Daily Archives: 29 March, 2012

Kidney cancer at all time high in the UK

Leave a reply

Kidney cancer cases hit more than 9,000 in 2009, treble the figure of just under 3,000 in 1975. It is now the eighth most common cancer in Britain, climbing from 14th place in 1975.

Experts believe that, after smoking, obesity is the most preventable risk factor for developing the disease, increasing the risk by 70%.

Cancer Research UK, which released the figures, estimates that about a quarter of kidney cancer cases in men and 22% in women are linked to being overweight.

Overweight people produce higher levels of some hormones which can help fuel cancer. In 2009, almost a quarter of adults in England were obese. A further 44% of men and 33% of women were overweight.

Professor Tim Eisen, a Cancer Research UK kidney cancer expert based at the University of Cambridge, said new drugs had been developed to destroy the blood supply to the kidney tumours, but were not a cure.

Kidney cancer cells

Kidney cancer cells

“It is best to prevent the problem in the first place – maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking are the best ways of doing that. The other important point is to see your doctor if you have noticed blood in your urine as this can be an early sign of something wrong. If the kidney cancer is caught early, it can often be cured by surgery.”


While some of the increase in cases could be down to better detection of kidney tumours, evidence suggests there has also been a rise in the number of advanced kidney cancer cases – suggesting other factors are also in play.

In 1975, 2,953 people were diagnosed with kidney cancer in Britain. Latest figures show there were 9,042 cases in 2009, up from 8,848 in 2008.

Newsreader Nicholas Owen, who is a kidney cancer survivor, said: “It’s worrying to see the number of cases rise. But it is so important for people to go to their doctor if they experience any symptoms like blood in urine. The chances are it won’t be cancer, but if it is, spotting it early means that treatment is often easier and many more people survive.”

Fruit packed with B12 vitamins goes on sale in the UK

Leave a reply

THE first-ever fruit to contain Vitamin B 12 has hit UK shelves.

The new Sea Buckthorn berry is the only plant food i which the vitamin, usually only present in animal or dairy products, is naturally found in a form which humans can absorb.

With 424 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin B 12, which is essential for creating red blood cells in the body, in just one serving, it has been billed as one of the world’s healthiest fruits.

It is also one of the only naturally rich sources of Omega 7, which is a vital anti-inflammatory and can make the body more sensitive to insulin, helping people who are overweight.

A dried version of Sea Buckthorn has been on sale for around six months online, but with demand having soared by 30 per cent over the past month, manufacturers Marap are now launching it in health food shops.

Sea Buckthorn berry

Sea Buckthorn berry

The berries, which grow in the UK, are also rich in Vitamin C, with a serving containing more than five times the amount found in a glass of orange juice. Cartenoid antioxidants are also present in the fruit, which can help to protect the skin from the effects of sun damage and are part of the body’s armour against cancer and heart disease.


Dr Josef Bertagnoli, managing director of Marap, said: “Sea Buckthorn is not only surprising from a nutritional perspective, but it is also very easy to use and has a great flavour. The berries can be used in a variety of ways including being sprinkled onto cereals, muesli or added to salads.”

Independent nutritionist Angela Dowden said: “Those most at risk of a shortage of vitamin B 12 are vegans and the older people, but it is a very important nutrient for everyone. B 12 helps maintain a healthy nervous system and in conjunction with other B vitamins, is important for protecting against the effects of a stressful lifestyle.

“It also helps, along with vitamin B6 and folic acid, to keep down levels of homocysteine, a substance in the blood that has been linked with dementia and cognitive decline in later life. Omega 7 is one of the lesser well known fatty acids, but it is thought to have excellent anti-inflammatory properties.”