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Best-selling author diagnosed with "aggressive" brain cancer

Best-selling author Sophie Kinsella has shared that she has been fighting "aggressive" brain cancer since the end of 2022. The British writer took to Instagram to reveal she was diagnosed with glioblastoma 18 months ago, and shared why she chose to keep the devatstsing news out of the spotlight. The 54-year-old said she wanted to "make sure my children were able to hear and process the news in privacy and adapt to our new normal" before going public with her diagnosis. "I have been under the care of the excellent team at University College Hospital in London and have had successful surgery and subsequent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which is still ongoing," she told her followers on Instagram. "At the moment all is stable and I am feeling generally very well, though I get very tired and my memory is even worse than it was before!" Kinsella said she is "so grateful to my family and close friends who have been an incredible support to me, and to the wonderful doctors and nurses who have treated me." She also thanked her readers for their "constant support", adding how the reception of her latest novel The Burnout, released in October 2023, "really buoyed me up during a difficult time." She ended her statement by saying, "To everyone who is suffering from cancer in any form I send love and best wishes, as well as to those who support them." "It can feel very lonely and scary to have a tough diagnosis, and the support and care of those around you means more than words can say." Image credits: Getty Images

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Popular TV host diagnosed with same condition as Bruce Willis

Popular American TV host Wendy Williams has shared her diagnosis after being plagued by "hurtful rumours". The 59-year-old's medical team announced in a lengthy statement that she has been diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia: the same conditions actor Bruce Willis is battling. The news comes after Williams' family confirmed she had checked in to a facility to treat cognitive issues. “Questions have been raised at times about Wendy’s ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy’s condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions,” her medical team said. They said Williams' symptoms first began in 2023, and was diagnosed with the neurological conditions just weeks later after undergoing a series of tests. Her team said both conditions have “already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life”. “Wendy would not have received confirmation of these diagnoses were it not for the diligence of her current care team, who she chose, and the extraordinary work of the specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine,” they said. “Receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires.” Williams chose to share the news to “advocate for understanding” and to “raise awareness” for the difficult conditions. “Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioural changes but have not yet received a diagnosis,” her team said. “There is hope that with early detection and far more empathy, the stigma associated with dementia will be eliminated, and those affected will receive the understanding, support, and care they deserve and need." “Wendy is still able to do many things for herself. Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humour and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed." “She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.” The TV presenter has previously been open with her medical battle with Graves’ disease and lymphedema, as well as other significant challenges related to her health. Image credits: Getty Images

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"I was not alone": Another royal diagnosed with cancer

Not long after King Charles announced his <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/palace-reveals-king-charles-serious-health-diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cancer diagnosis</a>, Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia felt inspired by his "dear cousin and friend" and decided to go public with his own prostate cancer diagnosis. In a statement, Prince Alexander shared that he was moved by Charles’ courage in sharing his diagnosis with the public, as royal health matters are usually kept private. The 78-year-old royal then shared details of his own medical intervention. "The love of all of us who know him, and of his people, we deeply care for him, will support His Majesty in persevering and winning this most important battle. The news that it is early stage gives high hope," he said. "The unfortunate news about cancer is not something you wish to hear. "And I can say it personally, as I very well know how you feel once you hear it. How frightening and terrifying it is also for the family, how all the feelings get mixed up, and how you cannot think about anything else." He then revealed: "I can say it now because I only recently defeated cancer. "I had avoided speaking about it, as it is a personal matter concerning only me and my family, but King Charles' openness moved me and encouraged me to also speak up," he added. "I am sharing this now, because this kind of tragic news can encourage people to react and take care of their health." He added that news of King Charles' cancer diagnosis and his honesty about getting a check-up had resulted in a rise in online searches and appointments for medical check-ups in the UK. “That is why people should hear my story, to see it is something that can happen to all of us,” he said. “But when we are responsible, the outcome can be good.” He shared details of his own treatment, which began two years ago, after results from an MRI found a cancerous growth. "At that moment, I was terrified. But I was not alone. "I am not speaking about family and friends who knew this and shared their support, which meant so much and cannot be described in words, but also all the other people who are fighting this disease." He then underwent pre-intervention tests, surgery, and mandatory checkups, and has since received “the most joyous words from my doctor — ‘All is clear now’.” He then urged the public to be more vigilant about their health, and to not put of their doctors appointment any further. “Be responsible with yourself, listen to the doctor’s advice, and monitor your health,” he said. “Preserve it and nurture it as the greatest wealth and gift you will ever receive.” Images: Getty

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Sarah Ferguson diagnosed with malignant melanoma – here are the latest treatments for this increasingly common skin cancer

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-allinson-137762">Sarah Allinson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/lancaster-university-1176">Lancaster University</a> News that Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has recently been diagnosed with malignant melanoma highlights the dangers of this increasingly common skin cancer. Malignant melanoma affects <a href="https://www.iarc.who.int/cancer-type/skin-cancer/">325,000 people worldwide</a> every year. While it’s not the most common form of skin cancer – typically, for every one diagnosed case of melanoma, up to ten non-melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed – it causes <a href="https://theconversation.com/skin-cancer-more-people-die-from-types-that-arent-melanoma-surprise-new-finding-215378">almost as many deaths</a>. The reason for this is because it’s far more likely to spread, or metastasise, to other sites in the body compared to non-melanoma skin cancers. Melanoma arises in a type of pigment-producing skin cell called a <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/what-is-melanoma.html#:%7E:text=Melanoma%20is%20a%20type%20of,to%20grow%20out%20of%20control.">melanocyte</a>. These cells produce and export melanin in order to provide a protective layer in the skin which helps to screen out ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Mutations in genes that normally carefully regulate cell growth and survival override the controls that ensure the body only produces the cells it needs. The result is uncontrolled cellular growth, or a tumour, that normally appears as an unusual-looking mole. The mutations that drive the growth of a melanoma usually happen as a result of exposure to UV from the sun or from an artificial source, such as a tanning bed. We know this because when a melanoma’s genome is compared to that of a normal cell we can see a high number of mutations that have a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-1943-3">characteristic “UV signature”</a>. For this reason, melanoma skin cancers occur most frequently in people who have light-coloured skin and who are exposed to high amounts of UV. Non-melanoma skin cancers are also mainly caused by exposure to UV but arise from a different kind of skin cell called a keratinocyte. These are the cells that normally make up the majority of the outer part of our skin, called the epidermis. Cancers that arise from keratinocytes are less likely to spread than those that come from melanocytes – although <a href="https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/non-melanoma-skin-cancer#heading-One">they can still be fatal</a>. In the duchess’s case, the melanoma was discovered during treatment for breast cancer. Her dermatologist recommended that some moles be removed for biopsy during breast reconstruction surgery. After testing, one was identified as malignant melanoma. If the results of the biopsy show that the cancer hasn’t spread, then like the majority of patients with melanoma, the duchess will be treated with surgery. In this case the tumour will be removed along with some of the surrounding normal skin. The amount of normal skin removed depends on the results of the biopsy – in particular, how deep into the skin the tumour has penetrated (called the <a href="https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/melanoma/staging-of-melanoma">Breslow thickness</a>). The normal skin will be checked for any signs that cancerous cells might have spread out of the tumour. For most people diagnosed with melanoma, particularly if it’s at an early stage, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK481850/">surgery will cure the cancer</a> and they will be able to go on with their lives. But for around <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8544364/">20% of patients</a>, additional treatment will be needed. This happens if their cancer has spread further into the body or if their cancer can’t be treated surgically. The <a href="https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP.21.00686">good news</a> for these patients is that the past decade has seen huge improvements in treatment. Previously the only options other than surgery were radiotherapy or non-specific chemotherapy treatments. These treatments work by affecting the ability of cells to copy their DNA, which prevents them from duplicating and causes fast-growing cancer cells to die. But because these also affect the patient’s normal cells, they were accompanied by severe side effects – and were often ineffective. But we now have a better understanding of the specific changes melanoma makes to cell growth pathways. This has led to the development of drugs, such as <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2022/fda-dabrafenib-trametinib-braf-solid-tumors">dabrafenib</a> and <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Trametinib">trametinib</a>, that specifically target cells with these altered pathways. In other words, they only target the cancerous cells. These drugs are much more effective and have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapies – although about half of patients who initially respond to them relapse within a year. In these patients a few of the tumour cells survive by activating other pathways for growth and use these to <a href="https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.30435">regrow the tumour</a>. Promisingly, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10417341/">a recent study</a> suggests that re-using these drugs after a period off them can have good results in relapsed patients. Another exciting development in the treatment of malignant melanoma has been the use of immunotherapies. These involve harnessing the patient’s own immune system to fight the tumour. One particularly successful immunotherapy approach for melanoma involves the use of drugs called checkpoint inhibitors. These prevent cancer cells from being able to hide from the body’s immune system. A <a href="https://www.ejcancer.com/article/S0959-8049(23)00694-9/fulltext">recent report</a> has highlighted how the introduction of these treatments has led to improved survival for melanoma patients. Although the duchess’s skin cancer was discovered while she was being treated for breast cancer, it’s unlikely that the two are related. A more likely risk factor is the duchess’s famous red hair. People with red hair and pale skin that tends to freckle and burn in the sun are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer because their skin produces <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/mc1r/#conditions">less melanin</a>. This means that their melanocytes are exposed to higher levels of UV and are more likely to undergo cancer-causing mutations. While melanoma is much more common in people with the duchess’s skin type, it’s important to be aware that anyone can get it. It’s a good idea to regularly check your skin for unusual looking moles and to contact a doctor for advice if you have a mole with any of the so-called <a href="https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/symptoms">ABCDE characteristics</a>: such as an asymmetrical shape, irregular, blurred or jagged border, uneven colour, is more than 6mm wide and is evolving (either in size, texture or even bleeding).<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/221647/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-allinson-137762">Sarah Allinson</a>, Professor, Department of Biomedical and Life Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/lancaster-university-1176">Lancaster University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/sarah-ferguson-diagnosed-with-malignant-melanoma-here-are-the-latest-treatments-for-this-increasingly-common-skin-cancer-221647">original article</a>.

