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In some families, Alzheimer's disease seems inevitable. Nearly a decade ago, Karen Douthitt, 57, June Ward, 61, and an older sister, Susie Gilliam, 64, set out to learn why Alzheimer's was affecting so many family members.
"It was always in our peripheral vision," said June. "Our own mother started having symptoms at age 62, so it has been a part of our life."
Since then, each sister has found out whether she carries a rare gene mutation that makes Alzheimer's inescapable.
There are three mutations that make it almost certain an individual will develop the disease, usually before age 60. There's not much that people with these mutations can do except for participate in research to hopefully help future generations find a cure. And try to make the most of every moment they have left with family.
Read more about how Karen, June and Susie reacted to what their genetic test revealed.
PLUS: you can also listen to their story on NPR's Short Wave. |
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images |
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Hollywood hunk Ryan Reynolds got a colonoscopy after losing a bet. And he's here to remind all of us to keep on top of the screenings, which can be life saving.
"I made a bet. I lost. But it still paid off," Reynolds wrote on YouTube, as part of a public awareness campaign for colon cancer.
He lost his wager with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney over whether McElhenney could learn to speak Welsh. If McElhenney won, Reynolds agreed to publicly film his colonoscopy. (Watch them talk about their
But while keeping his side of the bargain, Reynolds' doctor detected a benign polyp — tissue growths which can be a precursor to cancer.
Reynolds, who has three kids and is expecting a fourth, had no symptoms of a growing polyp and it was "extremely subtle" before it was removed, his doctor said in a video posted on Tuesday about the experience.
We know it's no fun but if Ryan Reynolds can do it, so can you. Here's what to know about when to start, how often to screen and the different ways doctors can detect signs of colon cancer. |
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We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of NPR's health journalism on Shots and follow us on Twitter at @NPRHealth.
All best,
Carmel Wroth and NPR's health editors |
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