A WOMAN who blamed her back pain on having E cup boobs was self-medicating with paracetamol and ibuprofen for almost two years before discovering it was cancer.

It wasn’t until Rebecca Dorman, 33, began experiencing “unbearable” itching on her legs and feet and found swollen lymph nodes in her neck and groin that she sought the help of her GP.

Kennedy News

Rebecca Dorman blamed her excruciating back pain on having E cup boobs[/caption]

Kennedy News

For almost two years she self-medicated with paracetamol and ibuprofen[/caption]

Kennedy News

After experiencing more symptoms and repeat visits to see her doctor and tests she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma[/caption]

But after seeing her doctor in July 2024 she was told there was nothing to worry about.

The mum-of-two claims it was only after repeat visits and tests over the ensuing months that she was finally diagnosed with stage four classical Hodgkin lymphoma in October last year.

Rebecca began chemotherapy right away and will be having treatment until March.

She is now sharing her story to urge anyone with similar symptoms to have them checked.

Rebecca, from Raunds, Northamptonshire, said: “In the beginning the back pain would keep me up at night. I would have chills with it as well but I thought that was my back going into spasm. It’s actually a completely separate symptom.

“I can remember going to Tenerife in April 2023 and being awake every single night with back pain but then during the day I’d be fine.

“I thought having a larger chest could have been behind it.

“I had sports massages, remedial massages, I’d been to see an osteopath and they put it down to tight muscles.

“I felt really poorly but I tried to justify it all of the time because I was a busy mum.

“When my back pain first started in November 2022 I was working at a showing yard so I had to muck out quite a few ponies.

“I fit hair extensions for a living so I was on my feet every working day and then I’m quite an active person so I’d be walking the dog, down at the horses, always on the go so I justified it as other things. You never think it’s going to be cancer.”

Despite originally being told it was nothing to worry about in July last year, Rebecca says she soon went back to her GP, concerned about her symptoms and doctors sent her to A&E.

Her blood test results showed no abnormalities but Rebecca was still very unwell and on her third visit to the GP was referred back to the hospital for a lower body CT scan.

The results showed she had enlarged lymph nodes and in August 2024 she had a CT guided needle biopsy to investigate but the results were inconclusive.

In October 2024 Rebecca was so unwell she was admitted to hospital for 26 nights, during which she had an excisional biopsy on her neck that led to her official diagnosis of cancer.

I was in the shower washing myself and that’s when I discovered a swollen area in my groin

Rebecca Dorman

Rebecca said: “For my blood test results from A&E to come back all clear when I actually had a blood cancer. It’s so bizarre.

“If you go to a GP and say I’ve got back pain, they’re not really going to take you seriously.

“I was in the shower washing myself and that’s when I discovered a swollen area in my groin which is where I was getting a lot of pain as well.

“Before that I just had the itching, the back pain and the fevers but having the swollen lymph node as well that was what actually made me go to the GP.

“I cried with relief when the nurse said your lymph nodes are all swollen. It made me know that it wasn’t my health anxiety, there was actually something wrong with me.

“When I got the diagnosis in October, because this had been going on for so long, it wasn’t a shock.

“I was just grateful to be in hospital and receiving the treatment and care.”

‘I was so poorly and I wished I’d done something about it sooner’

Rebecca’s pain became so debilitating that she stopped working on 15 July 2024 but she is hoping she will be able to return after her treatment.

In addition to fitting hair extensions, she also makes wigs but could not make her own after the chemotherapy caused her to lose sensation in her fingers.

Rebecca said: “The cancer had spread to my bone marrow so the pain was excruciating.

“The chills, the fevers, all of the other symptoms they’d gotten so bad that I was admitted to hospital in the middle of October and I actually spent 26 nights in total in hospital.

“It went from a little bit itchy to unbearably itchy where I’ve got cuts and scars and bruises all over my legs and my arms, even my face was itchy, my hands were itchy. My whole body was itchy all of the time.

“I had my own business, I didn’t really have time to be ill. I was getting on with it and I was self-medicating with paracetamol and ibuprofen to try and keep the symptoms at bay and keep on top of the pain.

“I was so poorly and I wished I’d done something about it sooner so that is why I have started a TikTok and have spoken about it because there might be women or even men out there that are justifying their back pain.

Kennedy News

Rebecca noticed a swollen lymph node while she was in the shower[/caption]

Kennedy News

Night sweats is one of the symptoms associated with lymphoma[/caption]

Kennedy News

Rebecca’s cancer spread to her bone marrow[/caption]

“But they should get it looked at and their health is just as much a priority as anyone else.

