Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
Or call 0345 90 80 161
20 May 2014 09:13
Actress Caroline Aherne was diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer as a baby
Royle Family star Caroline Aherne is helping to spearhead a drive to make people more aware of the rare type of eye cancer that she suffered from during childhood.
The online campaign is being launched by the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) to highlight the symptoms of retinoblastoma with the Mrs Merton star providing the voiceover for its video.
In the past the comedienne, actress and writer has also been treated for bladder cancer and last week revealed that she has been treated for lung cancer. Both those bouts of cancer are thought to be linked to the genetic form of retinoblastoma that she and her big brother, Patrick, were diagnosed with when they were babies.
Symptoms of the disease, which should be covered by a medical travel insurance policy for sufferers planning to go on holiday, can include a colour change in one eye, a squint and an abnormal reflection of light in the pupils.
Aherne, 50, who has said she will continue with her TV work following her battle with lung cancer, said it was vital that parents knew what to look for so that treatment could begin as soon as possible.
She revealed that pioneering treatment had saved the sight of herself and her brother to varying degrees, adding that she hoped the new campaign would help highlight the ways to spot early signs of the disease.
CHECT's medical advisor, Ashwin Reddy, works at Moorfields Eye Hospital and the Royal London Hospital as a consultant paediatric ophthalmologist.
He said it was vital that adults who have survived retinoblastoma have regular checks in an oncology clinic as those with the genetic form were more prone to developing other forms of cancer.
The trust's chief executive, Joy Felgate, said she was sure that Aherne's input would help make the campaign a big success.
She said prompt treatment increased the chances of saving a child's sight, eyes and even their life.
She added that it was also hoped the campaign would also encourage health professionals to treat the concerns of parents seriously, even when the symptoms they were reporting were "very subtle" ones.
17 May 2019
There's more to Monaco than the Grand Prix. Discover the magic of the Mediterranean principality with our guide to what you must see in Monaco.
[more...]
15 May 2019
Are you heading to one of Europe's best music festivals this summer? Then make sure you read our top ten tips before you leave...
What makes the Monaco Grand Prix so special? From a royal guestlist to a challenging circuit, we take a look at why the Monte Carlo Formula 1 race is so prestigious...
Get inspired for a summer of music, travel and adventure with our guide to some of the best music festivals around Europe.
07 May 2019
Thinking of visiting Spain? There are some excellent reasons to explore the country this spring and summer, from football finals to eating snails - so don't miss out!
Want to learn a new language without the hassle of going to classes? Check out our guide to the best free apps on the market and get yourself holiday-ready in no time.
03 May 2019
Why are there two bank holidays in May? Why do we celebrate May Day? These questions and more are answered in our look at the origins of the May bank holidays...
30 April 2019
Experience the magic of Matera! The 2019 European Capital of Culture, Southern Italy's famous ancient city of caves is the perfect place for a weekend away.
Get inspired for a last-minute getaway this bank holiday weekend! We explore five alternative European city break destinations perfect for a weekend away.
18 April 2019
How much do you know about Spain? Read up on some fascinating facts about Spain and learn more about magical mice, liquid gold and big pay-outs.
16 April 2019
Keen to see first-hand who gets crowned champions of Europe? Europe's biggest football match takes place in Madrid: here's your guide to everything you need to know.
Going away with your children? Beat the stress of travelling with your family with these great travel tips. Here's what you need to know if you're travelling with kids this Easter.