Elaine Blackburne

Zahida Allen says her father, Anhar Miah, repeatedly sought medical help for bowel symptoms but was given laxatives and discharged from A&E despite weight loss, blood in his stool and vomit, fatigue and worsening bowel problems. After Zahida pushed for further investigation, scans found a bowel obstruction and a biopsy later confirmed incurable stage-four metastatic bowel cancer. Anhar underwent debilitating chemotherapy and died in February 2023, shortly after his 62nd birthday. Zahida is now promoting awareness of bowel-cancer symptoms and earlier testing through the Know Your Sh!t campaign with Newfoundland Diagnostics.

Slimming World has added Subway’s wholegrain 6-inch roll to its Healthy Extra fibre choices. Members following the Food Optimising plan can use the roll with lean meat and vegetables, and two rolls could potentially make up a footlong without using their allocated swips, formerly known as syns. Followers welcomed the change as a more convenient option for healthy eating on the go, while Slimming World said the update reflects its regular review of nutritional information and members’ interest in increasing fibre intake.