For black women living with breast cancer, it can be especially difficult to talk about what they’re going through – for various reasons. A study by Cancer Research UK and NHS Digital published earlier this year in BMJ Open found black women were more likely than white women to be diagnosed with late-stage cancer, when the disease is generally harder to treat – with lack of awareness, delays in seeking help and barriers to accessing diagnostic tests all cited as contributing factors. Stigma and myths around cancer in the black community can also play a part. “Speaking freely isn’t something that black women do naturally,” says Jacqueline Bassaragh, 56, who joined The Black Women Rising cancer support project in 2018, after struggling with the aftermath of her own breast cancer diagnosis at 51. The groups gave her a much needed safe space to open up. “If I felt angry, sad, even joyous and really happy, I could share every emotion I was going through without judgement,” Bassaragh adds of the flagship programme of The Leanne Pero Foundation, a registered UK charity which supports people of colour affected by cancer. Bassaragh says she initially “shut down” emotionally after receiving her diagnosis. She experienced a post-menopausal bleed, after not having had a period for years, and two days later her left breast started leaking and became very hard, hot to touch and painful. When it had calmed down, she felt a lump and booked an appointment with her GP, who referred her to the local hospital. “The consultant shared that I had breast cancer in such a crude way. I asked if my son could join me — he was in the waiting room — and he repeated himself in the exact fast and crude way again,” Bassaragh recalls. “I was feeling angry inside, but when I looked over at my son and could see his eyes watering up, in that instance — as we do as black women — I just shut down my emotions and asked what we needed to do next. I hadn’t actually cried about it until April this year.” Rhakima Khan recalls how her first reaction when told she had hormonal-based breast cancer on Valentine’s Day, 2022, was laughter. “It’s a coping mechanism I’ve had since I was a child,” says Khan, 36. “The nurse was so taken aback, as she was expecting me to break down. At that moment, I accepted the news and just wanted to know what we were going to do next. “But when I walked out of that consultant room and went to the toilet, I cried. Not because I was sad, angry or frustrated. I cried because they diagnose you with breast cancer and then immediately flood you with information. That can be very overwhelming.“ Khan had discovered a lump near her sternum whilst having a shower after working a late shift as a theatre practitioner at Bristol Children’s Hospital. “I went across my chest with my sponge and thought, that wasn’t there before. I had checked my breasts the previous month but hadn’t checked them yet that month, so I lifted my hands and began,” she says. “I found a decent-sized lump that wasn’t very visible but hard and rigid. It just didn’t sit right with me.” She remembers being determined to stay alive for her son, who was nine, and daughter, who was two. “If it meant I’m going to lose two breasts — though the NHS would only allow me to have a single mastectomy because I didn’t have an aggressive form of cancer — so be it. My breasts don’t make me a woman, they were there to feed my children. It’s society that has sexualised them,” Khan says. She also took up blogging, documenting her journey to encourage other black women to regularly check their breasts . This is how Khan got involved in the new Primark and Breast Cancer Now campaign in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month; the retailer will be donating £300,000 to the charity for support and research. Toye Sofidiya, 33, was first diagnosed and treated in 2016. The cancer returned in 2020 just before the first lockdown, and she eventually had a mastectomy in September that year. “I haven’t come to terms with it,” says Sofidiya. “It’s been three years since my body has gone through a major change – it’s not something you ever get used to. Going on holidays, gaining weight, having to always wear a bra, having to look extra hard for outfits that I would be comfortable and still stylish in. “I sometimes even forget to wear my prosthetic boob, which I can only wear with mastectomy or post-op surgery bras. I don’t mind wearing a lot of T-shirts, tank tops and bandeaus, but I’m really limited as a young woman. I’m worrying about things my friends don’t have to consider. “It’s important to know your body,” she adds. “I knew my body, and as soon as something seemed out of place for me, I knew I had to get checked, because I have a history of cancer in my family. I just didn’t think I would get it.” Neither did Deandra Paul, 29, who found a “tiny lump” on her left breast, two days after finding out she was pregnant with her second child, after being prompted by an Instagram post to do a self-examination. Paul had only recently stopped breastfeeding her baby daughter – but wanted to be sure so she booked a GP appointment, only to be told there probably wasn’t anything to worry about. “I wasn’t happy and wanted to get checked out properly,” Paul recalls. “So the GP made a referral to [the hospital] where I had a physical examination. They told me the same thing and said it was probably just [benign]. But due to their policy, they still had to do a biopsy and two weeks later on June 27, 2022, they told me I had breast cancer. “I remember having an out-of-body experience, where I could see and hear myself shrieking like a hyena. My husband, who was with me at the appointment, was just quiet. I was so alarmed because I have no history of breast cancer in my family. They never told me what to do, but said I could either keep or terminate the baby. “Most people in the black community would assume you can’t do chemotherapy or a mastectomy whilst you’re pregnant, but you can. It’s what I decided to do after going into research mode, to see if anyone has ever done it before,” adds Paul. “I stumbled across the Cancer and Pregnancy Registry, run by an American lady who has been studying cancer and pregnant patients. None of the women looked like me, but thankfully, someone had a similar story to mine.” After surgery to remove the lump and some chemotherapy, she decided to switch to London Bridge Hospital to receive private healthcare from HCA Healthcare UK, where she had more treatment and a skin-sparing mastectomy (with plans for an implant in the future). “Invest in your health,” she Paul. “If you have had the experience of not being listened to, or fear that your health is dismissed by the system, then try and seek a second opinion. If you or your partner have private healthcare through work, use it. If you don’t, research your options for health insurance and really consider if there’s something else that you can give up in your monthly expenses to invest in your health. Health truly is wealth.” Read More See Madonna’s extravagant tour outfits – including an updated cone bra Halloween pumpkins – how to grow your own Presenter Louise Minchin: Menopause conversations are no longer taboo – but we need to keep going Online apps recommended to manage lower back pain From choppy bobs to fox red, 5 celebrity-approved hair trends for autumn The UK’s first dedicated male breast cancer organisation has launched

