(Credit-Getty Images)
John Cena, the beloved WWE wrestler and actor, has opened up about his skin cancer diagnosis. Being diagnosed with melanoma twice, he recalled getting a phone call twice as his doctors told him the biopsy for came out cancerous. The first spot had appeared on his pectoral muscle and a year later it was in a different spot on his upper trapezius muscle. He explains that this information was sobering and prompted him to change his life.
He has also now become the face of Ultra Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 that moves to normalize the use of sunscreen among men. He admitted he always neglected sunscreen, but now he has added it to his daily routine. While there has been a rise in the number of cancer diagnoses, there hasn’t been a clear reason why.
Cena noticed that women talk about skin care and sunscreen more openly than men. He believes it can be harder for men to start these conversations. But he thinks it shouldn't be that way. "Men are becoming more aware of taking care of themselves," he says. "We just need to make it a normal thing." Cena wants more men to use sunscreen as often as women.
Studies show that women are much more likely to use sunscreen than men. However, by the age of 50, men have a higher risk of getting melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer, than women. At any age, men are more likely to die from melanoma. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, only a small percentage of men (12.3%) always used sunscreen when outside in the sun for more than an hour, compared to a much larger percentage of women (29.0%). Younger men used sunscreen the least.
A recent survey done by Neutrogena also found that a third of people never go to a skin doctor for check-ups. Women were also more likely to be told to wear sunscreen every day compared to men. Cena believes that sunscreen is often linked to beauty in women's minds, which might explain why they use it more.
According to 2023 review published in the Cancer journal, in the US, the number of melanoma cases have increased by 40% from the years 2009 to 2019. The number of new cases that have been predicted to happen is 110,000, which is a drastic increase considering the 65,000 in the year 2011. The study says that there is a disproportionately higher risk of men developing cancer and by 2040, melanoma will be the second most common cancer overall.
Cena says he doesn't care if men use sunscreen for health reasons or to avoid wrinkles – he just wants them to use it. He compares using sunscreen to going to the gym for looks but getting healthier in the process. He says using SPF is "super easy," like brushing your teeth. His hope is that men will start keeping sunscreen next to their toothpaste and use it every day. Cena says his own life perspective changed after his cancer scares, and he wants to encourage others to be proactive about skin protection before it's too late.
(Credit-Canva)
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women all over the world. It is the most common cancer diagnosed in American women and a leading cause of cancer death in less developed countries. In India alone, cancer cases are projected to reach over 1.5 million by 2025.
Since this disease is so widespread, it's essential to be well-informed. Dr. Lauren Ramsey, a breast cancer surgeon, shared four important facts that she believes every woman should know. These tips, originally posted on her Instagram, provide crucial information for understanding breast cancer risk and detection.
Only a small number of breast cancer cases—about 5-10%—are actually caused by genes you inherit, such as the BRCA mutation. This means that most breast cancers are not passed down through families.
Therefore, even if no one in your family has ever had breast cancer, it's still extremely important for you to get regular screenings, like mammograms. Relying only on family history can give you a false sense of security, so remember that breast cancer can affect anyone, and consistent check-ups are your best defense.
Many people think that the only sign of breast cancer is a lump. However, this isn't true. It's really important to pay attention to other changes in your breasts, because they can also be a sign of cancer.
Be on the lookout for things like changes in your skin, such as redness or dimpling (like an orange peel). Other signs can include swelling, a new pain that doesn't go away, or any unusual discharge from your nipple. Knowing what your breasts normally look and feel like is key to spotting these more subtle changes early.
Breast density refers to how much fibrous and glandular tissue a person has compared to fatty tissue. Many people, especially younger women, have naturally dense breasts. While this is completely normal and not a health problem on its own, it can make it harder for doctors to see breast cancer on a standard mammogram.
That's because both dense tissue and tumors appear white on a mammogram, making it difficult to tell them apart. If you have dense breasts, your doctor might recommend extra tests, like an ultrasound or an MRI, to get a clearer picture. You can ask your doctor about your breast density after your mammogram.
The healthy habits you often hear about—like eating well and exercising—are not just a suggestion; they can actually lower your risk of developing breast cancer. Making simple changes can have a big impact. Try to limit the amount of alcohol you drink and reduce your intake of processed foods, which are often high in sugar and unhealthy fats.
At the same time, try to be more physically active every day. Even a short daily walk can help. These positive choices are a great way to take control of your health and reduce your risk. This information is shared with care, so everyone can be empowered with knowledge about their health.
(Credit-Canva)
Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have announced a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in Kasai Province. As of September 4, 2025, there have been 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers. The outbreak is affecting the Bulape and Mweka health zones.
