Singer Jesy Nelson recently shared an emotional update regarding the complications she is experiencing in her pregnancy with twin babies. Former Little Mix singer Jesy, who is having twins with partner Zion Foster, announced that she has been diagnosed with pre-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (pre-TTTS). The condition, which is present in pregnancies involving twins with a shared placenta, has serious risks involved and needs intense medical supervision. As Nelson embarks on this difficult journey, her story enlightens us about a rare but dangerous condition many expectant parents may not know much about.

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare but dangerous condition that arises in monochorionic twin pregnancies, in which identical twins share a single placenta. The placenta supplies the developing babies with oxygen, nutrients, and blood flow, but in TTTS, there is an imbalance of blood vessels that interconnect the twins, and thus the vital resources are not evenly distributed. One twin, or the donor twin, shares excess blood with the other, referred to as the recipient twin. This leads to one baby becoming malnourished and possibly anemic, and the other in danger of heart problems due to too much blood.

Nelson described her diagnosis in a heartfelt Instagram video, explaining that she is currently in the pre-stage of TTTS and undergoing frequent monitoring. "I am being scanned twice a week, and each time, things have gotten a little worse," she shared, expressing her fears and hopes for the health of her babies.

Potential Risks of TTTS

If left untreated, TTTS can have devastating consequences. Medical research indicates that:

• 90% of the cases of untreated TTTS lead to loss of one or both twins.
• Despite treatment, only a 70% survival rate for both twins is assured.
• Severe forms can result in preterm labor, cardiac failure in the recipient twin, and organ failure in the donor twin.
• Complications in long-term survivors include neurological damage and developmental delay in surviving infants.

TTTS usually advances in stages, beginning with minimal changes in fluid levels and worsening as one twin continues to get an unequal share of blood. In extreme cases, fetal laser surgery, referred to as the Solomon technique, can be employed to divide the blood vessels and balance the twins.

Why Identical Twin Pregnancies Are More Complicated

Identical twins may develop differently, and their own unique form of placental sharing can have a dramatic effect on pregnancy risk. Jesy Nelson's twins are considered monochorionic diamniotic (mono/di), which means they share a placenta but have two amniotic sacs. This is the type of pregnancy in about 70% of identical twin pregnancies and carries an increased risk of complications like TTTS, umbilical cord entanglement, and growth restriction.

Conversely, dichorionic diamniotic (di/di) twins both have a separate placenta and amniotic sac, which greatly diminishes the threat of TTTS. Twin pregnancy type is normally identified by early ultrasound, with physicians being able to track future complications from inception.

Other Twin Pregnancy Health Risks

Twin pregnancies, even without the presence of TTTS, entail a variety of health risks to the mother as well as infants:

1. Premature Birth

Over 60% of twin pregnancies end in premature delivery, with birth usually taking place before 37 weeks. Premature infants can have immature organs and need neonatal intensive care (NICU) assistance to assist with breathing, feeding, and infection fighting.

2. Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia

Pregnant women with multiples are at increased risk of having high blood pressure during pregnancy. This, if left untreated, can result in preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that can result in damage to organs, preterm labor, and in some cases, maternal or fetal death.

3. Anemia

Pregnant women carrying multiples are twice as likely to experience anemia, a condition where the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and complications during delivery.

4. Birth Defects

According to John Hopkins Medicine, multiple birth babies are twice as likely to have congenital abnormalities compared to single births. These can include heart defects, neural tube defects, and gastrointestinal issues.

5. Amniotic Fluid Imbalances

When twins have to share a placenta, they are more likely to have polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) or oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid). Both result in distress to the babies during fetal development and can result in premature labor.

6. Postpartum Hemorrhage

Twins are at increased risk of excessive postpartum hemorrhage because their uterus is larger and there are greater blood supply needs.

Jesy Nelson's openness about her challenging experience is raising awareness for TTTS, a condition that few individuals—let alone expectant mothers and fathers—might be aware of. Through her tearful video, Nelson stressed the significance of knowing about twin pregnancies aside from the thrill of having multiples. "We had no idea that this type of thing occurs when you're having twins. We just desperately want to make people aware of this because there are so many people who aren't aware."

Her case reminds us of the intricacies involved in twin pregnancy and the significance of early identification and medical management. For mothers carrying twins, frequent ultrasounds and vigilance can become a life-and-death issue for early detection and better outcomes of both babies.

Through constant medical attention and care, she and her partner Zion Foster remain positive and get ready for their babies to be born. In other parents whose situations are no different, the story of Nelson highlights awareness, medical progress, and emotional encouragement in handling complicated pregnancies.

