The Sunday Times February 6, 2022 5NEWS
Fast blood test for cancer could keep 500,000 patients out of hospital
two weeks, include invasive
biopsies, colonoscopies or
bronchoscopies, and scans
such as CT or MRI. Only
170,000 people who go
through this process each
year have cancer diagnosed,
meaning 93 per cent are given
the all-clear.
The PinPoint system aims
to reduce the number of
people who unnecessarily
undergo these specialist tests.
A fifth of people referred —
some 500,000 people a year
— can be given the all-clear
without going to hospital.
GPs take a normal blood
test when they make the
referral, and this is sent to a
standard NHS lab to test for a
range of “biomarkers”, whichA blood test due to be
introduced by the NHS could
rule out cancer for 500,
people a year, with results in
two or three days.
The system was developed
by Dr Richard Savage, a data
analysis specialist in Leeds
who trained as an
astrophysicist but switched
fields after he fell ill with
cancer. He was 25, and
studying for a PhD at
Cambridge when he found
that he had Hodgkin
lymphoma.
Savage, 45, said: “Cancer
refocuses the mind, as you
would expect. I started takingon more sidelines in medical
data and eventually decided
that this is what I wanted to
do full time.”
His PinPoint test uses
artificial intelligence to assess
blood samples and determine
with high accuracy how likely
a patient is to have cancer.
Those at high risk will have
further detailed tests or
scans, but those at low risk
can be spared invasive
investigations and the
agonising wait for results.
Nearly 2.5 million patients
a year in England are referred
by their GP for urgent cancer
investigations after they
complain of worrying
symptoms. These tests,
which are performed withinBen Spencer
Science EditorA renowned statistician who
moulded the nation’s
understanding of Covid has
spoken movingly about the
death of his son, aged five.
Professor Sir David
Spiegelhalter, 68, chairman
of the Winton centre for risk
and evidence
communication at
Cambridge, told BBC
Radio 4’s Desert IslandDiscs, to be broadcast today
that Danny died in 1997,
having been diagnosed with
retinoblastoma — eye
cancer — just before his first
birthday.
Describing the rounds of
chemotherapy,
radiotherapy and stem cell
transplants, he said: “When
he was five he had enough
and we knew he wasn’t
going to survive”.
He said: “We knew he was
going to die. His school
knew he was going to die.
So we could be ready for it.
How people die, I think, is
enormously important —
obviously for them, but alsofor all the people left
behind. And Danny did it
brilliantly.”
He said they had dressed
Danny in his Virgil Tracy
Thunderbird suit and 100
people came to see him —
including most of his class.
The family built and
decorated a coffin and
when it came to the funeral
they walked out into the
road in a procession. “We
just stopped all the traffic —
we didn’t tell anyone. We
just walked out onto the
street in this enormous
procession with his uncle
playing Danny Boy on the
violin at the front.”MY SON WAS 5:
WE KNEW HE
WAS DYINGare proteins and chemicals in
the blood. The results will be
run through the algorithm
and within two or three days
those with the lowest risk
scores are told they do not
need further testing. Those
with the highest scores can be
fast-tracked for more tests.
The system has been tried
on 1,300 patients in and
around Pontefract and
Dewsbury in West Yorkshire.
NHS England has provided a
£1 million grant for a wider
trial in Yorkshire, Lancashire,
Cheshire, Merseyside, Surrey
and Essex. If it proves
successful, it could be
introduced, in which case it
would be expected to save the
NHS £43 million a year byavoiding unnecessary
diagnostics.
It would also help ease the
huge pressure on the health
service, which is making its
way through the backlog in
cancer referrals built up
during the pandemic. In
November, a record 246,
people were referred for
urgent cancer tests,
compared with 190,000 in
February 2020, according to
the latest statistics.
A paper due to be
published in the BMJ Open
journal found the test could
rule out the 20 per cent of
people with the lowest risk
with between 94 and 99 per
cent accuracy, depending on
the cancer type.A victim of crime who was sexually
harassed by a senior detective is taking
legal action against the Metropolitan
Police for “enabling and normalising”
misogyny after he kept his job.
Kristina O’Connor, now 33, called 101
after being attacked by a group of men
who tried to steal her phone. When she
was interviewed about the mugging by
Detective Chief Inspector James Mason,
who later became a right-hand man to
Cressida Dick, the Met commissioner, he
instead turned the conversation towards
her love life and asked her out for dinner.
In emails sent from his official
account, Mason, 43, then a detective ser-
geant, told her he was as “determined in
my pursuit of criminals as I am of beauti-
ful women”. Describing her as “amaz-
ingly hot”, he said that rejection of an
officer’s advances was “frowned upon”.
Although the events happened in 2011
O’Connor said it had taken “strength and
courage” to confront what had happened
and report him. “By speaking out now I
want to encourage more women to come
forward about their negative experiences
with the police. It’s difficult and takes
courage, I know, but if enough women
speak out, the Met won’t be able to dis-
miss them as ‘one-offs’,” O’Connor said.
After her complaint, Mason, who
received a commendation for resilience
and professionalism in his handling of
the response to the Westminster Bridge
terrorist attack, was found guilty at a
hearing last year of gross misconduct that
was sexually motivated. He kept his job
and rank and still serves in the Met.
O’Connor has filed a judicial review
against the Met and the head of the police
conduct panel, saying that they failed to
deal with her complaint appropriately.
Her lawyers argue that the misconduct
investigation was flawed and the terms of
reference meant that Mason’s “discrimi-
natory and predatory” behaviour was
not adequately addressed.
The musician, who lives in London
and is the daughter of Des O’Connor, the
late television presenter and comedian,
said: “The first step would be the Met
acknowledging there’s a culture of misog-
yny. Even in the tiny minority of cases like
mine, where the perpetrator is brought
before a panel, charged and finally con-
victed of misconduct, my experience
tells me that they are still protected, their
jobs considered more important than my
safety and my faith in the police. If what I
have seen is the process by which the Met
is held to account... it is woefully inade-
quate, and something needs to change.”
The force has faced heavy criticism
since PC Wayne Couzens abducted,
raped and murdered Sarah Everard, 33,
last March. Last month the academic Dr
Koshka Duff was paid compensation after
she was strip-searched by Met officers,
with others laughing as they said:
“What’s that smell? Oh, it’s her knickers.”
Last week the Independent Office for
Police Conduct (IOPC) found that officers
at the Met’s Charing Cross branch had
joked in messages about rape, domestic
violence and killing black children.
O’Connor was mugged on her way to
Sainsbury’s in Camden, north London,
on a Sunday afternoon in October 2011
when young men on bikes tried to grab
her phone. She held on to it and was
elbowed in the face, getting a black eye.
Her statement was taken by Mason, who
at the time was the most senior officer at
Kentish Town police station.
O’Connor was in her early twenties
and had recently been working as a crou-pier. Mason asked what casino and when
she replied the Playboy Club, in central
London, he asked whether she wore a
bunny outfit. “Men just heard the word
Playboy and take it as a free pass to be
inappropriate,’” she said. He later asked
whether she had a boyfriend — which he
then unsuccessfully tried to claim in his
hearing was an attempt to check whether
she had support at home after her experi-
ence — and invited her to dinner.
Describing the moment she reported
the mugging, O’Connor said: “It felt like a
chat with someone that was trying to pick
me up at the bar. I felt like I had to go
along with it because he’s the police and
it was only me and him in a room alone. I
felt completely alone and isolated.”
The day after the attack, she emailed
Mason at his official address to see
whether her phone might be taken for
fingerprinting. Although he said no, he
added: “Hopefully you will not be a vic-
tim of crime again but if you ever fancy
having a drink with a very discreet police
officer just let me know, it would be my
pleasure.” In another message he said she
was “amazingly hot”.
