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All butts, no ifs: Why this woman wants a frank discussion about colorectal cancer – CBC.ca

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After battling colorectal cancer, Kay Short, second from right, says her son-in-law, Jamie Greensides, right, now suffers from terminal colon cancer. (Submitted by Kay Short)

After beating colorectal cancer, Kay Short of Corner Brook says people need to talk way more about their bums — because early detection of the disease could be the difference between life or death.

Short, known to many in Corner Brook as “Dean Catherine” from the local Anglican cathedral, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer four years ago. She had her tumor removed in March of that year, during colorectal cancer awareness month.

Although she’s battled the disease herself, her son-in-law now suffers from terminal colon cancer. Short spoke with the CBC’s Bernice Hillier about the importance of screening and early detection of the disease in saving lives.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.


How did you find out you had cancer?

I found out through a colonoscopy in September of 2019. My doctor who did the colonoscopy knew instantly. He sat on the corner of a desk. He started using words like tumour, radiation, chemo. He never once said cancer, but I knew of course that what he was referring to and knew that this was going to change my life from that day. 

LISTEN | Newfoundland Morning’s Bernice Hillier asks Kay Short about overcoming cancer: 

CBC Newfoundland Morning7:39#EveryBum is a hashtag you might be seeing this month, for an awareness campaign about colorectal cancer. We spoke with a Corner Brook woman who’s battled the disease herself, and whose son-in-law is now suffering from terminal colon cancer

Colorectal cancer – you might think of it as an older person’s disease, but it’s not: More than 24 thousand Canadians will be diagnosed with the disease this year, and it’s the second deadliest cancer in Canada. This is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Kay Short has a story to tell about battling colorectal cancer. She’s known to most people in Corner Brook as “Dean Catherine,” from the Anglican cathedral there, and she spoke with Bernice Hillier.

You had an ileostomy. People may be more familiar with colostomy and, and your ileostomy has been reversed since then. Just talk a little bit about how that affected your day to day life. 

I knew in some ways that it was going to be a part of saving my life, which made it bearable. But I got my diagnosis on the 10th of September, and I had the ileostomy on the 3rd of October, so very quickly. And for the most part it was done so that treatment was more bearable, never knowing if it would be reversed. But once everything was done that I needed to have done and the tumor was removed and my body was back to where it needed to be, it was suggested that I be tested to have the ileostomy reversed. I felt very strongly for those who aren’t given that option, that if it was reversible, I needed to follow through and have that last reminder in some ways of the battle that I had fought.

In hindsight, what would you have done differently? 

I would not have ignored the symptoms I had, and this is my whole purpose of wanting to speak, particularly throughout this month of March. We tend to always find a reason. I came up with every excuse in the book of why I had had diarrhea for a year, I was passing blood. I had moved to the city from a rural area, didn’t have a family doctor and was struggling with that. But I had lost about 40 pounds, I think, in that year. And even that … we find ways of justifying everything that happens in our life. So if I would have anything to say to anyone about this, is do not ignore what you know in your heart to be true. 

A woman wearing glasses and a red coat stands in a church.
Short, known to many in Corner Brook, is advocating for early detection and screening for colorectal cancer. (Submitted by Kay Short)

Cancer has hit your family once again with your son-in-law now battling the disease. Tell us briefly how he was diagnosed and how he’s doing now. 

My son-in-law, Jamie, lives in the Annapolis Valley, he’s a military man. In May of 2022, he had abdominal pain, different completely from what I’d had. The military doctor did a ultrasound and discovered there was obviously a lot going on there. Unfortunately, when he was diagnosed, he was diagnosed fourth stage, inoperable. And it had already spread to his liver, his lungs. So he’s had a very difficult battle for almost two years now. And in the beginning we could not even imagine that two years would even exist for him.

His symptoms were a bit different than mine. He’s a younger man, which we always think, well, that’s not me. He was 47. They do physical education every day in the military, and he was active and healthy for all intents and purposes, but they are fighting a very difficult battle as a family of four with small children.

In some ways. Is it almost harder to see your daughter and her family going through this?

Absolutely. Yeah. Because I know when she says that they’re having a bad day or he is having a lot of pain today, or he’s too weak to get up today, I know exactly how that feels. And I think it allows you to sense it a little deeper. 

You’ve said to me that colorectal cancer is not a polite cancer. Just tell me what you mean by that and what you want people who are listening to you this morning to know. 

It really and truly is not. It’s not dinner conversation, it’s not pulpit conversation, but … I think I’ve been given a voice that I feel compelled to use as an extension so that it can help others. It’s not easy to say, “I’ve had my rectum removed.” It might be easier to say you’ve had fingers removed or toes or anything, but it’s necessary. The conversation needs to be had. Early detection brings about such a high volume of curability. And if I can get one person to say, I know the test won’t be pleasant, but just treat it as if it were any other kind of disease or cancer.

Every bum needs to be tested, and that’s true. And maybe if we can take some of the stigma out of it and treat it like any other organ, then maybe the success would be greater.

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What’s the greatest holiday gift: lips, hair, skin? Give the gift of great skin this holiday season

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Give the gift of great skin this holiday season

Skinstitut Holiday Gift Kits take the stress out of gifting

Toronto, October 31, 2024 – Beauty gifts are at the top of holiday wish lists this year, and Laser Clinics Canada, a leader in advanced beauty treatments and skincare, is taking the pressure out of seasonal shopping. Today, Laser Clincs Canada announces the arrival of its 2024 Holiday Gift Kits, courtesy of Skinstitut, the exclusive skincare line of Laser Clinics Group.

