A blood test that could detect 12 cancers is being developed by scientists at a British university, the health secretary has said.
“Just a couple of drops of blood could tell you if you had lung, breast or bladder cancer, helping end months-long waits for tests and scans,” Wes Streeting added.
Academics from the University of Southampton will lead a team working on the new diagnostic tool, the health secretary explained.
It is one of a series of innovations, including personalised immunotherapy treatments, that could share public and private sector investment worth £148m.
Others may include cheaper scanners that help to detect early signs of cancer, and artificial intelligence to diagnose cancer through data shared across the NHS, according to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Research hubs will be created at University College London, the University of Liverpool, the University of Bristol, the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh.
The investments will help to produce “cutting-edge treatments”, Mr Streeting said.
“Catching cancer earlier” will also “boost the UK’s economic growth”, he added.
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1:59
New scanner speeds up medical imaging
Peter Kyle, the science and technology secretary, said that while new technologies offer the hope of “longer, healthier lives”, they could also “unleash a torrent of investment into life sciences that will boost jobs, opportunities and growth”.
Life sciences will be at the heart of the International Investment Summit to be held on 14 October, he said.
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“As a cancer survivor, I know how vital an early cancer diagnosis and the latest treatments are,” Mr Streeting said.
“This investment will not only save lives, but also secure Britain’s status as a powerhouse for life sciences and medical technology.”
Scottish comedian Janey Godley has revealed she is receiving end-of-life care for her terminal cancer.
The 63-year-old, who found viral fame with her dubbed imitations of Nicola Sturgeon’s COVID-19 news briefings during the pandemic, announced she will be going into a hospice in a video on X on Wednesday evening.
She first said she had ovarian cancer in November 2021, but was given the all-clear the following year when a scan showed “no evidence of the disease”.
But another scan had shown signs of the disease in her abdomen, she later announced, adding she would continue touring.
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The comedian said in the video: “So, I’m now in palliative care and I’m at end-of-life care now in the hospital.
“The chemo ran out of options and I just couldn’t take any more of it and the cancer has spread.
“So, it looks like this will be getting to near the end of it and it’s really difficult to speak about this and say to people.”
Godley also thanked the NHS and those who have cared for her as well as charities, her family, friends, and fans for their support.
Earlier this month, she cancelled her autumn tour due to her stage four ovarian cancer, which had been kept at bay through NHS treatment over the last few years and had returned with added complications.
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“It is devastating news to know that I’m facing end-of-life but we all come to an end sometime,” she added in the new video.
“I want to thank everybody for supporting the family, especially [her daughter] Ashley and my husband.
“The overwhelming support has been amazing, and I don’t know how long I’ve got left before anybody asks. I’m not a TikTok.
“So, I just want you to know that I appreciate all the love you’ve gave me and all the support. Cancer affects two in one people [appearing to mean one in two], and it’s affected me.”
She wished everyone a lovely Christmas and said she hopes to be here for it but is not certain.
The Princess of Wales has returned to work with a private meeting at Windsor Castle, according to an entry on the court circular.
The post from Tuesday reads: “The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this afternoon held an Early Years meeting at Windsor Castle.”
The court circular documents the engagements of the Royal Family, whether they are in public or behind palace walls.
The palace has not issued any pictures of the meeting or shared specific details of what was discussed.
Last week it was confirmed the princess was going to start doing some work behind the scenes after her cancer diagnosis earlier in the year.
In an incredibly personal video, the princess confirmed she had finished her preventative chemotherapy but that her focus was to “stay cancer free”.
She said: “Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.
“I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.”
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2:58
Watch Kate’s family video in full
It is understood members of Kate’s team from the royal household attended Tuesday’s meeting, along with representatives from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
Focusing on the importance of nurturing zero to five-year-olds, and supporting their parents, has long been a cornerstone of the princess’s charitable work.
The last time she attended a private meeting at Windsor Castle for the Royal Foundation was on 6 December 2023.
Her only other engagements on the court circular this year are her attendance at Trooping the Colour and her appearance at Wimbledon.
Kate on ‘light duties’
The palace suggested last week that the princess is only likely to return to “light duties” for now, attending a handful of public engagements before the end of the year.
It is understood that Kate’s intention is to join other members of the Royal Family at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday in November, with her engagements being scheduled when she feels able to carry them out.
