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A Facebook bug that saw the social network send automatic friend requests to any profiles

It used to be such a common refrain it was nearly a cliché: if you

Dean Gaffney has credited the medical team of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! for catching a sign of bowel cancer early and “saving” his life. The former EastEnders star said he underwent a medical examination in 2020 as he was being considered for an appearance on the show’s Covid-safe version at Gwrych Castle in Wales. The doctors flagged that Gaffney was "losing blood somewhere" after routine blood tests and initially thought he could have anaemia or an iron deficiency. Speaking to the Mirror, Gaffney, 45, admitted he “thought they were being a bit over the top”, but following a colonoscopy, doctors found a number of polyps in his large intestine and referred him for surgery immediately. “There is no doubt I’m A Celeb and its medical team saved my life. I might not be here today if it wasn’t for them finding what they did,” he said. Gaffney divulged that he was admitted to hospital “within hours” and was “under general anaesthetic” when “they took it out”. Recalling the moments after he woke up from the surgery, Gaffney said the doctor told him: “Had you not come to us today, in three years that could have turned to bowel cancer. You’ve been very lucky.” “I still remember his exact words,” Gaffney said. “I feel so, so lucky. It’s made me so careful about checking my stools.” Gaffney wants to raise awareness around bowel cancer, following in the footsteps of the late Dame Deborah James, who died last June of the disease. He described the Bowelbabe activist and fundraiser as “an inspiration to so many”. “I have so much respect for her fight and the awareness she raised for bowel cancer,” he said. “If I can do a small fraction of that for men, it’d make me very happy.” Detailing what the doctors had found in his large intestine, Gaffney said the polyps were “massive” and one was “20mm, which is big for a polyp”. “They didn’t mess about, they put me under general anaesthetic, operated and burned the polyps away. When I came round, I could see the doctors were slightly angry with me and it was serious,” he continued. “They didn’t mince their words and said how lucky I was it had been found now. I was stunned.” The doctors wanted to know why Gaffney had not noticed blood in his stool, to which he replied that he did not “make a habit of looking at my stools”. “Any time I’ve ever seen a bit of red I just think, maybe I’ve had peri-peri sauce,” he added. “I’m so grateful to the people on the show for bringing it to my attention. I check my stools all the time now. I’d urge others to do it too.” Read More Pierce Brosnan says he simply ‘doesn’t get angry’ Bowel cancer ‘red flags’ that can show two years before diagnosis Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers says one food has helped him return to work after cancer treatment GB News in ‘significant breach’ of Ofcom rules over Covid vaccine claims Ex-Corrie star Chris Fountain shares updates after heart surgery for ‘mini-stroke’ Bo Jackson says he will undergo procedure after year-long battle with chronic hiccups

A professional boxer forced to give up his career after a brain tumour was missed by medics for six years told how he was determined to get his life back. Dad-of-two Peter McDonagh, 45, collapsed at a service station in February 2019 after he stopped the car and started vomiting. He was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he underwent a CT scan which identified a brain tumour near his left ear. An MRI was performed, which identified a mass around 2.7cm by 2.7cm with surgeons removing most of the tumour before radiotherapy. But Peter was devastated to be told the mass had been identified on scans in 2013 and 2017, which were carried out for him to renew his boxing licence. Peter, from Leatherhead, Surrey, hoped to return to his old job as a fishmonger, but it was too unsafe due to issues he now has with balance. He now suffers hearing loss, facial palsy, balance disturbance and psychological symptoms, and is plagued by ‘what ifs’ - but is looking forward to getting hitched. Peter said: “Being diagnosed with a brain tumour was a huge shock to me as I’d been undergoing routine scans for many years so I would’ve expected anything abnormal to have been picked up in those. “One of the main things I’ve struggled with as a result of the tumour is my ongoing symptoms and also having to give up my career. “Boxing was a huge part of my life and I’ve found it really tough to come to terms with no longer being able to compete and do what I love. “After my surgery, I tried to return to my pre-boxing trade of a fishmonger but I also had to give that up as I was unable to balance and the risk of getting hurt was too high. “Since then, I get angry and upset sometimes when I think things may have been different if it the tumour been found sooner. “However, I am on the road to recovery and try my best not to dwell on ‘what ifs’ and focus on my future. The consultant neuroradiologist responsible for performing annual MRI screening on Peter as part of his boxing career, admitted that in 2013 and 2017 a brain tumour was visible on scans but wasn’t reported at the time, which “fell below a reasonable standard of care.” It was also admitted that had it been reported, Peter would have undergone earlier treatment - but as it was missed it continued to grow from 2013 to 2019. Peter collapsed on February 4 2019, when he stopped the car, vomited and fell to the ground. After a CT scan was carried out, he went to A&E four days later complaining of dizziness, and was told the CT scan had found a tumour, which was also visible on a subsequent MRI scan. Previous brain scans for his annual boxing licence were reassessed. On March 12 2019, Peter underwent a 15-hour surgery with the aim of removing around 95 per cent of the tumour, leaving a small mass on the facial nerve to allow it to function properly. He was discharged from hospital five days later, with a plan for six-monthly MRI scans. On 15 March, 2021, radiotherapy was performed following growth of the residual tumour. Two years on, Peter continues to be affected by problems with his hearing and balance, as well as occasional facial twitching and tingling, and he also struggles with his mental health. Since retiring from boxing, Peter is now writing a book about his life and the day-to-day difficulties he faces. He added: “While I would give anything to turn back the clock and change what’s happened, I know that’s not possible. “All I can do now is work hard on my rehabilitation. “I’ve had such great support and I’m determined to get my life back. “I’ve even started writing a book and I hope that by sharing my story, I can show others that there’s help out there.” Thomas Riis-Bristow, specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “The last four years have been incredibly difficult for Peter, firstly being diagnosed with a brain tumour but then also having to give up a career he loved as a result. “While he is making great progress with his recovery, he continues to struggle with a number of issues, both physically and emotionally, which have a significant impact on not only him but also his family. “We therefore welcome the admission’s made which will help ensure Peter can benefit from the ongoing rehabilitation he needs to help him move forward with his life. “As part of Action for Brain Injury Week, we join Peter in sharing his story to raise awareness of the help available. We’ll continue to support him as he continues with his recovery.” Action for Brain Injury Week runs from May 15-21 and is supported by the charity Headway. Read More Bowel cancer ‘red flags’ that can show two years before diagnosis Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers says one food has helped him return to work after cancer treatment ‘Hundreds’ of cancer patients denied vital treatment as Israel and Gaza trade fire Father shares cancer symptoms he thought was too much coffee Dean Gaffney says I’m A Celebrity medics ‘saved his life’ after bowel cancer scare GB News in ‘significant breach’ of Ofcom rules over Covid vaccine claims

Investors have spent months fretting about everything from South Africa’s daily blackouts to inadequate laws on terror financing

Advantages of being raised by a single mother outweigh expectations and outlast childhood embarrassment.

The global cost-of-living crunch has pushed coffee drinkers to get their fix from cheaper brews. But a shortage

US Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati seized dozens of shipments of unapproved injectable cosmetic treatments -- including Juvéderm and Botox -- over a two-week period, authorities said.

These intercultural collaborations tell a unique story, from adapting a plate of chow mein for European palates in the early 20th century to combining Korean barbecue with Mexican tacos nearly 100 years later.