“I’m just really grateful to be getting the chemotherapy and to be on the road to remission hopefully.

“I wasn’t actually able to make my own wig because a symptom of the chemotherapy is you lose the sensation in your fingers.

“Luckily my friends came to the rescue and made it for me.

“I was so scared and so worried about having chemotherapy and it does come with its risks because you’re at risk of infection. Your immune system is so low but actually I don’t feel as bad as I thought I was going to feel.”

Rebecca had an interim PET scan after her first two cycles of chemotherapy that showed her cancer had completely gone from her bone marrow, stomach and chest.

Some cancer remains in her groin area so Rebecca will continue to have treatment and hopes to know how it has gone by April or May this year.

A DRILL rapper who murdered schoolboy Jimmy Mizen is back behind bars after breaching his parole.

Jake Fahri, 35, also known as masked drill artist TEN, was arrested and recalled by police yesterday.

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He had originally been given a life sentence for the murder of schoolboy Jimmy Mizen[/caption]

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Teenager Jimmy was killed after Fahri threw an oven dish at him that shattered[/caption]

It is likely to be due to his lack of remorse, the nature of his lyrics and going to an area he had been banned from as part of his parole conditions.

It comes after The Sun passed a dossier of evidence to the Ministry of Justice after our exclusive unmasking of him yesterday as a rapper promoted on BBC shows.

A Probation Service spokesperson told The Sun: “Our thoughts are with Jimmy Mizen’s family who deserve better than to see their son’s murderer shamelessly boasting about his violent crime.

“All offenders released on licence are subject to strict conditions. As this case shows, we will recall them to prison if they break the rules.”

Fahri had been given a life sentence in 2009 with a minimum term of 14 years for the killing of Jimmy, 16, after throwing an oven dish at him.

The glass dish shattered and severed blood vessels in Jimmy’s neck in a south London bakery on May 10, 2008.

Jimmy’s mum Margaret Mizen had said on January 16 that she believes one of the rapper’s videos violated his parole.

Peace campaigner Margaret, 72, said: “He is not allowed in certain boroughs. Greenwich is one of them.”

Asked if 35-year-old Fahri should be recalled to prison, she added: “He will have to. Otherwise the licence will be a laughing stock.

“If he has breached it then yes, he needs to go back to prison and really think about his life.”

In the video for Fahri’s song Dirty Game, he raps next to several luxury cars at Blackwall Point Draw Dock near the O2 Arena.

The spot is said to be inside the Greenwich and Bromley lifetime exclusion zone imposed on him following his release.

The zone was enforced to stop Fahri from passing through the part of South East London where he killed Jimmy.

He had been released on licence from prison in June 2023 but was recently at the centre of a controversy after BBC 1Xtra played his music less than 18 months later.

In one of TEN’s tracks, the balaclava-clad rapper appears to reference Jimmy’s death, and the rapper featured during an episode of BBC Introducing on 1Xtra with Theo Johnson: Jorday Steps Up! on November 17, 2024.

Mum Margaret had criticised the BBC for playing the music of her son’s killer, describing the lyrics as “horrendous”.

She said: “I have to say I’m a bit disappointed with the BBC for
playing any of his music on the radio station.

“I’ll be wanting answers about that as well because I think it doesn’t matter if if it wasn’t the two songs that are the worst.

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Jimmy’s parents believed the rapper had breached his parole in a music video[/caption]

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Fahri’s music contains lyrics about the crime and has been featured on BBC1Xtra[/caption]

“It’s the fact they played some. You know, when you’re playing the songs of a murderer. It’s pretty bad isn’t it?”

The BBC has now vowed to stop playing music by the rapper.

YouTube told The Sun on January 15 that it had launched a review of TEN’s music on its platform.

Fahri, often seen in a balaclava, raps on one song: “Stuck it on a man and watched him melt like Ben and Jerry’s.

“Sharpen up my blade I’ve got to keep those necessary. Stay alert and kept it ready, any corner could be deadly.

“Judge took a look at me, before the trial even started he already knows he’s gonna throw the book at me.”

In another he boasts: “See a man’s soul fly from his eyes and his breath gone.

“S***, I wanted more, it made it less wrong. Seeing blood spilled same floor he was left on.”

HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) had previously confirmed it was investigating the content as a priority.

In response to the initial report, the BBC had said: “Decisions on music are made case by case.

“We have strict editorial guidelines in place before any content is broadcast or posted.