The expecting parents of twin siblings are advised to discuss TTTS screening and possible interventions with their physicians to give their babies the best chance.

Cancer care has evolved significantly over the last few decades. Today, success is measured not only by survival rates but also by quality of life, emotional well-being, and the ability to return to a regular life after treatment. Yet, in our pursuit of patient-centered care, an essential component often remains invisible: caregivers.

Every cancer diagnosis affects more than just the patient. Behind every woman navigating treatment is often a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or friend who assumes the role of caregiver. They accompany patients to appointments, help manage treatment schedules, provide emotional reassurance, and often become the primary support system through one of life's most challenging experiences.

Why Caregivers Need Support

Despite their indispensable role, caregivers frequently receive little formal support themselves.

As oncologists, we witness this every day. We see caregivers putting their own health, careers, and emotional needs on hold to care for a loved one. While patients are understandably at the center of treatment, caregivers often carry an immense psychological and physical burden that goes unrecognized.

Through years of clinical practice, I have come to understand that caregivers are not merely bystanders in the cancer journey; they are active partners in healing. Yet, many families find themselves navigating unfamiliar territory with little guidance on what to expect, how to cope, or where to seek support.

The guide was conceived as a practical, step-by-step resource to help caregivers navigate different stages of the cancer journey from diagnosis and treatment to recovery and survivorship. More importantly, it acknowledges their resilience, fears, sacrifices, and emotional struggles, while equipping them with the information and support needed to care for both their loved ones and themselves.

Cancer Survivorship Is a Shared Journey

Cancer survivorship does not begin when treatment ends; it begins when patients and families start rebuilding their lives after cancer. Survivors may continue to face concerns around recurrence, fertility, body image, relationships, mental health, and long-term treatment effects. Caregivers, too, often carry lingering anxiety, exhaustion, and emotional trauma long after active treatment is over.

If we truly want to improve survivorship outcomes, caregiver support must become a standard component of oncology care rather than an afterthought.

This support can take many forms. It may include counselling services, support groups, educational resources, survivorship planning sessions, and opportunities for caregivers to openly discuss their own concerns. Equally important is creating healthcare environments where caregivers feel seen, heard, and included in care conversations.

Moving Towards Holistic Cancer Care

It is about time cancer care should move beyond a disease-centered approach towards a more holistic understanding of survivorship. While medical treatment remains central, there is growing recognition that recovery is also shaped by emotional well-being, family support systems, fertility concerns, body image, nutrition, rehabilitation, and quality of life after treatment.

This broader view of cancer care requires us to look beyond the patient alone. Caregivers are often the invisible backbone of the treatment journey, yet their needs frequently go unaddressed. As healthcare professionals, we must acknowledge that supporting caregivers is not separate from supporting patients. It is an integral part of comprehensive cancer care and long-term survivorship.

Caring Beyond Cure

As healthcare systems continue to advance, we must expand our understanding of what comprehensive cancer care looks like. A patient cannot thrive in isolation. When caregivers are empowered, informed, and emotionally supported, patient outcomes improve and survivorship becomes more sustainable for everyone involved.

Cancer survivorship is not an individual journey. It is a shared experience of resilience, hope, and recovery. By recognizing caregivers as integral members of the care team and providing them with the support they need, we move one step closer to a more humane and holistic model of oncology care, one that truly cares beyond cure.

(Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa, Principal Lead, Medical & Precision Oncology, Apollo Athenaa Women's Centre)

Longevity expert and millionaire Bryan Johnson has revealed that he has been diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis (AIG), a condition in which the immune system attacks the stomach lining.

In a post on X, Johnson, known for his radical experiments, including receiving blood transfusions from his teenage son, said he believes years of eating sugary cereals, drinking soda, consuming fast food and experiencing chronic stress contributed to the development of his autoimmune conditions.

Calling it a "bad news", the millionaire said: "I have an autoimmune disease. My stomach is eating itself". He added that "2–5% of people have this, too. Likely more, because it hides".

“As a kid, I ate sugar cereal, drank sugary soda, and gobbled down fast food. I had a few healthy years in my early 20s, but then became a young father of three and began building a business. Juggling that stress and grind, I let my health slip and gained 40 lbs,” he wrote.

He added that he later developed chronic depression and believes that during this period, his body began an autoimmune process affecting both his thyroid and stomach lining.

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Diagnosed With Hypothyroidism At 21

Johnson said he was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at the age of 21 during a routine blood test. He has since managed the condition with levothyroxine and Armour Thyroid.