Body

I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, now what?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marilynne-n-kirshbaum-1462224">Marilynne N Kirshbaum</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/charles-darwin-university-1066">Charles Darwin University</a> In one pivotal instant your life has changed and there will be no turning back. How will you accept, adjust and adapt to being “someone who has cancer”? Well, first, you are still the same person. But now you have a definitive diagnosis calling for your immediate attention. There are hundreds of kinds of cancer, <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/staging">distinguished</a> and identified according to site, type of cell involved, aggressiveness and evidence of spread. These are the <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/health-conditions-disability-deaths/cancer/overview">critical details</a> you need to know as you begin to understand what is going on in your body. There will be much to learn and understand about the disease and prognosis; social, emotional, sexual and spiritual effects; treatments, therapies and their side-effects; work implications and how all these opportunities and challenges will be intertwined. But you don’t need to do everything at once. In time, and with support, you’ll be able to move forward with poise, strength, calm and intelligence. <h2>Emotions will vary – from you and others</h2> Whatever your usual demeanour and emotional state, be ready for some surprises. This will be a period of uncertainty. Expect to find yourself experiencing the full gamut of reactions such as shock, anger, grief and guilt, along with warm and deep feelings of love, compassion and gratitude for the people and environment that surround you. In the first few days, you might want to limit who you tell about your diagnosis or keep your news private to give yourself a chance to adjust without interference. Because, although well meaning, some people will react in unexpected ways and might cause you distress rather than be truly supportive or helpful. Some people will be inclined to ask lots of questions, but you may not have all the answers. They might want to tell you other people’s stories, which you might not want or be ready to hear yet. You have the option to completely accept the guidance of health-care professionals, who will give you the information they think you need at the time and direct you to further diagnostic tests and appointments. However, you may want to know more about the type of cancer you have, the treatments being recommended, all possible side effects and seek out other sources. This will place the information you have received into perspective and will inform further questions. It is important to find <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information">resources</a> that are <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/health-conditions-disability-deaths/cancer/overview">credible</a>. <h2>Continuing work might be beneficial</h2> For working people, the decision about returning to work will depend on how you feel and the flexibility of your workplace. Assuming your body is up to it and it’s not a period where you will be immunosuppressed and susceptible to harmful effects of infections, work done at a steady pace is usually not only a boost to finances, but will have <a href="https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/young-adults-and-teenagers/school-and-work-during-cancer/going-work-during-and-after-cancer#:%7E:text=You%20might%20work%20as%20much,support%2C%20including%20health%20insurance%20benefits">cognitive, social and emotional benefits</a>. The strategy here is to do a risk assessment of your job. Specify the challenges and discuss how they could be reduced with your manager. If you are your own boss, be flexible and kind. <h2>Responding to cancer-related fatigue</h2> The most common side effect of living with cancer (before, during and after all types of treatment) is a specific kind of extreme tiredness and lethargy called cancer-related fatigue. Sometimes it appears alongside <a href="https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/clinical-best-practice/psychosocial-care">non-clinical depression and hopelessness</a>. Some people can feel so awful they decline medical treatment, but for the majority, this type of fatigue gets in the way of enjoying life. Research on the most effective interventions to reduce cancer-related fatigue has <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20870636/">evaluated</a> a range of approaches, including medications and complementary therapies. Assuming the cause is not anaemia, which can be treated by a transfusion, the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK74155/">strongest evidence recommends</a> physical, moderately aerobic exercise, often defined as “enough to break a sweat”. However, for those who are not able to exercise at a moderate level – for example, if the cancer has metastasised to bones or if lung capacity is compromised – less physically demanding approaches <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-76932-1_4">can be valuable</a>. <h2>Prioritising things that bring you joy</h2> A “<a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-76932-1">joyful freedom</a>” approach to cancer-related fatigue aims to bring back vitality through subtle, lifestyle adjustments. It’s a framework researchers developed based on a series of studies. The first task is to list activities that bring joy. Then categorise each joy according to five attributes of energy-restoring activities: <ul> <li>purposeful</li> <li>expansive</li> <li>connecting</li> <li>awe-inspiring</li> <li>nourishing.</li> </ul> This will raise awareness of how to best spend limited amounts of physical, emotional and cognitive energy. Consider adding more of what brings joy into your life and remove some of the energy-depleting activities you do not enjoy. Making small changes can have a profound effect on your energy levels and give you the boost you need to live well with cancer. In an ideal, well resourced national health service, GPs and specialist nurses would be available to provide holistic health promotion support for people with cancer. Realistically, this is rarely offered through mainstream public services. These services are more widely available in the private sector, or you may be able to find what you need through your <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/">local Cancer Council</a>. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/211522/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marilynne-n-kirshbaum-1462224">Marilynne N Kirshbaum</a>, Professor and Chair of the Human Research Ethics Committee, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/charles-darwin-university-1066">Charles Darwin University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/ive-just-been-diagnosed-with-cancer-now-what-211522">original article</a>.

Caring

1 in 6 women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. But this diagnosis may not benefit them or their babies

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-glasziou-13533">Paul Glasziou</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jenny-doust-12412">Jenny Doust</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> When Sophie was pregnant with her first baby, she had an <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279331/#:%7E:text=Oral%20glucose%20tolerance%20tests%20(OGTT,enough%20by%20the%20body's%20cells.)">oral glucose tolerance</a> blood test. A few days later, the hospital phoned telling her she had gestational diabetes. Despite having only a slightly raised glucose (blood sugar) level, Sophie describes being diagnosed as affecting her pregnancy tremendously. She tested her blood glucose levels four times a day, kept food diaries and had extra appointments with doctors and dietitians. She was advised to have an induction because of the risk of having a large baby. At 39 weeks her son was born, weighing a very average 3.5kg. But he was separated from Sophie for four hours so his glucose levels could be monitored. Sophie is not alone. About <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/diabetes/diabetes/contents/how-many-australians-have-diabetes/gestational-diabetes">one in six</a> pregnant women in Australia are now diagnosed with gestational diabetes. That was not always so. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2827530/">New criteria</a> were developed in 2010 which dropped an initial screening test and lowered the diagnostic set-points. Gestational diabetes diagnoses have since <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/diabetes/diabetes/contents/how-many-australians-have-diabetes/gestational-diabetes">more than doubled</a>. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/536691/original/file-20230710-23-v8weyw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/536691/original/file-20230710-23-v8weyw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=388&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536691/original/file-20230710-23-v8weyw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=388&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536691/original/file-20230710-23-v8weyw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=388&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536691/original/file-20230710-23-v8weyw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=487&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536691/original/file-20230710-23-v8weyw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=487&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/536691/original/file-20230710-23-v8weyw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=487&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption>Gestational diabetes rates more than doubled after the threshold changed. AIHW, Author provided</figcaption></figure> But <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2204091">recent</a> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33704936/">studies</a> cast doubt on the ways we diagnose and manage gestational diabetes, especially for women like Sophie with only mildly elevated glucose. Here’s what’s wrong with gestational diabetes screening. <h2>The glucose test is unreliable</h2> The test used to diagnose gestational diabetes – the oral glucose tolerance test – has poor reproducibility. This means subsequent tests may give a different result. In a <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2214956">recent Australian trial</a> of earlier testing in pregnancy, one-third of the women initially classified as having gestational diabetes (but neither told nor treated) did not have gestational diabetes when retested later in pregnancy. That is a problem. Usually when a test has poor reproducibility – for example, blood pressure or cholesterol – we repeat the test to confirm before making a diagnosis. Much of the increase in the incidence of gestational diabetes after the introduction of new diagnostic criteria was due to the switch from using two tests to only using a single test for diagnosis. <h2>The thresholds are too low</h2> Despite little evidence of benefit for either women or babies, the current Australian criteria diagnose women with only mildly abnormal results as having “gestational diabetes”. Recent studies have shown this doesn’t benefit women and may cause harms. A <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2204091">New Zealand trial</a> of more than 4,000 women randomly assigned women to be assessed based on the current Australian thresholds or to higher threshold levels (similar to the pre-2010 criteria). The trial found no additional benefit from using the current low threshold levels, with overall no difference in the proportion of infants born large for gestational age. However, the trial found several harms, including more neonatal hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar in newborns), induction of labour, use of diabetic medications including insulin injections, and use of health services. The study authors also looked at the subgroup of women who were diagnosed with glucose levels between the higher and lower thresholds. In this subgroup, there was some reduction in large babies, and in shoulder problems at delivery. But there was also an increase in small babies. This is of concern because being small for gestational age can also have consequences for babies, including long-term health consequences. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540643/original/file-20230802-29-1dw2rw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540643/original/file-20230802-29-1dw2rw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=349&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540643/original/file-20230802-29-1dw2rw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=349&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540643/original/file-20230802-29-1dw2rw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=349&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540643/original/file-20230802-29-1dw2rw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=438&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540643/original/file-20230802-29-1dw2rw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=438&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540643/original/file-20230802-29-1dw2rw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=438&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption>NEJM, Author provided</figcaption></figure> <h2>Testing too early</h2> Some centres have begun testing women at higher risk of gestational diabetes earlier in the pregnancy (between 12 and 20 weeks). However, a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37144983/">recent trial</a> showed no clear benefit compared with testing at the usual 24–28 weeks: possibly fewer large babies, but again matched by more small babies. There was a reduction in transient “respiratory distress” – needing extra oxygen for a few hours – but not in serious clinical events. <h2>Impact on women with gestational diabetes</h2> For women diagnosed using the higher glucose thresholds, dietary advice, glucose monitoring and, where necessary, insulin therapy has been shown to reduce complications during delivery and the post-natal period. However, current models of care can also cause harm. Women with gestational diabetes are often denied their preferred model of care – for example, midwifery continuity of carer. In rural areas, they may have to transfer to a larger hospital, requiring longer travel to antenatal visits and moving to a larger centre for their birth – away from their families and support networks for several weeks. Women say the diagnosis often dominates their antenatal care and their whole <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32028931/">experience of pregnancy</a>, reducing time for other issues or concerns. Women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities <a href="https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-021-03981-5">find it difficult</a> to reconcile the advice given about diet and exercise with their own cultural practices and beliefs about pregnancy. Some women with gestational diabetes <a href="https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-020-2745-1">become</a> extremely anxious about their eating and undertake extensive calorie restrictions or disordered eating habits. <h2>Time to reassess the advice</h2> Recent evidence from both randomised controlled trials and from qualitative studies with women diagnosed with gestational diabetes suggest we need to reassess how we currently diagnose and manage gestational diabetes, particularly for women with only slightly elevated levels. It is time for a review to consider all the problems described above. This review should include the views of all those impacted by these decisions: women in childbearing years, and the GPs, dietitians, diabetes educators, midwives and obstetricians who care for them. This article was co-authored by maternity services consumer advocate Leah Hardiman.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/205919/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-glasziou-13533">Paul Glasziou</a>, Professor of Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jenny-doust-12412">Jenny Doust</a>, Clinical Professorial Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/1-in-6-women-are-diagnosed-with-gestational-diabetes-but-this-diagnosis-may-not-benefit-them-or-their-babies-205919">original article</a>.

