Tag: cancer diagnosis

ENU student Sophia travels to celebrate graduation following recovery from colon cancer

A resilient Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) student has celebrated her graduation after recovering from colon cancer – and thanked the staff who supported her along the way.

Sophia McIntosh studied for a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from her home in Kingston, Jamaica, alongside her work as a university lecturer there.

She took time out from her studies after receiving her cancer diagnosis in 2019 but was later able to return to and complete the course.

Sophia crossed the stage at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on Wednesday to collect her degree, having travelled from the Caribbean with her mum for the ceremony.

Sophia said: “I am just so full of joy, not just for me but for all of my family members and friends who have supported me.

“I am happy that I went on this journey, I am liberated and more confident. The doctorate is the icing on the cake, but the journey has transformed me.

“I still have my thesis on leadership sitting on my table at home and sometimes I just open it to have a look!

“I’m so proud of myself – I never knew I had it in me to read and learn so much.”

Having felt unwell for some time, it was through a chance meeting with a doctor at church that Sophia was referred for health checks and discovered her cancer diagnosis.

She underwent surgery and chemotherapy in the autumn of 2019, followed by more treatment the following year.

She said: “When I was told the news, I just went numb. I was told we would have to move quickly and have surgery.

“All the horror stories about chemotherapy happened to me. I had complications from my surgery, and my parents came down from another part of Jamaica to look after me.

“I had two major surgeries, and we lost my adopted brother around the same time. But despite these traumatic events, I resumed my studies after the year.”

Sophia’s graduation comes after taking time out from the course because of illness and the Covid pandemic. She is now receiving checks every six months.

Now that Sophia has completed her degree, she has paid tribute to ENU staff members past and present who supported her, including Dr Ciarán McFadden-Young, Dr Janice McMillan, and Professor Gerri Matthews-Smith  – as well as Professor Alison McCleery, who sadly passed away last year.

“It was difficult going back to the doctorate, but my research supervisors helped me settle,” Sophie added. “They were patient with me and not judgemental. They were respectful and they gave me space.

“I can’t find the words to thank them – they held my hand. I never felt alone, I never felt unsafe. I had them all behind me.”

Sophia has graduated alongside fellow students from Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School today.

ENU’s autumn graduation ceremonies were held at the Usher Hall between 29 – 31 October.

King to step back from public duties following cancer diagnosis

5.2.24 – A STATEMENT FROM BUCKINGHAM PALACE:

During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. 

His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.

The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.

His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.

Diagnostic test waiting times: cancer patients waiting too long, says charity

Cancer Research UK’s has responded to the latest diagnostic test waiting times statistics published by Public Health Scotland. Eight tests are considered in the report, including several that are relevant to the diagnosis of cancer. 

These latest figures show that more than 155,000 patients in Scotland were waiting for a key diagnostic test at the end of March 2022. This is a 10% increase compared with the previous quarter and a 74% increase compared with pre-pandemic levels. 

The report also tells us that, of those people waiting, 50% had been waiting more than six weeks for their test at the end of March 2022.

This is similar to the proportion waiting at the end of the previous quarter and more than three times the proportion pre-pandemic, which was 16% at the end of March 2019. The figures also show around 5,400 (3.5%) patients waiting for a test had been waiting over a year, with almost all of these patients waiting for an endoscopy test. 

The Scottish Government standard that no one should be waiting more than six weeks for a diagnostic test hasn’t been met since June 2010. 

David Ferguson, public affairs manager for Cancer Research UK in Scotland, said: “It is unacceptable that people in Scotland are waiting too long for a test to determine whether they have cancer. Early diagnosis followed by swift access to the most effective treatment can save lives.  

“Despite the best efforts of NHS staff, the delays are due to Scotland’s chronic staff shortages in the areas key to diagnosing and treating cancer. These shortages have hampered progress for years – well before the pandemic.

“The Scottish Government must set out long-term, properly funded plans to address workforce shortages and improve cancer services so patients get the care they need and deserve.”

Take Keir: local MSP supports cancer campaign

‘Early diagnosis can save your life. Let’s get checked – it’s worth it!’ – Colin Keir MSP

the-wee-c-logo

Colin Keir, MSP for Edinburgh Western, has thrown his support behind the #GetChecked cancer detection campaign.

The campaign, launched jointly by the Scottish Government and Cancer Research UK at the M&Co store in the Gyle Shopping Centre last week, encourages people to get checked for potential symptoms of cancer in a bid to save more lives. The campaign aims to use check patterns to remind people to get checked.

Mr Keir said “For so long the fear of cancer as well as what was seen as the inevitability of the consequences of being diagnosed with cancer placed a dark cloud over so many individuals and families. These days we have the treatments which give those diagnosed the chance to receive effective treatments.

“The key to this is early diagnosis. We all know our own bodies best so if you spot anything unusual then get to see your GP. It may be nothing but it could be the early diagnosis that will give you the best chance for a full recovery.

“This is the reason I warmly welcome #GetChecked, the new campaign to encourage people to get checked for potential symptoms of cancer in a bid to save more lives in Scotland. It’s fantastic that M&Co at the Gyle Shopping Centre along with their other stores nationally are helping to promote this campaign along with the Scottish Government and Cancer Research UK.

“One thousand people a year can be saved through early diagnosis and treatment, surely that’s a good enough reason to check yourself out regularly. The Wee C initiative is trying to make Scots reduce their fear of cancer which has been found to stop people going to have their problems looked at by their GP. Early diagnosis can save your life, let’s get checked – it’s worth it!”