Mason also wrote that “coming on to
victims is positively encouraged”, saying
it was “all part of the friendly and accessi-
ble face of the Met Police”. “It’s the rejec-I felt like
I had to
go along
with itEmily Dugan
Social Affairs CorrespondentShocking harassment of
crime victim by senior
detective has added to
the row over the culture
of misogyny at the MetKristina O’Connor
is taking legal
action against the
force. The officer
who harassed
her later became
right-hand man
to Cressida DickI told the detective I had
been mugged. His reply?
‘You’re amazingly hot’
Mason “Please look after yourself
while you’re out in Camden.
Hopefully you will not be a victim of
crime again but if you ever fancy
having a drink with a very discreet
police officer just let me know, it
would be my pleasure.
“If you have any visible injuries that
you would like me to record then I am
happy to take a picture for you and
save it in case we manage to get any
further in the investigation. I hope it
doesn’t hurt too much and I am sure
you still look amazingly hot.”
O’Connor “You’re presuming that I’m
unaffected enough by the crime to
come on to me? Isn’t there some kind
of code of practice that you are
breaking right now?”
Mason “Kristina, have faith in my
detective ability and experience.
Actually, coming on to victims is
positively encouraged, it’s all part of
the friendly and accessible face of the
Met Police. It’s the rejection that’s
frowned upon.”
O’Connor “You have no shame!
You could get fired for this!”
Mason: “You are probably right
on both counts. I can assure that I
am as determined in my pursuit of
criminals as I am of beautiful women
if that helps. You know where I am if
you ever change your mind or need a
friendly police officer.”EMAILS BETWEEN
DCI JAMES MASON AND
KRISTINA O’CONNORwould
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friendFebruary 14 is for the whole
family, say shops like M&SThe bizarre new parenting fad: Valentine’s gifts for children
On the pages of Mumsnet, the
parenting website,
resentment is brewing.
Not towards children
spending too much time
glued to screens or refusing
to tidy their rooms but in
reaction to a rising trend
being pushed by retailers:
Valentine’s Day presents for
children.
“What new hell is this?”
one mother asked, beginninganother big event only
seven weeks clear of
Christmas has proven a
tipping point.
“Three times today I’ve
seen people prepping for
making Valentine’s boxes for
their kids? Christmas Eve
boxes are bad enough but is
this a thing now too?” one
user asked.
“I’ve got friends who
decorate the whole house
[and] put a big Valentine’s
spread on; roses for the kids
and chocolates and cards forthe kids — totally weird,”
another responded.
Critics dismissed the
movement as an
Americanism, while others
said it was a sign of
competitive parenting.
“We’ve just marked
another Christmas, marred
by gratuitous consumerism,
and are careering toward a
similar single-use packaging
fest at Easter, can people just
rein themselves in please?”
one mother wrote.
Others argued that the dayLouise Eccles
Consumer Affairs Editora conversation that has
already received almost 400
responses.
With February 14
approaching, companies
from Marks & Spencer to
Joules and Next are offering
anything from elaborate gift
boxes to greeting cards for
the entire class and balloons
celebrating “My first
Valentine’s Day”. Sets of
matching family outfits are
also on offer.
For some exasperated
parents, gearing up forcould provide much-needed
cheer in the midst of winter
and may also be a touching
way for parents to show their
children affection.
On the website for the
country lifestyle retailer
Joules, Valentine’s Day ideas
are listed for the entire family
including sections curated
specifically for babies, girls
and boys. Its Valentine’s ideas
for pets include a “baby doll”
rope toy for dogs and a floral
cat “hideaway”.
M&S encouragescustomers to “share the love
this February with our
collection of Valentine’s Day
gifts for the family”, offering
matching fleecy hooded
blankets and monogrammed
hot water bottles. In its
stores, huge signs say “love is
anything but ordinary”,
above pictures of a mother,
father and child in pyjamas
with a Mickey Mouse and
heart theme.
