Tunisia-EU migration: Deal signed to strengthen borders
The memorandum of understanding includes $118m to stop smuggling and return irregular migrants.
1970-01-01 08:00
‘Today’ show star Jill Martin diagnosed with breast cancer after testing positive for BRCA gene
Today show star Jill Martin has been diagnosed with breast cancer. On 17 July, the 47-year-old lifestyle contributor revealed on Today that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, just one week after she tested positive for the BRCA gene – inherited gene mutations that can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. In an essay shared to Today.com, the TV presenter explained that she learned of her diagnosis on 26 June. Her doctor had recently suggested she get genetic testing due to her family history with breast cancer, which revealed she had tested positive for the BRCA2 gene. Martin elected to undergo preventive bilateral mastectomy, because she had a 60 to 90 per cent chance of developing breast cancer. However, less than a week later, an MRI scan revealed that she had already developed breast cancer. “I am telling this story now because I couldn’t go through months of operations, and start to recover both physically and mentally, without shouting from the rooftops telling everyone to check with their doctors to see if genetic testing is appropriate,” Martin wrote in her essay. The BRCA genes – an abbreviation for “BReast CAncer gene” – are two different genes that have been found to impact a person’s chances of developing breast cancer. There are two BRCA genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, which normally help repair DNA breaks that can lead to certain cancers. However, when there is a mutation in the BRCA gene, it can no longer be effective in preventing breast cancer. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the carrier of the mutated gene can also pass a gene mutation down to their offspring. It’s been found that people with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s estimated that 55 to 65 per cent of women with the BRCA1 mutation will develop breast cancer before age 70, while approximately 45 per cent of women with a BRCA2 mutation will develop breast cancer by age 70. Martin revealed that she will be having a double mastectomy, which will then determine her treatment plan moving forward. After her surgery, she also plans on having her ovaries and fallopian tubes as part of the preventative surgery process, because her chances of getting ovarian cancer are now 20 per cent higher, Martin said. “By the time I recover from my first surgery, I hope that many of you will know your results and can make proactive decisions with your doctors, families and loved ones,” she said. “That is the silver lining to this mess for me. It is what is keeping me going and giving me strength.” The Today show contributor explained that, although she had a clear mammogram test back in January, her mammogram still missed the presence of breast cancer that was later picked up by the MRI scan. “I am talking about this not to scare you, but to raise awareness so that maybe you can be tested and identify a BRCA or other genetic mutation earlier,” Martin wrote. “If I had known I was BRCA positive, I would have gotten screened more regularly, with an MRI alternating with my mammograms.” “What I didn’t know before this experience was that an MRI can pick up cancers that mammograms miss,” she continued. “So while my mammograms missed the presence of breast cancer, an MRI might have helped me catch it earlier.” Mammograms miss one in eight breast cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. For those who test positive for the BRCA gene, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendeds screening for breast cancer with an MRI starting at age 25, and mammograms at age 30. Martin added that earlier testing might have allowed her “the opportunity to have preventative surgery,” she said, “which is something I had planned to do only days before I found out that I actually had cancer.” She wrote: “Different people cope in different ways; for me, I am not hiding under the covers crying. Instead, I want to do everything I can to beat this and protect my family.” Read More Sarah Ferguson says late Queen’s corgis were unimpressed by her post-breast cancer surgery recuperation Country star Morgan Wade reveals plans for double mastectomy after testing for breast cancer gene Former NBC anchor reveals she underwent mastectomy after testing positive for gene that increases cancer risk Sarah Ferguson says corgis were unimpressed by her post-surgery recuperation Sarah Ferguson sweetly honours Queen Elizabeth’s memory amid cancer diagnosis Sarah Ferguson says breast cancer diagnosis was ‘scary’ for Eugenie and Beatrice
1970-01-01 08:00
MLB Rumors: Mets are ‘open for business’ at trade deadline
In a catastrophic season, the Mets have every reason to ahead to 2024 and start preparing for the August 1 trade deadline.For the team with one of the highest payrolls in MLB history, admitting that they're going to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline can be a tough pill to swallow.The...
1970-01-01 08:00
Global temperatures soar as US, China renew climate diplomacy
By Charlie Devereux MADRID (Reuters) -Global temperatures headed towards alarming highs and extreme weather proliferated as the world's two biggest
1970-01-01 08:00
Cats Dying Across Poland Test Positive for Bird Flu, WHO Says
An unusual number of cats are dying across Poland, and authorities found more than half of those tested
1970-01-01 08:00
Chelsea lay out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang demands as Marseille hold talks
Chelsea have set their demands in talks with Marseille over striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
1970-01-01 08:00
NI man one of two dead in Sligo rally crash
Daire Maguire, from County Fermanagh, and Gene McDonald, from County Cavan, died on Sunday.
1970-01-01 08:00
Russia officially pulls out of Ukraine grain deal
After months of threats to not renew the deal, Moscow has officially announced it will come to a de facto end.
1970-01-01 08:00
Uncharted 2 director calls out Mission Impossible 7 for similar stunts
Bruce Straley has put the stunt scenes side by side on Twitter.
1970-01-01 08:00
People living near Yamuna River in New Delhi return home as waters recede
By Adnan Abidi and Gabrielle Fonseca Johnson NEW DELHI People living near a river running through India's capital
1970-01-01 08:00
Ross Edgley ends longest non-stop lake swim in heatwave
The attempt in Italy was cut short due to fears of dehydration amid the European heatwave.
1970-01-01 08:00
Melanie Skyes reveals Tourette’s syndrome diagnosis: ‘Wired a completely different way’
Melanie Sykes has revealed she’s been diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. The 52-year-old I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star revealed the news of her diagnosis on her close friend Alan Carr’s podcast. Speaking of her diagnosis, Sykes said she’s “wired completely differently” and is “only now” understanding the impact of the neurological disorder on her life. Tourette’s syndrome may cause sudden unwanted and uncontrolled rapid and repeated movements or vocal sounds called tics. During the interview, when Carr assured Sykes that it was fine to swear during the conversation, she said: “Oh good, but I’ll try not to, because I’ve just discovered I have Tourette’s. “I describe in the book (Illuminated: Autism and all the Things I’ve Left Unsaid) how I laugh at really inappropriate things. I am wired a completely different way and I’m only just understanding it. “I used to think, ‘What’s wrong with me?’ Now I know it’s everything that’s right with me,” Sykes added. The new diagnosis comes two years after Sykes was diagnosed with autism. The presenter, who is known for shows like Let’s Do Lunch with Gino D’Acampo, said after the diagnosis that “finally, so many things made sense”. Sykes first revealed her diagnosis in an email to readers of her magazine, The Frank. She wrote that finding out she was on the autism spectrum, which can affect the way people with autism communicate and interact with others, was “life-affirming”. She has since been welcomed into the autistic community with messages from mothers of children on the spectrum and adults diagnosed late in life. “They’re so happy I’m talking about it, normalising it,” Sykes told the magazine. “Some people who were too embarrassed to tell anyone now feel they can. “It makes me extremely happy to know I’ve helped.” Sykes’ diagnosis comes after singer Lewis Capaldi recently announced he was taking a break from touring for the “foreseeable future” due to his Tourette’s. The “Someone You Loved” singer struggled with his performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury this year because of his tics, and appeared visibly moved by the huge audience who helped him sing his song. Following the show, Capaldi said he is “still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette’s” and needed to spend time taking care of his physical and mental health before he could return to touring. Read More Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods reunite four years after Tristan Thompson cheating scandal Nicole Kidman defends her controversial Vanity Fair mini skirt cover Alan Titchmarsh warns against ‘ill-considered’ rewilding trend in domestic gardens These are the women making waves in the cycling world Nappy changes and tantrums over Michael Gove: I took my toddler to a music festival Demi Lovato says she still struggles with vision, hearing impairment after overdose
1970-01-01 08:00