Read more from Sky News: Prince William thanks well-wishers after Kate’s cancer update Prince and Princess of Wales send message to Team GB Does the monarchy currently have enough manpower?
Prince William also attended a private engagement on Tuesday with a visit to meet members of the SAS, according to another entry on the court circular.
It reads: “The Prince of Wales carried out a private visit to 22 Special Air Service Regiment, to meet individuals who have been deployed on recent operations.”
Due to the top secret nature of their work, the palace never shares further details of these kind of visits.
Presenter Jamie Theakston has revealed he has cancer.
The Heart Radio DJ announced the news in a post on Instagram, saying he recently had an operation to remove a lesion from his vocal chords.
He had sought medical attention after concerned fans contacted him to say they’d noticed a change in his voice.
The 53-year-old wrote: “The biopsy has identified this as Stage 1 Laryngeal Cancer.
“So… I have cancer… but cancer doesn’t have me!
“The prognosis is very positive and I’m hoping to be back with you in October.”
He signed off his post: “Be thankful for this day, and when I see you next I’ll have a great story to tell… Jamie x”.
Theakston’s radio co-host Amanda Holden posted a photograph of the pair together on Instagram.
She wrote: “Our wonderful @jamie.theakston has been diagnosed with stage 1 laryngeal cancer. His prognosis is very good and he has an incredible team around him.
“Jamie. We love and miss you and look forward to seeing you very soon. With @sophietheakstonjewellery, your gorgeous boys, Us and the entire nation with you.. YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS.”
Image: Jamie Theakston and his radio co-host Amanda Holden. File pic: Shutterstock
‘Love you to bits’
Holden gave an update on Theakston’s health on their breakfast show on Monday morning, telling listeners she wanted to bring them “completely up to speed with what’s going on”.
Presenter Jason King, known as JK, and who normally co-hosts with Kelly Brook, is standing in to cover Theakston while he recovers.
She went on to say, “it is not all bad news,” and that Theakston had asked them to “hold the fort” while he was away, and they would “do him proud”.
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1:19
Amanda Holden on co-host’s cancer diagnosis
Theakston has been presenting for Heart radio for 19 years and has been alongside Holden on the breakfast show for five years after Holden replaced Spice Girl Emma Bunton in the summer of 2019.
Bunton was one of the stars who quickly shared her support, writing: “Love you to bits” followed by a heart emoji.
Presenter and author Carol Vorderman commented on Theakston’s post. saying: “Sending best Jamie. Thank goodness your listeners spotted the change in your voice, all found early and you’ll be back keeping everyone happy very soon.”
Celebrity TV chef Jamie Oliver wrote: “Big love brother you got this sending love xxx.”
TV and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon posted: “Sending lots of love Jamie.”
Presenter Kirsty Gallacher wrote: “Oh Jamie sending so much love and speedy recovery.”
While comedian Leigh Francis, best known as his alter ego Keith Lemon, commented: “Sending you magical powers and positivity x”
Image: Theakston with his wife Sophie Siegle in 2020. Pic: Richard Young/Shutterstock
Listeners spotted a change
Earlier this month, Theakston revealed fans had noticed a change in his voice.
“Sooo – a few of you listeners have noticed my voice hasn’t sounded right these past few weeks – I’ve got you to thank… got it checked,” he wrote.
“Doctors found a lesion on my vocal chords which I’ve had removed this weekend.
“Thanks for all the kind messages – should be back on my feet soon.”
Laryngeal cancer affects the larynx or voice box, and is more common in men than women, according to the NHS website. One of the symptoms can be having a hoarse voice for more than three weeks.
Stage 1 means the cancer has been caught early, and has not spread anywhere else in the body.
The NHS says laryngeal cancer can often be cured by radiotherapy or surgery to remove the cancerous cells if it’s diagnosed early enough.
Theakston rose to fame as the presenter of popular Saturday morning children’s TV show Live & Kicking, which he co-hosted alongside Zoe Ball between 1996 and 1999.
He went on to co-host Top Of The Pops and present on Radio 1. He also briefly dabbled in acting, appearing in detective show Marple, sketch show Little Britain and comedy sitcom My Family in the early 2000s.
Theakston married jewellery designer Sophie Siegle in 2007, and the couple have two sons, Sidney, 16, and Kit, 14, together.