The alarm was first raised when people in the area started showing a mix of worrying symptoms, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding. These symptoms are tell-tale signs of a serious illness. To find out what was causing it, officials took samples and sent them to a lab in Kinshasa, the country's capital. The lab results came back on September 3rd, confirming the cause was the Ebola Zaire virus.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), Ebola is a very serious and often deadly illness in people. It's caused by several different viruses, with the most common being the Ebola virus, which has led to large outbreaks. The chance of a person dying from Ebola is about 50%, but this number has varied widely in the past, from 25% to 90%.
To ensure safety, a team of experts from WHO, and the DRC's own rapid response unit has been sent to the area. Their main job is to quickly find sick people and get them care, stop the virus from spreading in hospitals, and teach local communities how to protect themselves.
The WHO is also sending a massive delivery of two tons of medical supplies, including protective gear for health workers and a special mobile lab. This is a big help, especially because the area is hard to get to, with few roads and limited air travel.
The symptoms of Ebola usually start to appear 8 to 10 days after a person has been in contact with the virus, but it can take anywhere from 2 to 21 days. At first, the symptoms are similar to common illnesses and are often called "dry" symptoms:
As the illness gets worse, usually after four or five days, the symptoms change and become more severe. These are known as "wet" symptoms:
While there's no guaranteed cure, getting early and strong medical care—like staying hydrated and treating symptoms—can greatly increase a person's chances of survival. Right now, approved vaccines and treatments are only available for the most common type of Ebola (Ebola virus), but scientists are working on others. To stop an outbreak from spreading, health officials use a mix of strategies:
The DRC is well-prepared to fight this outbreak. The country has a supply of treatments and 2,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine. This vaccine is very effective against this specific type of Ebola. The doses, which were ready and waiting in Kinshasa, are now being sent to Kasai.
They will be used to protect people who were in contact with infected individuals and to vaccinate the doctors and nurses on the front lines. The country has a lot of experience fighting Ebola—this is its 16th outbreak since the virus was first found in 1976. That experience will be a huge advantage in bringing this new outbreak to an end.
(Credit-Canva)
The time we spend in the washroom is meant to be a private time, where we do things like hygiene and self-care. Some people even like spending more time in their bathrooms as it gives them privacy, leaving them to do whatever they want like scroll on their phones while finishing their business on the toilet. However, this harmless habit could be the reason you develop this painful condition.
We've all heard about the health problems that come with using smartphones, but here's a surprising one: a new study suggests that scrolling on your phone while on the toilet can lead to hemorrhoids.
It's tempting to use your phone to pass the time in the bathroom. The problem is, phones are designed to keep you scrolling forever—unlike an old magazine that you'd put down after a few minutes. That long, unsupported sitting time puts stress on your body.
A study published in the Plos One found that people who use their phones in the bathroom are almost 50% more likely to have hemorrhoids. It’s also just plain unsanitary. When you flush the toilet, tiny germs fly into the air and land on everything, including your phone.
Researchers surveyed 125 adults about their toilet habits and then checked for hemorrhoids during a routine medical exam. Here's what they discovered:
66% of the people surveyed admitted to using their phones on the toilet, most often to read the news or scroll through social media.
Those who used their phones spent much more time on the toilet. Over a third of them stayed for more than five minutes per visit, compared to only a small percentage of people who didn't use a phone.
The study found that people who used their smartphones on the toilet had a 46% increased risk of developing hemorrhoids. This was true even when researchers considered other factors like age, diet, and physical activity.
Hemorrhoids aren't usually dangerous, but they can be itchy, painful, and even bleed, leading many people to see a doctor. Over time, all that straining can also weaken the muscles in your pelvic floor, which could cause issues like constipation or even loss of bladder control.
When you sit on an open toilet, your pelvic floor has no support. This puts extra pressure on the veins in your rectum, causing them to swell and become inflamed. The longer you sit there, the worse the problem gets. The symptoms you experience depend on the type of hemorrhoid you have.
External hemorrhoids can cause itching, pain (especially when sitting), and a tender lump near your anus. These symptoms often go away on their own within a few days
Internal hemorrhoids might cause bright red blood in your stool or on the toilet paper. They usually aren't painful unless they fall out of the anal opening, which can cause pain and discomfort.
To avoid these problems, experts recommend a simple rule: don't sit on the toilet for more than 5 minutes. A study showed that a lot of people who use their phones in the bathroom spend much longer than that. If you absolutely must bring your phone with you, set a timer to make sure you don't get stuck in a scrolling rabbit hole. If nothing happens in five minutes, just get up and try again later.
© 2024 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited