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** 6 December 2024
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** UK
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** Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the Channel Islands (#1)
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** Early detection programme highlights impact of lung cancer screenings in North East (#2)
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** Urine test breakthrough could revolutionise lung cancer detection (#3)
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** Opinion: Keir Starmer outlines six key targets to reshape the UK (#4)
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** Parliamentary Questions
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** Written Questions (#5)
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** Links of the week
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** Podcast: Let’s talk e-cigarettes (#6)
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** BMJ Feature: The boom in fruit flavour cigarettes is driving youth smoking in Latin America (#7)
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** UK
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** Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the Channel Islands

A recent NHS report has revealed that lung cancer is the most fatal type of cancer in the Channel Islands, with smoking identified as the primary cause. According to Cancer Research UK, smoking accounts for over 85% of lung cancer fatalities. Public health initiatives, including smoking bans in cars with children and restrictions on tobacco branding, aim to mitigate risks. The report underscores the importance of early detection and prevention measures across the islands.

Source: BBC News, 5 December 2024

See also: NDRS – Channel Islands Cancer Report ([link removed])
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** Early detection programme highlights impact of lung cancer screenings in North East

A lung cancer screening initiative in North East England has identified around 500 cases, focusing on individuals at high risk due to current or past smoking. This programme, which includes telephone assessments and CT scans, has been credited with saving lives by detecting cancers early, often before symptoms arise. Despite its success, uptake remains a challenge, with nearly half of eligible individuals declining participation. Respiratory consultant Dr Ruth Sharrock emphasises that early detection dramatically improves treatment outcomes and urges smokers and ex-smokers to engage with the programme. While smoking remains a key risk factor, non-smokers are also encouraged to remain vigilant about potential symptoms.

Source: ITV News, 5 December 2024
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** Urine test breakthrough could revolutionise lung cancer detection

Scientists have developed a pioneering urine test that could revolutionise the detection of lung cancer by identifying proteins released by “zombie” cells—damaged cells that play a role in cancer development. This test uses an injectable sensor that interacts with these proteins, releasing a compound into urine that can be detected after a silver-based solution is added. Successfully tested on mice, the method aims to detect the disease at its earliest stages, improving treatment outcomes. Supported by Cancer Research UK, this test is a promising, cheaper alternative to expensive scans and could help identify cancer months or even years before symptoms appear. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with survival rates for advanced cases remaining low.

Source: The Guardian, 6 December 2024
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** Opinion: Keir Starmer outlines six key targets to reshape the UK

Guardian staff discuss Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s speech outlining his vision for the future, Keir Starmer presented six key targets aimed at improving the UK's economic, social, and environmental challenges. These include raising living standards for workers, constructing 1.5 million homes, and reducing NHS waiting times. The targets also focus on expanding police presence in communities, ensuring that more children are ready for school by age five, and securing the country’s energy future.

The author argues that while these goals reflect Labour’s commitment to reform, they come with significant hurdles. Among the most critical issues raised, Starmer emphasised the need for urgent reform in the healthcare system, promising to reduce waiting times for elective treatments. He specifically pledged that by the end of the parliament, 92% of patients in England should wait no longer than 18 weeks for elective procedures. The author argued this is a significant challenge, with current NHS data showing fewer than 60% of operations meet this target, making it one of the most difficult pledges to fulfil.

Beyond healthcare, the Labour leader's targets focus on economic growth, law and order, and educational preparedness. The author believes that addressing these areas could lead to broad social improvements, with the success of these initiatives hinging on overcoming complex obstacles, particularly within the education and housing sectors.

Source: The Guardian, 5 December 2024
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** Parliamentary Questions
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** Written Questions

Asked by Joe Robertson, Conservative, Isle of Wight East

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisers from his Department have had discussions with the Mayor of London on smoking outside (i) nightclubs and (ii) pubs since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Labour, Gorton and Denton

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced to Parliament on 5 November 2024, and passed its second reading in the House of Commons on 25 November 2024. The bill will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom, helping to reduce 80,000 preventable deaths, reduce the burden on the National Health Service, and reduce the burden on the taxpayer. Ministers, officials, and special advisers from the Department have not met with the Mayor of London to discuss smoking outside nightclubs and pubs since 5 July 2024.

Source: Hansard, 5 December 2024
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**
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** Links of the week
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** Podcast: Let’s talk e-cigarettes

This podcast, presented by Associate Professor Jamie Hartmann-Boyce and Associate Professor Nicola Lindson, discusses the new evidence in e-cigarette research and interview Dr Marathi Vojjala from the Global Institute of Public Health, New York University. Dr Vojjala discusses her pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) that aims to investigate the effects of switching to electronic cigarettes from combustible cigarettes and the potential acceptability of e-cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy among individuals with chronic diseases who smoke.
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** BMJ Feature: The boom in fruit flavour cigarettes is driving youth smoking in Latin America

This article discusses how Philip Morris International (PMI) and British American Tobacco (BAT) have been pushing fruit flavours into conventional cigarettes and fighting efforts to ban the products throughout Latin America. These cigarettes known as click, capsule or crush ball are packaged in bright colours and have been released in dozens of flavours appealing to young people and children. This comes despite tobacco industry promises to phase out cigarettes in favour of newer nicotine products and vows not to market tobacco in ways that appeal to children.
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ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.

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