Body

Why young people are self-diagnosing illnesses

A lot of people turn to Google when they get symptoms of being sick, and jump to the conclusion that it may be a serious issue, however, for the younger crowd - Dr Google is now Dr TikTok. The social media app is filled with content about all sorts of topics, known for its 15-second clips it has been applauded for starting important conversations about mental health, especially among young people. It allows people to share experiences and support each other. However, as beneficial as that may be, it’s causing a lot of children to self-diagnose themselves with several mental and neurological disorders. These conditions include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), dissociative identity disorder (DID), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Tourette’s syndrome, and more. It’s troublesome as a doctor must diagnose a patient with an illness, and kids are taking it into their own hands based on videos that resonate with them. Psychologist Doreen Dodgen-Magee, said, “There are many accounts, hosted by educated, trained, and licensed professionals where reliable information can be found,” says Dr. Dodgen-Magee. But not all posts contain accurate, science-backed information — and many people scrolling through TikTok don’t know this”. It’s an issue that continues to grow as young people are getting medical advice from fellow TikTokers rather than seeing a doctor. If you have any symptoms of poor physical or mental health then you must be professionally diagnosed and set up with a treatment plan. Don’t rely on a social media app targeted towards children to diagnose you with health issues. Image credit: Shutterstock

Mind

Heading off autism diagnoses early

Australian researchers have shown for the first time that early intervention with parent-led therapy can help to reduce autism diagnoses in children that exhibit early signs of the condition. The study, <a style="font-size: 14px;" rel="noopener" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2784066?guestAccessKey=4de62efc-31a1-4b0d-ae0f-fd3c858b2253&utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=092021" target="_blank">published</a> in JAMA Pediatrics, found that a specific type of video-feedback-based therapy has the potential to reduce the clinical diagnosis of autism in children by two-thirds at age three. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects children’s social skills, communication and behaviour. Around 2% of Australians have been diagnosed with autism, but more than half of all kids receiving support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have an autism diagnosis. The average age of diagnosis is around 3 or 4. In an <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/news-briefing-early-help-can-reduce-autism-behaviours-in-kids" target="_blank">AusSMC briefing</a> on the JAMA research, lead researcher Professor Andrew Whitehouse, from the Telethon Kids Institute, said that the first two years of development are too important to be missed. “Anyone who’s seen a child develop language knows just how extraordinary that brain is in the first two years of life,” Whitehouse says. “And because we’re waiting and seeing during that period our therapies are currently missing that really critical period of brain development to support. Rather than providing starting support at age three, we’re saying let’s identify parental concerns, and then verify that with clinical observation in the first year of life.” The team identified that babies under a year old who begin to develop the behaviours associated with autism, such as differences in the way that they interact with the people around them, can fall “out of sync” with the interactions required for their brains to continue to develop. “So this can lead to what we call a developmental cascade, where disability becomes more entrenched over time,” says Whitehouse. “The children have an early vulnerability, which we know is genetic in origin, but because they are actually interacting with their caregivers in a different way, that disability becomes further and further entrenched.” This is where the therapy, called iBASIS-VIPP, is able to help. It involves a therapist filming the parent or caregiver interacting with the child who is suspected of developing autism. The therapist is then able to work with the parents, and highlight ways for them to alter their behaviour to support and enrich their child’s interactions using subtle changes to their everyday routines. Co-author of the research, Associate Professor Kristelle Hudry from La Trobe University, says this parental behaviour change at such an early stage of development can provide significant improvements in child communication skills and more generally for their development. “The hope then is that this changed parent behaviour will lead to increased child skills through the parent implementing these subtle changes in their everyday routines, all day every day, at home in everything that they’re doing, Hudry says. “And then ultimately that this will bring improvements in child social communication skills… and impact their skills to such an extent that the likelihood of autism is changed.” The Australian trial provided 10 fortnightly sessions of the therapy over five months for babies exhibiting early signs of autism between nine and 15 months of age. After following up with those families over three years, the trial found that only 6.7% of children receiving the therapy met the criteria for autism, compared to around 21% of children who did not receive the therapy. “That’s a significant reduction, and that’s the first time that has ever been shown that a pre-emptive support can be so effective in supporting development, that it actually reduces the likelihood that children go on to receive a diagnosis of autism,” says Whitehouse. The critical point here is that although those children have a lower likelihood of subsequently receiving a diagnosis of autism, they still require support services. Whitehouse says that the current system is flawed as it uses a diagnosis as the trigger or entry point to receive support. He says a needs-based service rather than a diagnosis-based service should be provided. Whitehouse also emphasises that they aren’t ‘curing’ autism and that the aims of the study are not about seeking a cure, but rather to “reduce the level of autism behaviours to the point that we can actually remove barriers in their life so children can reach their full potential”. Hudry and Whitehouse both make it clear that parents are not the cause of autism, but that parents are able to provide a key way to support their child’s development to reduce the barriers that autism can create. “This therapy is about working with each child’s unique differences,” says Whitehouse. “It’s not about trying to make kids more typical; it’s about actually identifying and nurturing and celebrating those differences and using them as a foundation for further development.”  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=166915&title=Heading+off+autism+diagnoses+early" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <div id="contributors"> <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/body-and-mind/parent-led-autism-therapy-for-babies-reduces-behaviours/" target="_blank">This article</a> was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/steven-mew" target="_blank">Steven Mew</a>. Steven Mew is a media officer at the Australian Science Media Centre. Image: Science Media Centre </div>