BBC presenter Lauren Laverne has revealed she is undergoing treatment for cancer.
The star, 46, who presents Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 and has been a regular DJ on BBC channels for many years, thanked her doctors and family as she explained what had happened in a post on Instagram.
Sharing the news while in hospital, she wrote: “I recently had a cancer diagnosis. It was (thank God) caught early and unexpectedly during a screening test and I am expected to make a full recovery.
“I’m in hospital at the moment and wanted to take this moment to say thank you: Firstly to medical teams who have got me this far with incredible skill and kindness.
“To my family and friends who have been absolutely extraordinary every step of the way – I am so very grateful and love you so much.
“And of course thank you to my colleagues…. for their support and for giving me the time off that I need to get better.”
Laverne also told her 250,000 followers that she wanted to encourage others to keep on top of tests and medical appointments.
“If you’re avoiding a test or putting off an appointment to get yourself checked out please, please do it today,” she wrote. “Half of us will get cancer at some point, and if you do, finding out asap is everything.”
The presenter finished her post by saying: “It’s usually my job to bring the good vibes on air but any you have to spare are very much welcome here. Sending loads of love to anyone in a similar boat, or who has made it back to shore.”
She did not give details of what type of cancer she is being treated for.
Laverne is the host of BBC Radio 6 Music’s breakfast show and also presents BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, after taking over from Kirsty Young in 2018. She is also one of the presenters for the broadcaster’s coverage of the Glastonbury festival.
She is best know for her TV and radio presenting but rose to fame first as a musician, as lead singer for pop-punk band Kenickie in the 1990s, and earlier this year hosted the Ivor Novello Awards.
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Sir Geoffrey Boycott is “unable to eat or drink” after developing pneumonia following cancer surgery, his daughter Emma has said.
The cricket legend, 83, had a procedure to “remove his throat cancer” on Wednesday.
Following the three-hour operation, the surgeon reported it “went well”, Emma Boycott said.
He was discharged on Friday with “lots of pain meds and a liquid only diet for the foreseeable”.
Her father was “on the mend”, Ms Boycott said, and looking forward to watching England play the West Indies and the Open golf.
But in a further update on X on Sunday afternoon, she said: “Unfortunately things have taken a turn for the worse and my father has developed pneumonia and is unable to eat or drink.”
That means he is “back in hospital on oxygen and a feeding tube for the foreseeable”.
She added: “Thank you all for the well wishes, we’ve been blown away by the sheer number of them.”
Sir Geoffrey revealed a second diagnosis of cancer earlier this month after undergoing extensive chemotherapy in 2002.
The former Yorkshire and England batsman scored 8,114 runs in 108 Tests for his country – including 22 centuries – between 1964 and 1982.
He amassed 48,426 first-class runs in total across two decades.
When his international career ended he was the leading Test run scorer and was awarded an OBE for services to cricket.
After retiring in 1986 he spent 14 years working on the BBC’s Test Match Special.
British swimmer Archie Goodburn has revealed he has been diagnosed with incurable brain cancer.
The 22-year-old became aware of three large tumours defined as oligodendrogliomas – a rare form of diffuse and progressive brain cancer – which are inoperable, after tests conducted following this year’s Olympic trials.
He has previously won bronze in the men’s 50m breaststroke at the 2019 World Junior Swimming Championships and represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.
In a post on his Instagram, Goodburn said: “Six weeks ago, my life experienced a profound change as I was diagnosed with three brain tumours.”
His training had begun to be interrupted by “strange episodes” in December of last year.
While at first these episodes were thought to be migraines, the suspected seizures left him with a loss of strength, and numbing sensation down his left-hand side.
He continued: “The seizures grew in intensity and frequency in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympic trials in April, something I’d aimed for and trained for almost my entire life.
“I was determined on achieving my dreams, so I continued to train on through the seizures.
“I narrowly missed the Olympic team by just a few tenths of a second, placing third in an event with only two spots.
“With the trials behind me, I dug deeper into what was really causing these attacks.
“An MRI in May finally revealed what I’d begun to fear the most.”
While surgery would have been the preferred option, Goodburn said he is hopeful radiotherapy and chemotherapy will prove effective.
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He said: “The silver lining to this diagnosis is that oligodendrogliomas generally respond better to radiotherapy and chemotherapy than many other serious brain tumour types.
