Latest news with #BBCScienceFocus
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I found a lump on my neck I thought was flu but it was cancer'
Ezzy Pearson's cold symptoms of a runny nose, exhaustion and a persistent cough turned out to be a type of cancer When Ezzy Pearson felt a lump on the side of her neck, she was not immediately worried. She has just started at university and put it down to "freshers' flu", a common sickness many new university students contract after meeting lots of new people. However, what started as a runny nose, fatigue and a persistent cough turned out to be a form of cancer known as Hodgkin lymphoma. Ezzy, from Bristol, was just 18 when she received her diagnosis. She said: "On the Wednesday of Freshers' Week, I noticed a lump on the side of my neck and just felt really rubbish. I was constantly carrying around a box of tissues and assumed it was just Freshers' Flu. But when it hadn't cleared up after a month, I went to the GP." Following several blood tests, she was referred to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist. Following a biopsy on the unusual lump in her neck, she was given the diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer originating from the body's lymphatic system, a crucial part of our immune defence. Despite undergoing six months of chemotherapy, she sat all her first-year university exams, including one just hours after a treatment session. Fast forward nearly two decades, Ezzy, 37, is now cancer-free and participating in the Race for Life in honour of her mum, Jo, who tragically lost her battle with lung cancer at 64. Ezzy - now holding the role of Commissions Editor at BBC Science Focus magazine - is vowing to support the research that gave her a second chance at life. Ezzy said: "If I'd been born 30 years earlier, that diagnosis could have been a death sentence. But thanks to advances in research - much of it funded by organisations like Cancer Research UK - I had access to treatment that saved my life." READ MORE: Simple food change 'lowers blood pressure' in 2 hours - and it's not cutting salt READ MORE: High blood sugar and pressure can be lowered by eating these carbohydrate - filled foods She was heartbroken when she lost her mum, saying: "I was devastated when my mum died. She was a smoker, and I know there's a lot of stigma around lung cancer because of that - but it's more complex than people realise. Everyone deserves compassion and support, no matter how their illness came about." She remembers her mother as an inventive Scout leader, and feels her own creativity and writing talents are inherited from her. Now settled with her partner Sam, whom she met shortly after losing her mother, Ezzy continues looking forward. Although Jo and Sam never got the chance to meet, Ezzy has discovered touching ways to bridge the gap. Ezzy will have the honour of setting off the start of this year's Bristol Cancer Research UK Race for Life wearing her late mother's engagement ring. Ezzy said: "After my mum passed, I started wearing her engagement ring on my right hand. When Sam and I signed our mortgage together, I moved it to my left. It was my way of letting her know I planned on keeping him, even if I couldn't tell her in person." The event will take place on Sunday, June 22, where Ezzy will trigger the starting horn for almost 2,000 runners bracing themselves for either the 5k or the 10k at The Downs in Stoke Road. They will all be rallying for Cancer Research UK's leading fundraising event in Bristol. Ezzy continued: "I'm so excited and honoured to be starting Race for Life Bristol. It's a powerful reminder of how far we've come in cancer research - and how much more we can achieve together." She urged others to join in, saying: "Race for Life is just a great experience. It's not about being the fastest or the best. It doesn't matter if you run, walk or hop like a bunny - it's about coming together and doing something fantastic for a great cause." The upcoming weekend is full of fundraising activities, kicking off with Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids obstacle races on Saturday, June 21. In the south west alone, around 37,300 individuals receive a cancer diagnosis each year. The Race for Life, sponsored by Standard Life (a part of Phoenix Group), brings communities together through a variety of events such as 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, and Pretty Muddy Kids runs across the nation. The series gathers millions each year to raise crucial funds for cancer research. Cancer Research UK's spokesperson for the South West, Ruth Amies, said: "We're incredibly grateful to Ezzy for being our VIP starter at Race for Life Bristol." She added: "No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it." Talking about the event's success and its significant role, she said: "We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years." Ruth added: "Our events are strictly non-competitive which means everyone can have a go- and love every minute. There's no pressure to finish in a certain time, just give it what you can. Lace up and join in. "Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, in it for the medals or just for the fun of fundraising, there is a place for everyone." Since launching in 1994, Race for Life has welcomed more than 10 million participants who've raised copious amounts vital for research efforts.
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Can you predict the day you'll die? Study says you are more likely to die on your birthday
Jun 21, 2025 02:36 PM IST As we grow older, birthdays can stir mixed emotions; should we celebrate another year of life, growth, and wisdom, or quietly reflect on the passage of time and our own mortality? This emotional tug-of-war is intensified by a phenomenon known as the birthday effect, a curious pattern suggesting that people are statistically more likely to die on or around their birthdays. Are you more likely to die on your birthday, compared to other days?(Unsplash) According to a 2012 study published on ScienceDirect, a 13.8 percent rise was observed in people above the age of 60 who died on their actual birthdays, compared to other days. Not just that – a 2015 study published on ScienceDirect noticed a 6.7 percent higher risk of dying on the birthday, than on other days. Know all about the birthday effect here.(Unsplash) But why does this peculiar phenomenon occur? A July 2024 article on BBC Science Focus shared a few theories that might answer this occurrence: Often birthdays are celebrated with pomp, alcohol and other substances, that can lead to questionable choices, drunk driving, increasing the risk of accidents and death. For people suffering with terminal illnesses, birthdays serve as significant milestones to live for. They live to see one more birthday and one more candle added to the birthday cake, before finally letting go. Also read | 'Lonely' elderly are actually at 18% lower risk of death! New study challenges old assumptions Birthdays can trigger birthday blues in people. This can stem from unmet expectations, loneliness, reflections on reality of aging and stress. This can lead to sadness and depression. According to a 2016 study published on ScienceDirect, these emotions can trigger the risk of suicide. The study observed a 50% higher risk of suicide in people on their birthdays, compared to other days. One theory suggests that inaccuracies in death records may contribute to the birthday effect, with some death dates mistakenly recorded as the individual's birth date, leading to misleading statistics. While the birthday effect still requires more research for conclusive understanding, it serves as a reminder to prioritise safety, avoid excessive alcohol, and focus on celebrating the life you've lived and the moments that truly matter. Also read | Is your daily dollop of butter increasing death risk? Study reveals shocking results Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition. Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!. Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Woman to run race after thinking cancer was freshers' flu
A woman who thought her cancer was "Freshers' flu" will officially start a race raising funds to cure the Pearson was starting university hen she assumed her runny nose, fatigue, and persistent cough were common cold symptoms, but was then diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma."If I'd been born 30 years earlier, that diagnosis could have been a death sentence," Ms Pearson, who underwent chemotherapy, cancer free for nearly 20 years, Ms Pearson, 37, is participating in the Bristol Race for Life in memory of her mum, Jo, who died from lung cancer aged 64. Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, a key part of the body's immune defence, according to Cancer Research UK."On the Wednesday of Freshers' Week, I noticed a lump on the side of my neck and just felt really rubbish," Ms Pearson said."I assumed it was just Freshers' Flu. But when it hadn't cleared up after a month, I went to the GP."Initially, Ms Pearson was told to wait to see if her symptoms resolved but was eventually informed, after multiple rounds of blood tests and a biopsy, that she had Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite undergoing six months of chemotherapy, Ms Pearson completed all her first-year university exams, including one taken just hours after a treatment is now the commissioning editor at BBC Science Focus magazine and will be the VIP starter at the Race for Life in Bristol on Sunday."I was devastated when my mum died," Ms Pearson said."She was a smoker, and I know there's a lot of stigma around lung cancer because of that - but it's more complex than people realise. "Everyone deserves compassion and support, no matter how their illness came about."I'm so excited and honoured to be starting Race for Life Bristol. It's a powerful reminder of how far we've come in cancer research - and how much more we can achieve together."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Sharing Animal Memes Is Good for Your Health, According to a New Study
Sharing Animal Memes Is Good for Your Health, According to a New Study originally appeared on PetHelpful. There are few things as enjoyable as scrolling through funny and adorable animal memes. Between the cute photos of baby critters, to the hilarious pictures people capture of their pet's antics, the internet is a wealth of images of animals that are perfect for sharing. But now, scientists say that hitting "send" on those animal memes may actually be good for you. The study was published in the Journal of Consumer Research. In it, researchers compared the sharing of memes to an activity that penguins do called pebbling. 'Pebbling is a behavior practiced by Gentoo penguins who present pebbles to desired mates as tokens of affection,' Ghalia Shamayleh, the head researcher involved in the study, told BBC Science Focus. 'Our research observes a similar behavior in humans interacting on social media.'That behavior? Sharing adorable animal memes online. "We share them with our loved ones as a token of affection, to reinforce our relationships," Shamayleh explains, adding that content creators are especially guilty of pebbling, and it can be seen in the way they dress their pets up or talk about them, using phrases like "teefs," "doggo," and "sploot." Of course, cute animal photos are pretty universally adored, making them easier to share with our loved ones. Not only that, but researchers discovered that people also put a lot of thought into what they're sharing, and with whom. 'By sharing animal content with the added reference to the sender's relationship, people digitally pebble their loved ones as though to say 'This made me think of you, of our relationship',' Shamayleh explains of those things we personalize with a note before we means the next time someone sends you an animal meme, they're doing more than just sending a funny picture, they're trying to tell you how much you mean to them... one cute kitten or fluffy "doggo" at a time. 🐾 SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends along with expert advice from veterinarians and pet trainers 🐾 Sharing Animal Memes Is Good for Your Health, According to a New Study first appeared on PetHelpful on Jun 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Perth Now
12-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Sleep recommendations should be based on countries' norms
The amount of sleep should be determined by countries' norms. Researches from the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia, in Canada, say poeple should sleep the recommended amount of hours that has been recommended in their country. The team's study - which involved 5,000 people, who completed an online questionnaire in 20 different countries acorss North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa - saw them analyse if life expectancy, rates of heart disease, obesity and diabetes were linked to how much sleep someone gets. The experts' results showed there was a variation in how many hours of sleep the volunteers get across the 20 countries - with the French getting the longest amount of sleep (seven hours and 52 minutes), and the Japanese getting the shortest amount of kip (six hours and 18 minutes). As a result, the psychologists found no evidence that people in countries who sleep less compared to those in other places where people sleep more had worse health. Doctor Christine Ou, lead author and an assistant professor at Victoria's School of Nursing, told BBC Science Focus: "Sleep is shaped by more than just biology – it's influenced by culture, work schedules, climate, light exposure, social norms and other factors. 'What's considered 'enough' sleep in one country might feel too much or not enough in another.' Keele University sleep psychologist Doctor Daljinder Chalmers - who was not involved in the study - said there is "no evidence" to back the claim that people should sleep for eight or more hours. She told BBC Science Focus: "Sleep is really complex, and there's no evidence to support the idea that we should all sleep for eight hours per day. 'Our study found that people tend to be healthier when their sleep aligns with what's typical in their culture. 'Recognising cultural context can help people focus on what actually supports their health, rather than chasing a fixed number. 'When you're looking at sleep and health, you need to consider culture.'