Mind

How new smartphone tech will help diagnose mental health issues

Apple is reportedly working on new technology that could be used to diagnose mental health conditions such as depression and cognitive decline. In collaboration with the biotech Biogen, Apple is hoping to utilise their digital sensors to their potential, which already include heart, sleep and activity monitoring through the Apple Watch and iPhone. Researchers told the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-wants-iphones-to-help-detect-depression-cognitive-decline-sources-say-11632216601">Wall Street Journal</a> they will be able to use data from iPhone sensors to track digital signals that are linked to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, and feed them into an algorithm. This should be able to predict depression and other conditions and form the basis of new features in a future version of Apple's operating system. The research is an amalgamation of two research projects that involve tracking Apple devices to predict mental health habits. One project, codenamed ‘Seabreeze’, explores stress and anxiety-induced tendencies in partnership with Apple. The other, codenamed ‘Pi’, has set out to further analyse mild cognitive impairment. As the projects remain in their early stages, Apple has yet to officially confirm if they will result in new iPhone features. To effectively diagnose a mental health condition, an individual requires close monitoring by experts to look for changes in behaviour from the norm. The data analysed by these projects include monitoring facial expressions, how often users speak, how often they go for a walk, how well they sleep as well as heart and breathing rates. People 'close to the study' told the WSJ they may also be looking at the speed of typing, frequency of typos, content they type and other points. All of these habits are thought to be “digital signals” that can hint at mental health issues. Image credit: Shutterstock

Technology

Why are more men diagnosed with schizophrenia?

New research has found a link between the genetic differences in men and women and their likelihood of developing certain psychotic and mood disorders. In a study <a href="https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(21)01139-2/fulltext">recently published</a> in Biological Psychiatry, researchers looked at the underlying genetic differences between the sexes for the reason why bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression affect the two sexes in different ways and at different rates. After examining the genomes of 85,735 people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression, and 109,946 people without any of those conditions, the researchers found almost a dozen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that differed between men and women diagnosed with one of the three disorders. What are the impacts of SNPs? The four nucleotides - Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine - that are used to make DNA are compared in particular orders to make specific proteins. SNPs are a kind of mutation where a single nucleotide - either A, G, T, or C - is swapped for another in a specific spot in the genome. These substitutions can affect our risk of getting certain diseases. In the study of mental disorders in the different sexes, the team found that these mutations would have different impacts on the different sexes. Some SNPs were only linked to disease in one sex, while others decreased the likelihood of the disorder occurring in one sex but increased it in the other. The researchers also found that these mutations occurred in genes that are linked to vascular, immune, and neuronal development pathways, suggesting cardiovascular and neurological health are affected by each other in some way. “We found a SNP in the IDO2 gene,” Jill Goldstein, a clinical neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School and the senior author of the study, told <a href="https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/genetic-variants-tied-to-sex-differences-in-psychiatric-disorders-68624">The Scientist</a>. This particular gene is associated with immune tolerance in humans, meaning it helps suppress the immune system so it doesn’t attack bodily tissues and other substances. The gene is also linked to and has different effects on different disorders. “The SNP [in the IDO2 gene] increased the risk of bipolar disorder in women and decreased the risk in men, but it also decreased the risk of major depression and schizophrenia,” she said. “With that same genetic SNP, we found a lower risk of depression and schizophrenia in women, but a higher risk in the men. “And what was even more exciting was that the pathways that were implicated - vascular pathways and immune pathways - fit with what has been found and mapped by neurobiology,” Goldstein said. In their studies of the shared abnormal changes between the brain and heart, Goldstein and her team found schizophrenia has a high comorbidity with cardiovascular disease. “I was thrilled to see we actually found these genes with shared sex differences in areas that we’ve been studying,” she said. Why this matters Though these differences are small, they can have implications for how treatment can be tailored to different patients. Gendered differences in the presentation and effectiveness of treatments have been previously identified in other diseases including cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. “There are real-life consequences if we do not develop sex-dependent therapeutics, and I think it is critical for precision medicine,” she said.

Mind

Could a blood test diagnose mental illnesses?

Australian scientists have developed the world’s first blood test that can accurately predict whether people have mood disorders. Following research into specific levels of a brain protein, researchers from the University of South Australia have developed a kit that can distinguish between three brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) proteins with precision. A link between mature BDNF (mBDNF) proteins and depression has been well-documented for some time, but it hasn’t been until now that the three forms of proteins could be distinguished in blood samples. Researchers say strong evidence suggests that psychological stress decreases mBDNF and that depression is caused by a lack of the protein. A study conducted with 215 people in China, including 90 patients with clinical depression and 15 with bipolar disorder, found clear links between low levels of the protein in blood and severe depression. The study also found that the severity of a person’s depression correlated with a lower mBDNF level. Patients on antidepressants were also found to have higher levels of the protein than those who weren’t taking them. UniSA Professor Xin-Fu Zhou said existing commercial kits aren’t specific, while the one developed by the university had an accuracy of 80 to 83 percent. “As mBDNF and (another of the three proteins) proBDNF have different biological activities, working in opposition to each other, it is essential that we distinguish between these two proteins and detect changes in their levels,” he said. The researchers believe mBDNF levels could be used to diagnose depression and bipolar disorder.

Mind

Aussie woman recovering from US train accident diagnosed with COVID-19

An Australian woman who lost her legs in an accident on the New York subway has revealed she has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Visaya Hoffie, 23, had to have both of her lower legs amputated after she fell onto subway tracks and was struck by two trains in January. The artist also suffered skull, neck and vertebrae fractures. Visaya shared her coronavirus diagnosis on Tuesday. “After over a month in complete isolation from friends and family with [COVID-19] they’re finally discharging me ... despite the fact I’m still testing positive,” she wrote on Instagram. It was six weeks into Visaya’s recovery from the accident at Manhattan’s Bellevue Hospital when the intense coronavirus outbreak in the city forced a decision to return to Brisbane, her family told <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-12/visaya-hoffie-coronavirus-new-york-train-accident-victim/12222182">7.30</a>. “It was a very difficult decision to make to leave, because Visaya’s wounds were so compromised,” Visaya’s mother Pat said. The doctors declared Visaya fit to fly, but said her legs needed to be elevated throughout the trip. Pat sought a flat-bed seat in business or first class for the trip and asked for assistance from figures such as former prime minister Kevin Rudd, Australia’s Ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos, and Australia’s representative to the UN Mitch Fifield. Pat secured three tickets for her, Visaya and a nurse for the flight to Brisbane via Chicago and Doha, which cost $64,000. On arrival, Visaya was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital where she tested positive for the virus. Her symptoms have remained mild, the program reported. Pat said she was impressed by her daughter’s ability to bounce back from the accidents. “She’s just so resilient, so funny, so open to taking on the next hurdle,” Pat told the program. “I’ve managed because she’s with me. She’s in the world. The rest is mere detail.”

Caring

The new smartphone app that has the ability to diagnose respiratory diseases

A new smartphone app that was developed by University of Queensland researchers has the ability to analyse a person’s cough. This could help diagnose respiratory disorders quickly and easily in patients who lack access to doctors. UQ biomedical engineer Associate Professor Udantha Abeyratne and his team have developed the diagnostic technology that uses smartphones to instantly identify common respiratory diseases. These include asthma, croup, pneumonia, lower respiratory tract disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and bronchiolitis. Dr Abeyratne said that respiratory disease was the third leading cause of death, which means that the potential global health and economic impact of this technology is phenomenal. “Coughs can be described as wet or dry, brassy or raspy, ringing or barking; they can whistle, whoop or wheeze; but experts cannot always agree on the description or how to use cough sounds for diagnosis,” Dr Abeyratne said. “Our approach is to introduce signal processing, and machine classification and learning technologies to extract useful diagnostic characteristics from coughs, removing the subjective elements for characterising them. “We believe the technology can lead to earlier diagnosis and better patient outcomes throughout the world, including in remote locations with limited access to doctors.” A clinical study on childhood respiratory diseases found that the technology has an accuracy between 81 and 97 percent. Corresponding author, Paediatrician Dr Paul Porter from Joondalup Health Campus in Western Australia has said that it could be difficult to differentiate between respiratory disorders in children. This is the case for even experienced doctors in modern hospital facilities. “This study demonstrates how new technology, mathematical concepts, machine learning and clinical medicine can be successfully combined to produce completely new diagnostic tests using the expertise of several disciplines,” Dr Porter said. How the technology was developed The technology was developed by UQ researchers using trained algorithms to recognise features of coughs which are characteristic of five different respiratory diseases. The technology also allows users to report other noticeable systems to ensure that the diagnosis was as accurate as possible. The researchers the categorised the coughs of 585 children aged between 29 days and 12 years. The accuracy of the analyser was determined by comparing its diagnosis to one that was reached by a panel of paediatricians that had reviewed hospital charts and conducted all available clinical investigations.

Technology

How your iPhone could diagnose cancer

When you think about the possibility of your phone being able to save your life, it’s probably in the capacity of using it in a dire situation to call for help. But one US doctor might just change the way you see your little smartphone forever. Dr John Martin, a vascular surgeon from Denver, Colorado, was able to use his smartphone to diagnose a mass in his throat as cancer. Dr Martin, who is the chief medical officer of <a href="https://www.butterflynetwork.com/index.html" target="_blank">Butterfly Network</a>, the company responsible for creating an ultrasound device that can be connected to an iPhone, was able to use the technology to scan the mass. The results showed he had metastatic cancer. This was later confirmed by a technician, and Dr Martin underwent successful surgery to remove the cancer. Priced at less than US$2,000, the smartphone-enabled device is just a fraction of the cost of even a low-end ultrasound system. What do you think about an iPhone diagnosing cancer? Tell us in the comments below.