“They are often slow-growing and these tumours are likely years old.”
Despite the diagnosis, the swimmer said he was going to remain optimistic.
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He added: “I am young, I am fit, I have the most phenomenal support network of friends, the best family I could ever hope for and a fantastic girlfriend by my side.
“I am determined to take this head-on, to remain positive and to keep being Archie.”
A cancer patient has told Sky News it’s “terrifying” for her health that junior doctors are striking again from Thursday.
The NHS is expecting “major disruption” in the coming days as medics in England walk out over pay amid a yellow health alert heatwave and ongoing disruption to some services because of a ransomware cyber attack earlier this month.
Major hospitals Guys’ and St Thomas’ and King’s in London are still running at reduced capacity after the incident.
Image: Donia Youssef and her children
Cancer survivor Donia Youssef has annual colonoscopies but her last was cancelled because of previous industrial action by junior doctors.
Donia, from Grays in Essex, said: “It’s a worry as a mum with two young children and I was on the list. It got cancelled. First time because of the strikes. And after that I didn’t hear from them. So I kept pushing. Nothing. It was just more delays. I was just kept waiting.
“[They said]: ‘There’s a backlog. We’ll get back to you. There’s a backlog, they’re getting through. We’ll let you know if there’s any cancellations.'”
“It’s like months later. Nothing. So eventually, because the symptoms are getting worse, I decided to pay.”
Donia was so scared of her health worsening she paid for private treatment, a cost she could barely afford. And now, as a cancer survivor, every time there’s a fresh round of strikes she is filled with dread.
“I get scared. I can’t get [treatment] on the private and a lot of it’s really expensive. So, yeah, it’s terrifying. So you’re constantly aware,” she said.
Image: Donia Youssef
Donia added: “I try and not watch the news because it just scares me. But then when I do see it, I just get fearful, for myself and obviously others as well. It’s a scary time, and we shouldn’t be in this position. That’s what scares me.”
The British Medical Association (BMA), which has said that junior doctors’ pay has been cut by more than a quarter since 2008, has said some senior junior doctors would be given permission to work at the hospitals during the walkouts to “prevent dangerous delays to cancer care“.
The industrial action, which begins at 7am on Thursday and ends at 7am on 2 July, is the 11th walkout by junior doctors in the bitter dispute over pay.
Government minister Kevin Hollinrake told Sky News he did not think the 35% pay increase junior doctors are asking for is affordable.
“Junior doctors have already received a 9% pay increase this year, and there were discussions about a further 3% increase on top of that, so I think those are fair figures,” he said.
“Junior doctors are asking for 35%, which taxpayers, of course, would have to fund – I don’t think that’s affordable.
“It’d be interesting to see what Labour would do in the same situation. I hear calls all the time in parliament, ‘oh yes, we would settle this dispute by now’, but to what level and what cost to the taxpayer?”
Image: Guy’s Hospital. File pic: AP
Asked about the impact of the cyber attack and the weather over the strike period, BMA chairman of council Professor Philip Banfield said more experienced doctors will cover for their colleagues.
Dr Banfield said: “When the junior doctors go on strike, it doesn’t empty the hospital out of doctors. You’ve got our specialty and specialist (SAS) colleagues, consultants, so it is a more senior workforce in place, those gaps are not quite what you would expect.”
NHS England said that it expects the strike to cause “widespread disruption to routine care and difficulties with discharging patients”, despite extensive preparations.
Junior doctors make up half of the medical workforce and their last walkout in February led to 91,048 appointments, procedures and operations being cancelled.
Image: Donia Youssef was so scared of her health worsening she paid for private treatment
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director, said: “This new round of strike action will again hit the NHS very hard, with almost all routine care likely to be affected, and services put under significant pressure.
“The warmer weather can lead to additional pressure on services at a time when demand for services is already high.
“As ever, we are working to ensure urgent and emergency care is prioritised for patients, but there is no doubt that it becomes harder each time to bring routine services back on track following strikes, and the cumulative effect for patients, staff and the NHS as a whole is enormous.”
Read more: Hacked data ‘published online’ GP fears NHS data theft will harm patients
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “While we fully understand the genuine grievances junior doctors have over their pay, conditions and training, NHS leaders will still be frustrated that they will yet again be taking to the picket lines.
