over the past 40 years and, despite this, over the last decade only one per cent of the total UK cancer research spend has been dedicated to the disease.

Leanne Reynolds, Head of Research at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “It was really interesting to meet the wider team at the University and find out more about how this vital research is progressing. We are really delighted to be funding this research, which we hope will lead to a much-needed new treatment for pancreatic cancer in the future. This could have an enormous positive impact on the lives of patients in Wolverhampton, the West Midlands and far beyond.”

Professor Wang’s team is currently looking at Disulfiram, and whether it can be used to effectively treat pancreatic cancer. Disulfiram can be used to kill cancer cells, but it can only survive in the bloodstream for around four minutes.

Professor Wang said that if his team is able to develop a new delivery system which allows Disulfiram to stay in the bloodstream for longer periods of time, they could test how effective the drug is at killing pancreatic cancer cells.

“We’re very pleased our research was chosen for funding and that we have been able to continue our work with Disulfiram and test its effectiveness in treating pancreatic cancer.

“Current treatment options for pancreatic cancer are limited, and most patients diagnosed with the disease have a poor prognosis. This is an extremely promising area of investigation and if we’re successful, could lead to new options to improve outcomes for people with pancreatic cancer,” Professor Wang said.

The grant was awarded as part of Pancreatic Cancer UK’s fourth annual Research Innovation Fund (RIF) grants scheme.

Karen Stead, a pancreatic cancer survivor, said: “I’d like to say a big thank you for the visit. What an interesting and inspiring few hours it was. There were so many passionate people working on the research, which was amazing. It was so nice that so many of them came along to meet us.”

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity’s Fundraising Hub was officially opened on Monday by the Chair of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Rt Hon Jacqui Smith.

The Fundraising Hub is situated in the main atrium of the hospital and is the new one-stop-shop for everyone’s Charity needs. Staff, patients and their families will be able to check out a range of charity-branded merchandise, sign up to fundraising events such as skydives or marathons, and donate to the charity.

Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising for QEHB Charity said: “I’m delighted that the Fundraising Hub is now officially open for business. It is wonderful that the Charity has a physical presence in the hospital which will make it far easier for patients and staff to find out more about the Charity, make a donation or sign up for an event.

“The fabulous merchandise on sale will let staff and patients show their support for QEHB Charity, be that by wearing a hoodie or carrying a pen. It’s a wonderful feeling seeing people wearing the Charity brand and I hope that this will help to raise the Charity’s profile, enabling it to find new ways of going over and above for patients and staff at the hospital.”

The Fundraising Hub was opened by the Rt Hon Jacqui Smith, Chair of UHB NHS Foundation Trust, who said: “I was delighted to officially open the new Fundraising Hub. The Trust works closely with QEHB Charity and the Hub is testament to this partnership. I know that the Hub will be a great success, providing patients and staff with a clear link to the Charity and its fantastic work in providing added extras for patients and staff here at QEHB.”

The Hub was made possible thanks to infrastructure group Balfour Beatty which paid for the materials to build the Hub, which were provided and installed by furniture solutions company Godfrey Syrett.

Mike Hammond, Chief Executive of QEHB Charity said: “I would like to thank Balfour Beatty and Godfrey Syrett for enabling the building of the Hub. My thanks also go to Rt Hon Jacqui Smith for officially opening the Hub and I look forward to it becoming a key part of life here at QEHB for patients and staff alike.”

Young people took over market stalls in West Bromwich to raise awareness about dementia.

The young people are completing a National Citizen Service (NCS) challenge - a course for young people age 15 to 17 designed to enhance life skills.

The group has already completed an adventure course where they took part in adrenaline-fueled activities. They also spent time at university halls of residence where they learned to fend for themselves.

The other part of the course focusses on how the young people can help their community. The group were paired up with Dingle Meadow Care Home based in Oldbury with the aim of raising awareness of dementia in the local community.

The group arranged to hire market stalls and spent the day talking to shoppers in West Bromwich Town Centre about Dingle Meadow Care Home and dementia.

Lewis Shayler aged 16, was keen to spread the word about the event which lead to him contacting his local councillor and cabinet member for children's services, Councillor Simon Hackett.

Councillor Hackett said: "I was really impressed Lewis took the initiative to contact me about this event. It was lovely to see the young people so passionate about their cause. They were clearly having a great experience with the NCS Challenge. I want to say well done to the young people and wish them all the best for the rest of their challenge."

Councillor Ann Shackleton, cabinet member for adult social care was very impressed with the project. She said: "This is a great example of young people helping older people and raising awareness about the devastating effects dementia can have on people's lives."

Course participant Lewis Shayler, a student at Phoenix Collegiate, said: “We’re happy Councillor Hackett came to join our campaign. Our team has learned a lot about dementia and we want to spread the awareness further, which he can help with. People think teenagers don’t care about this kind of stuff but we do and that’s why we want as many people to know about our campaign as possible.”

Severn Trent has opened up the conversation on menopause in the workplace by holding a special workshop at its HQ in Coventry.

More than 90 guests, which included Severn Trent staff alongside representatives from water companies across the country, attended the session which gave an insight into the impact menopause can have on everyone in the workplace and what support is available.

Evelyn Dickey, from Severn Trent, said: “We’re really focused on making Severn Trent an awesome place to work for all our employees. In the past the menopause might have been seen as a ‘taboo’ subject but we’re committed to changing that and making everyone aware of the support on offer.

“The changing age of our workforce means that more and more women are experiencing symptoms in the workplace, but we know that lots of people don’t feel comfortable talking about it with their line managers. We’re really passionate about changing that and this event was just the start. Our key message is that menopause is not a women's issue, everyone needs to know about it.

“As we move forward these sessions will become business as usual right across the company, so that we make sure all our staff have the knowledge and support they need – when they need it most.”

A series of experts from Henpicked presented at the session including Deborah Garlick, Director at Henpicked, menopause expert Diane Danzebrink and Sue Fish, a former Chief Constable with Nottinghamshire Police.

Juliet Saimbi, who was instrumental in organising the landmark event for Severn Trent, also spoke at the session, she added: “I really want to get the conversation started about menopause, which is why I thought it was so important to share my own story. The impact it can have on women in the workplace can be huge, but by making sure they have the right support and giving our line managers the confidence to help, we can really make a difference.”

The company will be providing a menopause support guide for all employees and further awareness sessions are now scheduled to take place on a regular basis.

Dementia describes different brain disorders that trigger a loss of function within the brain. These conditions are often progressive and can be very severe. There are different types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common type, affecting 62% of those diagnosed. Vascular dementia affects 17% of those diagnosed, mixed dementia affects 10% of those diagnosed. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.

There are no definitive records for the first few cases of dementia in the world, but it remains a serious problem. There are currently 48.6 million people living with dementia in the world today, with that number expected to rise with the increasingly ageing population, with 850,000 people in the UK having dementia. Consequently, with these figures in mind it is important that something is done to address what can be a terrifying illness for those affected by it.

To address these concerns, The Alzheimer’s Society was founded in 1979. Since its founding, the society has done everything it can to bring awareness to dementia, and to raise funds so that treatments and help can be found for those who are suffering from it. Through fundraising initiatives such as Memory Walk, raffles, and a whole host of other initiatives, the Alzheimer’s Society aims to bring £150 million into providing the best possible care and services for those affected by dementia.

At present, there is no long-term solution, but the Alzheimer’s Society has as of June, 2017 promised to spend at least £10 million each year on research programmes that can find a cure for dementia, especially Alzheimer’s. Of that £10 million, £5.6 million will be spent developing three ‘Centres of Excellence’ with each centre focusing on key priorities such as improving the quality of live, improving level of support after diagnosis and maintaining independence at home for those diagnosed with dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Society, is a society that is built on good will and intentions, in order to truly achieve their goals, they need support, a contribution through cake sale, or through other fundraising methods such as the Memory Walk, would go a long way toward helping them.

Exposure to targeted, personal and verbal aggression by patients can adversely affect mental health nurses decision-making regarding physical restraint, new research published in the world’s leading nursing research journal reveals.

While exposure to physical aggression and self-harm are known to have detrimental consequences for nurses working in mental health services in terms of staff sickness and trauma, this new study suggests that nurses who are subject to humiliating personal remarks experience higher levels of distressing emotions, including anger.

The new research, led by Dr Rahul Jalil at Birmingham City University, conducted rigorous assessments with mental health nurses working in three UK secure mental health units.

Dr Rahul Jalil, Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at Birmingham City University, said:

“Nurses who reported being the target of derogatory remarks reported higher levels of anger than their colleagues. What’s more, this was not true for those who had witnessed greater levels of physical aggression or self-harm.

“Moreover, the same nurses who experienced humiliating remarks were more likely to endorse coercive management techniques, such as restraint or seclusion.”

The study, published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies, formed part of Dr Jalil's PhD studies, which also involved looking at the role of anger in patient aggression, as well as in the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship.

Geoff Dickens, Professor in Mental Health Nursing at Abertay University was the study supervisor. He said:

“We already knew that exposure to aggression seems to be related to nurses’ approval of these less desirable interventions. What this study adds is that it is this particular type of insidious and seemingly less severe form of aggression that seems to play the largest role.”

This has real implications for education and training for staff in the prevention of violence and aggression.

Professor Dickens added: “Training provision largely focuses on managing physical aggression through techniques such as de-escalation. While this is great, more attention should be paid to how nurses regulate their own responses to this behaviour.

“This study shows that anger seems to be a mechanism that plays a unique role. While it is common to hear that nurses should ‘just deal with it’, it is unreasonable to believe that nurses are immune and can do this without help or support.”

The study – ‘Mental health nurses’ emotions, exposure to patient aggression, attitudes to and use of coercive measures: Cross sectional questionnaire survey’ – also revealed that, while individual nurses exposed to this behaviour were more approving of coercive interventions, this did not translate into an increased use of restraint or seclusion.

Dr Jalil said:“It seems that existing checks and balances, perhaps including team support or nurses own self-awareness, act to prevent a spiral in which behaviour is dealt with coercively, which in turn might make patients more likely to insult the nursing staff.”

Unhealth gums could put older women at significantly higher risk of developing many forms of deadly cancer, according to the findings of a ground-breaking new study.

The research, which looked at data from 65,000 post-menopausal women between the ages of 54 and 86, found those with a history of gum disease were 14% more likely to develop cancer.¹

Of these, a one in three developed breast cancer while there was also a highly-increased risk of lung cancer, oesophageal, gall bladder and skin cancers.

In response, leading charity, the Oral Health Foundation is encouraging women to ensure they pay close attention to their gum health to reduce their risk of developing these types of cancer.

Speaking on this important new research, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation said: “We have known for some time that there are close links between oral health and systemic disease, such as heart disease and diabetes, but this new study is hugely significant as it could help many millions of women help reduce their risk of cancer.

“We are encouraging post-menopausal women to be alert to the early signs of gum disease; which include red inflamed gums, bleeding when brushing your teeth and persistent bad breath, and ensure that you visit your dentist as soon as possible to get checked out and avoid any further problems.

“Avoiding gum disease can be as simple as brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, using interdental brushes daily and regular visits to the dentist. While gum disease can be treated very effectively, the best approach is certainly prevention and making sure we do not fall foul of it at all.

“We welcome more research on this topic, as a greater understanding could be a game-changer in helping women avoid many types of cancer.”

The findings, published in the journal of ‘Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention’, were irrespective of smoking habits and concluded that gum disease leaves other parts of the body ‘vulnerable’.

Several significant changes occur in the body during the menopause and many have resulting symptoms which can have a substantial impact on a woman’s day-to-day life, so much so that oral health can at times feel like the least of their worries.

Karen Coates, Oral Health Educator and Advisor for the Oral Health Foundation, added: “Falling oestrogen levels throughout menopause can cause numerous health issues, such as loss of bone density, leading to osteoporosis. At the same time, changes in oral health also are common as teeth and gums become more susceptible to disease, resulting in heightened risk of inflammation, bleeding, pain, and ultimately, loose or missing teeth.”

“Maintaining good oral hygiene throughout our lives is the best way to prevent the development of many oral health problems. It is important that we do not overlook the health of our mouth and remember, if you are in pain or discomfort please visit a dental professional. A visit to a dental hygienist or dental therapist could really help you and provide you with great advice too.”

Anybody wishing to find out more about their oral health, or suffering from post-menopausal oral health symptoms, can contact the Oral Health Foundation’s Dental Helpline.

More takeaways in Wolverhampton have signed up to a unique initiative to serve up healthier menus.

Environmental health officers from the City of Wolverhampton Council have been working with proprietors of fast food restaurants to tackle one of the biggest public health issues facing the City – obesity.

They have encouraged takeaways to offer healthier options or make simple changes to ingredients or cooking techniques while still delivering tasty meals.

Over the last couple of years, officers have worked with 23 takeaways, from fish and chip shops to pizzerias, balti houses and Chinese takeaways, with a further 12 establishments on board which are planning to make improvements to their menus in the near future.

