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OVER 500 people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer each year in Ireland, a new report revealed.

Prolonged, chronic heartburn or acid reflux can increase the risk of the deadly cancer of the food pipe.

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Andres Poveda

Almost one in three men in Ireland are unaware of oesophageal cancer, the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) found.

And 64 per cent of men were unaware of these symptoms.

It’s estimated that 2,000 people are currently living with oesophageal cancer in the country.

Unfortunately, approximately seven in 10 patients experience possible symptoms of oesophageal cancer for three months before contacting their doctor.

This type of cancer affects more men than women in Ireland, by a ratio of eight to one and it has a five year survival rate of 25 per cent.

Worldwide, oesophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer mortality.

But a fifth of people surveyed across all demographics were unaware of oesophageal cancer.

Pro-golfer and OCF patron Padraig Harrington’s father Paddy died of oesophageal cancer in July 2005, nearly 20 years ago. 

Padraig said: “Oesophageal cancer is something I know too well, as my father, Paddy, passed away from it. And I want people to know the symptoms. 

“So, if you’re struggling to swallow food, have persistent heartburn, acid reflux or a persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, or pain, don’t ignore it.

“Talk to your GP. Catching this cancer early can make all the difference. 

“And I am encouraging more people to get involved with OCF’s Lollipop Day to raise vital awareness and funds for oesophageal cancer.  Early detection saves lives.”

The OCF is reminding the public of the importance of recognising the early symptoms of this cancer, as Lollipop Day on February 28 approaches.

Founder and Board member of OCF, Noelle Ryan, said: “Every lollipop, every symptom card and every mention helps us to fill the big awareness gap regarding this cancer. 

‘STOP IGNORING’

“And we are calling on people to know the symptoms and to be proactive about their oesophageal and gut health. 

“People, especially men, must stop ignoring ongoing chronic heartburn as ‘normal’ and putting up with it for too long before going to their GP.

“When this cancer is caught early, the survival rate can be more than doubled. 

“I want to thank the wonderful volunteers, clubs, schools and businesses who are supporting Lollipop Day and I’d like to acknowledge our dear friends who have passed away from this disease. 

“We thank their families and friends for continuing to support OCF in our vital work and in bringing the good fight to this bad cancer.”

OCF chiefs are asking that the public buy a lollipop, just €3, from volunteers nationwide on February 28 and March 1, 2025 to show support and help fund research into oesophageal cancer. 

The charity is also urging more local businesses, schools and clubs to get involved by organising their own Lollipop Day to help fill the gap in awareness identified.

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Andres Poveda

Andres Poveda

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes claims wantaway star Marcus Rashford should be “banished” from the dressing room amid the ongoing saga regarding his future.

Rashford, 27, hasn’t played for United since December 12 and admitted last month he is “ready for a new challenge”.

YouTube / The Overlap

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Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim has left him out of the squad for every game since his last appearance apart from one, in which he was an unused substitute.

Amorim also omitted the forward from Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Fulham suggesting he is so unhappy with the way he trains he would rather pick 63-year-old goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital ahead of him.

Scholes addressed the ongoing drama and criticised the England international’s attitude as he “let a lot of people down”.

The United legend warned Rashford that he’s making the same mistake he committed years ago when he asked Sir Alex Ferguson not to play in a cup game against Arsenal.

The ex-England international believes he should be banned from the dressing room as he sets the wrong example for younger players.

Scholes told Sky Bet’s The Overlap: “I think Marcus has let a lot of people down with his attitude and I think that’s what the manager is trying to say.

“You think of the young players coming through the team and think of [Alejandro] Garnacho.

“They’re looking up to people like Marcus now and he’s 27, he’s clearly not training properly, he’s not living his life properly. They’re the examples these people should look at.

“I remember years ago when I told the manager [Ferguson] I didn’t want to play in that Arsenal cup game.

“The meeting we had afterwards, I thought I was going to get a right b********g here, he said to me, ‘The worst thing you did was let your teammates down’. And that really stuck with me.

“Because I wasn’t really thinking about that and now I think Marcus Rashford is doing exactly the same.

“Ok, he’s not refusing to play, but in the way he is behaving and the way he’s training…

“In a way, he’s saying he doesn’t want to be involved with the team and the fact of letting his teammates down, he should be banished from the dressing room.

“If he’s in and around that and young people are seeing that as an example, the sooner he’s gone the better.”

THE university lecturer at the centre of the Lady of the Hills murder mystery is to return to the UK in a bid to clear his name, The Sun can reveal.