Technology

Aussie girl diagnosed with Uncombable Hair syndrome

A girl from Melbourne has a rare condition that makes her hair as uncontrollable as scientist Albert Einstein’s. Seven-year-old Shilah Calvert-Yin’s blonde locks are caused by a condition known as Uncombable Hair Syndrome, which is believed to impact only 100 people worldwide. Shilah receives a lot of attention from her hair but she likes how it makes her unique. She has been likened to Einstein and Doc Brown from Back To The Future, but she doesn’t mind as it is one of her favourite movies. <img width="500" height="503" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40497/shilah_500x503.jpg" alt="Shilah"/> "It's not ordinary and it's not boring like everyone else's,” said Shilah. "Everyone knows me and remembers me – especially at school; all the grade levels know who I am.” "I think my friends wish they had hair like mine." <img width="499" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40495/in-text-shilah_499x500.jpg" alt="In Text Shilah"/> No matter how hard Shilah’s mother, Celeste, attempts to tame her hair it proves to be uncontrollable. The family were unaware that her hair was due to a condition until a doctor diagnosed her with Uncombable Hair Syndrome nine months ago. The syndrome is caused by a mutation to one of three genes: PADI3, TGM3 and TCHH. There is no cure, however, it is believed that her hair will become more manageable as she grows older. Shilah has had a go at modelling, which her family hopes will show the positives to embracing a condition. "Shilah draws attention everywhere she goes and always has since her hair grew through at about three months old,” said Celeste. "Her older brother, Taelan, has been a fantastic support when other children make comments towards her or even touch her." “Having said that, adults can be just as juvenile and say some of the most random things or take photos of her and even touch her hair.” "Shilah is used to all the attention and has begun to manipulate and work situations in her favour.” "Hence why we decided that modelling will embrace her unique look and she has the personality and attitude to pull it off." Image credit: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shilahmadison/" target="_blank">Shilah Madison</a> via Instagram

Family & Pets

Woman diagnosed with MS turns her brain scans into art

After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1991, former lawyer Elizabeth Jameson decided to do something a bit different with her brain scans – turn them into art. The diagnosis came as a huge shock to Jameson, who first had her ability to speak in the late ‘80s due to a lesion in her brain. For the outspoken civil rights lawyer, becoming mute simply wasn’t an option. Through intense speech therapy, she regained her voice, before learning she had MS. As a champion for children with chronic illness and disabilities, Jameson decided to give back to the community she suddenly found herself a part of. “I was a public interest lawyer, so I decided to become a public interest artist, whatever the hell that would mean,” she told <a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/3061436/diagnosed-with-multiple-sclerosis-an-artist-turns-her-mris-into-art" target="_blank">Fast Company Design</a>. When she received her first MRI scan, Jameson didn’t want to look at the harsh, “ugly” black-and-white images. So, she began silk painting and copper-etching her scans, creating colourful and lively works of art in an effort to “take the fear out of looking at MRIs”. Now quadriplegic, Jameson continues to make her incredible paintings with a little help from her assistant. Take a look at some of her stunning creations in the gallery above. Related links: <a href="/entertainment/art/2016/05/artist-creates-fashion-designs-with-food/">Artist creates incredible fashion designs using food</a> <a href="/entertainment/art/2016/05/computer-creates-a-new-rembrandt-painting/">Computer creates a new Rembrandt painting</a> <a href="/entertainment/art/2016/05/artist-creates-paintings-using-bacteria/">Artist creates “paintings” using bacteria</a>

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Best-selling author diagnosed with "aggressive" brain cancer

Popular TV host diagnosed with same condition as Bruce Willis

"I was not alone": Another royal diagnosed with cancer

Sarah Ferguson diagnosed with malignant melanoma – here are the latest treatments for this increasingly common skin cancer

I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, now what?

1 in 6 women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. But this diagnosis may not benefit them or their babies

Why young people are self-diagnosing illnesses

Heading off autism diagnoses early

How new smartphone tech will help diagnose mental health issues

Why are more men diagnosed with schizophrenia?

Could a blood test diagnose mental illnesses?

Aussie woman recovering from US train accident diagnosed with COVID-19

The new smartphone app that has the ability to diagnose respiratory diseases

How your iPhone could diagnose cancer

Aussie girl diagnosed with Uncombable Hair syndrome

Woman diagnosed with MS turns her brain scans into art

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Best-selling author diagnosed with "aggressive" brain cancer

Popular TV host diagnosed with same condition as Bruce Willis

"I was not alone": Another royal diagnosed with cancer

Sarah Ferguson diagnosed with malignant melanoma – here are the latest treatments for this increasingly common skin cancer

I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, now what?

1 in 6 women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. But this diagnosis may not benefit them or their babies

Why young people are self-diagnosing illnesses

Heading off autism diagnoses early

How new smartphone tech will help diagnose mental health issues

Why are more men diagnosed with schizophrenia?

Could a blood test diagnose mental illnesses?

Aussie woman recovering from US train accident diagnosed with COVID-19

The new smartphone app that has the ability to diagnose respiratory diseases

How your iPhone could diagnose cancer

Aussie girl diagnosed with Uncombable Hair syndrome

Woman diagnosed with MS turns her brain scans into art

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