Another retailer, Next,
suggests 75 “Valentine’s Day
for children” products on itswebsite including a vast
collection of heart-themed
garments from baby
sleepsuits to teenage tops,
bearing the words: “Mum and
Dad’s little Valentine”.
Matalan, meanwhile, is
selling matching “mini me”
mother and daughter
Valentine’s Day pyjamas,
while Primark has bags of
chocolate coins, once a staple
for Christmas stockings,
decorated with song lyrics
such as “love is all you need”.
@Louise_Ecclestion that’s frowned upon,” he added. He
later told her: “I can assure that I am as
determined in my pursuit of criminals as
I am of beautiful women if that helps.” He
referred to her as his “favourite Camden
victim of crime”.
O’Connor’s mugger was never found.
Mason later worked in the Flying Squad
and was a staff officer to Dick in 2019. The
commissioner, now a dame, has faced
repeated calls to resign in recent months.
O’Connor said: “The Met can no longer
just deny that there’s a really deep-rooted
problem that needs acknowledging. The
problematic individuals need rooting out
completely and there needs to be some
serious reform now, because the system
isn’t working.”
The experience had eroded her trust
in the police, she added. “There were a
number of times when I needed help and
considered calling the police but didn’t
feel safe to do so and didn’t want to invite
more unwelcome behaviour into my
home. I still feel as likely to be harmed by
a police officer as I am from a stranger on
the street.” Her legal case, supported by
the Good Law Project, which has taken
on the Met for its initial failure to investi-
gate the No 10 parties, also names Mason
and the IOPC as interested parties.
Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, who ishigh values and standards expected of us.
This work has been ongoing in recent
months and will continue with the inde-
pendent, far-reaching review led by Bar-
oness Casey of Blackstock. The review
will ask difficult questions of us to ensure
there are lasting improvements to the
service we provide for all Londoners.”
The spokesman said that victims of
crime should have the “confidence and
trust” to come to the police and receive
“support and professionalism”.
In cases where this did not happen, the
force would learn and, if appropriate,
take disciplinary action, he added.
The IOPC said that O’Connor had not
appealed when it decided the case
should be investigated as gross miscon-
duct. “We had no role in the subsequent
gross misconduct proceedings and deci-
sion making over the sanction, which
would have been solely a matter for the
disciplinary panel,” a spokesman said.
“The IOPC agrees there is serious public
concern about abuse of position by
police officers for the purposes of sexual
gain, which should be taken into account
when assessing the degree to which con-
fidence in policing may have been under-
mined and the appropriate sanction.”
Camilla Long, Comment, page 25representing O’Connor, said: “This is not
about a few ‘bad apples’. This is about
rotten trees and a rotten orchard. This
case shows endemic, structural failures
in how the force deals with discrimina-
tion against and harassment of women.
Not only are women subjected to terrify-
ing ordeals at the hands of abusive offi-
cers, but when they come forward to
report gender-based harassment they
will not be treated appropriately by the
police. We and our client hope that this
case will lead to real, tangible change.”
Mason’s disciplinary hearing was in
October 2021. Lawyers for O’Connor
argue the case was suitable for investiga-
tion by the IOPC because it involved alle-
gations of abuse of power for a sexual
purpose and complaints alleging dis-
crimination. The judicial review, filed last
month, argues that the Met should have
dealt with her complaint as one of sex dis-
crimination and operational misconduct
as well as a breach of standards of integ-
rity, authority, respect, courtesy and dis-
creditable conduct.
The Met has not yet filed a formal
response to the legal claim. A spokesman
said: “We recognise there is a need for
real change in the Met. We are committed
to creating an environment that is intol-
erant to those who do not uphold theThis isn’t
about a
few ‘bad
apples’