“BBC 1Xtra does not glamorise violence.”

Fahri did not respond to any comment requests and has deleted his social media profiles.

Millwall fan and former altar boy Jimmy was attacked at a bakery in Lee, South East London by Fahri who had gone in and started an argument.

The wannabe gangster, then 19, hurled a Pyrex dish at Jimmy, severing an artery and killing him.

Fahri ran out of the shop and was described by a witness as “walking with a swagger”.

He pleaded not guilty to murder.

But the jury saw through his lies and the wannabe rapper, who went by the street name Dirty Detz and idolised US hip-hop stars, was found guilty at the Old Bailey in March 2009. 

He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 14 years.

A GLASS of wine at lunch, a bottle shared at dinner, a nightcap on the sofa…

Your alcohol intake can quickly add up and you might not even realise how much you’re drinking. 

After a boozy Christmas period, many of us jump straight into 31 days of sobriety to get our health back on track.  

But the all-or-nothing approach of Dry January can seem daunting and unrealistic. 

Enter ‘Damp January’ – a softer approach involving cutting back your booze intake without eliminating it entirely. 

Dr Aileen Alexander, founder of Nourish, tells Sun Health: “Damp January offers a more sustainable and compassionate approach.

“Rather than abstaining, it’s about cultivating a mindful relationship with alcohol, one that encourages moderation and self-awareness.

“By focusing on long term habits rather than short term restriction, Damp January can lead to lasting health benefits, embedding moderation as part of your routine rather than relying on cycles of excess and abstinence.”

The NHS recommends that adults drink no more than 14 units of alcohol each week, spread over several days.

This is classed as ‘low risk’ drinking, and works out at about six pints, six medium (175ml) glasses of wine, or 14 single (25ml) measures of spirits.

However, the World Health Organisation says there is simply no ‘safe’ level of alcohol. 

“It can impair your memory, judgement and coordination, which can lead to accidents and injuries, and it increases your risk of liver disease, heart disease, mental health issues, and many types of cancer,” Dr Alexander says. 

Because of this, attitudes towards alcohol are changing.

The number of adults consuming more than 14 units a week fell from 26 per cent to 24 per cent between 2011 and 2022, according to Drinkaware.

And the percentage who drink at least once a week dropped from 54 per cent to 48 per cent in the same period. 

Teetotallers now make up 12.5 per cent of the adult population, research by Lunzer Wine shows.

Dry January – when you don’t drink anything for the entire month – is a way to dip your toe into sober life. 

But what if you don’t want to give alcohol up completely? 

Instead of a ‘wet’ month, where you continue drinking as you always have, or a ‘dry’ one, where booze is off limits, try a ‘damp’ four weeks instead. 

The goal is to take a mindful approach, choosing to drink or not based on how you feel in the moment, which should mean you drink less overall. 

It’s easy for units to sneak up on you, especially when you’re pouring your own drinks at home

Millie GoochSober Girls Society

“Instead of striving for perfection or following rigid rules, Damp January encourages you to explore what works for you,” Dr Alexander says. 

“Instead of focusing on simply stopping a behaviour, consider the reasons you reach for alcohol in the first place. 

“Is it a way to relieve stress? Do you find yourself drinking more in certain social settings or with particular people? What need is alcohol fulfilling in your life, and could there be a healthier way to meet that need?

“By understanding your relationship with alcohol – without judgment – you can reduce your consumption in a way that feels achievable and enjoyable.”

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Saying no to booze is an ’empowering choice’, according to Sober Girl Society founder Millie Gooch[/caption]

Millie Gooch, founder of Sober Girl Society, adds: “Cutting back on alcohol is an empowering choice you’re making for yourself, not a sacrifice.

“As well as the health benefits, celebrate what you’re adding to your life: more energy, better sleep, clearer skin, and hangover-free mornings.”

If you’re ready to reduce your alcohol intake, try these simple tips…

1. DOUBLE PARK

HEADING to the pub but haven’t had a drink of water for hours? 

Your body will be thirsty, which could mean your alcohol intake ends up being higher than you’d like.

“Often, we drink more alcohol if we’re dehydrated, so have a glass of water with every boozy beverage,” Dr Alexander says.

“But you don’t need to sip on bland plain water. Try sparkling water with a splash of lemon or lime, cucumber-infused water, or even soda water with a twist of bitters.”

2. NO AND LOW

GONE are the days when your only non-alcoholic options were fizzy pop or a glass of water.

“The world of no and low alcohol drinks has exploded,” Millie says.

