According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer, which includes colon and rectal cancer is common in the US among women. 1 in every 25 women in the US have developed it in their lifetime. It is the third most common cancer in women.

Despite the impact, many women still miss its early warning signs. Most often these symptoms are mistaken for digestive issues or menopause. However understanding the risks, symptoms and importance of early screening could be life-saving.

The common warning signs include: bloating, fatigue, or changes in bowel habits. However, such issues are common with gut issues and even menopause related changes. Experts also share that it is more common for a woman to not pay attention to such changes as they are common during stress or hormonal changes. This could however lead to a delay in detection. While both, in men and women, colon cancer is common, women may be more likely to overlook symptoms.

The earlier one detects the cancer, the more treatment options are available. This could also include minimally invasive surgical techniques that lead to better outcomes and faster recovery. It also has a higher chance of cure.

What Could Increase The Risk Of Colon Cancer In Women?

• Age: Risk grows after 50
• Family history: A close relative with colon cancer or related genetic syndromes
• Diet: High intake of red and processed meats
• Lifestyle: Smoking, excessive alcohol use and lack of physical activity
• Medical history: Conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or colon polyps
• Signs and symptoms to watch for:
• Changes in bowel habits: Ongoing diarrhea, constipation, or narrowed stools lasting more than a few days
• Rectal bleeding: Bright red blood in stool or dark, tarry stools
• Abdominal discomfort: Cramping, bloating or pain
• Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without changes in diet or exercise
• Fatigue and weakness: Persistent tiredness that doesn't improve with rest
• Unexplained anemia: Low blood levels on lab tests may indicate early disease

Symptoms can be subtle first, but if something feels like, experts recommend to not to ignore it. As even small changes in bowel habits or unexplained weight loss warrant a discussion with your doctor. This is how early identification improves colon cancer survival chances. The United States Preventative Services Task Force also advises routine screening beginning at age 45.

Who Should Get Screened?

While it is ideal that everyone must get the screening done, those with a family history, inflammatory bowel illness, or genetic risk factors, should consult their doctors about screening soon.

Experts point out that most patients, approximately 70%, will not have any symptoms early in the disease, which highlights the importance of screening prior to the onset of symptoms.

More About Colon Cancer

As per the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, each year, about 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, with more than 50,000 people dying from it. 1 in 24 people in the US are diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime, with the average age being 66 in both men and women. It is one of the most common cancers in the US, and is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths.

By now most people are familiar with the popular weight loss injection Ozempic—the so-called miracle shot for weight loss that's got everyone talking, from celebs to your next-door neighbor. But while the number on the scale might be dropping, something else is happening too… and it’s a little bizarre.

Ever scrolled through TikTok and stumbled on people talking about “Ozempic hands”? Or read wild claims about sudden growth in places you didn’t expect? Yep, that’s all part of it. And just when you thought it couldn’t get weirder—there are whispers about vision loss, creepy-looking fingers, and even “walking dead” hands. Sure, Ozempic helps you shed pounds fast. But at what cost?

If you’ve been curious, concerned, or just downright confused about what this drug is really doing behind the scenes, buckle up—we’re diving into the strangest, scariest, and most surprising side effects people are reporting. Let’s talk about what no one told you before you got the jab.

Once hailed as a miracle for weight loss and diabetes management, Ozempic (semaglutide) is now under scrutiny for a growing list of bizarre and disturbing side effects. While the drug continues to dominate the market for its ability to help people shed up to 20% of their body weight in a year, disturbing new reports have surfaced. From surprising anatomical changes to eye strokes and skeletal hands, the downsides of this blockbuster injection are no longer whispered rumors—they're headlining forums, social media, and even regulatory reports.

Penis Enlargement or Illusion?

One of the most viral and eyebrow-raising claims is the supposed enlargement of the penis in men taking Ozempic. Reddit threads have buzzed with firsthand accounts of users noticing visible growth. One user wrote, "I recently measured myself down there and noticed I gained about one inch."

While there is no solid scientific study directly linking semaglutide to penile growth, experts suspect the phenomenon may be tied more to fat loss than actual tissue increase. As men lose significant weight—especially in the pubic region—the buried portion of the penis becomes more visible, creating the illusion of increased size. Still, the global trend is puzzling: the UK saw average sizes increase from 5.17 to 5.63 inches between 2022 and 2024, with Venezuelan men reporting an even more staggering jump from 1.42 to 6.67 inches.

