Latest news with #familyHistory
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I REVERSED my dementia with simple lifestyle tweaks... and without harsh treatments: Here's how
When Judy Benjamin started forgetting her own phone number she knew something was wrong. The retiree from Norfolk, Virginia, was concerned she was displaying signs of Alzheimer's, which she was all too familiar with as her mother and several uncles suffered from the memory-robbing disease. Your browser does not support iframes.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I had the most common symptom of colon cancer in my early 30s. Here's why I got a (pricey) colonoscopy over a stool test.
I had rectal bleeding, the most common symptom of colon cancer in people under 45. I also had a family history of colon cancer, which pushed me to get a colonoscopy at 33. My out-of-pocket colonoscopy cost is more than $1,000 so far, but I'm still glad I did it. I paused, and then I clicked "cancel appointment." The blood in my stool, the most common sign of colon cancer in young people, was going away. I chalked up my concerns to my job: I was interviewing colon cancer patients. Naturally, the symptoms were on my mind a lot. But a year later, the bleeding kept coming back, and more prominently than before. Sometimes, I also had other colon cancer symptoms, such as inconsistent bowel movements. From writing more about colon cancer, I heard more stories of healthy young patients having barely any warning signs, only to be diagnosed at stage 4. And then, my grandfather was diagnosed with stage 1 colon cancer in late 2024. I still had reservations about getting a colonoscopy. It seemed expensive and intense for just one symptom. At the same time, that symptom seemed to be getting worse after a year, and I now had a family history of colon cancer. In the end, I got a colonoscopy and am so glad I did — even if I'm still navigating the financial side of it. I booked a GI appointment after reading about stool tests, which can detect cancer via stool samples. It seemed minimally invasive while still taking some sort of action. At my appointment, I'd hoped my age, lifestyle, and lack of more severe symptoms such as abdominal pain would sway my doctor to recommend the stool test over the colonoscopy. But as a representative of Cologuard later told me, stool tests aren't recommended for screening people who have any symptoms. The representative also said they're meant for people ages 45 and older who are considered at average risk. This is because stool tests can detect only cancer itself. It was possible that I had precancerous polyps, for example, which wouldn't show up in a stool test but could be safely removed and biopsied in a colonoscopy. Plus, colonoscopies can identify other issues, such as hemorrhoids or inflammatory bowel disease, with symptoms similar to those of colon cancer. My GI performed a quick rectal exam and didn't find anything. She said that given my age, the bleeding was probably caused by internal hemorrhoids or polyps, not cancer. She recommended I get a colonoscopy and some blood work to test my iron levels, which could also point to colon cancer. I booked a colonoscopy for three weeks later. When my blood work came back normal, I wondered whether I was overreacting. Did I really need a colonoscopy? For one, it was expensive. The procedure would cost $2,000 total without insurance. My GI explained that because my test was diagnostic and being done to examine colon cancer symptoms (as opposed to a standard colon cancer screening), it applied to my deductible. She also said the cost could vary based on my insurance plan, how far into the deductible I was, and where the colonoscopy was being done. Because I did mine at a free-standing endoscopy center instead of a hospital, it cut down on costs. The estimate I got from my insurance company was about $813. That didn't include other potential fees such as biopsies. This is still lower than the national average cost for a colonoscopy, which starts at $1,250, and some of my coworkers under 45 were quoted closer to $2,000. The idea of the procedure itself felt intense, too. I'd need to fast and take about $40 of laxatives and Gatorade the night before, undergo anesthesia, and have my husband pick me up. There were also very rare risks, such as tears to my colon. A few times a week, I'd approach my husband forlornly, asking him whether he thought I was overreacting and should skip the procedure. Sadly, I learned the hard truth: No one could make this decision but me. Postponing would be complicated, given our future plans to have kids: I can't get a colonoscopy once I'm pregnant because of risks to the fetus. I realized I was fortunate: I had time to pre-plan and budget my colonoscopy, I could easily take a sick day from work, and my husband could take a few hours off from his job to pick me up. If I was going to do it, now was absolutely the best time. Let's start with the bad news: Months after the procedure, I'm still dealing with insurance costs. I made sure that my FSA funds, the pre-tax money I elected to set aside for medical costs, would cover at least most of the procedure and any extra fees. But because my receipt was missing information, the reimbursement for $813 was denied. When I asked for a complete receipt, I was told I'd need to wait 30 to 60 days for my insurance to process my itemized statement. While I was waiting, I was mailed two more bills: $124.08 for a physician's processing fee and $125.40 for the anesthesia. I'm holding on to them until I get reimbursed for the $813. Otherwise, I'd be paying more than $1,000 out of pocket, with no clarity on when I'll actually get the money back, if at all. The good news: The colonoscopy itself went smoothly. Sure, induced bowel cleansing wasn't my idea of a riveting Wednesday night. But from speaking to people who've had colonoscopies, it sounds like it wasn't as unpleasant as chugging Golytely, a common colonoscopy prep medication. The actual procedure took about 20 minutes, all of which I was out for. Shortly after, my GI popped in to explain my results. It was a huge relief to have answers. Like she suspected, internal hemorrhoids, swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum, were causing the bleeding. Hemorrhoids are fairly common in young people, and activities such as lifting heavy weights can cause them. Looking back, the bleeding began around when I started strength training, and my GI confirmed that it could exacerbate the hemorrhoids. I can manage them by drinking more water, eating more fiber, and using hydrocortisone cream. She also found and removed two polyps, one of which could have been precancerous because of its size. A few weeks later, a biopsy confirmed that the polyp was benign, and I don't have to get another colonoscopy until I'm 45 — the recommended starting age for colon cancer screenings. As the rate of colorectal cancer rises among young people, there is a push for people to get their colon cancer symptoms checked out. But I can understand why anyone under the recommended screening age would skip a colonoscopy. Beyond the financial obstacle, it's not a quick procedure, and it requires a support system. It's easy to feel like spending time and money on what could be a benign result isn't worth the peace of mind. Still, so many early signs of colon cancer are mild. Stories from colon cancer patients — the ones who only got diagnosed in late stages and had to navigate much more invasive treatments with lower chances of success — ultimately taught me that it's never worth taking a chance. It's a steep price to pay, but I'm glad I did. July 2, 2025: This story was updated with information about the Cologuard stool test. It's usually recommended to people over 45 who have no symptoms and are considered at average risk for colon cancer. Read the original article on Business Insider
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Look inside: Shining example of Scandi-inspired contemporary design in Portobello for €975,000
Address : 1 Oakfield Place, Portobello, Dublin 8 Price : €975,000 Agent : DNG Number 1 Oakfield Place stands as a shining example of Scandinavian-inspired contemporary design. The former villa-style Victorian at the end of a row of homes in Portobello , Dublin 8 , has been transformed into a two-storey, three-bedroom home by its current owner, who had the property remodelled after purchasing it in 2017, keeping little more than its modest 1840s facade. The home is steeped in family history as it has been in the owner's family since the 1930s, and was where her mother was brought up. The owner, who evidently has an eye for design, lived in the house in its former iteration before buying it, and so had a plethora of ideas on how she wanted to bring it up to date. New Mark Architects of Dame Street in Dublin city centre helped her to turn her ideas into reality. Now, with growing children and the desire for more outdoor space, the owner has put number 1 Oakfield Place – extending to 125sq m (1,345sq ft) with a Ber of B1 – on the market through DNG, seeking €975,000. There was no expense spared in the redesign of this home, and all features are of the highest quality, from the glittering terrazzo floors to the polished concrete kitchen countertop. The terrazzo floors were used as an example of the flooring option at its best in an episode of RTÉ's Room to Improve. In retrospect, the owner says, she should have perhaps been more frugal with such choices, but the attention to detail is likely to impress prospective buyers. READ MORE 1 Oakfield Place, Portobello, Dublin 8 Entrance hall Hallway Livingroom Kitchen opens on to terrace Kitchen Number 1 Oakfield Place, just off Lombard Street West, looks unassuming, though stepping back from the facade, its modern, boxy two-storey extension to the rear comes into view. You enter the home through the mauve front door into the high-ceilinged hallway with light bouncing off the terrazzo floors. There is access to the livingroom just to the right, which is screened from the hall by a wall of floor-to-ceiling wooden slats. From this sunken room, the entire living space opens up, with the outdoor terrace and kitchen visible through an angled wall of glazing. The kitchen, to the rear of the enclosed outdoor terrace, is incredibly sleek with bespoke wooden units, polished concrete worktops and a wall of floor-to-ceiling storage. The room is flooded with light from a long rooflight across the width of the kitchen workspace, and from the wall of glazing that opens on to the terrace. The terrazzo flooring continues in the terrace, making it feel like part of the living space. There is also a handy utility space off the kitchen. Ground-floor bedroom Sittingroom with built-in desk behind cupboard doors Main shower room Stairs to first floor Main bedroom Second bedroom On the opposite side of the ground floor, a single bedroom lies to the front with a built-in desk and shelving for no-fuss working from home. Beyond that is a gorgeous sittingroom painted a rich forest-green with herringbone wooden floors, which looks out to foliage in the side yard through its substantial sash window. A bespoke desk and shelving unit is built in to a cupboard beside the fireplace, camouflaged in forest-green. The main shower room is also on the ground floor and features a spacious walk-in shower with diamond tiles in a shade of rich teal. The second storey is accessed by a wooden staircase. The main bedroom sits to the front with an en suite shower room. Another double bedroom sits to the left of the landing, with a large window facing out from the front of the property. It is with heavy heart that the owner has put this home on the market, she says, and the family hope to stay in the area and renovate another home. There is a lovely community of older couples and younger families on the road, she says, which they will greatly miss. You would not need a car if you lived at this address with all amenities and a number of coffee shops a short walk away, while St Stephen's Green on the southside of Dublin city is just a 15-minute walk away.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I had the most common symptom of colon cancer in my early 30s. Here's why I got a (pricey) colonoscopy over a stool test.
I had rectal bleeding, the most common symptom of colon cancer in people under 45. I also had a family history of colon cancer, which pushed me to get a colonoscopy at 33. My out-of-pocket colonoscopy cost is over $1,000 so far, but I'm still glad I did it. I paused, then clicked "cancel appointment." The blood in my stool, the most common sign of colon cancer in young people, was going away. I chalked up my concerns to my job: I was interviewing colon cancer patients. Naturally, the symptoms were on my mind a lot. But a year later, the bleeding kept coming back, and more prominently than before. Sometimes, I also had other colon cancer symptoms, like inconsistent bowel movements. From writing more about colon cancer, I heard more stories of healthy young patients having barely any warning signs, only to be diagnosed at stage 4. And then, my grandfather was diagnosed with stage 1 colon cancer in late 2024. I still had reservations about getting a colonoscopy. It seemed expensive and intense for just one symptom. At the same time, that symptom seemed to be getting worse after a year, and I now had a family history of colon cancer. In the end, I got a colonoscopy and am so glad I did — even if I'm still navigating the financial side of it. I booked a GI appointment after reading about stool tests, which can detect cancer via stool samples. It seemed minimally invasive while still taking some sort of action. At my appointment, I'd hoped my age, lifestyle, and lack of more severe symptoms like abdominal pain would sway her to recommend the stool test over the colonoscopy. However, stool tests aren't considered the gold standard of colon cancer screenings because they can only detect cancer. It was possible that I had precancerous polyps, for example, which wouldn't show up in a stool test but could be safely removed and biopsied in a colonoscopy. Plus, colonoscopies can identify other colon-cancer-like issues, such as hemorrhoids or IBD. My GI performed a quick rectal exam and didn't find anything. She said that given my age, the bleeding was likely caused by internal hemorrhoids or polyps, not cancer. She recommended I get a colonoscopy and some blood work to test my iron levels, which could also point to colon cancer. I booked a colonoscopy for three weeks later. When my blood work came back normal, I wondered if I was overreacting. Did I really need a colonoscopy? For one, it was expensive. The procedure would cost $2,000 total without insurance. My GI explained that because my test was diagnostic and being done to examine colon cancer symptoms (as opposed to a standard colon cancer screening), it applied to my deductible. She also said that the cost can vary based on my insurance plan, how far into the deductible I am, and where the colonoscopy is being done. Because I did mine at a free-standing endoscopy center instead of a hospital, it cut down on costs. The estimate I got from my insurance company was around $813. That didn't include other potential fees like biopsies. This is still lower than the national average cost for a colonoscopy, which starts at $1,250, and some of my coworkers under 45 were quoted closer to $2,000. The idea of the procedure itself felt intense, too. I'd need to fast and take about $40 of laxatives and Gatorade the night before, undergo anesthesia, and have my husband pick me up. There were also very rare risks, like tears to my colon. A few times a week, I'd approach my husband forlornly, asking him if he thought I was overreacting and should skip the procedure. Sadly, I learned the hard truth: no one could make this decision but me. Postponing would be complicated, given our future plans to have kids: I can't get a colonoscopy once I'm pregnant because of risks to the fetus. I realized that I was fortunate: I had time to pre-plan and budget my colonoscopy, I could easily take a sick day from work, and my husband could take a few hours off from his job to pick me up. If I was going to do it, now was absolutely the best time. Let's start with the bad news: months after the procedure, I'm still dealing with insurance costs. I made sure that my FSA funds, the pre-tax money I elected to set aside for medical costs, would cover at least most of the procedure and any extra fees. But because my receipt was missing information, the reimbursement for $813 was denied. When I asked for a complete receipt, I was told I'd need to wait 30-60 days for my insurance to process my itemized statement. While I was waiting, I was mailed two more bills; $124.08 for a physician's processing fee and $125.40 for the anesthesia. I'm holding on to them until I get reimbursed for the $813. Otherwise, I'd be paying over $1,000 out of pocket, with no clarity on when I'll actually get the money back, if at all. The good news: the colonoscopy itself went smoothly. Sure, induced bowel cleansing wasn't my idea of a riveting Wednesday night. But from speaking to multiple people who've had colonoscopies, it sounds like it wasn't as unpleasant as chugging Golytely, a common colonoscopy prep medication. The actual procedure took about 20 minutes, all of which I was out for. Shortly after, my GI popped in to explain my results. It was a huge relief to have answers. Like she suspected, internal hemorrhoids, swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum, were causing the bleeding. Hemorrhoids are fairly common in young people, and activities like lifting heavy weights could cause them. Looking back, the bleeding began around when I started strength training, and my GI confirmed that it could exacerbate the hemorrhoids. I can manage them by drinking more water, eating more fiber, and using hydrocortisone cream. She also found and removed two polyps, one of which could be precancerous because of its size. A few weeks later, a biopsy confirmed that the polyp was benign, and I don't have to get another colonoscopy until I'm 45 — the recommended starting age for colon cancer screenings. As the rate of colorectal cancer rises among young people, there is a push for people to get their colon cancer symptoms checked out. But I can understand why anyone under the recommended screening age would skip a colonoscopy. Beyond the financial obstacle, it's not a quick procedure and requires a support system. It's easy to feel like the potential downside — spending time and money for a benign result — isn't worth the peace of mind. Still, so many early signs of colon cancer are mild. Stories from colon cancer patients — the ones who only got diagnosed in late stages and had to navigate much more invasive treatments with lower odds of success — ultimately taught me that it's never worth taking a chance. It's a steep price to pay, but I'm glad I did. Read the original article on Business Insider
Irish Times
14-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Maps and globes of a world that no longer exists up for auction
Historical ordnance survey maps and their ancillary notebooks carry a wealth of local information that will be of interest to people tracing old family homesteads, deceased relatives or even topographical features that no longer exist. In the first half of the 1800s, Ireland became the first place in the world to have detailed ordnance survey maps for an entire country. In 2024 these six-inches-to-a-mile maps, books of placenames (Irish placenames with their first recorded anglicised forms), memoirs and letters of surveyors were digitalised in the OS200 project, led by Dr Keith Lilley, professor of historical geography at Queen's University Belfast, and Dr Catherine Porter, associate professor of geography at the University of Limerick. Now, members of the public can search this digital archive while also consulting the original bound books of ordnance survey maps in the Royal Irish Academy on Dawson Street, Dublin, with the assistance of librarians there. But some people prefer to own such materials, and collecting maps, manuscripts, books on local history and even globes remains a specialist area of sales, that auction houses and rare book dealers delight in seeking out the right buyers for. READ MORE De Búrca Rare Books in Dublin is highlighting its collection of maps of various parts of Ireland that come from the Down Survey, the 17th Century survey of estates of Irish landowners carried out by Sir William Petty De Búrca Rare Books in Dublin is highlighting its collection of maps of various parts of Ireland that come from the Down Survey, the 17th-century survey of estates of Irish landowners carried out by Sir William Petty. The survey, which reportedly took 1,000 men 13 months to complete, resulted in the publication of Hiberniae Delineatio, then deemed to be a milestone in Irish cartography. The maps for sale via De Búrca Rare Books include those for the provinces of Leinster, Connought (sic), Munster and Ulster (€575 each). There are also historical maps of Kildare, Wexford, Wicklow and other counties, printed in Dublin in 1732 from the original copperplates of the 1685 first edition of Hiberniae Delineatio. Irlandaie Accurata Descriptio (€75), a rare map of Ireland published in 1609 by Baptista Boazio, is another collector's item in the current catalogue. And then there are those who prefer old globes, which are fascinating for their snapshot of the knowledge of the world of the time of their making. Antique globes are also relatively scarce, as most surviving ones are held in museums and private collections. Early-19th-century terrestrial and celestial globes on stands A pocket terrestrial globe with a celestial globe depicted on the inside of its shark skin case Fonsie Mealy's Chatworth Summer Fine Art Sale on Wednesday and Thursday, June 18th and 19th, from 10.15am in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, has a rare pair of large early-19th-century terrestrial and celestial globes on stands (€15,000-€20,000) among the 1,000-plus lots. Terrestrial globes cover the earth, while celestial globes represent the constellations of the night sky. Made by John and William Newton in London in 1818, these globes were published in partnership with contemporaneous map engravers. The Mealy auction also has a pocket terrestrial globe with a celestial globe depicted on the inside of its sharkskin case (€15,000-€20,000). On this globe, made by Nataniel Hill in 1754, North America bears only the names of some British colonies with the northwest coasts of the continent marked as unknown parts. Australia is still named New Holland, and much of central and southern Africa is empty. Enthusiasts will be able to date a specific globe with their knowledge of colonial voyages of discoveries and shifting geopolitical boundaries. One of a series of 25 hand-coloured prints of Dublin city following the style of James Malton One of a series of 25 hand-coloured prints of Dublin city following the style of James Malton One of a series of 25 hand-coloured prints of Dublin city following the style of James Malton The Mealy auction, which has lots of antique silver, jewellery, Japanese, Chinese and Tibetan ornaments, also features a series of 25 hand-coloured prints of Dublin city (€6,000-€7,000), following the style of James Malton. Once a staple of Georgian Dublin decor, these prints will now be more of interest to architectural history enthusiasts. Georgian Dublin fans may also be interested in checking out a new exhibition in the City Assembly House, Irish Georgian Society headquarters on South William Street, Dublin 2. The Patrick Earley Collection: 18th and 19th Century views of Dublin and Wicklow has Irish topographical art portraying views of Dublin and Wicklow from 1770-1870. A view of Tinnehinch and Powerscourt, Co Wicklow, by John Henry Campbell (1757-1828) The Powerscourt Waterfall, Grafton Street in Dublin, the Victorian seafront in Bray, Co Wicklow, and the Georgian splendour of College Green in front of Trinity College Dublin are among the views included. The works were completed by artists such as William Sadler, John Henry Campbell and Patrick Vincent Duffy. The Dublin collector Patrick Earley spent more than 50 years amassing the works, which he gave to the State earlier this year through section 1003 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, which allows people who donate heritage items to credit 80 per cent of the value of these items against various tax liabilities. The collection, whose long-term destination is Kilmacurragh House and Gardens in Co Wicklow, will be on show at the IGS headquarters until August 27th. ; ; What did it sell for? Incoming Tide by Paul Henry Incoming Tide by Paul Henry Estimate €90,000-€130,000 Hammer price Not sold Auction house Dolan's Man Running by Jack B Yeats Man Running by Jack B Yeats Estimate €100,000-€150,000 Hammer price €100,000 Auction house Dolan's A Word in Confidence, Tallow Horse Fair by Arthur K Sanderson A Word in Confidence, Tallow Horse Fair by Arthur K Sanderson Estimate €1,600-€1,800 Hammer price €1,600 Auction house Dolan's Japanese silver bowl Japanese silver bowl Estimate €1,500-€2,500 Hammer price €1,400 Auction house Sheppard's
