Prepare for winter, charity urges

British Red Cross urges people to prepare for an emergency this winter 'Ready for winter' campaign opens A whistle, a penknife and a three-day supply of bottled water are on the list of items people should have to hand in case of a winter emergency, according to the British Red Cross.

It recommends having a bag of emergency kit at home and in the car in case of being trapped by snow.

However, a survey by the charity suggested that only one in five people were making preparations.

It also suggested that a kit bag could make a Christmas gift.

Sir Nick Young, chief executive of the British Red Cross, said "many people were caught on the hop by the extreme weather" last winter.

In Scotland, some people were stuck in their cars overnight on the M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Continue reading the main story“Start QuotePeople just don't think it's going to happen to them, but there's no doubt that some of these things can actually save lives.”

End QuoteSimon LewisBritish Red Cross Sir Nick added: "None of us can predict what the conditions will be like this year, but what we can all do is take a set of small, practical steps to ensure that we are prepared."

The charity's recommended emergency kit bag contains:

A list of emergency contact numbers Battery-operated torch and spare batteries (or a wind-up torch) Any essential medication, some toiletries and a first aid kit Three days' supply of bottled water and ready-to-eat foods that keep Copies of important documents like insurance policies and birth certificates Pencil, paper, a penknife and a whistle

Simon Lewis, head of emergency planning and response at the British Red Cross, explained the thinking behind some of the items.

"It's only in times of emergency that you find these things useful. A penknife, well who knows? Cutting yourself free from a seat belt comes to mind," he said.

"People just don't think it's going to happen to them, but there's no doubt that some of these things can actually save lives. It's just a sensible approach really."

In the charity's survey, a fifth of people had prepared for being caught out on the road and two in five people were ready for being trapped at home by bad weather.

Mr Lewis suggested this could even provide inspiration for Christmas presents: "Why not give two presents? Why not give the present that someone will really love and the other one they will thank you for when the emergency happens."

Four in 10 get cancer - charity

Cancer charity says four in ten will get the diseas Fergus Walsh: Thoughts on cancerCancer survival rates 'doubled'Call for early cancer diagnosis Rising cancer rates mean four in 10 people in the UK get the disease at some point in their lives, a health charity says.

Macmillan Cancer Support says the figure has risen significantly in the past decade.

The charity says the rise poses a "massive challenge" for the NHS.

Ministers in England say they are working to improve cancer survival rates and the quality of life after diagnosis and treatment.

Macmillan Cancer Support says a decade ago about a third of people, or 33%, developed cancer at some point in their lives. The charity says that figure has risen to more than 40%.

The estimates are drawn from projections published two years ago in the British Journal of Cancer, which concluded that at the end of 2008 there were two million cancer survivors in the UK and that the figure was rising every year.

Macmillan also looked at recent cancer incidence and mortality statistics for the UK, indicating that 310,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2008.

About 157,000 people died from the disease, and 89,000 who had been diagnosed with cancer died from other causes, making a total of 246,000 who died "with" cancer.

The charity says this accounted for 42% of total deaths in the UK - which stood at 580,000.

Macmillan says the increase is partly down to an ageing population - older people are more likely to develop cancer. It says lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, and improved diagnosis have also contributed to the rise.

'Massive challenge'

Continue reading the main story“Start QuoteWe have a massive challenge ahead if we are to keep up with the relentless toll cancer takes on people's health, and the NHS must rise to it”

End QuoteCiaran DevaneMacmillan Cancer Support The chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, Ciaran Devane, said the calculations had important implications for the health service.

"It is really alarming that the number of people who will get cancer is now well past one in three and that there are so many more people with cancer today than even 10 years ago," he said.

"There are currently two million people living with cancer in the UK and that number is doubling to four million over the next 20 years. Yet no-one thinks the country can afford to double its spending on cancer. We've therefore got to become twice as effective in how we spend that money."

The charity says there is growing evidence of the long-term health problems many cancer patients are experiencing long after initial diagnosis and treatment. It says there is a need for more services to help people stay well at home, rather than waiting until they require emergency hospital treatment.

Major issue

The Care Services Minister for England, Paul Burstow, said it was absolutely right for Macmillan to raise this as a major issue.

"We agree with Macmillan. That's why we are working to deliver more personalised care and more help to keep people well in their own homes.