“From non-alcoholic wines that actually taste good to zero-proof spirits and craft beers with all the flavour and none of the hangover, there’s something for every taste.

Visit DryDrinker for a wide selection of low and no alcohol options.

3. CASH ONLY 

THE average drinker spends around £62,899 on alcohol over the course of a lifetime, according to Alcohol Change UK. 

If you use contactless or Apple Pay then it’s easy to keep going to the bar to buy more drinks as it often doesn’t feel like you’re parting with real money. 

And that’s backed by science. Research published in the Journal of Retailing found that people spend more when using cashless methods. 

So if the bar you’re visiting allows it, pay in cash. 

This forces you to physically count out your money, which may make you think twice before spending. You may be surprised at how much money you save!

4. MOCK UP

IF you want to cut back on the booze but still want to hold something fancy, peruse the mocktail menu next time you’re out for drinks. 

You’ll not only skip the alcohol, but you’ll save on serious calories too. 

A standard Piña colada can contain around 250 calories, while the soft version often comes in at under 100. 

Making mocktails at home? Get the garnish right, says Dr Alexander.

“Add a slice of grapefruit or sprig of rosemary to dress up the flavour and aroma of your drink,” she adds. 

5. KNOW YOUR UNITS

DO you know what actually constitutes one unit?

It’s common to assume that if you only drink a couple of nights a week, you’ll be well under the recommended limit of 14 units a week. But one unit is more than you might think. 

It’s equivalent to a single (25ml) measure of a spirit, 83ml of 12 per cent wine, or half a pint of four per cent lager. 

“It’s easy for those units to sneak up on you, especially when you’re pouring your own drinks at home,” Millie says.

“Who’s actually measuring out a single unit every time? 

“A little splash here, a top-up there, and suddenly a night on the sofa starts looking like a pub crawl.”

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Try to make each drink last 30 to 45 minutes and pay with cash only[/caption]

6. GET THE RIGHT TOOLS

IF you’re serious about cutting back, investing in a few proper bar tools can make a surprising difference. 

“A jigger (typically a double-sided metal measuring tool), a wine measure, and even a good set of cocktail glasses can transform your home pours from ‘rough estimates’ to spot-on,” explains Millie. 

She adds: “When we eyeball measures at home, it’s so easy to pour more than we realise, especially with wine – those big glasses are deceiving!”

Plus, when you make your pours accurate, your drink feels ‘intentional’.

“It’s like you’re crafting something special rather than just filling a glass,” Millie says. 

7. SET A TIMER 

OFTEN find you’re drinking quicker than everyone around you? 

Slow things down and make each drink last more than 30 to 45 minutes. 

You’ll end up drinking less and you’ll be drinking more mindfully, says Millie.

“Mindful drinking can help you hit pause and ask, ‘Do I actually want this drink?’,” she adds.

“By bringing awareness to each decision, mindful drinking helps you build the confidence to say ‘no’ when it doesn’t feel right.

“It allows you to drink on your terms, not out of habit or social pressure.”

8. BUY SMALL

MANY of us are easily swayed into having ‘just one more drink’. 

Well small, aeroplane-sized spirits and mini bottles of wine could help you out. 

“They’re perfect for portion control and make it easier to track exactly what you’re drinking,” says Millie.

“A tiny bottle feels indulgent but naturally limits how much you’re having, and there’s no temptation to just ‘polish off the rest of the bottle’.

“Plus, buying small can turn each drink into more of a treat and less of a habit.”

You can find smaller wine bottles in most supermarkets these days, and mini spirits can be sourced online.

Also try smaller glasses too. A small wine glass holds less wine than a large, goblet-sized one, so you’ll inevitably drink less but might not even notice the difference. 

A DIY enthusiast has revealed that her council house didn’t even have carpets when she moved in – but now, she has turned her young daughter’s bedroom from drab to fab.

Whilst on a budget, in a bid to keep the costs low, Morg Campbell used cheap buys from Facebook Marketplace and Temu to bring her youngster’s bedroom to life.

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A savvy mum has revealed that she gave her young daughter’s bedroom a mega princess makeover, using second-hand and cheap buys[/caption]

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The room initially didn’t have carpet and even had a hole in the wall[/caption]

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Now, it’s beautiful[/caption]

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Morg Campbell eagerly took to social media to show off the DIY project, which many eagerly described as ‘stunning’[/caption]

Now, her little one has a bedroom of dreams – and she didn’t break the bank in the process.

So if you’re strapped for cash but want to give your home a glamorous makeover, then you’ll need to listen up and take notes.

