Health officials across the UK are on alert after identifying a new fungal infection spreading in hospitals. Known as Candidozyma auris (C. auris), this yeast has been named a critical priority pathogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO) because of its growing resistance to treatment and potential danger to vulnerable patients. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is now working with NHS England and other health partners to monitor rising detections of C. auris, which until recently had been rare in the country. Globally, the infection has been linked to a high death rate, raising concern for hospitalised patients with weakened immune systems.

What Is Candidozyma Auris?

• Ear infections
• Wound infections
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Bloodstream infections that can spread throughout the body

Unlike other Candida species, C. auris does not typically live naturally on the body. People usually contract it from contaminated hospital surfaces or from someone who already has the infection. For healthy individuals, the risk of infection remains low.

How Common Are Candidozyma Auris Infections?

Symptoms Of Candidozyma Auris

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue or extreme tiredness
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Ear pain, pressure, or a sense of fullness (in ear infections)

According to a UKHSA statement, C. auris was first discovered in 2009 in the ear of a patient in Japan and has since been detected in over 40 countries across six continents. The agency explains that the fungus is particularly concerning because it can survive for long periods on surfaces—even in hospital settings—and is often resistant to both standard medical treatments and disinfectants.

Since 2015, several long-lasting outbreaks of C. auris have occurred in UK hospitals, requiring intensive control measures to stop further transmission. Peaks in cases have mostly been linked to these outbreaks.

Can Candidozyma Auris Be Cured?

C. auris infections can often be treated with a type of antifungal medication called echinocandins. However, certain strains are developing resistance, making them more difficult to cure. In such cases, doctors may need to combine different drugs to eliminate the infection. Before starting any medication, it is important to consult a qualified healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment advice.

Alex Singleton, American football linebacker has undergone a surgery on Friday to have a cancerous tumor removed from one of his testicles. He told this to his teammates and coaches in an emotional team meeting on Monday morning. His family and few of his close friends, including some team officials were the only ones who knew.

"Cancer is a scary word, still is, still freaks me out just saying it," he said to one of the local reporters, as reported by ESPN.

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How Was Alex Singleton Diagnosed?

His diagnosis came in ways one would not expect. Before the Houston Texans game on Wednesday, Singleton, 31, was to take the league-mandated random drug test, which showed that he had elevated levels of hormone hCG in his system. He said that he knew he was not taking hCG. This is what led him to make an appointment with a urologist and then he underwent several tests. He also underwent a CT scan and ultrasound scan and received the notice last Monday that a tumor on his testicle was cancerous. After this, his surgery was scheduled.

However, he told his doctors that he wanted to play in Thursday night's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

What Is Testicular Cancer?

As per the Urology Care Foundation and the American Urological Association, testicular cancer happens when cells in the testicle grow to form a tumor. Though this is rare, more than 90% of testicular cancers begin in the germ cell, which produce sperm.

Also Read: What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause? What Will Change Under Recent FDA Guidelines?

There are two types of germ cell cancers (GCTs). Seminoma can grow slowly and respond very well to radiation and chemotherapy. Non-seminoma can grow more quickly and can be less responsive to those treatments. There are a few types of non-seminomas: choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, teratoma and yolk sac tumors.

There are also rare testicular cancers that don’t form in the germ cells.

What Are The Common Symptoms Of Testicular Cancer?

Some of the symptoms of testicular cancer could be difficult to note at first, however, there are symptoms that one should note for:

• Painless lump in the testicle
• Swelling of testicles, with or without pain
• Dull ache or pain in the testicle, scrotum, or groin
• Tenderness or changes in the male breast tissue

The Urology Care Foundation notes that around 75 of 100 men who have swelling or a lump in their testicles have cancer. Most masses in the scrotum outside of the testicle are not cancer, however, you must tell your doctor if you do detect a lump.

The longer you wait the more chances are for the cancer to grow and spread.

Who Are More Prone To Testicular Cancer?

The risk of testicle cancer rises for men with

• Family history: If you had someone in your family, including your father or brother with testicular cancer
• Undescended Testicles: If your testicles did not drop before birth. This is also called cryptorchidism, when the testicles do not drop from abdomen into the scrotum before birth as it should. About 8 out of 100 of patients get cancer like this.
• GCINS: These are odd cells in the testicle called germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) and they are typically found during an infertility test.

Can You Check For Lumps Yourself?

Yes, you can. The process is to first be relaxed, then to firmly roll each testicle between the thumb and forefingers to check for any lumps or if any of the testis feel larger than the other. See if you feel any lump or pain around the area. Make it a habit, and look for any changes in size, shape or texture.

US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced the new plans of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove the "black box" warning on the hormone treatments used by women with menopause symptoms. This is the big, lengthy, physical black box on the label of the menopause hormone therapy that includes the risks like cardiovascular disease, stroke, breast cancer, and dementia. FDA is now saying that it will take away the black box warning.

This is based on a 2002 study, as quoted by RFK Jr too that warns that the use of menopause hormone therapy could raise the risk of all the conditions mentioned inside the black box.

Also Read: Alex Singleton's Testicular Cancer: NFL Player Opens Up About Surgery and Recovery

However, since then, it was found that some of those risks, mentioned on the label, were, in fact, misrepresented and overstated. It was found that within the 10 years of menopause onset, this therapy could really be beneficial, reports CNN. It was found that the therapy would not only prevent women from hot flashes and night sweats, which are the typical symptoms of menopause, but it would also benefit them in the long run, by protecting from bone fractures.

The FDA hopes to remove this label starting in the next few months, with the hope that it would also remove the fear around women into using these therapy treatment.

The CNN reported that while the new label will still have some of those warning, however, it won't be the "absolute, strongest warning" on the label that is the first thing the women see.

Also Read: Sally Kirkland Enters Hospice After Enduring 'A Challenging Few Months'

What Is Hormone Therapy For Menopause?

As per the Cleveland Clinic, hormone replacement therapy or HRT, is a treatment that helps people with symptoms of menopause.

Healthcare providers also call it hormone therapy (HT), especially when you receive it after age 50. Hormone replacement therapy or HRT is the term providers use when you receive the treatment at a younger age, especially before age 40.

When you’re moving into menopause, your ovaries naturally slow down and produce much less estrogen. That drop can trigger a bunch of uncomfortable symptoms, like:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness or pain during sex
• Mood swings, low moods, or irritability
• Trouble sleeping
• Pee leakage

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) basically gives your body back the hormones it’s no longer making enough of. Once those levels stabilize, many people feel a lot better. HRT can also help protect your bones, since low estrogen is linked to conditions like osteoporosis and osteopenia.

That said, HRT isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether it’s right for you is something worth discussing with your healthcare provider. It can ease symptoms, but it also comes with its own risks. A good, honest conversation about the pros and cons will help you figure out what’s best for your body.

Is Hormone Therapy Same As The Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone therapy (HT) is a broader term that implies to any type of treatment involving hormones. It could include any therapy involving hormone, including hormone therapy for cancer, or to treat certain hormone imbalances. However, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) usually means the hormones are replacing the natural hormones your body is no longer making, especially for people in their 30s or early 40s.

There are two types of HRT, estrogen therapy and combination therapy, which means a combination of estrogen and progesterone.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: The U.S. FDA has announced it will remove the long-standing black box safety warnings from all hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products used to manage menopause and perimenopause symptoms. The move comes after new evidence suggested that earlier studies overstated the risks of heart disease, stroke, and cancer linked to HRT.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it will remove the black box safety warnings from all forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—including creams, pills, and other treatments used to manage menopause and perimenopause symptoms.

The warnings, which appeared on labels for over two decades, suggested that these therapies could increase the risk of cancers, dementia, heart disease, and strokes. However, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary told CBS News that those cautions likely discouraged many women from using treatments that might actually improve their long-term health.

“We now have a more nuanced understanding,” Dr. Makary said, as per CNN News. He further said, “We want to put that fear in context and let people know that there are tremendous long-term health benefits.”

Hormone Replacement Therapy: What Is It?

HRT, or Hormone Replacement Therapy, is a treatment that helps restore hormones the body no longer produces in sufficient amounts. It is most often prescribed to ease menopause symptoms such as hot flashes by supplementing estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that naturally decline during this stage. According to the NHS, HRT may also be recommended for other hormonal deficiencies, including those caused by thyroid or pituitary gland disorders.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: What Does Removing the Black Box Safety Warning Mean?

Removing the black box warning signals a significant shift in how hormone replacement therapy is viewed by regulators and the medical community. The decision suggests that the potential benefits of properly prescribed HRT now outweigh the earlier perceived risks.

It also means that doctors may feel more confident recommending these treatments for women struggling with menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, and vaginal dryness—especially when therapy is started around the time of menopause rather than years later.

However, experts still stress that hormone replacement therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Women should discuss their personal and family medical history with their doctor to decide whether HRT is the right choice for them.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Why Hormone Replacement Therapy Had the Warning?

In 2002, the landmark Women’s Health Initiative study linked hormone therapy to higher rates of breast cancer and stroke, prompting the FDA to issue the now-familiar black box warning—the strongest alert it can give.

But since then, newer research has challenged those early conclusions. Studies now show that hormone replacement therapy, particularly when started early, may reduce the risk of heart disease, improve bone health, and even protect against cognitive decline.

This shift in scientific understanding pushed many doctors to call for the warning’s removal, arguing that the outdated label created unnecessary fear and confusion among women seeking menopause relief.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: How the FDA Reached Its Decision

As per USA Today, in July, the FDA organized an expert panel to evaluate whether the warnings should remain, especially for low-dose vaginal estrogen products. After the meeting, the agency opened a public comment period and received nearly 3,000 responses by late September.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has long supported reviewing the label on low-dose vaginal estrogen, which acts locally rather than systemically. However, ACOG also raised concerns that the July panel lacked the depth and transparency of a standard FDA advisory committee meeting.

“A two-hour expert panel should not replace a full advisory committee discussion,” ACOG stated in its formal comment, urging the FDA to hold separate, detailed reviews for vaginal and systemic hormone therapy options.

Despite these reservations, the FDA shared several supporting studies, including evidence that hormone replacement therapy can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, heart attack, and hip fractures. Many of these findings date back to research published between the 1980s and early 2000s.

The FDA’s decision to drop the black box warning from menopause-related hormone treatments marks a turning point in women’s health care. As research continues to clarify the true risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy, the move could help many women make more informed and less fearful decisions about managing menopause safely and effectively.