MADONNA has been splashed all over the national newspapers in recent weeks over her bid to adopt Malawian orphan Mercy James. Appeal judges have now quashed the original decision to deny Madonna adoption rights on the grounds she has not lived in Malawi f

MADONNA has been splashed all over the national newspapers in recent weeks over her bid to adopt Malawian orphan Mercy James.

Appeal judges have now quashed the original decision to deny Madonna adoption rights on the grounds she has not lived in Malawi for the required 18 months.

Mercy lives in the same orphanage that previously housed David Banda, Madonna's first adopted child.

Controversy has surrounded the proposed adoption as Mercy's father, James Kambewa, 24, has been fighting for custody of his daughter.

But I'm on the side of Madonna.

Mercy is four years old, so why has her father only now shown an interest in his daughter and her welfare? It's too little too late as far as I'm concerned.

He apparently abandoned the tot's 15-year-old mum before she died in childbirth and has never even met Mercy.

Madonna's lawyers question if he really is her father but, regardless of whether he is or not, he is four years too late in acting like one.

He abandoned his baby and his interest in her seems only to have been awakened by the world's media interest in her.

At the end of the day Madonna can offer Mercy a home, a loving family environment, and the best education and healthcare available.

But, most importantly, Madonna has displayed love and affection for Mercy by the bucket load - something her father has failed miserably to do.

MEN are literally putting their lives in danger as a result of the lifestyle choices they make, and the reluctance they show in visiting their GP.

Among cancers which affect both sexes, men are 60 per cent more likely to develop the disease and 70 per cent more likely to die from it, according to Cancer Research UK.

The researchers said they had expected to see that men and women are just as likely as each other to develop and die from the disease.

But, with the exception of melanoma, figures taken from 2006 and 2007 cancer data showed men are significantly more likely than women to be diagnosed and die from the different types of cancer.

The experts have said there is no known biological reason for this, and it may be because women take better care of themselves.

It is thought half of all cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes.

June is Male Cancer Awareness Month so this is the ideal opportunity for men to make a conscious decision to change their attitude and take responsibility to check themselves for signs of cancer (see page six for symptoms to look out for) and to visit their GP if they are at all concerned.

Factors such as smoking, having a high alcohol intake, a poor diet, and carrying excess weight all contribute to an increased cancer risk.

Just by making a few simple lifestyle changes, you could significantly reduce your chances of developing cancer. Surely it is worth it?