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A mother who was diagnosed with skin cancer while pregnant during the first summer of the Covid-19 pandemic has urged Scots to “enjoy the warm weather safely”. Andrea Lambrou, of Newlands, Glasgow, was 36 weeks pregnant in July 2020 when doctors informed her she had malignant melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer. Her diagnosis transformed what was previously one of the happiest and exciting times in her and husband Nicos’s lives into a nightmare. The remaining days of her pregnancy were spent in and out of hospital for appointments and treatment. After a 24-hour induction, 17 hours in the labour room and an emergency C-section, her son Leo was born prematurely on July 24. Lambrou, 39, first became alarmed when she noticed a dark freckle on her leg which appeared to have grown in size, and she was referred to the dermatology department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. The mole was removed the same day, but a week later she was told she had cancer. She said: “I’ll never forget hearing those words – not ‘I’m sorry, you have cancer’, but what came next: ‘We have to get that baby out now.’ “I had no choice. It was just as well I didn’t have a birth plan as there was no time to get my head around anything.” Around four people in Scotland are diagnosed with malignant melanoma every day, which is about 1,400 people a year. UK-wide, the figure has reached a record high of 17,500 cases a year and the numbers are projected to increase by 50% over the next 20 years, according to cancer research. Lambrou’s cancer is now in remission and, alongside Cancer Research and Nivea Skin, she is encouraging people to take precautions to minimise the risk of getting skin cancer. She said: “I hope by sharing my story I can raise awareness about sun safety and about early detection. “After three major surgeries in the first six months of motherhood and a year-and-a-half of immunotherapy treatment, I showed clear scans and I continue to do so. “The positivity just shines from our little Leo. I couldn’t have asked for a happier, funnier, more beautiful smiley wee boy. “But there was trauma and tears when I was first given the news that I had skin cancer. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. “I hope I can encourage people to think about their sun habits and take precautions. “It’s so important, because almost nine in 10 melanoma cases each year in the UK could be prevented by being safe in the sun and using a combination of shade, clothing and sunscreen to avoid burning.” She recommends seeking shade between 11am and 3pm in the UK, when the sun’s UV rays are at their most harmful. She also suggests wearing clothes that cover the skin properly, such as long-sleeved tops, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. Sunscreen over SPF 15 is also recommended. The month after Leo’s birth, a large area of skin across Lambrou’s leg and knee was removed and she had a lymph node biopsy, which confirmed her cancer had spread. After starting immunotherapy, she noticed a marble-sized lump near her groin around Christmas 2020. In January 2021 she went through another operation to remove the lymph nodes in her groin area. She was also kept in hospital after developing cellulitis, a series skin infection. The mother said: “It hit me like a ton of bricks. I genuinely thought I was going to die.” But by Easter 2021, she was told she was cancer free. She said: “If you spot something on your skin that’s not right for you, get it checked out.” Beth Vincent, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Melanoma skin cancer is the UK’s fifth most common cancer, so we’re grateful to Andrea for lending her voice to our campaign with Nivea Sun. “It’s important to remember the sun isn’t only strong abroad. Even on a cloudy day, it can be strong enough in Scotland – and across the UK – to burn between mid-March and mid-October.” Read More Woman exits plane after tirade about passenger who is ‘not real’: ‘Final Destination vibes’ Kevin Costner’s estranged wife slams ‘inappropriate’ $52k child support payment Florence Pugh makes return to Paris Fashion Week in transparent dress following last year’s uproar Warning as skin cancer cases reach record high Best sunscreen for your face 2023: Daily SPF protection, from sensitive to non-greasy formulas

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Board games like Monopoly and Snakes and Ladders – which are based on numbers – could make young children better at maths, new research suggests. The games are already known to enhance learning and development, including reading and literacy. But the new study suggests that for three to nine-year-olds, the format of number-based board games helps to improve counting, addition, and the ability to recognise if a number is higher or lower than another. Using board games can be considered a strategy with potential effects on basic and complex maths skills Dr Jaime Balladares, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Researchers say children benefit from programmes – or interventions – where they play board games a few times a week supervised by a teacher or another trained adult. Lead author Dr Jaime Balladares, from Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, in Santiago, Chile, said: “Board games enhance mathematical