In front of an exuberant crowd, North Carolina’s Democratic governor vetoed legislation Saturday that would have banned nearly all abortions in his state after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Hundreds of abortion-rights activists and voters watched on a plaza in the capital of Raleigh as Gov Roy Cooper affixed his veto stamp to the bill. The veto launches a major test for leaders of the GOP-controlled General Assembly to attempt to override Cooper’s veto after they recently gained veto-proof majorities in both chambers. The bill was the Republican response to last year’s US Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v Wade. "We’re going to have to kick it into an even higher gear when that veto stamp comes down,” Mr Cooper told the crowd. “If just one Republican in either the House or the Senate keeps a campaign promise to protect women’s reproductive health, we can stop this ban.” Andrea Long, a 42-year-old mother of three from Cary, said she was honored be part of an “electric” crowd on what she called a “historic day for freedom” in North Carolina. “I couldn’t stop crying tears joy seeing the governor hold up the veto stamp, but I know it’s an uphill battle to keep this momentum going,” Ms Long said. Mr Cooper, a strong abortion-rights supporter, had until Sunday night to act on the measure that tightens current state law, which bans most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Mr Cooper spent the week on the road talking to North Carolinians about the bill’s lesser-known impacts and urging them to apply pressure upon key Republican lawmakers who hesitated about further restrictions during campaigns for office last year. The legislation passed along party lines in the last week in the House and Senate. Republicans have pitched the measure as a middle-ground change to state abortion laws developed after months of private negotiations between House and Senate GOP members. It adds exceptions to the 12-week ban, extending the limit through 20 weeks for rape and incest and through 24 weeks for “life-limiting” fetal anomalies. But Mr Cooper has said repeatedly the details contained in the 47-page bill show that the measure isn’t a reasonable compromise and would instead greatly erode reproductive rights. He cites new obstacles for women to obtain abortions — such as requiring multiple in-person visits, additional paperwork to prove a patient has given their informed consent to an abortion and increased regulation of clinics providing the procedure. Mr Cooper and allies have said those changes in practice will shut down clinics that cannot afford major upgrades mandated by new licensing standards and make it nearly impossible for women who live in rural areas or work long hours to access abortion services. Compared to recent actions by Republican-controlled legislatures elsewhere, the broad prohibition after 12 weeks can be viewed as less onerous to those in other states where the procedure has been banned almost completely. But abortion-rights activists have argued that it’s more restrictive than meets the eye and will have far-reaching consequences. Since Roe was overturned, many patients traveling from more restrictive states have become dependent on North Carolina as a locale for abortions later in pregnancy. Republicans call the legislation pro-family and pro-child, pointing to at least $160m in spending contained within for maternal health services, foster and adoption care, contraceptive services and paid leave for teachers and state employees after the birth of a child. Mr Cooper has singled out four GOP legislators — three House members and one senator — whom he said made “campaign promises to protect women’s reproductive health.” Anti-abortion groups accused Cooper of trying to bully them. One of those House members is Rep Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County, who voted for the bill mere weeks after she switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP. The move gave Republicans a veto-proof supermajority if all of their legislators are present and voting. Ms Cotham has spoken out for abortion rights in the past and even earlier this year co-sponsored a bill to codify abortion protections into state law. Rep Ted Davis of Wilmington — another targeted legislator — was the only Republican absent from last week’s initial House vote. The Senate margin already became veto-proof after GOP gains last November. Mr Davis said last fall that he supported “what the law is in North Carolina right now,” which was a 20-week limit. Davis has declined to comment on the bill, but House Speaker Tim Moore said recently that Davis is a “yes” vote for an override. Read More Faith leaders speak out against ‘toxic’ Christian nationalist conference arriving at Trump’s Miami resort GOP boycott in Oregon threatens abortion, transgender bills and protesters' own political careers Louisiana Republicans refuse rape and incest exceptions to state’s sweeping anti-abortion law Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide

Amazon.com Inc has overhauled its logistics network to reduce how far a package travels, in a push to

Actor Chris Fountain has shared footage from the hospital following his heart surgery. The former Coronation Street and Hollyoaks star was admitted for an operation on his heart, months after suffering a “mini-stroke”. On social media, he updated his followers with posts to his Instagram stories on Friday (12 May). “I’m back, baby,” Fountain, 35, said to the camera while laying in his hospital bed. “Still feeling a little bit woozy, my groin is rather sore. But I’ve finally been allowed to eat and drink, but the cheese sandwich didn’t quite do it.” He added that his mother, who was in the room with him, would be going to find him something more substantial to eat before signing off. Later, he shared a video originally posted by Dutch musical theatre actor Martijn Vogel that explains the procedure that had been performed on him. Fountain’s surgery was to address a patent foramen ovale (PFO), which is described by the NHS as a hole between the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart. People with this condition are at a higher risk of stroke. If a PFO does not fix itself, the surgery to treat it consists of inserting a catheter with a closure device through the femoral vein in the leg up to the heart, where the device is left to close up the flap. In a later video, Fountain is seen walking around the hospital. “Back on my feet, they’ve cleared me to walk a little bit,” he said. “What a day! To be honest, I was really quite nervous when I went into the anaesthetist room, it all became very real.” He concluded on a positive note, telling fans that the outlook looks good so far after tests were run to check that the device is “in the right place and working, and not leaking”. The actor starred in more than 300 episodes of the long-running ITV soap, Coronation Street, from 2011 to 2013. He was fired after videos of him rapping about rape were discovered on YouTube. Since then, Fountain has addressed the impact that his firing has had on his life. Read More TikTok Tattoogate: How a tattoo artist sparked backlash for ‘absurd’ pricing and design changes Millie Mackintosh says she was ‘ghosted’ by Meghan Markle after she started dating Prince Harry Elliot Page praised for shirtless photo: ‘It feels so good now’ One in five people may be suffering from ‘dangerous’ sleep disorder Bo Jackson says he will undergo procedure after year-long battle with chronic hiccups As Coronation Street puts the spotlight on sepsis, the signs and symptoms to know