David Armitage, 62, is being deported from Thailand after immigration officials revoked his residency visa.

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David Armitage, 62, is being deported from Thailand[/caption]

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David with his family outside their home in Rugby, Warwickshire[/caption]

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Lamduan was found dead in the Yorkshire Dales[/caption]

They acted after Interpol issued a Blue Notice against him – an international order to help cops gather vital info about a crime from witnesses and suspects living abroad.

Armitage – whose wife Lamduan was murdered in 2004 – is not being extradited back to the UK and is free to travel to any other country.

But he is set to return home in the hope of finally clearing his name after years of suggestions by Lamduan’s family that he was involved in her death, according to immigration sources in Thailand.

He was persuaded to do so by his Thai girlfriend and his teacher son George, 32.

A source told The Sun: “George is obviously aware of everything that has happened over the last few years and everything that has been said – as is David’s Thai girlfriend.

“They have persuaded him to go back to the UK to clear his name.

“He is free to go anywhere when he leaves Thailand, but in reality he only has one option– back to Britain.

“He had the choice of appealing against the decision to revoke his visa within 48 hours but he did not take it.”

Lamduan’s partially-clothed body was found in the Yorkshire Dales in 2004.

She was dubbed the Lady of the Hills when she was buried in an anonymous grave after police failed to identify her.

A cold case review by North Yorkshire police finally led to her being identified in 2019.

Armitage, who has been living near Kanchanaburi since 2007, denied any involvement in her death when The Sun tracked him down in 2019.

He said there had been a whispering campaign against him in the Thai media but added: “I didn’t kill my wife. Absolutely not.

“I know the inferences are there but I’m just getting on with my life. It’s been a long time.”

He had been living with daughter Charlena but she was tragically killed in a road accident a few years ago.

That left Armitage, who retired from teaching two years ago, as the main carer for her young child.

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The British teacher was detained by police in Thailand after his residency visa was revoked[/caption]

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At least seven immigration officials arrived at his home last Thursday[/caption]

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Lamduan’s heartbroken parents[/caption]

His Thai girlfriend is now looking after his grandchild after he was detained last Thursday.

Lamduan’s parents Buasa and Joomsri have spent the last 20 years trying to find out what happened to their daughter.

Mum Joomsri, 80, wept: “If my daughter’s spirit can hear me, I want to tell her to rest in peace.”

North Yorkshire Police have said they are keen to speak to Armitage if he does return to the UK.

Armitage said he would cooperate with police but when North Yorkshire officers flew to Thailand to speak to him in February 2023 he declined to meet them.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the detention in Thailand of David Armitage, the husband of Lamduan Armitage.

“We understand it relates to his visa status and residence in Thailand and is entirely a matter for the Immigration Service of the Royal Thai Police.

“Should Mr Armitage be deported, we understand that he will have a choice as to where he goes, which will include return to the UK.

“Should that occur, we will again make every effort to speak to him about the investigation.”

Lamduan had moved to the UK in 1991 after marrying Armitage, who is from Burton-in-Kendal, Cumbria, in Bangkok.

They settled in Portsmouth where Armitage worked as a teacher and Lamduan washed dishes in a Thai restaurant, before moving to Rugby, Warwickshire.

The mother-of-three vanished in the summer of 2004 but Armitage never reported his wife missing and shortly after he moved to Thailand with his two children.

She was dubbed the Lady of the Hills by villagers who buried her in an anonymous grave in Horton in 2007.

Her headstone reads: “The Lady of The Hills. Found 20th Sept 2004. Name Not Known. Rest in Peace.”

Cops initially thought her death was non-suspicious.

Around a decade later North Yorkshire Police’s cold case unit launched a fresh probe and declared her death was murder.

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North Yorkshire Police have said they are keen to speak to Armitage if he does return to the UK[/caption]

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Lamduan Seekanya with David in Thailand[/caption]

News Group Newspapers Ltd

David never reported his wife missing when she vanished in 2004[/caption]

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ARSENAL are reportedly exploring a shock move for Aston Villa star Jhon Duran – even though Alexander Isak remains their “dream target.”

The Gunners are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements after several injury blows.

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Arsenal are exploring a shock deal for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran[/caption]

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Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus are both long-term absentees.

And Mikel Arteta is keen to add an out-and-out striker to his squad of title hopefuls.

The Londoners are known to be big fans of Newcastle superstar Isak, who has 19 goals in 25 games this season.

While RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who has 14 in 27, has also been linked.

But now, Fabrizio Romano reckons that Villa ace Duran has emerged as a likely target before deadline day.

