Omeprazole is among the most frequently prescribed medicines in the UK. The latest NHS figures show that between 2022 and 2023, over 73 million prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole, were dispensed in England alone. That means nearly 15% of the population may be taking these drugs.

PPIs are medications designed to reduce stomach acid production. They achieve this by blocking proton pumps, enzymes located in the lining of the stomach that are responsible for generating acid. By lowering acid levels, PPIs help manage conditions such as acid reflux and heartburn, which affect millions of people.

Conditions Managed by PPIs

The role of PPIs extends far beyond occasional heartburn. They are commonly prescribed to treat:

• Indigestion
• Healing stomach ulcers
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD)
• Acid-related inflammation of the food pipe

In addition, omeprazole and other PPIs are sometimes prescribed alongside antibiotics to treat Helicobacter pylori, a stomach infection that can lead to ulcers if left untreated.

Commonly Prescribed PPIs

While omeprazole is the best-known name in this group, the class includes several widely used alternatives:

• Esomeprazole (Nexium)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• Pantoprazole (Protonix)
• Rabeprazole (AcipHex)

Doctors often select one of these depending on the severity of symptoms, patient tolerance, and how long treatment is expected to last.

NHS Warning on Long-Term Use

Despite their effectiveness, the NHS has issued a clear warning regarding prolonged, unsupervised use of PPIs. On its official website, the health service cautions:

"Do not take omeprazole for longer than two weeks if you bought it without a prescription. See a GP if your symptoms get worse or do not get better."

The reason for this strict guidance is that long-term or unnecessary use of PPIs may carry hidden risks.

The Risk of Clostridioides difficile Infection

One of the most significant risks linked to extended use of PPIs is a higher chance of developing an infection caused by Clostridioides difficile, often shortened to C. diff.

This bacterium can affect the intestines, producing a range of unpleasant and sometimes dangerous symptoms, including:

• Watery or offensive-smelling diarrhoea (sometimes with blood or mucus)
• Abdominal pain or tenderness
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea

In most people, C. diff co-exists harmlessly with other bacteria in the gut. However, when the balance of bacteria is disrupted, particularly after taking antibiotics or acid-reducing drugs like PPIs, it can multiply and release toxins that damage the colon.

The infection is especially risky for older adults, hospital patients, and people with weakened immune systems.

How C. difficile Spreads

The bacteria can also be transmitted through spores that survive on contaminated surfaces, making healthcare settings a common site of infection. This makes it vital to use PPIs under medical supervision, especially for people already vulnerable to infections.

How to Take Omeprazole Safely

Omeprazole is available in tablets, capsules, and liquid form. Some tablets are designed to dissolve in water. The exact dosage and length of treatment depend on the medical condition being treated.

General NHS advice includes:

• Take omeprazole once daily at the same time each morning.
• If prescribed twice daily, take it morning and evening consistently.
• It can be taken with or without food.

Swallow tablets whole with water. Do not crush or chew tablets labelled enteric-coated or gastro-resistant, as this affects how the drug is absorbed.

Patients struggling to swallow pills are advised to speak to a pharmacist, who may suggest alternative formulations.

Duration of Use

While some individuals only need PPIs for a few days, others may require treatment for weeks, months, or even years depending on their condition. This makes it all the more important to balance the benefits against potential risks.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, omeprazole can cause side effects. The most common side effects include:

• Headaches
• Stomach pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Excessive flatulence

Although these are typically mild and temporary, the NHS advises patients to stop driving or using machinery if they experience dizziness or vision problems after taking the drug.

Balancing Benefits and Risks

Medical experts stress that while PPIs like omeprazole are highly effective in treating acid-related conditions, patients should not view them as a “forever” medicine without consultation.

For many, these drugs significantly improve quality of life by controlling painful and disruptive symptoms. But the potential risks of long-term use, particularly regarding gut health and infection, underline the need for ongoing medical guidance.

What Patients Should Do

Health authorities recommend that anyone taking omeprazole or other PPIs should:

• Follow the dosage instructions carefully.
• Avoid prolonged self-medication without consulting a doctor.
• Discuss alternative treatments if symptoms persist.
• Seek medical advice promptly if new symptoms appear, especially diarrhoea, fever, or severe abdominal pain.

Former Bachelorette star Katie Thurston has been candidly sharing her battle with metastatic breast cancer, which she was diagnosed with earlier this year. In February, the 34-year-old revealed that the disease had not only affected her breast but had also spread to her liver, categorizing it as stage 4. Through Instagram updates and heartfelt interviews, Thurston has been documenting her fight while adapting to what she calls “the new normal.”

The Diagnosis and Emotional Toll

“It sucks,” Thurston admitted while reflecting on her journey so far. “There’s really no way to put it eloquently. I have breast cancer, and it’s really disrupting the plans that I had.”

Thurston’s diagnosis in February came with immense challenges, including early menopause brought on by treatment, joint pain, hot flashes, and fatigue. Despite the physical and emotional strain, she remains determined to focus on building a meaningful life alongside her treatment plan.

Adjusting to a New Normal

Thurston has made several lifestyle changes to cope with her symptoms. She uses an Oura ring to monitor her sleep, walks 10,000 steps a day when she can, and relies on a foot massager for relief. “I feel like an old lady, if I’m being honest,” she shared, describing how the side effects of her treatment have aged her body ahead of time.

She also revealed she has started using vaginal estrogen, a decision that has been both necessary and emotionally difficult. “It’s such a mind trip, as a 34-year-old, to say, ‘Oh, I need this extra assistance now in my intimacy,’” she explained.

Cooking in her small New York City apartment has also been an adjustment. “It drives me nuts,” she laughed, while admitting that she and her husband often eat out but now try to focus on the health benefits of spices and fresh ingredients when they do cook at home.

One thing she refuses to compromise on? Dessert. “I do still indulge in ice cream and cookies,” Thurston said. “I think a lot of times, people with cancer become scared of food, sugars especially. But for me, I am going to eat the cookie. I will not be giving up the cookie!”

Treatment and Instagram Updates

On Instagram, Thurston has been open about her evolving treatment plan. Recently, she revealed she had to adjust her medication after her monthly labs raised some concerns.

“We decided to lower it to two pills instead of three pills a day. That has worked for my liver enzymes, meaning I don’t need to pause my treatment,” she explained. “The spread that went to my liver just disappeared on its own. It does not show up on a scan anymore. If I’m being so honest and maybe a little delusional, but I don’t know, I predict, I hope, I pray that I will have no evidence of disease.”

Her optimism remains steady, even as she faces the uncertainty of future treatment options. “I will be on medication for life,” she acknowledged. “It’s kind of like a maintenance plan, which is great, but also can be scary.”

Looking Ahead

If all goes well with her scans, Thurston is preparing for a double mastectomy in November. “That’s a whole other chapter I just don’t know much about yet,” she admitted. “I just want to live life. I feel like with surgery in November, radiation, and then just medication… things are working so far, and we’re adjusting.”

Through honesty, humor, and resilience, Thurston continues to inspire her followers while navigating the uncertainties of her cancer journey.

A recently returned traveller from Bali brought a case back home in Queensland of measles. This has prompted a health warning for Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. In fact, last week, on Thursday afternoon, the Queensland Health also issued an alert of the need and benefit of vaccinations.

So far, this year, 21 measles cases have been reported across Australia, the highest number since 2019, when there were 284 cases, reports ABC News.

Brisbane Businesses Affected

The individual who has been identified as the source of the outbreak visited several businesses in Brisbane on September 19, including:

• Uroko Sushi at Everton Park Plaza
• Miss Sophia's Gelateria on Stafford Road
• The domestic arrivals area at Brisbane Airport
• Woolworths Skygate at Brisbane Airport

On September 20, the person continued to move around the city while unknowingly infectious, stopping at:

• Yiayia's Pantry in Toowong
• Woolworths West Village
• Harris Farm Markets in West End
• Sunshine Coast Exposure Sites

On September 21, the individual travelled to the Sunshine Coast and visited several popular venues, including:

• Outside Mooloolaba Fish Market
• Outside Artigiano Gelato
• Surf Dive and Ski
• La Casa Restaurant on the Mooloolaba Esplanade

Queensland Health has released a full list of exposure sites and times on the Metro North Health website, urging anyone who visited these venues during the relevant periods to be on high alert.

Symptoms and What to Watch For

Physician Dr. Doug Shaw, a reported by ABC News, advised that anyone who may have been at these locations should carefully monitor their health. Symptoms of measles usually appear between seven and 18 days after exposure.

Early warning signs include:

• Fever
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Cough and runny nose
• Red, inflamed eyes

As the infection progresses, a blotchy red rash typically develops, starting on the face before spreading across the body.

Dr. Shaw stressed that anyone who suspects they have measles should call ahead before visiting a GP or medical centre to prevent further spread of the highly contagious virus.

Rising Measles Cases in Queensland

This latest case is the 21st measles notification in Queensland this year, with infections recently reported in Cairns, the Gold Coast, Townsville, and Middlemount near Mackay.

Nationally, Australia has recorded 121 measles cases so far in 2025, the highest figure since 2019, when 284 cases were reported. Health officials are now closely monitoring whether the country is at risk of measles once again becoming endemic.

Vaccination Remains the Best Defence

• Queensland Health reiterated that the measles vaccine is safe, effective, and free. Two doses provide long-lasting protection against the virus.
• Children are eligible for their first dose at 12 months of age and a second at 18 months.
• The vaccine is also recommended earlier for children travelling overseas, where exposure risk is higher.
• Anyone in Queensland born since 1966 who has not already had two doses is eligible for a free vaccination.

Public Health Reminder

Health authorities are urging residents to check their vaccination status and not to delay getting immunized if they are unsure. The rise in cases across Queensland highlights how quickly measles can spread in communities where immunity gaps exist.

Authorities said timely vaccination, awareness of exposure sites, and quick medical response remain the strongest tools in preventing further outbreaks.

Women who skip their first breast cancer screening appointment face a 40% higher risk of dying from the disease, according to new research published in the British Medical Journal.

The findings come from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, where experts analyzed the long-term health outcomes of nearly half a million women. All participants received their first screening invitation between 1991 and 2020, with researchers tracking them for up to 25 years.

1 in 3 Women Missed Their First Appointment

The study revealed that almost a third (32%) of women did not attend their first mammogram appointment. This early absence had far-reaching consequences.

Data showed that women who missed their initial screening had 9.9 breast cancer deaths per 1,000 over 25 years, compared with seven deaths per 1,000 among those who attended. Importantly, the overall rate of breast cancer diagnosis was similar across both groups, suggesting that the increased mortality was due to delayed detection rather than more frequent disease.

Researchers concluded that early non-attendance not only raised the risk of late-stage diagnosis but also set a pattern, these women were less likely to attend subsequent screenings, further compounding the risk.

Why the First Screening Matters

The team behind the study emphasized that missing the very first appointment has long-lasting implications. “First screening non-participants had a 40% higher breast cancer mortality risk than participants, persisting over 25 years,” the researchers noted.

They suggested that early screening behaviour could serve as a predictive marker for identifying populations at higher risk of late-stage disease. Detecting such patterns decades in advance could help public health systems intervene earlier.

An editorial published alongside the study, written by US researchers, reinforced this point. They described the first screening as “far more than a short-term health check.” Even if no issues are detected, simply attending provides valuable information, reassurance, and guidance on what symptoms to look out for—essentially a long-term investment in breast health.

Current Breast Screening Uptake

Breast screening guidelines vary worldwide. In England, women are typically invited from age 50 until 71, with the first invitation arriving by age 53.

Latest NHS data shows that as of March 2024, around 70% of eligible women were up to date with screening. This means nearly one in three were not, a figure mirroring the Swedish study’s finding.

Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, described the numbers as “worryingly high” and called for urgent action to make screening more accessible and appealing. The charity has urged governments across the UK to push for an 80% uptake target, arguing that early diagnosis saves lives.

Broader Global Cancer Trends

The Swedish research comes against the backdrop of a projected surge in global cancer cases. A separate study published in The Lancet estimated that annual cancer deaths will rise by nearly 75%, from current levels to 18.6 million by 2050.

New cases are expected to jump 61% over the next 25 years, reaching 30.5 million annually. Much of this increase is attributed to population growth and ageing. However, lifestyle factors remain significant: around 42% of cancer deaths are linked to modifiable risks such as smoking, poor diet, high blood sugar, and toxin exposure.

Advances in Cancer Research Offer Hope

Amid these sobering statistics, researchers continue to make progress on potential breakthroughs. In a separate development, scientists have identified a protein target that could help stop the spread of pancreatic cancer.

The research, published in Nature, focused on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common and aggressive form of the disease. Scientists discovered that blocking a protein called SPP1 could prevent the cancer from spreading and extend survival time.

According to experts at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, the next step will be to develop drugs that can precisely target SPP1, raising hopes of more effective treatment options in the future.