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Tri-State cancer survivors celebrate victory during annual Evansville event

Yahoo

an hour ago

Yahoo

Tri-State cancer survivors celebrate victory during annual Evansville event

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) — Cancer Pathways hosted its annual Tri-State Cancer Survivor Day. Family and guests were treated to an afternoon of games, food and a live musical performance from a fellow survivor. The annual event is catered towards 'fighters, survivors and thrivers' — to escape doctor's appointments, treatments and side effects — to spend a day to celebrate their 'survivorship.' 'When someone gets diagnosed with cancer, their life is filled with uncertainty.' said Cancer Pathways Executive Director Krista Wilson. 'Sometimes they can't do normal things with their families anymore. So that gets put on the back burner for a bit or maybe until they're out of treatment or in a better spot. So this is just a day for them to come out and take a break.' 'It's a great feeling coming in and seeing all the people that have been impacted by cancer,' said 3-year survivor Matthew Morell. 'This is my first year for this… I'm just thankful to be here and to be here for everybody else.' Following the survivor walk, guests were treated to a live musical performance from Cancer Pathways Ambassador, and fellow survivor, Katie Watts. Watts says she was diagnosed in 2023 where she under went two throat surgeries that paralyzed her vocal folds — leaving her unable to speak or sing for nearly a year. 'I lost my voice. It was just a whisper,' said Watts. 'Singing was gone. That was my passion. But between speech therapy, different techniques and sticking with it — in about 9 to 10 months which is really rare — it came back to 85%. But honestly, I think it's 100% now. At least it feels that way.' Wilson says the event is not just for the survivors, but also for the family and caregivers who surround them. Abby Strader shares what it means to be a caregiver during a celebration like this. Her journey as a caregiver began when her then 13-month-old, Madeline, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. 'I unfortunately lost my Mom the same year my daughter was diagnosed with cancer very abruptly,' said Strader. 'It's very heartwarming and heart wrenching all at the same time to be at an event like this, but it means so much to have the opportunity to have those feelings and to have them here.' While the event gave guests the chance to create a strong community together, many of the survivors know that there is still more to their stories once they leave the building. 'I'm still not at a place where I accept that my 13-month old had cancer and I don't know when that will ever take place,' said Strader. 'But events like this at an organization like Cancer Pathways has definitely helped heal a little bit of that trauma from the diagnosis.' Event organizers say they are prepared to to have this event be 'bigger and better' year after year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Teen TikTok skin care craze may be harmful — and expensive, study finds

