Global cancer report highlights inequities

Gaza neurosurgeon; how long does COVID immunity last?

Goats and Soda editor's note Roberta Ciuccio/AFP via Getty Images Cancer surgeon Dr. Andre Ilbawi, a cancer specialist with the World Health Organization, remembers meeting a 37-year-old woman in Kenya whose breast cancer was so advanced that her death was imminent. He told NPR that if she had been diagnosed early on and treated, he believes she would likely have gone on to live a long life. Her suffering, he says, made him "want to scream so loud that you would lose your voice." A new report on cancer from the World Health Organization is a reminder of how in lower income countries just getting a diagnosis can be a challenge. The lack of health-care resources means that women in these circumstances often do not have easy access to specialists and to appropriate technology. So even though the incidence of breast cancer, for example, is higher in wealthier countries, the risk of dying from the disease is substantially greater for women in lower income nations. Yet in spite of the inequities, Ilbawi sees reason to hope for better outcomes around the world -- new programs that are beginning to bring better care to women in all corners of the globe. Read the story here. Marc Silver, Editor, Goats and Soda Newsletter continues after sponsor message Middle East crisis Christopher Pike for NPR Why this neurosurgeon chose to stay in his beloved Gaza — and why he left Since boyhood, Husam Abukhedeir wanted to become a doctor and serve his people. He overcame obstacles to get his medical credentials and practiced neurosurgery at Al-Shifa Hospital. Then came the war. Jamie Kelter Davis for NPR A Holocaust survivor identifies with the pain of both sides in the Israel-Hamas war As a girl of 10, Estelle Laughlin and her family were forced into the Warsaw Ghetto, then sent to a concentration camp. She lived through the Nazi genocide. This new war has shaken her to her core. coronavirus FAQ Marc Silver/NPR How long does my post-COVID protection last? When is it booster time? How long does immunity last after an infection? Are rapid tests always accurate? How often is a booster in order? In this installment of our FAQ series, we look into questions about "COVID time." goat news Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images Hey lil' goat, can you tell the difference between a happy voice and an angry voice? Dogs tune into the tone of human voices. Do livestock? To find out, goatologists ran an experiment using a hidden speaker that broadcast two versions of the phrase "Hey, look over here." As a new year dawns, we asked our readers to send us their global wishes. Here's what they're hoping for. links we like The New Yorker asks us to "Consider the Vulture" in a story looking at how Nepalis are working to save the essential but endangered birds. Maasai women are stepping up to play a leadership role in the wildlife reserve that's part of their Kenyan land. The Guardian reports. The new Netflix documentary The Greatest Night in Pop offers a star-studded look at the recording of the 1985 charity single "We are the World," which has raised millions of dollars to fight famine in Ethiopia. Among the anecdotes in this AP story about the film: Stevie Wonder wanted to have a line sung in Swahili until it was pointed out that that language is not spoken in Ethiopia. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: goatsandsoda@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Health, Daily News, Code Switch and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Goats and Soda emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy