‘I cannot see 408 as just a statistic’ – Thyroid cancer deaths, after Fukushima, across the World and in the Clyde

From UCA News two days ago on Fukushima: 15 years after Fukushima, debate continues on radiation exposure – Large amounts of radioactive material were released when the magnitude 9.0 earthquake on March 11 that year triggered a tsunami, causing meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The catastrophe killed more than 18,000 people and forced mass evacuations. It also raised fears about long-term health effects, especially among children. In response, Fukushima Prefecture launched what health professionals describe as one of the largest health surveys of its kind, covering about 380,000 residents who … Continue reading ‘I cannot see 408 as just a statistic’ – Thyroid cancer deaths, after Fukushima, across the World and in the Clyde

‘115,000 cancer deaths [especially among older adults] in 8 years: What a new [US] study suggests about nuclear power plants’

I’ve reported on this major US study, several times before but it remains at the centre of US debate as it’s findings spread across the vastness of the US when plans for new or recommissioned nuclear plants enter local media. UK media have, to my knowledge, never acknowledged this gold standard research, fearful of its potential impact on the current Labour government’s plans. From the New Hampshire Union Leader, yesterday: Older adults who live in U.S. counties that are closer to operating nuclear power plants may have a greater risk of dying from cancer, according to a new study led … Continue reading ‘115,000 cancer deaths [especially among older adults] in 8 years: What a new [US] study suggests about nuclear power plants’

As even BBC Scotland report that cancer deaths ‘fall to lowest rate on record’, only 4 out of 26 types were worsened by pandemic factors but Daily Express and opposition try to politicise and to mislead you

BBC Scotland on 27th January 2026, telling a different story from that in the Express, two months later The Daily Express today platforming the opposition parties to blame the Scottish Government for falling cancer survival rates, in some cancers, conceals the over-arching truth in the Public Health Scotland report1 that there were clear improvements in other (often more common) cancers. These results should be seen within the context of a longer falling trend to record-low overall cancer mortality risk in Scotland. The risk of dying from cancer fell by 12.1% over the past decade (compared with 2015), reaching 288.9 per … Continue reading As even BBC Scotland report that cancer deaths ‘fall to lowest rate on record’, only 4 out of 26 types were worsened by pandemic factors but Daily Express and opposition try to politicise and to mislead you

‘Major leak at Highland nuclear site triggers hunt for mystery bunkers’ reminds us that spikes in childhood leukaemia, breast cancer, thyroid cancer and all cancers around nuclear facilities have been confirmed by German and other independent researchers

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. The National‘s report today with the above headline, reminds me. Of what? First, increased child leukaemia: I asked the Elicit AI for scientific research which claims to help researchers be 10x more evidence-based: How dangerous is it to live 5km from a nuclear power station? After more than 5 minutes, it responded: Studies show mixed results on living within 5km of nuclear power plants, with some European research finding roughly doubled childhood leukemia risk while studies from other regions generally show no significant overall cancer risk. Which regions? This is stark. Why do 5 German … Continue reading ‘Major leak at Highland nuclear site triggers hunt for mystery bunkers’ reminds us that spikes in childhood leukaemia, breast cancer, thyroid cancer and all cancers around nuclear facilities have been confirmed by German and other independent researchers

Latest – In final statement Glasgow hospital correctly and based on repeated research denies evidence of definite link between the hospital environment and specific individual cases of infection

From BBC Scotland in the last few minutes, the above puzzling choice of headline and buried in their report: NHSGGC offers an unreserved apology for the distress and trauma experienced by patients and families during this time. But while the health board acknowledged a casual [sic] connection to increased infections, he stressed that there was no definite link between the hospital environment and specific individual cases of infection. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgkz2e5nr5o The above assertion is the key outcome of today’s session. To be clear, the health board is not accepting responsibility for any of the high profile cases, including that of Millie … Continue reading Latest – In final statement Glasgow hospital correctly and based on repeated research denies evidence of definite link between the hospital environment and specific individual cases of infection

Top 1% US researchers find ‘significantly increased cancer incidence’ for those living near nuclear power plants at a level that would mean an additional 10 000 avoidable cancer cases 30km around Hunterston if Scottish Labour get their way

Professor John Robertson OBA From the highly-rated Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health in the USA yesterday: In Massachusetts, residential proximity to a nuclear power plant (NPP) was associated with significantly increased cancer incidence, with risk declining by distance, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study was published Dec. 17 in Environmental Health. It was conducted by researchers in the Department of Environmental Health, including corresponding author Yazan Alwadi, PhD student, and senior author Petros Koutrakis, professor of environmental sciences. Despite widespread—and potentially expanding—reliance on nuclear power in the U.S., epidemiologic research investigating … Continue reading Top 1% US researchers find ‘significantly increased cancer incidence’ for those living near nuclear power plants at a level that would mean an additional 10 000 avoidable cancer cases 30km around Hunterston if Scottish Labour get their way

Part-time MSP and GP allowed to malign Glasgow’s leading Cancer hospital based only on a few rain buckets after rain and contrary to official inspections finding no issues with building condition

Professor John Robertson OBA Sandesh Gulhane MSP, Conservative Shadowy Health Secretary has a casual visit to Scotland’s leading cancer care centre and spots rain-bins, after several days of rain last week. We don’t hear the number nor see any photos but with no other evidence offered, he and his Herald chums work up the above disgusting account. A Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspection report in January 2025 is glowing and makes only two requirements for action. Neither concerns the building.1 Not, of course mentioned by the Herald or Gulhane: The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow is widely regarded … Continue reading Part-time MSP and GP allowed to malign Glasgow’s leading Cancer hospital based only on a few rain buckets after rain and contrary to official inspections finding no issues with building condition

If you didn’t already have enough reasons NOT to vote for Scottish Labour how about this cancerous threat?

Professor John Robertson OBA In the Telegraph today, the above and: Ed Miliband has pledged to start immediate work on building new nuclear power stations in Scotland if the SNP is kicked out of office in next year’s Holyrood election. That’s a clear threat then. To what? First, increased child leukaemia: I asked the Elicit AI for scientific research which claims to help researchers be 10x more evidence-based: How dangerous is it to live 5km from a nuclear power station? After more than 5 minutes, it responded: Studies show mixed results on living within 5km of nuclear power plants, with some European research finding … Continue reading If you didn’t already have enough reasons NOT to vote for Scottish Labour how about this cancerous threat?

‘North Scotland among highest rates of Huntington’s’ – yes, but why?

Professor John Robertson OBA BBC Scotland and STV today have short reports on the higher level of Huntington’s disease in the North of Scotland but with no useful content to inform and to educate readers in the manner they often claim to do, leaving readers with just another ‘Scotland is ****’ story that they can quietly associate with 18 years of SNP-rule. When I saw this, I thought straightaway, vitamin D deficiency, as with MS, also more prevalent in the north. While as yet not conclusive, emerging evidence can be found: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common in older … Continue reading ‘North Scotland among highest rates of Huntington’s’ – yes, but why?

Potentially fatal hypothyroidism far more common in Scotland, on the prevailing sea currents from Sellafield than in England, especially London

Many thanks to reader Alan Gordon for alerting me to this. From the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, in October 2024, Hypothyroidism:How common is it?: A review article notes that the prevalence of overt hypothyroidism in Europe varies between 0.2–5.3%, depending on the definition of hypothyroidism used. A retrospective analysis of General Practice data in the North East of England (n = 66,843) found the overall single-point prevalence of treated hypothyroidism was 4.5% in 2016. A review of UK national databases found the prevalence of treated hypothyroidism increased from 2.3% (1.4 million) to 3.5% (2.2 million) of the total … Continue reading Potentially fatal hypothyroidism far more common in Scotland, on the prevailing sea currents from Sellafield than in England, especially London