Miracle pill aspirin could even ward off major cancers

Healthy middle-aged people should be encouraged to take low-dose aspirin every day to ward off cancer, a leading scientist has said.

A major review of trials and studies has shown long-term use of the drug cuts the risk of developing major cancers and dying from them by around a third.

And those with heart problems already taking a low dose to prevent recurrence of their condition would also gain from its anti-cancer properties.

If everyone in the UK aged 50 to 64 took aspirin for ten years it would save 6,000 lives a year – 4,000 men and 2,000 women.

An estimated 130,357 cancer deaths could be avoided over two decades plus 9,473 fatal heart attacks in those who had not previously suffered heart problems.

The downside is that widespread use of aspirin would be expected to cause just under 18,000 deaths over 20 years, mainly due to internal bleeding and strokes, some of the potentially fatal side-effects of taking the drug.

However, scientists calculated that many more Britons would benefit than suffer side-effects. 

From the dailymail

Business is booming for Bake Off star Mary Berry

She has never had any trouble getting her sponges to rise – and it seems Mary Berry is just as adept at expanding her bank balance.

As the BBC’s Great British Bake Off returns to our screens for its fifth series tonight, the queen of cakes has whipped up an impressive business empire thought to be worth as much as £5million.

The 79-year-old’s popularity with viewers is paying dividends, and over the past year she has signed lucrative deals to produce kitchenware, published a string of bestselling books, seen sales of her range of sauces and chutneys soar and been paid to appear at food shows around the country.

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Recipe for success: Great British Bake Off star Mary Berry has whipped up an impressive business empire thought to be worth as much as £5million

And all of this is on top of her estimated £200,000 annual salary for appearing on Bake Off, as well as a further sum for presenting her solo show Mary Berry Cooks on BBC2.
Miss Berry, who lives with her husband in a £2million house in Buckinghamshire, has now set up a network of companies to manage the spoils of her growing TV fame. 

Two of them – Mary Berry Ltd and Mary Berry Merchandising Ltd – were set up in the past eight months and have yet to file accounts. A third, Mary Berry and Daughter, is run with her daughter Annabel Bosher, 42, and made £1.2million last year.

The cast of Downton Abbey enjoy some down-time as they film fifth season on set of Harry Potter movies

Alnwick Castle in Northumberland took a step back in time today as members of the cast of Downton Abbey filmed scenes in the grounds of the iconic building.

The castle famously doubled as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter film franchise - and the Grade I listed building will now be of limited access to the public until scenes are completed on August 8.

No doubt the surroundings make a change for the characters who are used to shooting at Highclere castle in Newbury.

Time out: The stars of Downton Abbey take a break outside Alnwick castle in Northumberland on Tuesday - they are filming scenes there for the next three days

Standing by the entrance to the state rooms, stood one character, who was sporting traditional pin curls from the period which were held in place with special grips

Mixing it up: The cast usually film at the lavish Highclere castle in Newbury

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So famous: The castle which doubled as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter film franchise - and the Grade I listed building will now be of limited access to the public until scenes are completed on August 8

But a filming notice on the venue's website says: 'Please note that various areas of Alnwick Castle will be closed or have limited access on 28 July – 8th August 

This is due to the filming of a major ITV period drama.

'Please check the 'What’s On' page for details about which events will be taking place on these days, as some are affected by the filming and may have to be cancelled or rescheduled. Some days may require a visitor capacity limit.'

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Cast: The residents of Grantham House as seen in ITV's smash-hit Downton Abbey

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Filming notice for fans: Venue owners discreetly revealed the plans on their website

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Famous faces: Shirley Maclaine as Martha Levinson and Jim Carter as Mr Carson

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Stunning: The Alnwick Castle, Most Famously Known As Hogwarts Castle In The Harry Potter Series

They add: 'Please note that some of the State Rooms may be dressed for filming while open to the public on those days. We apologise for any inconvenience.'

As reported in Radio Times, the grand 14th century fortress was also used in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner and Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett.
In addition to hosting weddings and music concerts, the castle also provides 'broomstick training'  and sword juggling shows.

Scenes from the famous film franchise: Harry Potter learns to fly at Alnwick castle

Action: Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith in a scene from season four Downton Abbey

In addition to being famous, the venue is also steeped in history.

Baron of Alnwick erected the first parts of the castle in about 1096 and it was later captured by King David I of Scotland in 1136. It is Britain's second-largest fort, after Windsor Castle.

The fifth series of Downton Abbey  is expected to be screened in the autumn.

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A general view of Highclere Castle at Highclere Park in Newbury, West Berkshire, United Kingdom. Highclere Castle is a country house in the Jacobethan style, with a park designed by Capability Brown.

From the Dailymail

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