The Colombian has netted 12 goals in 29 games so far this term.

Duran, who recently signed a new long-term contract, was the subject of a failed £57million bid from West Ham earlier this month.

Villa are thought to want £80m to sell their young asset.

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And Arsenal are now showing a strong interest in Duran, with “dream target” Isak deemed too expensive right now.

Romano told Give Me Sport: “What I’m told is Arsenal made a call in recent weeks to understand the situation of Duran.

“At the moment, there’s no green light from Leipzig for Sesko.

“Also Isak, the dream target of Arsenal, he’s super expensive. It’s almost very complicated, nothing in football is impossible but it’s very complicated.

“And so in recent weeks, Arsenal called to understand Duran’s situation, but there’s been no direct negotiations with Villa.”

COME Dine With Me viewers have already ‘switched off’ from the new series, as the latest dining hosts failed to impress.

The latest series of Come Dine With Me on Channel 4 marks its 20th anniversary, with a new episode bringing together budding chefs to see if they can score highest and walk away with the prize money.

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Come Dine With Me viewers did not warm to the new dining contestants, with many branding them ‘attention seekers’[/caption]

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TikTok star Josh was picked up by fans with many claiming they were ‘done’ with the show[/caption]

The TV show has seen its fair share of drama in the past, with huge fallouts and culinary disasters but this time viewers didn’t even get as far as the starters before switching off.

The new series failed to impress with Channel 4 viewers branding the latest four contestants as ‘attention seekers’ and ‘layabouts’.

The episode took viewers to Cambridge where they met with first host Rebecca, who then welcomed TikToker Josh mushroom farm owner Mark, wellness retreat guru Nikki and employee benefit collector Kate.

Rebecca served up braised beef cheeks and dauphinoise potatoes, bagging her 32 out of 40 but viewers at home were less than impressed with the show.

The new lineup in particular sparked comments on social media, with many viewers failing to warm to TikTok star Josh in particular.

One person wrote on X: “Josh is a liability.”

“A f*****g TikToker. Not a promising start,” said another.

Others branded the whole line up as poor, as they said: “It is going to be a long week with that lot of attention seekers.”

“Giving this a go even though I haven’t liked it in ages. Too many attention-seeking whoppers,” posted another viewer.

Contestant Kate also came under fire after making a comment about trying to find a rich husband, as one viewer slammed her by posting: “So party girl is basically on the constant hunt for a money man?”

Others claimed they were done with the Channel 4 show, as one posted: “What an awful show this has become. I’m out.”

Come Dine With Me can be streamed on Channel 4.

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One viewer branded the show as ‘awful’ as they said they were switching off[/caption]

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The new episode marked the 20th anniversary of Come Dine With Me[/caption]

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Come Dine With Me constestant Kate was slammed for her comments about wanting a rich husband[/caption]

DUNNES Stores fans are set to love new “soft knit” military cardigan for the office – and it comes in two colours.

The Gallery Alexa Military Cardigan is available in stores and online now.

It is priced at just €30 and comes in black and khaki.

Dunnes Stores said: “This soft knit cardigan from Gallery is adorned with gold statement buttons on the front and cuffs that offer a nod to classic military-inspired design.

“Featuring long ribbed trims and two patch pockets, it is a statement addition to your wardrobe.

“Gallery is available exclusively at Dunnes Stores.”

The cardigan is ideal for the office and can be worn with jeans and trousers.

Meanwhile, Dunnes Stores is making it easy for shoppers to start in the gym this year – with their gorgeous activewear range.

The range features some stunning pieces including jackets, flattering leggings and additional items.

With bargain prices, shoppers are rushing to the tills to pick them up.

One shopper has tried some of the new range, and shared her opinion on social media.

TikTok user Lauren Egerton shared a short video to the platform for her followers.

In the caption of her post, she wrote: “I got a few new pieces from Dunnes Stores and I decided to wear a few of them today! These are all still available to purchase, even the rest that I showed you!”

At the beginning of the video, she can be seen wearing a luxury pair of black pyjamas from Dunnes Stores, with white lining along the edges.

The set costs just €20 in total.

Lauren said: “A very basic outfit for today, it’s only Tuesday. I’m actually off, but I might take myself somewhere nice.”

“I have new bits, they’re very basic.”

The first thing she shows off is a stunning khaki-coloured padded jacket that is perfect for the cold weather.

Holding it up, she said: “Has anyone else bought these jackets in Dunnes?”

She notes that she bought it two weeks ago in black, but went back to buy the second colour.

The Hooded Quilt Jacket comes in four colours: black, blue, khaki, and winter white.

It is available in sizes XS to XXL, and is set to fly off the shelves as it costs just €30.

In the official item description on the Dunnes Stores website, fashion chiefs wrote: “Designed in a diamond-quilted texture, this jacket has a high neck, zip pockets, dipped hems, and a hood.

“Lightweight and shower-resistant, it’s a great option for transitional weather.”

TOP horse trainers have said they will boycott ITV coverage this weekend unless they are paid for interviews.

Racing is at war with a number of handlers – rumoured to include the likes of Nicky Henderson – believing they deserve a financial incentive to speak on camera.

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Top jumps trainer Dan Skelton has said he backs calls to boycott TV interviews unless handlers are paid for their time[/caption]

Trainers who are signed up with the Professional Racing Association, such as Dan Skelton, will refuse to talk unless racecourses and media rights companies pay them.

Stuart Williams, who is with the PRA, said the aim is not to line the pockets of trainers.

They want the money racecourses hold to be shared around and injected into prize money instead.

But trainers such as Hugo Palmer and Kim Bailey have hit out at the plans, with the former telling Sun Racing columnist Matt Chapman it is a ‘terrible idea’.

But the PRA, headed by former British racing boss Peter Savill, are determined to plough on with their powder-keg plans.

A statement posted on Monday read: “The PRA board met today and reiterated its call for racecourses, RMG and Sky Racing to show that they value the contribution that trainers make to the show, and also to explain why they have so far been willing to pay the jockeys but not the trainers.

“This money will not be going to trainers personally but to the benefit of the sport, including, among other good causes, the NTF Benevolent Fund and Racing Welfare.

“This is yet another example of racecourses taking horsemen for granted as they have for far too long.

“To say that trainers should be grateful for the exposure is both insulting and symptomatic of the imbalance of the distribution of racecourses’ revenues into prize-money which the PRA has been investigating for the past year and which it has found in many instances to be unacceptable.”

More to follow.

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• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
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Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

A FURIOUS dad has slammed Manchester Airport after he was blocked from leaving the drop-off zone and told he had to pay a £100 fine to escape.

Lee Mellor, 54, was picking up his daughter from Terminal 3 on Saturday after she returned from a ski trip.

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Lee Mellor, 54, from Bolton, was told he had to pay a £100 fine after using the drop-off area at Manchester Airport[/caption]

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One of Manchester International Airport’s drop-off zones[/caption]

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The dad-of-one was caught out after pulling into the drop-off area at the airport (pictured) for 20 seconds[/caption]

After spotting his daughter waiting with her gear, he pulled into the drop-off area for just “20 seconds” to collect her.

But as he tried to leave, an airport worker in an orange vest stopped him with a “grin on his face” and demanded £100 for using the zone to pick someone up.

The drop-off zone is only for “dropping passengers off”, according to an airport spokesman, with hapless motorists risking huge fines if they act otherwise.

Lee, from Bolton, told Manchester Evening News: “He had a real smile on his face which really got to me.”

“I was shaking. I was so angry. It was the look on his face that really angered me. It was almost like, ‘we caught a fish'”.

The dad-of-one was driving his white Tesla when he pressed the call button at the barrier to speak to an operator.

After a heated back and forth, the fine was reduced to £60 which he reluctantly paid.

Manchester Airport has introduced these fines to prevent congestion and ensure smoother traffic flow.

Airport bosses want to keep the drop-off area free from loitering drivers waiting longer for passengers to appear.

The designated pick-up zones charge £6.20 for up to 15 minutes, with an £8 charge for a slightly longer 30 minutes.

While drivers using the drop-off zones pay £5 for up to five minutes or £25 for over 10 minutes.

The costs go up in increments after that, depending on how long you stay, up to a maximum of an hour.

The idea is to stop people from hanging around too long and clogging up the area.

It’s all about keeping traffic flowing and making sure there’s enough space for everyone.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “Our drop-off areas are reserved for drivers who are dropping passengers off.

“Picking passengers up from them is not permitted under any circumstances because the dwell time when picking passengers up is longer and it would mean the drop-off areas would become congested and unavailable to those who need them.

“Passengers being picked up after a flight should use our designated pick-up areas.

“These are positioned close to the arrivals areas in all three terminals and have greater capacity than the drop-off areas to allow for the longer dwell times involved when collecting passengers.”

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Free shuttle zones are available, but drivers face fines for misuse of paid drop-off areas[/caption]

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The fine was reduced to £60 which he reluctantly paid[/caption]

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ANPR cameras and barriers now enforce charges in Manchester Airport[/caption]