Moles Can Lead to Cancer

Moles are common skin growths that tend to pop up throughout our lives, the Health website reports today ( Nov. 27, 2024). 

For the most part, moles are common and harmless. But sometimes, they can become cancerous due to excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure from sunlight or tanning beds. Melanoma can develop when a mole's appearance -- including the shape, color, and size -- changes drastically or a new mole appears. 

Melanoma occurs in the cells that typically produce your skin pigmentation, called melanocytes. It is uncommon compared to other skin cancers -- like basal and squamous cell -- only accounting for about 1% of all cases. However, melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, 

according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).  

Common moles are usually small, have a round and smooth surface, and are dome--shaped , according to the NCI. They are also typically pink or brown, the color generally coordinating with a person's complexion tone. 

" There are congenital moles  -- like birthmarks -- moles that are completely benign, and then there are dysplastic moles with some atypic , meaning under the microscope we see atypical or odd--looking cells," Mary Seevenson, M.D., a dermatologic surgeon in New York City, told Health. 

A cancerous mole can pop up on areas of the skin previously free of moles. They can also appear in the eye, digestive system, or  in other areas of the body. Melanoma isa the deadliest type of skin cancer because it can invade nearby and distant tissue inside the body -- like the lungs, liver , bone, or brain. This is also known as metastasizing. 

"UV light exposure is tha single biggest risk factor for the development of cancerous spots," Joshua Zeichner , M.D. at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City told Health. 

Pope Calls on Churches to Implement Synod Proposals

 Pope Francis yesterday published a note calling on local churches to accept and implement proposals from the final document of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, the Catholic News website reports today (Nov. 25, 2024). 

The document "participates in the ordinary magisterium of the successor of Peter, and as such, I ask that it be accepted," the pope wrote in the note. 

"Local churches and groupings of churches are now called upon to implement, in different contexts, the authoritative indications contained in the document, through the processes of discernment and decision--making provided by law and by the document itself," he wrote nearly a month after the Synod's close. 

The final document outlined key priorities for the Church, including increased participation of laity through new ministries and adjusted governing structures, greater transparency and accountability among Church leadership, and creating space for previously marginalized groups. 

In his note, Pope Francis clarified that while the document is "not strictly normative" and must be adapted to contexts where it is applied, it still obligates "local churches to make choices consistent with what was indicated" in the document. 

Meanwhile, he said, the General Secretariat of the Synod and various dicasteries of the Roman Curia will be tasked with overseeing the Synodal journey's "implementation phase."

Dementia and Alzheimer's May Be Overcome with Hearing Aids

 As you get older, the likelihood of facing challenges like dementia or Alzheimer's increases, the Senior Health Today website reports today (Nov. 24, 2024). 

Research has shown that by the age of 90, an astounding 1 in 3 individuals will be impacted by one of these conditions. 

The risk gets higher with each year, and for  those affected, the condition continues to get worse. 

The biggest reason for this age--related mental deterioration is hearing loss. 

Hearing loss is a major factor because as we experience age--related hearing loss, it reduces our ability to connect and have meaningful interactions with others. 

When you can't hear and understand conversations with others, it makes you less likely to want to have those interactions. 

Many sufferers of hearing loss end up isolating themselves from their friends, loved ones, and strangers. This can cause a domino effect, leading to many conditions asssociated  with aging: memory loss, losss of motor function, loss of language abilities, dementia, depression, and Alzheimer's.These conditions may be reduced by the use of hearing aids. 

These devices, when used correctly, are tools of transformation for the brain. Think of them as a shortcut, or a hack, to rejuvenate your brain's function. 

A study by Johns Hopkins recently showed that by wearing hearing aids, you can reduce your risk of cognitive decline by nearly half. 

Another study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine showed that after 18 months of using hearing aids, an incredible 97.3% of participants either maintained or notably enhanced their executive brain function. 

In essence, by tackling hearing loss head--on with hearing aids, you're employing  a direct "brain--hack" that fortifies your brain against the challenges that come with age. 

Pope to Visit Med. Island of Corsica in Dec.

 The French Diocese of Ajaccio announced this week that Pope Francis will make a daytrip to the island of Corsica next month, further prioritizing the Mediterranean region, the Crux website reports today (Nov. 23, 2024).

Pope Francis will visit Corsica on Dec. 15, according to an announcement on the website of the local Diocese of Ajaccio, which is led by Cardinal Francois--Xavier Bustillo.

The theme of the pope's trip will be, "Jesus went about doing good." The trip will come just two days before Francis's 88th birthday on Dec.17.

It will mark the first papal trip to the French Mediterranean island.

Francis's visit to the island will mark his 47th foreign trip since his election to the papacy in 2013, and it will be his third time in France. 

French President Emmanuel Macron invited Pope Francis to Paris for the Dec. 8 reopening of the city's famed Notre Dame cathedral, after a fire destroyed vast portions of it in 2019. However, that day, the pope will be celebrating Mass with a slew of new cardinals who will have received a red hat the day before, during a Dec. 7 consistory. 

The pope's message to Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon, will likely refer to Europe's deeply Christian roots, and could include calls for greater social responsibility toward migrants and the poor, and for attention to the climate issue. 

Over 160,000 Pounds of Ground Beef Recalled Due to E.Coli

 More than 160,000 pounds of ground beef  from Wolverine Packing Co. were recalled nationwide over potential E. coli contamination , the Health website reports today (Nov. 22, 2024).

The meat was connected to a 15--person E.coli outbreak in Minnesota, prompting the USDA to label the recall a class 1. for the highest risk of illness. 

The USDA said the ground beef was distributed to restaurants across the country , and is urging restaurants to check their fridges and freezers for the affected products. 

Wolverine Packing Co., a Detroit, Mich. meat manufacturer , voluntarily recalled 167,277 pounds of ground beef products after a small E. coli outbreak was connected to the meat. 

Fifteen people in Minnesota reported E. coli infections between Nov. 2 and Nov. 10 after consuming the ground beef. 

The USDA  listed the recall as class 1. -- the highest classification -- meaning there is a "reasonable probability" that consuming the affected product will result in serious health consequences or death. 

Ellen DeGeneres Has Moved to England

Ellen DeGeneres has relocated to the countryside in England, the People website reports today (Nov. 21, 2024).

The former talk show host, whose long--running eponymous series ended in May 2022,  has moved abroad  after finding a house she fell in love with in the U.K.

Just last week, Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi, were spotted at  The Farmer's Dog, a pub owned by the English TV presenter and journalist  Jeremy Clarkson in the Catswalds.

"They hung out with Clarkson's partner, actress Lisa Hogan and James Blunt, and  The Carts performed at the pub, "     a  source said. 

DeGeneres is a well--known collector of multimillion --dollar homes, and owns several properties in Southern California. People previously reported she sold a Montecito, Calif. home in May 2024 for $32 million  and another property in the same town she owned for less than a year in April 2022 for $15 million. 

DeGeneres stepped out of the spotlight after nearly 20 years on the air following toxic workplace accusations made against her by co--workers in 2020. The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which was on the air for 19 seasons, aired its final episode on May 20, 2022. 

The entertainer spoke out for the first time in a Netflix comedy special , "Ellen's Last Stand--Up" tour in July 2024 and addressed her controversies. 

"Let me catch you up on what's been going on  with me since you last saw me," she said. "I got chickens. Oh yeah, and I got kicked out of show business for being mean." 

When later questioned about whether she would return to fame in the future, DeGeneres gave a hard "no." 

Many Discounts Available for Seniors in 2024

 With all that's happened over the past few years, seniors are now entitled to more discounts and savings programs than ever, the Super Savings website reports today (Nov. 20, 2024). 

Senior benefits and discounts are one of the few great perks that come with getting older. Savvy American  seniors have been taking advantage of these benefits to recession--proof their finances . Yet each year, millions of Americans forget to apply for them, because they don't know they exist.

Consequently, they forgo thousands of dollars in extra savings each year. A list of t he top discounts seniors can take advantage of in 2024 include:

1. Don't pay for another costly home repair out of pocket again. It's always a disruption  when appliances like the the ACs or washing machines break down. Clever homeowners are using the new Choice Home Warranty, and are saving thousands in the long run by protecting themselves against unexpected home repairs. All applicants are covered entirely by this program, and in many cases, they will completely replace your appliance with a brand new one. 

2. Seniors relieve joint discomfort 

with this tip. It's called Instaflex Advanced. Studies show it delivers increasing benefits over 90 days of use. Instaflex also needs only one tiny capsule a day. 

3. Homeowners in eligible zip codes can save up to $1,632 a year on their home insurance. A brilliant online tool dubbed as "The Amazon of Home Insurance" can reduce Americans' payments by as much as $1,632 per year. Experts are urging homeowners to take advantage of this free online tool. 

4. Open a Sofi checking account and earn up to $300. Sofi offers a checking account with no account fees, early direct deposit, and cash back rewards. Seniors can benefit from an easy--to--use platform with additional perks, such as overdraft protection and a high--yield savings option.