“They are the hormones my body should be producing on its own, but wasn’t. By taking these pills daily, my body was able to operate as though my thyroid was functioning properly.”

He said his stomach had also begun attacking itself, but the condition went undetected because he had no symptoms. It was only discovered in May.

Johnson noted that autoimmune gastritis can cause irreversible damage, including nutritional deficiencies, anemia, and an increased long-term risk of stomach cancer.

Early Signs

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Johnson said he had persistently low ferritin levels for the past 11 years despite not having anemia.

“We continually tried to raise my iron levels with food and supplementation, but nothing would work.”

He said he followed a plant-based diet, trained intensely, used a sauna and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and took iron supplements, but his iron levels remained low.

A colonoscopy ruled out slow gastrointestinal bleeding, while an upper endoscopy with five stomach biopsies revealed early autoimmune gastritis. The biopsies showed early atrophy confined to the stomach's acid-producing lining, while

the rest of the stomach remained unaffected.

“So this was never one problem. It was three, linked to one another: the iron deficiency, the autoimmune gastritis driving it, and the autoimmune thyroid disease alongside it.”

Bryan Johnson's Treatment Plan

Johnson said he has undergone a large blood draw to sequence more than one million individual immune cells.

According to him, the goal is to identify the specific immune cell clones attacking his stomach lining. He compared immune cells to soldiers carrying unique "keys," explaining that the advanced sequencing technology can identify the rogue immune cells responsible for autoimmune gastritis.

Johnson said that once those immune cells are identified, the findings will help determine the most appropriate therapy to target and suppress the autoimmune attack.

What Is Autoimmune Gastritis?

Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is a long-term autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the stomach's parietal cells, which produce stomach acid, as well as intrinsic factor, a protein essential for absorbing vitamin B12. Over time, this damages the stomach lining and reduces the body's ability to absorb iron and vitamin B12, increasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies.

In many people, symptoms are caused more by these nutritional deficiencies than by inflammation of the stomach itself.

Common symptoms include:

• Ongoing fatigue and weakness
• Low iron levels or iron-deficiency anemia
• Vitamin B12 deficiency, which may lead to numbness, tingling, balance problems or memory difficulties
• Pale skin and shortness of breath
• Reduced appetite, bloating, nausea or discomfort in the upper abdomen
• Mouth ulcers.

The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has risen to 1,427 cases, while the death toll has climbed to 440, according to the latest government data.

More than 609 patients are hospitalized in Congo, while many have also recovered. Uganda has so far reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths. There has also been one case in France and another in a US citizen medically evacuated to Germany, both believed to have been imported from areas affected by the ongoing outbreak.

The Ebola virus disease, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, has no approved vaccine or treatment.

"Even without approved therapeutics, people are recovering from this disease, but, of course, we could save many more lives with safe and effective therapeutics in our toolkit," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

He said this while announcing the launch of the clinical trial of two therapeutics, with the enrolment of the first patient.

"The PARTNERS trial will evaluate the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, alone and in combination," he added.

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All About the Trial

The study is being coordinated by the DRC's National Institute for Biomedical Research, supported by a coalition of partners including WHO, and conducted in close cooperation with the affected communities.

According to Tedros, patients who enroll in the trial will receive comprehensive supportive care and close follow-up.

"We are also working to ensure they have access to the two drugs should they prove safe and efficacious in the trial."

In addition, the WHO has granted emergency use listing to the first molecular diagnostic test for Bundibugyo virus.

Further, the antiviral drug remdesivir, marketed as Veklury is also expected to start. Remdesivir became widely known during the COVID-19 pandemic and is being evaluated to determine whether it can improve outcomes when combined with the antibody treatment.

As per experts, it could take months, and possibly as many as 1,000 study participants, to determine whether either drug works.

Currently, the study is being offered only at one Ebola treatment center in Congo's Ituri province. The region has been heavily affected by violence, including attacks on healthcare workers responding to a virus spread through contact with infected patients' bodily fluids. Officials plan to expand the trial to other locations once it is safe to do so.

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Challenges Remain

Tedros said that despite the progress, significant challenges remain, including mistrust and violence.

This week, an Ebola treatment center in Ituri province was attacked, resulting in the deaths of two people. The center was set on fire, and patients fled.

Such acts not only endanger patients and health workers but also impede efforts to stop transmission and save lives.

He added that the complexity of the outbreak requires close coordination across the United Nations system.

What Is Ebola?

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever first identified in 1976. Since then, more than 30 outbreaks have been recorded, primarily in Central and West Africa.

Common Symptoms of Ebola

• Fever
• Headache
• Weakness and fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising.