BBC journalist George Alagiah has died aged 67, his agent said.
The journalist was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2014 and underwent intensive treatment.
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George campaigned for people to understand the symptoms of colon cancerCredit: PA
The Vijesti u six presenter returned to television screens last year after taking time off to deal with the disease.
His agent confirmed that George passed away peacefully today surrounded by family and loved ones.
She said: “George fought to the bitter end, but sadly that battle ended today.
“George was loved by everyone who knew him, whether as a friend, colleague or member of the public. He was just a wonderful human being.
– My thoughts are with Fran, the boys and all their family.
The Sri Lankan-born journalist, the face of BBC One News At Six since 2007, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in April 2014, which had spread to his liver and lymph nodes.
George campaigned for people to understand the symptoms and urged the public to be aware of the signs that could be a ‘red flag’.
He hosted a podcast, for Bowel Cancer UK, to help raise awareness of the disease, interviewing other patients and experts.
And in May, in his last tweet, he urged people to accept the request for free test kits from the NHS.
“I wish I had had access to one of these kits when I was first diagnosed nine years ago,” he wrote.
Bowel cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the UK, claiming 16,500 lives each year.
But it can be cured if detected early.
More than nine out of ten patients will live five years or more if detected early and treated promptly.
5 early symptoms of colon cancer you should know
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of colon cancer, noticing any changes from your normal state, and seeing your doctor is vitally important.
If you notice any symptoms, it’s important to see your GP.
- Bleeding from the posterior duct or blood in the stool
- Change your usual toilet habits, for example, go more often
- Abdominal pain or lump
- extreme fatigue
- Lose weight
Tumors in the intestines often bleed, which can lead to a shortage of red blood cells, known as anemia. It can cause fatigue and sometimes shortness of breath.
In some cases, bowel cancer can block the intestine, known as intestinal obstruction.
Other signs of bowel cancer include:
- Grasping pain in the abdomen
- feel bloated
- Constipation and inability to pass gas.
- Be sick
- Feeling like you need to push yourself, like you’re doing number two, but after you’ve gone to the bathroom
- you are over 50 years old
- you have a strong family history of the disease
- a history of non-cancerous growths, known as polyps, in the intestine
- long-term inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- type 2 diabetes
- unhealthy lifestyle: you smoke, are overweight or obese, and don’t get enough exercise
The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Program means DIY tests are available to anyone aged 60 to 74.
But thanks to Sun’s No Time 2 Lose campaign, which launched in April 2018, these tests are now being introduced to people over 50.
Led by our columnist Dame Deborah James and backed by leading charity Bowel Cancer UK, The Sun’s campaign called for the age of detection to be lowered to 50, which would put England on a par with Scotland.
In the summer of 2018, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that projections in England would be reduced to 50, a victory for The Sun and campaigners.
The rollout is gradual to include different age groups, but eventually everyone 50+ will get invites in the post.
It’s a move that could save thousands of lives each year.
What are the risk factors for colon cancer?
You are at increased risk of bowel cancer if you have one or more of the following risk factors:
- you are over 50 years old
- you have a strong family history of the disease
- a history of non-cancerous growths, known as polyps, in the intestine
- long-term inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- type 2 diabetes
- unhealthy lifestyle: you smoke, are overweight or obese, and don’t get enough exercise
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Source: newstars.edu.vn