While these figures are alarming, the truth may be buried in overlapping factors like obesity reduction, changes in prostate health, and increased sexual function—rather than Ozempic alone.

Eye Strokes and Irreversible Eye Damage

What may be even more serious than Reddit threads is what regulators are now confirming: Ozempic may cause a rare yet dangerous eye condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recently asked Novo Nordisk, Ozempic’s manufacturer, to list NAION as a rare side effect in their drug information.

The condition is the second most common cause of vision loss due to optic nerve damage, trailing only glaucoma. It is believed to affect as many as 1 in 10,000 users of semaglutide after a year of use. Alarmingly, a 2023 study involving nearly 350,000 diabetic patients found that those using semaglutide had more than double the risk of developing NAION.

While Novo Nordisk maintains that its drug's benefit-risk profile remains favorable, doctors and analysts warn that continued monitoring and patient awareness are critical.

Ozempic Hands, Feet, Face

Beyond internal risks, Ozempic is transforming bodies in eerie, visible ways. Welcome to the world of "Ozempic hands," "Ozempic feet," and "Ozempic face."

Ozempic hands refer to the skeletal, aged appearance some users develop due to rapid subcutaneous fat loss in the fingers and palms. This phenomenon gained traction after several viral TikTok videos and celebrity photos pointed out the dramatically thinned hands of public figures rumored to be on weight-loss jabs.

People report needing to resize wedding rings, and in some cases, cosmetic procedures like hand fillers are being considered to combat the bony transformation. The same process is evident in the feet, with sagging skin and even discomfort in walking being reported.

Experts explain that these injections don’t just target fat in one part of your body. When you lose weight this quickly, your face, your hands, your feet—everything shows it.

The "melting candle" look is another post-weight loss dilemma facing Ozempic users. With such dramatic fat loss, many people are left with drooping excess skin that doesn’t snap back. Surgeons report a boom in body contouring surgeries such as tummy tucks, thigh lifts, and arm lifts.

"It’s not just vanity," says one bariatric surgeon. "Excess skin can lead to hygiene issues, infections, and mobility challenges."

In many cases, the only solution is surgery—an expensive, invasive, and sometimes risky route. Procedures can cost thousands of dollars and carry their own set of complications, including blood clots and infection.

Ozempic and its sister drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro are rapidly becoming household names. In the UK alone, over 350,000 people are now prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists, with another half a million believed to be using them privately. In the US, about 13% of the population—around 33 million people—have tried the injections.

With newer policies allowing GPs in the UK to prescribe these drugs without requiring specialist consultations, usage is expected to soar. But so too are concerns about long-term side effects.

There’s no denying that Ozempic and related medications have transformed lives by aiding weight loss and managing type 2 diabetes. Many users experience improved cardiovascular outcomes, better blood sugar control, and renewed energy but as the side effects multiply—ranging from the bizarre (penis changes) to the debilitating (eye strokes and excess skin)—patients and healthcare providers must weigh these drugs' promises against their perils.

As India crossed it 6000 mark for COVID-19 cases, the highest cases were recorded in Kerala. The state is however, now grappling with another serious threat. It is the rapidly spreading hepatitis outbreak. As per reports, the Thrissur district has now emerged as an epicenter of hepatitis, which has triggered panic among residents and also prompted health officials to issue urgent advisory.

The District Medical Officer TP Sreedevi advised the public, "Only boiled and properly treated water should be used for drinking. Avoid stale food at all costs."

Hepatitis Outbreak In Thrissur

The number of hepatitis cases is rapidly increasing in the district, with 57 people infected in May.

Hepatitis A and E primarily affect the liver and are typically spread through contaminated food and water. The District Medical Officer has urged hotels and eateries to take immediate precautions, including boiling drinking water before serving and avoiding the mixing of cold and hot water, to help prevent the spread of these infections.

With the arrival of the monsoon, people are advised to stay alert to any signs of illness and avoid delaying treatment. In particular, they should watch for symptoms of diarrhea.

What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis?

Hepatitis symptoms typically appear 15 to 60 days after exposure to the virus. Common signs include fever, body aches, fatigue, headache, nausea, yellowing of the eyes and skin, and dark-colored urine.

What Is Hepatitis?

As per the World Health Organization, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal.