Among those taking part in the initiative are Tiger, on Bilston Road, which has introduced a healthier menu offering a range of dishes under 500 calories, Oxley Fish Bar on Stafford Road, which now provides calorie information for its grill menu and a range of healthier options, and Lakshmi Sweet Centre on Dudley Road, which has reformulated a number of recipes and is providing nutritional information to customers.

Other takeaways which have signed up to the scheme include East Park Chippy on Hollington Road; Dave’s Fish Bar, Brooklands Parade; Penn Balti, Penn Road; Far East, Church Road; Grill It, Tettenhall Road; Pendeford Fish Bar, Haymarket; and Kaptin Korma, Warstones Drive.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Nearly 70% of adults in Wolverhampton are either overweight or obese, and with around one in six meals we eat made outside the home it is important that people are given the opportunity to eat as well and as healthily as possible.

“This is not about us telling customers what they can and cannot have, but about encouraging takeaways to offer healthier alternatives which customers can choose if that’s what they want.

"And we know it can benefit both proprietors and consumers, because a recent survey found that two thirds of people would buy healthier options if takeaways offered them, while 77% said they would be more likely to visit a takeaway if it advertised healthier options."

Costa Xiourouppa, owner of the Newbridge Fryer and Grill It takeaways on Tettenhall Road, said: “The council has given me the support to make changes in my existing chip shop and to open a new grilled chicken business.

“With help from the initiative I can confidently advertise some of my already very popular dishes as healthier choices, which can only be a positive for both my existing and new customers.”

And Mr Xiourouppa has gone one step further – teaming up with a local fitness centre to offer discounts at Grill It to gym customers.

Proprietors who would like advice about providing healthier options are asked to please contact Faye Pearson at the City of Wolverhampton Council on 01902 554343.

Over-40s are increasingly looking to improve their physical health but their financial security is less of a priority, according to new research by life and pensions giant Prudential.

Its nationwide study of working over-40s shows more than two-fifths (44 per cent) have recently started focusing on improving their physical health but improving their future financial security is receiving less attention with only 34 per cent saying that turning 40 has spurred them on to sort out their retirement.

Additionally, 58 per cent admit they rarely or never check the value of their retirement savings. Even those aged 55 to 64 do not pay much attention to their pensions with 60 per cent admitting they seldom look at their savings.

In support of world-class festival of cycling, Prudential RideLondon, taking place between 28 and 30 July, Prudential conducted the study to highlight the need for the over-40s to take small steps to achieve bigger goals.

As part of its sponsorship of the event, Prudential is supporting the Fixing Challenge building on the success of the TV documentary Fixing Dad, where filmmakers Anthony and Ian Whitington helped their dad Geoff regain his health and reverse his type 2 diabetes through significant changes to his diet and lifestyle. The Fixing Challenge is mentoring four riders in this year’s event, all of whom are over the age of 40 and have committed to taking steps to improving their future physical health.

The research shows plenty of good intentions among those aged 40-plus with 81 per cent saying physical health is a major priority while 69 per cent claim that planning for retirement is a major focus.

Leading charity Diabetes UK is appealing to people across the Midlands to help with this exciting new project, to change the future of diabetes.

"We are asking people to take part in an online survey, to help us really understand what really matters to people with diabetes."

Peter Shorrick, Diabetes UK Midlands regional head, said:  “At a time when diabetes is high on everyone’s agenda, this insight will tell us about the issues that people with diabetes face in their day-to-day lives. That way we can make sure we are focusing on the things that really matter, and can use this to make changes where it really counts.”

Diabetes is one of the UK’s biggest health crises, and it’s on the rise. Some 4.5 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, and 11.9 million in the UK are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.  Its impact and complications can be devastating, causing blindness, amputations, even early death.

Here in the Midlands more than 620,000 people are living with diabetes and it is estimated that around one million people in the region are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

The online survey, along with some face to face conversations, will explore all sorts of areas where diabetes can have an impact - from healthcare services and medication, to how living with the condition can affect relationships and work and school life.

Peter Shorrick, added: “We want to know the challenges people face and hear their ideas about what needs to change. Diabetes is a serious condition, so we need as many people as possible to share their knowledge, experience and ideas to help us tackle the diabetes crisis together by improving healthcare and preventing more people from developing Type 2 diabetes this potentially fatal condition.”

The team at Diabetes UK will compile the findings from all the conversations along with the results of their survey into a report that can influence decisions makers including government and health care providers.

Make sure you don’t miss out on having your say, by completing the Future of Diabetes online survey at www.diabetes.org.uk/future-diabetes by 31 August 2017.