“Holding strikes in the middle of an election campaign when no political party is in a position to bring the dispute to a close is a bitter pill to swallow for staff who have to plug the gaps and patients who will have their appointments cancelled or delayed.”
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About 1.5 million appointments have been postponed since the current wave of industrial action began in the NHS in England in December 2022, which has included walkouts by junior doctors, consultants, paramedics, physiotherapists and other staff groups.
It is estimated that strikes have cost the NHS an estimated £3bn.
A leading Labour MP has revealed that he is having treatment after skin cancer was discovered in his lung.
Sir Chris Bryant told Sky News he has been having immunotherapy for the past three months after a routine scan detected a melanoma in his right lung in January.
The 62-year-old had surgery where doctors collapsed his lung so a robot could cut out the melanoma – with his lung then re-inflated.
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2:50
‘Game-changer’ cancer jab tested
Five years ago, Sir Chris had a melanoma cut out of his head after being given a 40% chance of living a year, so has scans every six months.
The shadow creative industries minister told Sky News’s Kay Burley: “I had the results of my last scan which said that it wasn’t clear this time.
“They’d found something in my lung, which they thought was probably a melanoma, not lung cancer, skin cancer in my lung, which would obviously be very serious.
“That’s stage four metastatic cancer. And so very frightening.”
Sir Chris added that he wanted to come on Sky News to warn about the risks of being out in the sun.
“Skin cancer really does kill,” he said.
“And yesterday, lots of people would have been out in the sun. Enjoying the fact that they could sunbathe and all the rest of it.
“But the truth is that all of this stuff happened to my head and the skin cancer in my lung, all of that is in the end because of sun damage.
“So people can do things, cover up. If you’ve got a mole and you’re in doubt, get it checked out.
“Really, really important. We can save lives.”
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1:03
Chris Byrant ‘really, really shocked’ at knighthood
The Rhondda MP said if he had not gone for his last scan he most likely would have been going to the doctor in a year or 18 months with a “really bad chest”.
“It would have been a death sentence. Good news is they’ve cut it out,” he said.
“There’s no more cancer at the moment. I’ve had a scan. There’s nothing in that.
“And I’m on immunotherapy and immunotherapies.”
On social media, Sir Chris later said the treatment was “tough” – but he has “every hope of being completely cancer-free for the rest of my life”.
Games Of Thrones actor Ian Gelder has died at the age of 74.
His death was announced by his husband, fellow actor Ben Daniels, who paid tribute to the “kindest, most generous spirited and loving human being”.
Daniels, 59, said Gelder was his “absolute rock” during their relationship of more than 30 years.
The British actor, who played Kevan Lannister in the hit fantasy drama series, was diagnosed with bile duct cancer last December and died just after 1pm on Monday, Daniels said.
Image: Ben Daniels and Ian Gelder in 2012. Pic: Rex/Dan Wooller/Shutterstock
The star wrote on social media: “It is with huge huge sadness and a heavy heart broken into a million pieces that I’m leaving this post to announce the passing of my darling husband and life partner Ian Gelder.”
Alongside his announcement on Instagram, Daniels shared a picture of the couple which he said was taken at Christmas after Gelder had left hospital.
Image: Daniels has posted this image on Instagram of him and Gelder at Christmas. Pic: Ben Daniels
Daniels said that “even though he’d gone through the worst three weeks there you can still see his joy and love shining through”.
Gelder first played Kevan Lannister in the opening season of Game Of Thrones in 2011.
He was the younger brother of Lord Tywin Lannister, and was one of his most loyal and trusted officers in the Lannister armies.
After a noticeable absence, Gelder reprised his character in later seasons, meeting his demise in the final episode of season six.
During his decades-long career, the actor also starred as Mr Dekker in Torchwood: Children Of Earth, as well as guest starring as Charles, the Librarian scholar in His Dark Materials, and Zellin in Doctor Who.
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Daniels said he had stopped work to be his carer “but neither of us had any idea that it would all be so fast”.
He added that Gelder was “the kindest, most generous spirited and loving human being”.
“He was a wonderful wonderful actor and everyone who worked with him was touched by his heart and light.”
“I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without him by my side. He coped with his dreadful illness with such bravery, with no self pity. Ever. He was remarkable and will be so missed.”