CNN

an hour ago

CNN

Teen TikTok skin care craze may be harmful — and expensive, study finds

Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being. When Ayva Peña got a phone at age 10, her interest in skin care skyrocketed. At first, she bonded over it with her mother, Giselle Peña. Together, they would have spa days with face masks and take occasional shopping trips to try out new products. But when the Rhode Island mother found a $300 anti-aging face cream in Ayva's medicine drawer, it gave her pause. 'I got very upset. … She's 15 years old,' Peña said. 'It says it makes your skin ageless, improves fine lines, wrinkles and firmness. I was like, 'This is not for you, girl.'' Peña is among a growing number of parents concerned about how content on social media platforms is influencing children and teens into trying out elaborate, often age-inappropriate skin care products. Now, a study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics may confirm those parents' worries. After analyzing beauty routines from 100 TikTok videos by content creators ages 7 through 18, researchers found an average of 11 potentially irritating active ingredients among their regimens, many of which carry a risk of developing skin allergies and increased sun sensitivity. Only a quarter of the lengthy product lists contained sunscreens, however. 'The majority of (children) featured in these videos didn't have any visible acne. They had perfect, clear skin,' said Dr. Molly Hales, the first study author and a board-certified dermatologist in the department of dermatology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. 'For many of them, the harms probably outweigh any potential benefits.' Between the dozens of daily serums, moisturizers, toners and cleansers featured in the videos, the average routine was six steps long, costing about $168 — with some more than $500 — for one month's worth of product, according to the study. 'When you have kids waking up at 5:30 in the morning on a school day to have enough time to layer on these complicated regimens, I think it becomes less about health and more (about) pursuing an idea of beauty that is unrealistic and problematic,' said Hales, who is also a postdoctoral research fellow at Feinberg. The findings raise serious ethical questions about how social media content influences young people in their everyday lives, she added A TikTok spokesperson, noting that this type of content is 'common across all media,' said the platform is only for users ages 13 and older, and any creators suspected to be under 13 are removed. Additionally, they said that TikTok works with third-party doctors and experts in adolescent development to implement safeguarding policies. Most of the studied skin care routines lacked a form of sunscreen but contained products that could increase sun sensitivity and risk of skin cancer, the authors found. Common active ingredients found in recommended skin products were alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs, mild chemical exfoliants that help remove top layers of skin cells, Hales said. While they have the intended effect of evening skin tone and creating a more youthful appearance, they are known to make the skin more vulnerable to the sun's ultraviolet rays. 'I would recommend daily sunscreen use for all ages and regimens, but especially for those using these (AHAs),' Hales said. 'It's a necessary step to prevent permanent skin damage.' Those AHAs, as well as vitamin-based ingredients such as niacinamide, are also considered potential irritants, carrying side effects such as redness and dryness, especially with overuse. 'In many cases, the girls may not have realized they were applying the same active ingredient again and again, which just increases the risk of irritation,' said Dr. Tara Lagu, senior study author and adjunct lecturer of medicine and medical social sciences at Feinberg. More than half the products contained fragrance — a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis — and 20 other inactive ingredients that are known allergens, according to the study. 'Misinformation is a big issue on social media, but especially for these content creators younger than 18,' said Dr. Sonal Shah, a board-certified dermatologist in Cleveland and director of pediatric dermatology at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Shah was not involved in the study. 'These are sources that perhaps don't have a scientific background and are not well read in the science behind a lot of these products, how they work, or what risks they carry,' Shah said, adding that there are board-certified dermatologists on TikTok that could offer more credible advice. Other concerning trends Shah has seen in her practice, but were not mentioned in the study, include mechanical exfoliants, such as scrubbing wands or cleansers containing plastic microbeads, which are often too rough for facial skin. The study also noted that many of the creators were offering tips relevant to those with lighter complexions, which may exclude the unique skin care considerations of darker complexions while perpetuating harmful ideals of 'brighter' skin associated with whiteness. Both Shah and Hales recommend children under 18 who are not dealing with acne use a gentle cleanser with no active ingredients, paired with a fragrance-free moisturizer and a daily mineral sunscreen. In general, children will not benefit from anti-aging products that promise to boost skin elasticity or eliminate fine lines, Shah said. In these young ages, collagen production is at the highest it will ever be. As children reach puberty, however, they may produce more acne-causing hormones. In those cases, Shah recommends adding an over-the-counter product with salicylic acid or a low percentage of benzoyl peroxide. 'Their skin care does not have to be complicated and does not have to be very expensive,' Shah said. Parents 'can talk to a board-certified dermatologist or pediatric dermatologist if there are skin concerns that are significant or don't respond to over-the-counter treatment.' Ultimately, if parents are concerned about their child's skin care regimen, they should talk about it, said Jennifer Harriger, a professor of psychology at Pepperdine University who studies childhood development, in a statement. 'I think that it is always best to have open conversations with children about the messages they see on social media as well as their own intentions behind purchasing particular skincare products,' said Harriger, who was not involved in the study. It's also important to keep an open mind, understanding the social dimension of youth beauty and wellness content, Hales said. 'These videos show a kind of playful self-expression that's very appealing to this age group,' Hales said. 'These are girls who are just starting to develop their own sense of independent identity, how they present (themselves) in the world, their gender identity, and in many cases what it means to be a girl in our society.'