abilities for young children. “Using board games can be considered a strategy with potential effects on basic and complex maths skills. “Board games can easily be adapted to include learning objectives related to mathematical skills or other domains.” The new study aimed to compile the available evidence on the effects of board games on children, and the researchers set out to investigate the scale of the effects of physical board games in promoting learning in young children. The findings are based on a review of 19 studies published from 2000 onwards involving children aged from three to nine years. All except one study focused on the relationship between board games and mathematical skills. All of the children in the studies received special board game sessions, which took place on average twice a week for 20 minutes over one-and-a-half months. The sessions were led by adults including teachers, therapists, and parents. In some of the 19 studies, children were grouped into either the number board game or to a board game that did not focus on numeracy skills. The children’s maths skills were assessed before and after the intervention sessions that were designed to encourage skills such as counting out loud. Success was rated according to four categories including basic numeric competency such as the ability to name numbers, and basic number comprehension. The other categories were deepened number comprehension – where a child can accurately add and subtract – and interest in mathematics. The findings, published in the journal Early Years, suggest that maths skills improved significantly after the sessions among children for more than half (52%) of the tasks looked at. In nearly a third (32%) of cases, children in the intervention groups gained better results than those who did not play the board games. Dr Balladares concluded: “Future studies should be designed to explore the effects that these games could have on other cognitive and developmental skills. “An interesting space for the development of intervention and assessment of board games should open up in the next few years, given the complexity of games and the need to design more and better games for educational purposes.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 6 of the best new running shoes for summer Skin cancer cases reach record high – how to spot the signs Why do I get sick when I go on holiday?

Skin cancer diagnoses in the UK across all ages, have reached a record high of 17,500 every year, according to Cancer Research. This growth shows no sign of stopping. Melanoma skin cancer cases could increase by around 50% over the next 20 years, hitting a record 26,500 a year by 2040, the charity says. So, what should we be looking out for? What are the visible signs? “Visible signs of skin cancer include lumps or patches on the skin, changes in the appearance of moles, or the development of new growths on the skin,” says Catherine Borysiewicz, a dermatologist at King Edward VII’s Hospital, London. “Look for any moles or spots that exhibit irregular borders, uneven colouration, or are larger than the size of a pencil eraser. Additionally, any sores that do not heal or lesions that bleed, itch, or change in size should be monitored closely.” You may be worried a rash could indicate skin cancer, but they are normally safe. “Rashes can be caused by numerous factors, including allergies, infections, autoimmune diseases, or contact with irritants. “Some non-cancerous skin conditions may mimic the appearance of certain types of skin cancer, such as eczema or psoriasis. A dermatologist can help differentiate between these conditions based on a thorough examination and, if necessary, additional diagnostic tests,” she explains. Should I be on the lookout more after sunburn? “Sunburn itself is a sign of skin damage caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation. While it does not directly indicate skin cancer, sunburn can increase your risk of developing skin cancer in the future. Therefore, it is important to be more vigilant and use sun protection measures, to minimise the risk of developing skin cancer later on,” says Borysiewicz. Would I be in pain? “Persistent pain in a skin lesion or an area of the skin can be a potential indicator of skin cancer. Pain associated with skin cancer is typically not the initial symptom, but it can occur as the cancer progresses. If you experience unexplained and prolonged pain in a specific skin area, especially if accompanied by other suspicious signs, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist for further evaluation,” says Borysiewicz. Will I feel unwell? “Skin cancer is primarily diagnosed based on visible changes in the skin. However, it’s important to note that advanced stages of skin cancer may cause systemic symptoms, such as fatigue or weight loss,” she explains. When should I get something checked? “It is essential to get any skin concern checked by a dermatologist if you notice any suspicious changes in your skin. This includes new or changing moles, unusual growths, sores that don’t heal, or any other worrisome skin changes,” she stresses. “Early detection is crucial in successfully treating skin cancer, so it’s better to be cautious and have any concerning skin abnormalities evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible,” Borysiewicz explains. .