Kim Petras celebrated the release of 'Feed the Beast' by performing at the Today Plaza's Citi Concert series

Paris Hilton has surprised the world with the announcement of her second child. The American socialite, 42, took to Instagram on Thanksgiving (23 November) to share the arrival of her second baby with husband Carter Reum - a baby girl. She revealed the news by posting a photo of a pink pajama set with the name “London” inscribed on the Peter Pan collared top. “Thankful for my baby girl,” the DJ captioned the post. She placed a pair of hot pink heart-shaped sunglasses and a brown, knitted toy bunny alongside the cosy PJ’s. Fellow celebrities and fans rushed to congratulate the mother of two on the arrival of her daughter. Supermodel Naomi Campbell commented under the Instagram post: “Congratulations @parishilton & welcome Londom [sic].” “Omggg! Congratulations you guys! This is so amazing!” commented fashion designer Kimora Lee Simmons. “Can’t wait to meet London!” Singer Demi Lovato wrote: “Omg congratulations!!!” Meanwhile, Hilton’s aunt and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Kyle Richards, left a series of pink heart emojis in the comments section. In addition to baby London, Hilton and Reum are already parents to their 10-month-old son, Phoenix Barron. The couple - who were married in November 2021 - welcomed their first child via surrogate in January. The heiress also celebrated the birth of her second child on TikTok, where she shared videos of her family’s sweet reaction to the new arrival. In one TikTok video posted on Thanksgiving, Hilton can be heard asking her niece and nephew: “You guys excited for your new cousin?” In response, her nephew asked: “You have two babies?” “I have two babies,” she replied. @parishilton Priceless moments? Family is everything? ♬ original sound - ParisHilton In another TikTok video, Hilton and Reum can be seen celebrating Phoenix becoming a big brother. “Big brother! Big brother!” the couple chanted as Hilton held up Phoenix, who was wearing a grey onesie and white knitted turkey-themed beanie. “OMG ANOTHER BABY!!!! A GIRL SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!” one fan commented on TikTok, to which Hilton wrote back: “My princess has arrived!!” The surprise birth of Hilton’s daughter may not come as a surprise at all, considering the influencer waited until her son Phoenix was born to announce his arrival on Instagram. “You are already loved beyond words,” she captioned the post on 24 January, which showed her holding her son’s tiny hand. Just one month after welcoming her newborn son, the DJ revealed that her family didn’t know their surrogate gave birth until Phoenix was one week old. “Not even my mom, my sisters, my best friend knew until he was over a week old,” Hilton explained on her iHeartRadio podcast, This Is Paris. “It was really nice to have that with Carter, be our own journey together. I just feel like my life has been so public, and I’ve never really had anything be just mine.” Read More Paris Hilton’s husband reveals why she wanted to keep their son’s birth secret Paris Hilton makes grand entrance into F1 party but ‘no one’ is there to watch Jennifer Aniston revealed her wellness secret on Instagram. We try the Body Ballancer Nicky Hilton calls out critics who made negative comments about nephew Phoenix’s head Waiting for an NHS appointment could have had a devastating impact on my life Smelling a mince pie could kill me, says woman allergic to Christmas scents

