Tom made repeated trips to the doctor but says his symptoms were ignored

A dad’s crippling stomach pains dismissed by a GP as the result of “drinking too many fizzy drinks” turned out to be a rare and incurable form of cancer. Tom Hayman, 28, said he was told he was probably suffering from acid reflux despite months of pain, rapid weight loss and repeated trips to the doctor.

But scans later revealed the true cause – a neuroendocrine tumour that began in his pancreas and spread to his liver. The plumber, from Warrington, Cheshire, had been feeling unwell since the summer of 2024 but claims his symptoms were repeatedly brushed aside.

He was “fobbed off” each time, being told there was “nothing to worry about” as at the time he was only 27, which his GP told him was “too young to have cancer”. His fiancée Mary Cooper, 28, said the GP even laughed at the suggestion of cancer despite seeing a “dramatic and alarming” change in Tom.

She added: “He’s a 6ft 5ins lad who loves his food – but all of a sudden, it was like he started forgetting to eat. He just didn’t want food. If he did eat, he’d get really bad stomach pains. He also started to lose a lot of weight.”

Despite fearing something was seriously wrong, Tom spent around six months going back and forth to his GP surgery with no answers. Mary said: “They were just fobbing us off with things like ‘you drink too many fizzy drinks’.”

Doctors initially suggested acid reflux – something Tom had suffered with before. Mary added: “The doctor thought it was acid reflux, but this was coming from his liver area. “I knew it wasn’t right for him to be doubled over in pain. Tom was worried it was something sinister – but the doctor laughed and said he wouldn’t have cancer at his age.”

She claims the GP suggested he undergo scans only because Tom appeared anxious. The tests, carried out at Warrington Hospital, changed everything. Mary said: “A day later, they rang to say they’d found something on his liver.”

Further tests in London confirmed the devastating diagnosis – a neuroendocrine tumour that had already spread, along with a blood clot on Tom’s liver. The couple were referred to Clatterbridge in May 2025 and have been researching treatment options ever since.

Mary said: “Tom felt like he was not being listened to and almost mocked. Hearing the word cancer was overwhelming. It was all a bit of a blur, to be honest. We were both crying and the next thing we were thinking was – how are we going to tell our family and friends?

“What is his life going to be like now? We couldn’t take in anything that was said during that appointment because our worlds had just stopped. I can’t explain the feeling. It was just sadness and anger. There was a wave of emotions.

“You think about the future and buying a house, getting married, having more children – but you’re asking whether these things are ever going to happen.”

With no cure available in the UK, the family’s hope now lies overseas in Germany, where doctors offer dendritic cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy designed to help the body fight cancer. Mary said Tom found out about the treatment through social media.

After reaching out to hospitals abroad and sharing Tom’s medical notes, discussions about treatment options began. The family are aiming to raise £50,000 which would cover medical fees, travel, accommodation, and time away from work while Tom focuses on getting better.

Despite everything, Mary says Tom remains positive – even when his health dips. She said: “He believes that if he thinks positively, then positive things will come. “He takes everything in his stride.”

Their son Ronnie, four, is unaware of the seriousness of his dad’s illness – but senses when something is wrong. Mary said: “He doesn’t know what’s happening, but he has seen when Tom’s not unwell, which upsets him. We’re just trying to keep life as normal as possible for him.”

Mary said she hopes sharing Tom’s story will raise awareness – particularly among young people whose symptoms may be ignored. They have launched a fundraiser to cover treatment costs.

To donate visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hope-for-tom-supporting-his-cancer-treatment-in-germany

BBC Breakfast shared a heartbreaking story on Tuesday after a young woman’s tragic death

BBC Breakfast star Sally Nugent made an emotional announcement on Tuesday (February 10), as a guest was left in tears.

The latest edition of the hit morning programme saw Sally deliver the latest news from across the UK and around the world, while her co-star Jon Kay shared political updates live from Downing Street.

Sally was joined in the Salford studio by Carol Kirkwood, who delivered regular weather forecasts, while John Watson handled the sports segment.

Later in the show, Sally announced the death of a 21-year-old, who sadly passed away from sepsis six years ago. Bethan James’s grieving parents are now campaigning for better training to diagnose one of the UK’s biggest killers.

“The parents of a young woman from Cardiff who died after sepsis wasn’t spotted early enough are calling for better training to diagnose the condition,” Sally said.

“Bethan James was 21 when she died six years ago after life-saving treatment was delayed. It comes as a BBC investigation finds sepsis awareness training is still not mandatory at most hospitals in Wales, despite being one of the UK’s biggest killers.”

A pre-recorded segment was then played, in which Bethan’s parents emotionally recounted their daughter’s symptoms.

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Emergency services were called to the A177 Durham Road near Thorpe Thewles, Stockton on Monday (February 9), just after 5.20pm.

It is understood the road was closed for a short time while the ambulance service treated two people. One was taken to hospital.

The circumstances of the crash are not yet known.

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: “We attended a road traffic collision on the A177 in Thorpe Thewles just after 5.20pm today (February 9).

“A paramedic crew arrived at the scene and assessed two patients.

“One patient was discharged at scene and the other taken to hospital.”

Cleveland Police has been contacted for more information.

Firefighters from Thirsk and Ripon were called to Station Road in Topcliffe, near Thirsk, at 6.20am today (Tuesday, February 10).