In time for the busy shopping season, the limited-edition Holiday Gifts Kits are available in Laser Clinics locations in the GTA and Ottawa. Clinics are conveniently located in popular shopping centers, including Hillcrest Mall, Square One, CF Sherway Gardens, Scarborough Town Centre, Rideau Centre, Union Station and CF Markville. These limited-edition Kits are available on a first come, first served basis.

“These kits combine our best-selling products, bundled to address the most relevant skin concerns we’re seeing among our clients,” says Christina Ho, Senior Brand & LAM Manager at Laser Clinics Canada. “With several price points available, the kits offer excellent value and suit a variety of gift-giving needs, from those new to cosmeceuticals to those looking to level up their skincare routine. What’s more, these kits are priced with a savings of up to 33 per cent so gift givers can save during the holiday season.

There are two kits to select from, each designed to address key skin concerns and each with a unique theme — Brightening Basics and Hydration Heroes.

Brightening Basics is a mix of everyday essentials for glowing skin for all skin types. The bundle comes in a sleek pink, reusable case and includes three full-sized products: 200ml gentle cleanser, 50ml Moisture Defence (normal skin) and 30ml1% Hyaluronic Complex Serum. The Brightening Basics kit is available at $129, a saving of 33 per cent.

Hydration Heroes is a mix of hydration essentials and active heroes that cater to a wide variety of clients. A perfect stocking stuffer, this bundle includes four deluxe products: Moisture 15 15 ml Defence for normal skin, 10 ml 1% Hyaluronic Complex Serum, 10 ml Retinol Serum and 50 ml Expert Squalane Cleansing Oil. The kit retails at $59.

In addition to the 2024 Holiday Gifts Kits, gift givers can easily add a Laser Clinic Canada gift card to the mix. Offering flexibility, recipients can choose from a wide range of treatments offered by Laser Clinics Canada, or they can expand their collection of exclusive Skinstitut products.

 

Brightening Basics 2024 Holiday Gift Kit by Skinstitut, available exclusively at Laser Clincs Canada clinics and online at skinstitut.ca.

Hydration Heroes 2024 Holiday Gift Kit by Skinstitut – available exclusively at Laser Clincs Canada clinics and online at skinstitut.ca.

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Here is how to prepare your online accounts for when you die

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LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?

It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.

Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:

Apple

The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.

For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.

You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.

Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.

Google

Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.

When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.

You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.

There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.

Facebook and Instagram

Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.

When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.

The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.

You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.

TikTok

The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.

Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.

X

It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.

Passwords

Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?

Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.

But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.

___

Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.

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Pediatric group says doctors should regularly screen kids for reading difficulties

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The Canadian Paediatric Society says doctors should regularly screen children for reading difficulties and dyslexia, calling low literacy a “serious public health concern” that can increase the risk of other problems including anxiety, low self-esteem and behavioural issues, with lifelong consequences.

New guidance issued Wednesday says family doctors, nurses, pediatricians and other medical professionals who care for school-aged kids are in a unique position to help struggling readers access educational and specialty supports, noting that identifying problems early couldhelp kids sooner — when it’s more effective — as well as reveal other possible learning or developmental issues.

The 10 recommendations include regular screening for kids aged four to seven, especially if they belong to groups at higher risk of low literacy, including newcomers to Canada, racialized Canadians and Indigenous Peoples. The society says this can be done in a two-to-three-minute office-based assessment.

Other tips encourage doctors to look for conditions often seen among poor readers such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; to advocate for early literacy training for pediatric and family medicine residents; to liaise with schools on behalf of families seeking help; and to push provincial and territorial education ministries to integrate evidence-based phonics instruction into curriculums, starting in kindergarten.

Dr. Scott McLeod, one of the authors and chair of the society’s mental health and developmental disabilities committee, said a key goal is to catch kids who may be falling through the cracks and to better connect families to resources, including quicker targeted help from schools.

“Collaboration in this area is so key because we need to move away from the silos of: everything educational must exist within the educational portfolio,” McLeod said in an interview from Calgary, where he is a developmental pediatrician at Alberta Children’s Hospital.

“Reading, yes, it’s education, but it’s also health because we know that literacy impacts health. So I think that a statement like this opens the window to say: Yes, parents can come to their health-care provider to get advice, get recommendations, hopefully start a collaboration with school teachers.”

McLeod noted that pediatricians already look for signs of low literacy in young children by way of a commonly used tool known as the Rourke Baby Record, which offers a checklist of key topics, such as nutrition and developmental benchmarks, to cover in a well-child appointment.

But he said questions about reading could be “a standing item” in checkups and he hoped the society’s statement to medical professionals who care for children “enhances their confidence in being a strong advocate for the child” while spurring partnerships with others involved in a child’s life such as teachers and psychologists.

The guidance said pediatricians also play a key role in detecting and monitoring conditions that often coexist with difficulty reading such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but McLeod noted that getting such specific diagnoses typically involves a referral to a specialist, during which time a child continues to struggle.

He also acknowledged that some schools can be slow to act without a specific diagnosis from a specialist, and even then a child may end up on a wait list for school interventions.

“Evidence-based reading instruction shouldn’t have to wait for some of that access to specialized assessments to occur,” he said.

“My hope is that (by) having an existing statement or document written by the Canadian Paediatric Society … we’re able to skip a few steps or have some of the early interventions present,” he said.

McLeod added that obtaining specific assessments from medical specialists is “definitely beneficial and advantageous” to know where a child is at, “but having that sort of clear, thorough assessment shouldn’t be a barrier to intervention starting.”

McLeod said the society was partly spurred to act by 2022’s “Right to Read Inquiry Report” from the Ontario Human Rights Commission, which made 157 recommendations to address inequities related to reading instruction in that province.

He called the new guidelines “a big reminder” to pediatric providers, family doctors, school teachers and psychologists of the importance of literacy.

“Early identification of reading difficulty can truly change the trajectory of a child’s life.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2024.

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