CNN

an hour ago

CNN

Teen TikTok skin care craze may be harmful — and expensive, study finds

Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being. When Ayva Peña got a phone at age 10, her interest in skin care skyrocketed. At first, she bonded over it with her mother, Giselle Peña. Together, they would have spa days with face masks and take occasional shopping trips to try out new products. But when the Rhode Island mother found a $300 anti-aging face cream in Ayva's medicine drawer, it gave her pause. 'I got very upset. … She's 15 years old,' Peña said. 'It says it makes your skin ageless, improves fine lines, wrinkles and firmness. I was like, 'This is not for you, girl.'' Peña is among a growing number of parents concerned about how content on social media platforms is influencing children and teens into trying out elaborate, often age-inappropriate skin care products. Now, a study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics may confirm those parents' worries. After analyzing beauty routines from 100 TikTok videos by content creators ages 7 through 18, researchers found an average of 11 potentially irritating active ingredients among their regimens, many of which carry a risk of developing skin allergies and increased sun sensitivity. Only a quarter of the lengthy product lists contained sunscreens, however. 'The majority of (children) featured in these videos didn't have any visible acne. They had perfect, clear skin,' said Dr. Molly Hales, the first study author and a board-certified dermatologist in the department of dermatology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. 'For many of them, the harms probably outweigh any potential benefits.' Between the dozens of daily serums, moisturizers, toners and cleansers featured in the videos, the average routine was six steps long, costing about $168 — with some more than $500 — for one month's worth of product, according to the study. 'When you have kids waking up at 5:30 in the morning on a school day to have enough time to layer on these complicated regimens, I think it becomes less about health and more (about) pursuing an idea of beauty that is unrealistic and problematic,' said Hales, who is also a postdoctoral research fellow at Feinberg. The findings raise serious ethical questions about how social media content influences young people in their everyday lives, she added A TikTok spokesperson, noting that this type of content is 'common across all media,' said the platform is only for users ages 13 and older, and any creators suspected to be under 13 are removed. Additionally, they said that TikTok works with third-party doctors and experts in adolescent development to implement safeguarding policies. Most of the studied skin care routines lacked a form of sunscreen but contained products that could increase sun sensitivity and risk of skin cancer, the authors found. Common active ingredients found in recommended skin products were alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs, mild chemical exfoliants that help remove top layers of skin cells, Hales said. While they have the intended effect of evening skin tone and creating a more youthful appearance, they are known to make the skin more vulnerable to the sun's ultraviolet rays. 'I would recommend daily sunscreen use for all ages and regimens, but especially for those using these (AHAs),' Hales said. 'It's a necessary step to prevent permanent skin damage.' Those AHAs, as well as vitamin-based ingredients such as niacinamide, are also considered potential irritants, carrying side effects such as redness and dryness, especially with overuse. 'In many cases, the girls may not have realized they were applying the same active ingredient again and again, which just increases the risk of irritation,' said Dr. Tara Lagu, senior study author and adjunct lecturer of medicine and medical social sciences at Feinberg. More than half the products contained fragrance — a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis — and 20 other inactive ingredients that are known allergens, according to the study. 'Misinformation is a big issue on social media, but especially for these content creators younger than 18,' said Dr. Sonal Shah, a board-certified dermatologist in Cleveland and director of pediatric dermatology at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Shah was not involved in the study. 'These are sources that perhaps don't have a scientific background and are not well read in the science behind a lot of these products, how they work, or what risks they carry,' Shah said, adding that there are board-certified dermatologists on TikTok that could offer more credible advice. Other concerning trends Shah has seen in her practice, but were not mentioned in the study, include mechanical exfoliants, such as scrubbing wands or cleansers containing plastic microbeads, which are often too rough for facial skin. The study also noted that many of the creators were offering tips relevant to those with lighter complexions, which may exclude the unique skin care considerations of darker complexions while perpetuating harmful ideals of 'brighter' skin associated with whiteness. Both Shah and Hales recommend children under 18 who are not dealing with acne use a gentle cleanser with no active ingredients, paired with a fragrance-free moisturizer and a daily mineral sunscreen. In general, children will not benefit from anti-aging products that promise to boost skin elasticity or eliminate fine lines, Shah said. In these young ages, collagen production is at the highest it will ever be. As children reach puberty, however, they may produce more acne-causing hormones. In those cases, Shah recommends adding an over-the-counter product with salicylic acid or a low percentage of benzoyl peroxide. 'Their skin care does not have to be complicated and does not have to be very expensive,' Shah said. Parents 'can talk to a board-certified dermatologist or pediatric dermatologist if there are skin concerns that are significant or don't respond to over-the-counter treatment.' Ultimately, if parents are concerned about their child's skin care regimen, they should talk about it, said Jennifer Harriger, a professor of psychology at Pepperdine University who studies childhood development, in a statement. 'I think that it is always best to have open conversations with children about the messages they see on social media as well as their own intentions behind purchasing particular skincare products,' said Harriger, who was not involved in the study. It's also important to keep an open mind, understanding the social dimension of youth beauty and wellness content, Hales said. 'These videos show a kind of playful self-expression that's very appealing to this age group,' Hales said. 'These are girls who are just starting to develop their own sense of independent identity, how they present (themselves) in the world, their gender identity, and in many cases what it means to be a girl in our society.'

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Tri-State cancer survivors celebrate victory during annual Evansville event

Teen TikTok skin care craze may be harmful — and expensive, study finds

Teen TikTok skin care craze may be harmful — and expensive, study finds

Lutheran Home and Alzheimer's Association Launch New Education Series During Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

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Tri-State cancer survivors celebrate victory during annual Evansville event

Teen TikTok skin care craze may be harmful — and expensive, study finds

Teen TikTok skin care craze may be harmful — and expensive, study finds

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