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said fire crews had managed to release the man through the sunroof of his cab.

This incident is still ongoing.

The A167 between Topcliffe and Busby Stoop is closed.

North Yorkshire Police said: “Please avoid the area if you can, and use alternative routes where possible while emergency services work at the scene.”

The company’s brand and intellectual property have been sold but stores including one in Scotland are in the hands of administrators.

LK Bennett moved from its position in Edinburgh’s boutique quarter in George Street to Multrees Walk before moving again to a concession in John Lewis.

It was reported that around 90 jobs were at risk as all its stores face closure. An earlier administration saw 15 stores close, including one in Glasgow.

A statement on the company website said John Noon and Mark Firmin of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed joint administrators of LK Bennett Fashion Limited.

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It continued: “Immediately following their appointment, the LK Bennett brand and related intellectual property was sold to LKB IP Holdings, LLC, a Gordon Brothers affiliated entity.

“The LK Bennett stores were not included in the transaction and continue to trade under the administration. Online sales via the LK Bennett website continue for the foreseeable future.

“The company’s affairs, business and property are being managed by the joint administrators, who act as agents of the company and without personal liability.”

It added: “The joint administrators, the joint administrators’ firm and any of the joint administrators’ partners, employees, agents or advisers will not bear any liability, whether personal or otherwise under or in connection with the terms and conditions nor any other policy.”

The company listed nine shops and 13 concessions. Administrators will operate the outlets for “up to three months”, Drapers reported.

The Edinburgh-based owner of Royal Bank of Scotland has clinched its biggest acquisition since the financial crisis.

NatWest Group has this morning announced the £2.7 billion acquisition of Evelyn Partners, ramping up its presence in the private banking and wealth market which it currently serves through its Coutts boutique operation.

It is the bank’s biggest acquisition since receiving a £45.5bn bailout during the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, when it was known as Royal Bank of Scotland at parent group level. The bank made its full return to private ownership in May last year.

NatWest declared the Evelyn deal creates UK’s leading private banking and wealth management business, overseeing more than £125bn of assets under management and administration with the addition of Evelyn’s £65bn of AUMA.

The founder of the prestigious Edinburgh New Town Cookery School has announced her retirement after a 50-year career in the industry.

Leading culinary educator Fiona Burrell trained chefs, entrepreneurs and home cooks throughout her five decades in the sector before stepping down.

Fiona started started work as a teacher at Leiths School of Food and Wine founded by Dame Prue Leith in 1983. (Image: Supplied)

Ms Burrell said: “When I founded the school, my goal was to give people skills that would stay with them for life, but also the confidence to use those skills to change their own futures.

“Seeing students transform their careers, start businesses, or simply find joy in cooking has been the most rewarding part of my work.”

Ms Burrell began her career in Edinburgh in the 1970s, later working in kitchens in London before joining Leiths School of Food and Wine in 1983.

She rose from teacher to principal during her 12 years at Leiths, contributing to several of the school’s cookbooks. After leaving, she became a consultant, recipe developer, food stylist and columnist, also appearing on television and radio.

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The Environment Agency (EA) has issued warnings for 99 areas in the UK, mostly across southern England, the southern Welsh border, and the East Midlands.

However, flooding is possible in a further 170 locations.

At least 300 properties have been flooded so far, the EA estimates.

Environment Agency issues flood warnings across UK this week

Andrew Hitchings, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: “With another band of rain on its way, we need the public to remain vigilant to the risk of flooding.

“As well as significant groundwater remaining likely in parts of Dorset and Wiltshire, there are risks of significant river flooding impacts on the Somerset Levels, with minor river flooding impacts expected in parts of the East Midlands and probable in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.”

The warnings follow what the Met Office described as “the wettest January on record” for parts of the UK, including Cornwall and County Down.

A yellow weather warning for rain remained in place for much of southern Wales and England until midnight on Monday, while yellow warnings will be in place in parts of eastern Scotland on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Met Office says disruption and possible flooding could be seen in eastern Scotland on Tuesday, with 15-30mm of rain likely to fall widely and 40-60mm possible in places over higher ground.

Mr Hitchings said: “So far, more than 16,000 homes and businesses have been protected but sadly 300 have suffered flooding and our thoughts are with those communities affected.

“Our teams will continue to do all they can to support local people, with pumps, temporary barriers and by clearing waterways to ensure flood water can drain away.”

When will it stop raining in the UK?

The persistent rainfall has already pushed England above its seasonal winter average for rainfall, with parts of the West Country recording more than 30 consecutive days of rain.

Simon Partridge, senior operational meteorologist at the Met Office, warned that the unsettled weather is likely to continue.

Mr Partridge said: “There is currently no sign of any prolonged dry weather for the next seven to 10 days.”

The Met Office forecast warns of further rain this week, before turning colder this weekend.

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Today, (February 10), there will be a cloudy start for many with outbreaks of rain, before a “spell of heavy showery rain” moves into the south and “outbreaks of rain” continue in the north.

Wednesday (February 11) will see cloudy conditions continue with “outbreaks of rain for most”.

The Met Office adds that the outlook for Thursday (February 12) to Saturday (February 14) will be “unsettled at first with further outbreaks of rain. Turning colder from Friday with a chance of snow showers, particularly in the north”.