A professional boxer forced to give up his career after a brain tumour was missed by medics for six years told how he was determined to get his life back. Dad-of-two Peter McDonagh, 45, collapsed at a service station in February 2019 after he stopped the car and started vomiting. He was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he underwent a CT scan which identified a brain tumour near his left ear. An MRI was performed, which identified a mass around 2.7cm by 2.7cm with surgeons removing most of the tumour before radiotherapy. But Peter was devastated to be told the mass had been identified on scans in 2013 and 2017, which were carried out for him to renew his boxing licence. Peter, from Leatherhead, Surrey, hoped to return to his old job as a fishmonger, but it was too unsafe due to issues he now has with balance. He now suffers hearing loss, facial palsy, balance disturbance and psychological symptoms, and is plagued by ‘what ifs’ - but is looking forward to getting hitched. Peter said: “Being diagnosed with a brain tumour was a huge shock to me as I’d been undergoing routine scans for many years so I would’ve expected anything abnormal to have been picked up in those. “One of the main things I’ve struggled with as a result of the tumour is my ongoing symptoms and also having to give up my career. “Boxing was a huge part of my life and I’ve found it really tough to come to terms with no longer being able to compete and do what I love. “After my surgery, I tried to return to my pre-boxing trade of a fishmonger but I also had to give that up as I was unable to balance and the risk of getting hurt was too high. “Since then, I get angry and upset sometimes when I think things may have been different if it the tumour been found sooner. “However, I am on the road to recovery and try my best not to dwell on ‘what ifs’ and focus on my future. The consultant neuroradiologist responsible for performing annual MRI screening on Peter as part of his boxing career, admitted that in 2013 and 2017 a brain tumour was visible on scans but wasn’t reported at the time, which “fell below a reasonable standard of care.” It was also admitted that had it been reported, Peter would have undergone earlier treatment - but as it was missed it continued to grow from 2013 to 2019. Peter collapsed on February 4 2019, when he stopped the car, vomited and fell to the ground. After a CT scan was carried out, he went to A&E four days later complaining of dizziness, and was told the CT scan had found a tumour, which was also visible on a subsequent MRI scan. Previous brain scans for his annual boxing licence were reassessed. On March 12 2019, Peter underwent a 15-hour surgery with the aim of removing around 95 per cent of the tumour, leaving a small mass on the facial nerve to allow it to function properly. He was discharged from hospital five days later, with a plan for six-monthly MRI scans. On 15 March, 2021, radiotherapy was performed following growth of the residual tumour. Two years on, Peter continues to be affected by problems with his hearing and balance, as well as occasional facial twitching and tingling, and he also struggles with his mental health. Since retiring from boxing, Peter is now writing a book about his life and the day-to-day difficulties he faces. He added: “While I would give anything to turn back the clock and change what’s happened, I know that’s not possible. “All I can do now is work hard on my rehabilitation. “I’ve had such great support and I’m determined to get my life back. “I’ve even started writing a book and I hope that by sharing my story, I can show others that there’s help out there.” Thomas Riis-Bristow, specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “The last four years have been incredibly difficult for Peter, firstly being diagnosed with a brain tumour but then also having to give up a career he loved as a result. “While he is making great progress with his recovery, he continues to struggle with a number of issues, both physically and emotionally, which have a significant impact on not only him but also his family. “We therefore welcome the admission’s made which will help ensure Peter can benefit from the ongoing rehabilitation he needs to help him move forward with his life. “As part of Action for Brain Injury Week, we join Peter in sharing his story to raise awareness of the help available. We’ll continue to support him as he continues with his recovery.” Action for Brain Injury Week runs from May 15-21 and is supported by the charity Headway. Read More Bowel cancer ‘red flags’ that can show two years before diagnosis Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers says one food has helped him return to work after cancer treatment ‘Hundreds’ of cancer patients denied vital treatment as Israel and Gaza trade fire Father shares cancer symptoms he thought was too much coffee Dean Gaffney says I’m A Celebrity medics ‘saved his life’ after bowel cancer scare GB News in ‘significant breach’ of Ofcom rules over Covid vaccine claims

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Teenagers often like to have the latest gadgets and trainers, but if a young person suddenly has the ability to splash cash around, with no obvious explanation for their wealth, it could be a warning sign of money muling. Money muling happens when people are persuaded to let cash flow through their bank account in exchange for money or gifts – and young people in particular may be targeted. According to figures released by UK Finance and the fraud prevention body Cifas, young people under the age of 21 account for around one in five cases where money muling activity is suspected. While money muling may be seen as an opportunity to make some easy cash, it’s actually a criminal offence. The cash flowing through bank accounts is often the proceeds from crime. UK Finance and Cifas run a campaign called Don’t Be Fooled, which has developed free PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education) resources for schools, to help young people learn about the dangers and consequences of becoming a money mule. The new schools programme is aimed at youngsters aged 10 to 14. To find out more about the dangers of money muling – and the warning signs for parents to look out for – I asked Paul Maskall, manager of fraud and cybercrime prevention at UK Finance, for his expert insights: How can parents talk to children and teenagers about money mule activity and explain what it is? Paul says: “Even at the best of times, we aren’t always good at valuing and protecting our data, personal information or private details which we store digitally.” He says it’s important for parents to explain what money mules are, “to ensure that the newer generation have a better understanding of how to protect themselves.” He continues: “By doing so, it gives them more of an intuitive defence and understanding of the risk of people wanting to exploit them and gain access to their account, for the purposes of laundering money.” How can young people themselves avoid getting involved in money muling? Maskall stresses the importance of keeping accounts and personal information private. He says: “Criminals seek to manipulate you with a promise of gifts, rewards or a percentage of the funds sent through your account.” People should avoid opening a bank account in their name for someone else, allowing their bank account to be used to send and receive funds for other people, or sharing PINs and passcodes, he says. While criminals will often seek out younger people to become money mules, it’s also important to remember that anyone can be targeted, he adds. What are the warning signs that your child could be involved? “Tell-tale signs that your child might be involved in money muling could be them suddenly having extra cash, buying expensive new clothes or top-of-the-range mobile phones and gadgets with very little explanation as to how they got the money,” Maskall explains. “They may also become more secretive, withdrawn or appear stressed sometimes, becoming more fixated on communication and phone usage.” What are the consequences of money mule activity? Some people may see requests to pass money through their account as harmless – but they could be making a big mistake. “Criminals need money mules to launder the profits of their crimes and frequently target young people, who are often unaware of the consequences of them agreeing to do so,” says Maskall. “Allowing a bank account to be used in this way is a crime and can result in a criminal record and the account being closed. “You could go to prison for up to 14 years and it can also lead to the individual finding it difficult to obtain mobile phone contracts or access financial products and credit, including student loans.” What should parents do if they think their child or someone else they know might be involved in money muling? “It’s important for parents and guardians to remind their children of the potential approaches that they may receive from criminals,” says Maskall. He says if any parents or guardians are worried that someone they are close to might be caught up in money muling, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Where can parents go to get support or seek further information and how can communities stay safe? Maskall says: “We encourage everyone to visit the Don’t Be Fooled website for more information on the risk of money muling and how to stop the signs. www.moneymules.co.uk. “It is important to remember that anyone can be at risk and speaking openly and educating one another about the harm and risks involved will benefit others.” Read More From tofu chicken wings to chickpea bacon – how and why you should be making plant-based meat at home Holly Willoughby channels Gwyneth Paltrow with ‘orgasm anxiety’ blog post Do it for the Gram: Speedy but spectacular goat’s cheese linguine Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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