Almost 140 bearded men who resemble Ernest Hemingway have converged on Key West to compete in the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest

If you're a little bored in your commute and craving some cinematic cutscene vibes for

Who doesn’t yearn for a more Mediterranean lifestyle every now and then? Whether or not a getaway is on the cards this summer however, bringing those dreamy holiday vibes home with a style update is easier than you might think. “Pulling together a Mediterranean-inspired coastal scheme is all about perfecting an airy, bright feeling through the use of colour and material that harks back to ocean shores,” says Rohan Blacker, founder of Pooky. “A palette of cool blues and pared-back neutrals introduces a breath of fresh air into the home, and when paired with natural materials, it works to create this slightly bohemian beachside feeling.” Consider rustic rattan lamps, paired with beautiful linen shades in muted seascape tones too, Blacker suggests. Organic raffia pendant designs also make easy additions, which will allow you to incorporate elements of a sunny coastal scheme through lighting changes alone. Helen Pett, Arteriors design ambassador, says: “When looking at furniture and lighting design, opt for statement pieces crafted with woven rattan or open-weave detailing, materials such as coconut shell or wooden beading. “Alternatively, a timeless colour choice for any coastal destination-inspired décor scheme introduces a pleasant combination of varying blues to mimic a summer sky, and the reflective surface of the sea,” she adds. Here’s how to get the look… 1. Picnicware – Set of 4 Dinner Plates, £20, Next Summer salads and slow days call for lightweight tableware, especially eye-catching designs like this, with a shiny finish to look and feel just so. 2. Seashells Jug, £17.95, Annabel James She sells seashells on the seashore… this beautiful bone china jug is worth shelling out for. 3. Pooky Aphrodite Pendants, from £200 (other items from a selection/part of room set), Pooky Featuring an artisan woven effect and brass accents, these hanging pendants are right on point. 4. Maze Rope Decorative Tray, £15, Dunelm Favourite finds such as this woven tray imbibe thoughts of freshly baked bread at breakfast, topped with exotic fruit platters. 5. Hugh 4 Seater Sofa – Calix Boucle, Ivory, £949; matching Large Square Footstool, £399, and Tarland Pattern Accent Chair – Kirkton Floral, Duck Egg, £799 (items part of room set), DFS A sumptuous sofa like this makes a wonderful centrepiece, especially styled with mosaic print cushions, ocean blues and rattan accessories, for an airy, breezy aesthetic. 6. Abigail Ahern Elian Recycled Glass Table Lamp, £149, Freemans Contemporary and cool, this clear recycled glass lamp with raffia shade will style up any space. 7. Collection Luxe Josie Frame in Wood and Cane, from £850, Next A beautiful base to build around, this carved wood and cane bedframe – especially teamed with a jute carpet, ocean hues and sheer white curtains – is tailor-made for hot, sultry nights. 8. George Blue Arc Tufted Throw, currently £12 (was £15), Direct.asda The finishing touch to dressing the bed à la Med? A tufted blue throw strewn across crisp linen sheets. 9. Indigo Seaweed Print Wall Art, from £18 each (unframed), Beach House Art Beachcombers will be drawn to these pretty artwork prints. 10. Mediterranean 594 Evora Vinyl, from £24.99 per square metre, Carpetright (available early July) Suitable for kitchen, dining and bathroom schemes, this modish motif makes a real feature. 11. George Wooden Lounge Chair – Cream Rope (top), £99, and Wooden Lounge Chair – Cream Cross Straps, £99, Direct.asda These accent chairs with woven rope design or cream straps will style up your suntrap and bring smiles all round. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Whiten up your wardrobe with summer’s hottest trends Paternity leave should be paid for six weeks, campaigners tell Government My teenager gets all their news from TikTok – should I worry?

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 25, 2023--

NAPA, Calif. (AP) — As sunlight spilled into California's famed Napa Valley on a summer day, rows of wine grapes reflected the benefits of this winter's record rainfall.

Babbel is an online, self-paced language-learning program. The instruction is good, and it's more challenging

Al Roker made his son Nick a cheese omelet, serving it with bacon and a croissant for breakfast after his morning run

A world facing catastrophic climate change is perilously off course in meeting goals for slashing carbon pollution and boosting finance for the developing world, according to the UN's first...

Troy Smocks, who was sentenced to 14 months in prison following threats he posted on