Welcome back to this week’s edition of the news summary at The Medic Portal, we hope you all had an amazing Easter. This blog covers the key health news that occurred from 10th to 16th April. This week the World Health Organisation have discovered that childhood cancers have risen by 13% over the last twenty years, nurses are considering whether or not to strike over low pay and research has shown that a diet consisting of fresh fruit may lead to a lower risk of developing diabetes.
According to data published by the World Health Organisation, childhood cancers have risen globally by 13% over twenty years. Childhood cancer is still comparatively rare, but the increase is thought to be due to better cancer diagnosis rather than a change in lifestyle that is increasing incidence. The most common cancer seen in children is leukaemia which accounts for a third of cases in those under the age of 15. In poorer countries, some children’s cancers go undetected and these children do not receive treatment and specifically diagnosis in girls and small babies is particularly low.
A study which included half a million people living in China has found that those who ate fruit daily were 12% as less likely to develop type II diabetes than those who do not. The study also indicated that those suffering with diabetes who had fruit regularly were less likely to experience complications from their diabetes, such as eye problems. Currently, many people with diabetes in China avoid eating fruit as they were told it could increase their blood sugar. The study matches advice given in the UK that fresh fruit should be included as part of a healthy diet. The research did not limit other foods the participants were eating, so it is not possible to conclude that eating fruit alone decreases the risk of diabetes.
The Royal College of Nursing is asking its members whether or not they want to strike prior to launching a formal ballot. Pay freezes and caps on pay rises have been affecting nurses since 2010. The increasing pressure on the NHS means that nurses are being pushed harder with no increase in pay. So far, pay increases given to the public sector have not be covering the increasing living costs in the UK. Nurses will also be asked whether they want to opt for other forms of industrial action, for example, only working to their contracted hours and not accepting overtime.
Words: Joelle