There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as A, B, C,D, and E. While all these strains cause liver disease, they differ in important ways including modes of transmission, severity of illness, geographical distribution and prevention methods. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and viral hepatitis-related deaths. An estimated 354 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, and for most, testing and treatment remain beyond reach.

Certain types of hepatitis can be prevented through vaccination. According to a WHO study, around 4.5 million premature deaths in low- and middle-income countries could be avoided by 2030 with the help of vaccines, timely diagnosis, proper treatment, and awareness campaigns. WHO’s global strategy aims to cut new hepatitis infections by 90% and reduce related deaths by 65% between 2016 and 2030.

Health authorities in the Maldives have confirmed a case of invasive meningococcal disease, triggering immediate precautionary measures to prevent further spread and protect public health. With the Maldives Health Protection Agency's (HPA) announcement of a confirmed case of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) on the night of June 7, prompt public health response was initiated. Contact tracing, prophylactic treatment, and increased surveillance are now in motion. The case signifies the need for heightened global awareness of the uncommon—but potentially fatal—bacterial infection.

Whereas meningococcal disease in the Maldives is rare and usually the result of travel outside the country, the case here is particularly concerning since it indicates local transmission. In the past, the archipelago has experienced only isolated cases and these have usually been traced to pilgrims who have come back from Hajj pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia.

Invasive meningococcal disease stems from the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, a Gram-negative diplococcus that typically resides harmlessly in the nose and throat of up to 10% of people. Occasionally, it breaches the body’s defenses, causing:

Meningococcal meningitis – inflammation of the brain and spinal cord linings.

Meningococcal septicemia (meningococcemia) – a bloodstream infection that damages blood vessels and can result in hemorrhaging in skin and organs.

If not treated immediately, IMD is lethal within hours—a stark fact testified to by CDC information on fatality rates of 10–15%, with treatment, jumping to 18% in a few U.S. epidemics.

How Does Meningococcal Disease Spread?

Meningococcal bacteria are transmitted through respiratory droplets—by coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing food and drinks. The greatest risk occurs between people with extended, close contact, such as family members and sexual partners. Prolonged riding in enclosed vehicles—buses, planes—with the infected person also increases risk greatly.

CDC states that infants below one year, adolescents 16–23 years old, immunocompromised patients, and residents of communal environments are at greatest risk.

Early Symptoms of Meningococcal Disease

IMD at first presents a nonspecific viral illness but can worsen suddenly. Parents and caregivers must be aware of the following signs:

• Fever, headache, stiff neck – classic symptoms of meningitis
• Red spots or rash – typically seen as pinpricks or larger bruise-like patches, a sign of blood vessel involvement
• Nausea, vomiting, photophobia (light sensitivity)
• Confusion, lethargy, rapid breathing, seizures – signs of severe progression
• Neck stiffness and changed mental status, usually with fever

In the most severe cases, sepsis, exhaustion, coldness of extremities, and coma may ensue—all necessitating immediate medical intervention. Shockingly, worsening can happen within 6–12 hours of the onset of symptoms .

The HPA, falling under the Ministry of Health, immediately initiated tracing and gave prophylactic antibiotics—usually rifampin, ciprofloxacin, or ceftriaxone—to high-risk contacts This is in line with CDC recommendations to prevent nasopharyngeal carriage and interrupt further spread.

Relaying precise definitions of "close contact," the HPA's reach encompasses family members, travel mates, and those exposed to respiratory secretions of the patient.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Meningococcal Disease

The gold-standard diagnosis for invasive meningococcal disease involves a combination of blood cultures and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis obtained through lumbar puncture. However, in cases where increased intracranial pressure is suspected, performing a lumbar puncture may need to be delayed to avoid complications. Additionally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing plays a crucial role in rapidly identifying the infection, particularly when prior antibiotic treatment may interfere with traditional culture results.

IMD survivors develop severe complications: hearing loss, neurological injury, kidney failure, or limb amputation by necrosis. Unfortunately, natural infection does not offer absolute lifelong immunity; recurrence, although infrequent, can occur, warranting immune deficiency assessments.

Is the Disease Preventable by Vaccination?

Vaccination is the best protection. Vaccines protect against several serogroups (A, B, C, W, Y, X) and are universally advised—particularly among adolescents, travelers, and those at risk.

In Maldives, HPA advises unvaccinated persons—particularly Hajj pilgrims who departed within 14 days of booster doses—to see health practitioners promptly.