In a heartbreaking yet urgent reminder of the gaps that can exist in cancer follow-ups and survivorship care, a 38-year-old mother from Kent, England is now battling stage 4 brain cancer after being repeatedly assured by her doctors that she was cancer-free. Kelly’s fight with melanoma began in 2017, when she noticed a strange dark line on her fingernail. Though it may seem like a minor cosmetic issue to many, it became a life-altering clue. Medical professionals initially failed to find any cancerous cells but advised her to monitor it. As months passed, the line thickened, prompting a diagnosis of melanoma that eventually led to the amputation of her fingertip in 2020.

Despite the severity of the diagnosis, Kelly was repeatedly reassured that her cancer was in its earliest form—classified as stage 0 and therefore considered "non-spreadable." But Kelly wasn’t convinced. She requested additional scans to be safe. Her pleas were dismissed.

“I wish I had been that annoying patient who kept going,” she now says.

In 2022, Kelly’s worst fears came true. A lump appeared in her armpit, confirming that the melanoma had spread to her lymphatic system. The finding drastically altered her treatment path—she underwent surgery to remove 20 lymph nodes and later received aggressive immunotherapy.

By October 2023, she was told her scans were clear. In April 2024, Kelly was officially in remission. Two weeks later, she found out she was pregnant with her fourth child.

It was a joyous moment—but it wouldn’t last long.

At 35 weeks pregnant, Kelly experienced a seizure that led to an emergency hospitalization. Doctors performed a scan and delivered devastating news: the cancer had spread to her brain. She was now facing terminal, stage 4 brain cancer. Within days, she delivered her baby via C-section and soon after, underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor.

“The surgeons had to leave part of the tumor because removing it entirely would have caused permanent paralysis on my left side,” she explained. “That’s why I’ll now undergo targeted radiotherapy.”

Kelly’s case challenges the traditional protocols of cancer remission, underscoring a critical truth: clear scans are not always a guarantee that the disease is gone.

Kelly’s story is filled with poignant what-ifs. She wonders what might have been different if doctors had acted on her earlier concerns or if they had performed the scan she had begged for after her fingertip amputation.

“I don’t think I’ve fully accepted that I have terminal cancer,” she admits. “There’s a 50 percent chance the new immunotherapy treatment will work, but it’s hit or miss. It’s terrifying.”

Her words speak volumes to cancer survivors worldwide who often experience anxiety and lingering doubts even after receiving an all-clear.

One disturbing aspect of Kelly’s experience is the persistent dismissal of her concerns by medical professionals. What she experienced is now widely recognized as medical gaslighting—a phenomenon where patients, especially women, are told their symptoms are “in their head” or “not serious.”

Whether due to systemic issues, implicit gender bias, or pressure to limit costly imaging, patients are too often discouraged from advocating for themselves.

Healthcare experts argue that self-advocacy should be seen not as a nuisance but as a necessity. “Any doctor who won’t help you search for answers when you're suffering isn’t a good doctor,” said a leading U.S. oncologist when asked about cases like Kelly’s.

Kelly Heather’s story isn’t just a personal tragedy—it’s a public health warning. Her plea to the world is simple but powerful: “Do more tests.”

She wants women, in particular, to realize that being proactive can mean the difference between life and death. Even when scans appear clear, symptoms or gut instincts shouldn't be ignored.

As science advances, survivorship care must also evolve—from one-size-fits-all follow-ups to more personalized approaches, especially in patients with previous late-stage cancers.

Why Women Should Push Doctors for More Tests?

Medical experts increasingly agree on a vital truth: women must trust their intuition when it comes to their health and push for more thorough diagnostic care, especially in complex or recurring conditions. Historically, women’s symptoms have been downplayed or misinterpreted, often leading to delayed diagnoses in conditions ranging from autoimmune disorders to cancer.

In the case of cancer, remission doesn't always guarantee eradication. Sometimes, rogue cancer cells escape detection and resurface in more aggressive forms—something Kelly Heather’s story painfully illustrates. Pushing for extra scans, follow-ups, or second opinions shouldn’t be viewed as paranoia; it should be considered a smart, preventive measure.

Women are also more likely to be dismissed when they express concern over subtle or unexplained symptoms. Persistent fatigue, body pain, or changes that don’t feel “normal” deserve full attention and clinical investigation.

You know your body best. If something feels off—even when tests say otherwise—it’s your right to question it. Don’t settle for “wait and see.” Whether you’ve survived cancer or are just concerned about unusual symptoms, insist on getting the tests and answers you need. Your voice matters, and it could save your life.

Anger can often cloud people and their judgment. It is very common to make rash decisions when you are emotional or overwhelmed and can cause you and your loved ones harm as well. Whenever a new situation arises, it is best to de-escalate it rather than getting angry and causing a ruckus.

Even when it is a kerfuffle with a loved one, it is best to resolve things calmly. Many people believe that going to bed angry is not a good idea, one must always put things to rest by then. However, is it true?

How Does Anger Affect Your Well-Being?

In a 2010 study published in Journal of Medicine and Life, researchers explored the bad ways that anger and mean actions can affect someone's health. The researchers looked at science papers from 2000 to 2010 that agreed with their starting idea. These papers showed that being angry, whether you show it or hide it, can cause different sicknesses. It can also change how people with a serious eating problem act, and it might be a reason why there are more car accidents.

To help people stay safe from these problems, the researchers think that just giving them medicine isn't the only answer. They also need help talking to someone about their feelings. This help should teach them ways to handle their anger without doing anything that could hurt their health or make them feel worse.

Why Not Going to Bed Angry Is Good?

Generally, going to sleep upset with your partner can create problems. The unresolved issue might just sit there, waiting to resurface. Experts explain that sleeping while angry can actually make your negative feelings stronger and harder to shake off. Holding onto anger can build up resentment and lead to unhealthy ways of expressing your emotions. Plus, being upset can make it hard to fall asleep, and poor sleep can worsen both your mood and your relationship.

When It Might Be Okay to Sleep on It?

However, there are times when going to bed before resolving a fight is the wiser choice. If the problem is a big one that can't be fixed quickly, staying up and arguing when tired won't help. You can agree to pause the discussion and revisit it when you're both rested. Sometimes, you might be too exhausted or your emotions are too high to think clearly. In these situations, trying to resolve things can make them worse. Taking a break for sleep can allow you to approach the issue with a fresh mind the next day. Also, if your argument has drifted away from the original problem and you're just going in circles, it's probably time to get some sleep and come back to it later with a clearer focus.

What to Do When You Are Angery?

If you often find yourselves going to bed angry or if you struggle to manage your anger in general, it might be helpful to seek support. Talking to a therapist, either individually or as a couple, can provide you with better communication skills and new perspectives on your relationship. A therapist can also help you understand the root of your anger and teach you healthy ways to cope. You might also consider anger management classes or support groups as a way to learn new strategies for dealing with conflict.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) remains one of the most underdiagnosed and deadly types of heart disease, quietly striking millions in disguise as nebulous, unrelated symptoms. With its near-epidemic prevalence—hitting over 10 million Americans aged 40 and above—it often escapes detection until it is too late. A recent paper presented at the American College of Cardiology's annual scientific session has revealed stark underdiagnosis and undertreatment rates, particularly in women, who statistically stand a lower chance of receiving guideline-directed care than men.

PAD is more than a leg ailment—it's a cardiovascular warning sign that cries out for prompt action. With a disease impacting millions and a 50% death rate at its later stages, the lack of treatment and awareness is preventable and tragic. The Intermountain Health study must act as an awakening to healthcare practitioners, patients, and policymakers.

What is Peripheral Artery Disease?

PAD develops when arteries supplying blood to the limbs, typically the legs, become blocked or narrow from fatty deposits or plaque buildup. This reduces oxygen and blood delivery to the muscles, causing chronic pain, tissue loss, and amputation in severe cases. While the disorder might seem identical to coronary artery disease (involving the heart's arteries), PAD hits the peripheral circulation and has its own unique range of life-threatening and life-altering outcomes.

The British Heart Foundation calculates that around one in five people aged over 60 have some level of PAD. In the most severe cases, around 10% of patients with PAD develop critical limb ischaemia—a condition that results in ongoing pain, ulcers, and gangrene. Alarmingly, those suffering from this severe condition have a 50% five-year mortality.

Why is PAD Often Misdiagnosed?

One of the key problems pointed out by the Intermountain Health study is the simple fact that PAD is so hard to detect early. In contrast to heart attacks or strokes with more obvious signs, PAD signs tend to be insidious or confused with usual signs of aging or poor circulation.

A signature symptom is intermittent claudication—a crampy pain that occurs with activity such as walking or climbing stairs, especially in one leg, and resolves with rest. The name, based on the Latin for "limp," is not a name most patients—and even primary care physicians—quickly equate with a vascular disorder.

Other symptoms are numbness, muscle weakness, tingling, feeling of cold in the extremities, pale or discolored skin, swollen veins, and the formation of slow-healing sores or ulcers. Since these symptoms can be confused with other ailments, PAD usually goes undetected until irreparable damage has been done.

Gender Disparity in Treatment

Arguably the most troubling finding of the Intermountain study was the gender disparity in treatment for PAD. Even when they have the same or even greater risk, fewer than 30% of women with PAD are treated with the appropriate guideline-recommended therapies, versus around 33% of men. All patients with PAD should receive antiplatelet therapy and statins as a matter of course, but only a third do.

"Each and every one of these individuals ought to have at least been treated with antiplatelet therapy and statin. But only roughly a third of them were," added Viet Le, lead author of the study and associate professor of cardiovascular research. "This reflects the need to improve techniques to detect and treat peripheral artery disease."

The attention of the medical community has been to treat and prevent strokes as well as coronary heart disease, with PAD remaining a blind area. Doctors might not screen for PAD unless the patient has severe symptoms or cardiovascular risks. This systemic lack of attention has resulted in lost chances for early treatment, particularly among individuals aged above 60 or with diabetes, high blood pressure, or smoking history.

How to Treat PAD?

While PAD is not curable, it can be controlled effectively if detected at an early stage. Treatment strategies focus on slowing down progression, alleviating symptoms, and enhancing quality of life. This may involve:

• Lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, following a heart-healthy diet, and participating in regular supervised exercise.
• Medications, which include blood thinners (antiplatelets), statins, and drugs that enhance blood flow.
• Surgical procedures, such as angioplasty or bypass surgery, for more advanced stages.

Education and awareness are the answer. Screening high-risk populations, discussing symptoms openly, and encouraging early detection could dramatically cut the disease's yield.

It's time to shine a light on PAD—on behalf of not only those already afflicted but on behalf of the millions who may never know they have it until it is too late.

Height is a sensitive topic for many people. While some people do not care about how tall or short they are, for others it is a concerning subject. Growing up we were taught to eat all our vegetables, play sports and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle if we wish to grow taller. However, there are many kids who grew up playing sports and enjoying healthy foods, who grew up to be just average or shorter than average. So, what exactly determines our height?

According to MedlinePlus, scientists estimate that approximately 80% of a person's height is determined by the variations in their inherited DNA. However, the specific genes involved and how these genetic differences affect height are still not fully understood. While some rare genetic changes can have a large impact on height, for most people, height is influenced by a combination of many genetic variants, each with a smaller effect.

For most of us, our height is a mix of many tiny changes in our DNA, each making us just a little bit taller or shorter, plus things around us like the food we eat. Scientists have found over 700 of these tiny DNA changes, and they think there are many more to discover. Some of these changes affect the soft stuff in our bones that helps them grow longer when we're kids. But for many other height-related DNA parts, we still don't know what they do.

What Effect Genes Have On Your Height?

Besides those big DNA changes that cause rare problems with height, scientists have found hundreds of other DNA parts linked to unusual conditions that really affect how tall someone gets. These include DNA parts with names like FBN1, GH1, EVC, and GPC3, which are connected to conditions that can make people very short or very tall.

By looking at how these big DNA changes mess with height, scientists hope to understand better how all the different DNA parts work together to make us the height we are normally.

Some DNA parts, like ACAN, have rare changes that cause serious growth problems, but also other changes that just make people a little taller or shorter without causing any health issues. Finding all the DNA parts that affect height, whether a lot or a little, is something scientists are working hard on.

Do Enviromental Factors Affect Height Changes?

Things around us also play a role in how tall we end up. This includes what our moms ate when they were pregnant with us, if they smoked, and if they were around anything harmful. A kid who eats good food, stays healthy, and is active will probably be taller as an adult than a kid who doesn't eat well, gets sick a lot, or doesn't get good healthcare. Even things like how much money your family has, how much education they have, and what kind of jobs they work can affect height.

Sometimes, people from certain parts of the world are, on average, taller or shorter, but when families move to a place with better food and healthcare, their kids can end up being much taller. This suggests that some of the height differences we see between groups of people aren't really about their code, but about these other things.