
What is Merkel cell skin cancer? The signs and symptoms of the rare condition
Jimmy Buffett died aged 76 on Friday (1 September), in hospice care, after a years-long private struggle with skin cancer. In a statement shared on his website, it was announced that the singer, who was best known for his hit song “Margaritaville”, had been fighting Merkel cell skin cancer for four years. Cancer Research UK has recently warned that skin cancer cases are set to rise by half by 2040, with rocketing diagnoses driven by the “cheap package holiday” boom of the 1960s. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Britain and kills around 2,100 people each year. It is also one of the most common cancers in the world. What is Merkel cell skin cancer? Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare type of skin cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, it starts in the Merkel cells, which are usually in the top layer of the skin. These cells are near the nerve endings and they help us respond to touch. The charity states that MCC is a “very rare” form of skin cancer, with 1,500 people diagnosed with the condition in England between 1999 and 2008. What are the causes of Merkel cell carcinoma? With most types of skin cancer, long-term exposure to sunlight can increase a person’s risk of getting MCC. Other factors that could increase a person’s risk include being exposed to ultraviolet light, having a condition that can weaken your immune system or having a virus called Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). What are the symptoms? MCC usually appears as lumps on the skin. According to Cancer Research UK, the lumps are often a blue/red colour and less than 2cm across but sometimes they can be larger. The skin over them is usually firm and they are not painful. These lumps are often found on the areas of the body that get the most direct sun, such as the head, neck, arms or legs. Unlike most common types of skin cancer, MCC can develop rapidly over weeks or months and can spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs, lymph nodes, liver or bones. The NHS advises that if you are in doubt, contact your GP. How to prevent developing skin cancer Skin cancer is not always preventable, but you can reduce your chance of developing it by avoiding overexposure to UV light. You can protect yourself from sunburn by using high-factor sunscreen, covering up your skin while in the sun, and limiting the amount of time you spend in the sun during the hottest part of the day. Sunbeds and sunlamps should also be avoided. Read More Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker seen leaving hospital after ‘urgent family matter’ Woman adopts husband’s ex-wife’s baby after growing up in foster care herself ‘People looked at me like I was oppressed in some way’: Young Christians on life in secular Britain How to check if you have skin cancer: Symptoms and signs to look out How many times a week you need to workout to get fit Post Malone shows off 55-pound weight loss in new photos after giving up soda
2023-09-03 22:32

'Scandinavian sleep method' hailed as a saviour of marriages
People think a “Scandivanivan sleep method” might hold the key to a successful marriage after trying it out. No matter how much you love someone, sleeping in a bed next to them has the ability to be rage-inducing if they have a tendency to steal most of the duvet for themselves. Now, a phenomenon popular in Scandinavian countries, such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, is offering up a solution as couples sleep with two twin-sized duvets rather than one large one. The sleeping method is sweeping social media and has seen many hailing themselves as new fans of the system TikToker Erica Stolman Dowdy has gone viral on the platform, suggesting that it “could save marriages”. In the video, she explained she and her husband love visiting Copenhagen and she wanted to give their own home a Scandinavian-inspired makeover. This included getting two twin duvets, as Stolman Dowdy explained: “In Copenhagen, not once have I slept with one duvet. It is always two twins and we sleep so good. “No one’s fighting over blankets. Nobody’s too hot or too cold. It’s absolutely amazing.” @ericastolmandowdy the Scandinavian sleep method is an absolute game changer. 10/10 recommend ☁️ #scandinaviansleepmethod #danishdesign #danishinterior She continued: “This is just absolutely the comfiest way to sleep. I 10 out of 10 recommend it. It could save marriages.” In the comments, someone wrote: “Not me realizing I sleep with the Copenhagen method already and my husband and I LOVE it.” Someone else said: “Once you sleep with two comforters…you will NEVER go back to only one!!!” “Ohhh that’s such a great idea!” another person wrote. One TikToker wrote: “Legit started doing this last year and it is a GAME CHANGER. No more ‘empty space’ of cold air creeping in the middle of the bed.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-09-26 22:17

Supporting Patient Safety: Fresenius Kabi Expands Ready-to-Administer Portfolio with Diazepam Injection, USP in Simplist® Prefilled Syringe
LAKE ZURICH, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2023--
2023-05-31 23:45

Michael Keaton says he and director Tim Burton are doing 'Beetlejuice 2' 'exactly like we did the first movie'
Most would agree the 1988 film "Beetlejuice" is a classic. And two of the main creative forces behind the movie -- actor Michael Keaton and director Tim Burton -- say they plan to stick closely to the original as they tackle its long-awaited sequel.
2023-06-05 08:54

Scots aid worker charity in bid to help 20 Afghan students
The Western Isles' Linda Norgrove Foundation hopes to get the 20 women to Scotland.
2023-09-10 16:23

Dutch tackle surge in football violence
From fireworks to pitch invasions, the Netherlands is facing a surge in football hooliganism that climaxed in a shocking attack by AZ Alkmaar supporters on...
2023-05-19 22:46

Melanie Martinez fans left disappointed with "interactive photo experience" for VIP guests
Melanie Martinez fans have expressed their disappointment with the popstar over her VIP package on her Portals tour. The description of the package on Ticketmaster promises an "interactive photo experience" for VIP ticketholders, leading fans to believe this meant an in-person meet-and-greet with Martinez herself. However, this wasn't the case as the photo experience was Martinez in the form of an AI-generated hologram of that greets fans in her prosthetic mask, so the fans didn't get to meet the singer in person. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter With VIP tickets costing around $400, it has led to fans sharing their discontent on social media. "Does anyone else think the VIP AI meet and greet with Melanie is kinda stupid? I mean, the VIP tickets were $400, and you didn't even really get anything," one fan complained on TikTok. @melsgrippingtoes I still love melane and everything Im literally going to her concert. But she could atleast put in some more effort @kbhorsefan I’d be beyond upset oh my god #melaniemartinez #portals Another added: "When I saw videos of it, I thought that it was a joke, but then no that’s the real thing and it’s so disappointing." "It’s not even ai it’s just a pre-recorded video of her," someone else replied. A fourth person commented: "I would not pay for that… imma just take someone else’s video and photoshop me in. Same thing." Though some fans did defend Martinez, noting that a meet-and-greet was not mentioned in the package. One person said: "I thought it was cute everyone's hating it never said anywhere there was going to be a meet and greet. The concert was so fun." @katebellla I thought it was cute everyones hating it never said anywhere there was going to be a meet and greet. The concert was so fun ? #portalstour @Melanie Martinez "It wasn’t labeled as a meet and greet tho. It was 400 to be upfront in her concert, the ai thing was just an extra thing included," another person wrote. Someone else added: "I mean if it stated AI meet and greet and cost $400 maybe just don’t go." While other fans also claimed they didn't receive their VIP merchandise such as a signed poster, VIP merch and tote bag. One person said: "I didn’t even get the merch bruh," as another similarly echoed: "I heard someone bought VIP and didn't even get the merchandise stuff." Melanie Martinez's third album, Portals is out now after being released back on March 31. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-06-27 20:01

US judge yanks approval for Idaho mine after finding that federal agency violated environmental laws
A federal judge has yanked the U.S. government's approval for a phosphate mining project in southeastern Idaho
2023-06-06 07:07

Aleix Espargaro wins Catalunya MotoGP after world champion Bagnaia crashes
Aleix Espargaro won the Catalunya MotoGP at Montmelo on Sunday marred by world champion Francesco...
2023-09-03 21:25

Get two 4-in-1 chargers for Apple devices for just $30
TL;DR: As of October 8, you can get a two-pack of 4-in-1 USB-C chargers for
2023-10-08 17:00

Fisker delivers over 100 cars in a day with new distribution strategy
Fisker said on Friday that its new distribution strategy would help improve delivery speed and volume, which the
2023-11-17 20:25

'The Five' fans gush over Jesse Watters' 'stunning' family as wife Emma shares snaps from daughter Gigi's baptism ceremony
Jesse Watters and his wife Emma Watters were joined by all their loved ones for the important day of their youngest child, Gigi
2023-08-29 11:23
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