Keen to show off her DIY makeover, Morg, who lives in a council house in the UK and recently showed off her kitchen renovation, took to social media to share her latest project, leaving many open-mouthed. 

Posting on DIY On A Budget, a private Facebook group with 2.2 million members, Morg shared a snap of the bedroom prior to its overhaul – a very plain room with no carpet, white walls and even a hole in the wall.

She also uploaded pictures of the finished room – which is one many young girls would be totally gobsmacked by.

Alongside the snaps, Morg wrote: “So I’ve previously posted a few pictures of my daughter’s big girl ‘princess’ room but I’ve finally finished it so wanted to post some updated pictures!

“Most things are second hand including furniture and decor items. 

“If you have any questions pop them below and I’ll get back to you with where bits are specifically from.

“Not 100% perfect but was done completely on a budget and my little girl’s super happy.”

Morg later confirmed that to keep her costs down, she bought her daughter a secondhand bed from Facebook Marketplace.

And rather than splashing the cash on posh wallpaper, she used self-adhesive wallpaper from Temu, where prices start at just £1.79.

She nabbed cushions from Primark and also used Dulux Pressed Petal paint, which you can buy from B&Q, Dunelm, Wickes and Screwfix from £22. 

DIY fans beam

Social media users were left stunned by the DIY overhaul – and many eagerly flocked to the comments to express this and praise the ‘beautiful’ room. 

Absolutely stunning. Well done!

Facebook user

One person said: “It’s stunning and that bed is beautiful.”

Another added: “So cute.” 

A third commented: “Aww it’s just amazing. Lucky young lady. Well done mama.” 

Whilst someone else chimed in: “Absolutely stunning. Well done!”

At the same time, another DIY enthusiast beamed: “You’ve done an amazing transformation.”

DAME Joan Plowright has died at the age of 95.

The actress, who was married to Lord Laurence Olivier, was known for her Golden Globe award-winning performances in TV biopic Stalin and Enchanted April, for which she was also nominated for an Academy Award.

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Award-winning actress Dame Joan Plowright has died at the age of 95[/caption]

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The actress pictured at home in 1960[/caption]

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The late Queen with Plowright at the National Theatre in 2013[/caption]

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Plowright and husband Laurence Olivier toasting with champagne in celebration of his peerage[/caption]

Dame Joan also starred in Love You To Death with River Phoenix, and was a star of the West End and Broadway before her international movie success.

A family statement said: “It is with great sadness that the family of Dame Joan Plowright, the Lady Olivier, inform you that she passed away peacefully on January 16 2025 surrounded by her family at Denville Hall aged 95.

“She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theatre, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire.

“She cherished her last 10 years in Sussex with constant visits from friends and family, filled with much laughter and fond memories.

“The family are deeply grateful to Jean Wilson and all those involved in her personal care over many years.

“Joan is survived by her loving family: Tamsin and Wilf, Julie-Kate and Dan, Richard, Shelley, Troy, Ali, Jeremy, step-granddaughter and great granddaughter Kaya and Sophia, and great grand-daughter soon to arrive.

“The family ask you to please respect their request for privacy at this time.

“We are so proud of all Joan did and who she was as a loving and deeply inclusive human being.

“She survived her many challenges with Plowright grit and courageous determination to make the best of them, and that she certainly did.

“Rest in peace, Joan…”

Dame Joan’s wedding to Lord Olivier in 1961 was the sensation of the year, and their marriage was an enduring one until the theatre great’s death in 2007 at the age of 86.

She became his carer through a series of chronic illnesses, including cancer.

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Plowright appearing in the TV special The Merchant of Venice in 1973[/caption]

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Lauren Bacall with Olivier and Plowright in New York City in 1983[/caption]

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Plowright attends the cocktail reception ahead of The Laurence Olivier Awards in 2009[/caption]

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Dame Joan with her dresser Margaret Jessop as she prepares for the role of Filumena in 1977[/caption]

Star recruit Shai Bolton already has a licence to thrill. And the Fremantle recruit should be handed the keys in his first season in purple, according to a former Docker. 

A Pakistani court has sentenced former leader Imran Khan to 14 years in jail and his wife Bushra Bibi to seven years - one of multiple cases against the couple.

Erling Haaland has signed a new deal at Manchester City that ties him to the Premier League champions until 2034.

Three lawyers accused of helping late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to run illegal activity from prison have been jailed.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has notched a second straight Australian Open five-set comeback win, as Aryna Sabalenka extended her streak of consecutive sets won.