Latest news with #Martha
Elle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 6, Episode 5 Recap: June And Moria's Undercover Mission Hits Some Snags
Spoilers below. If there is one thing June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) knows on The Handmaid's Tale, it's that nothing ever goes according to plan in the fight against Gilead. But this uncertainty has made June an expert at adapting to tricky situations, which she puts into practice when the undercover mission to Jezebel's with Moira (Samira Wiley) hits major snags that require quick thinking from the pair. Given how tense it was between the best friends last week, it isn't surprising that this tension boils over in these fraught circumstances. FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE June and Moira aren't the only ones finding themselves in a tricky predicament; Nick (Max Minghella) has to clean up a mess of his own making, and Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) isn't as popular as he thought he was. Plus, Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) receives a surprise offer that could change her entire trajectory in the final season. Getting into Jezebel's is easy. There is nothing unusual about two Marthas arriving in a delivery van (Luke is the driver), and it helps that Moira and June's faces are partially covered, which are now part of the uniform. The plan is to find Janine (Madeline Brewer), tell her about the Mayday plan to assassinate commanders in the penthouse, and then get out unnoticed. Sounds simple enough, but when they try to locate Janine, they learn that the commanders are making an unscheduled visit to Jezebel's. Rather than bail, June talks their way upstairs under the guise of making final preparations for the commanders. Time and circumstances lead to a more muted reunion, but Janine's face still lights up when she finds out a rescue and assassination plan is in motion. Janine gives June a keycard to one of the bedrooms, telling them to wait until she can slip away. Upon arriving, Commander Bell (Timothy Simons) tells the Martha pair to 'get your ugly butts out'. He also uses the spilled champagne to humiliate one of the Marthas, telling June to kneel and clean his pants. Lawrence stops this, and June purposefully turns her face away so he can't see her eyes. Yet, Lawrence has the look of recognition (but can't put his finger on why) as she walks away. June tells Moria that Lawrence's attendance is a surprise, as he 'was never a Jezebel's guy'. Maybe she doesn't know him as well as she thinks she does? Later, emotions run high when June tells Janine the plan details. Janine has letters the other women have written to their families for June to deliver. To aid their operation, Janine gives an updated map of the private elevator and the pass code. In the heat of the moment, June tells Janine to leave with them today, and someone else can coordinate with the other women. Janine says she can't 'leave without my girls' and will wait a week until Mayday comes in, guns blazing. After Janine leaves, Moira lets June know how irresponsible that was. June admits that the impulsive offer was her way of making up for her leaving Janine in Chicago. But if Janine had gone with them, security at Jezebel's would be impossible to penetrate, and the main plan would fail. June mentions how guilty she feels, leading Moira to vent her pent-up frustrations against her BFF. 'Your guilt. Your feelings. Your friends. Your trauma. You, you, you, you. Do you have any idea how fucking sick of you I am?!' This confrontation has been a long time coming, as June is always the center of everything. Moira raises multiple valid points. 'Do I get to have PTSD? Do I get to have guilt? Friends? Trauma?' Moira continues. Moira is living in a nightmare too, yet it is always about June. As they compare their horrifying experiences, the conversation starts with anger, followed by laughter, and then understanding. The mood quickly shifts once more because as Moira and June are making up, a guardian comes into the room and finds the materials Janine left behind. He locks the letters and map in a safe and will only give them back after he has raped both women. The Handmaid's Tale is at its most horrifying when it goes from memories of abuse and rape to it happening in real time. Moira fights back with June quickly joining in, and with two against one, they overpower the guardian. Moira wraps a phone cord around his neck, killing the man. But they can't get the letters and map out of the safe, and the dead body will definitely put an end to the plan. Moira quickly thinks of an alternative solution to buy them time. They wheel his body to the incinerator in the basement in the laundry, and are disposing of the remains when the guardian check-in call comes over the radio. The pair doesn't have long to get out before a complete lockdown. Unfortunately, security stops Luke (O-T Fagbenle) from making a pickup, and they have to find an alternative escape. Luckily, Lawrence is leaving in his car, and June uses her gut that he is the man she thought he was. 'Ah, hell no,' says Lawrence when she steps out in front of his car. June begs him to take her and Moira, and he relents. They get in the trunk, but don't know if he can get them out of Gilead. Are they stuck here? Perhaps Lawrence should've listened to his wife, Naomi (Ever Carradine), who said that the high commanders associate virility with power. At Jezebel's, Lawrence keeps up appearances, but still thinks his reforms are the key to power. First, he overrules Bell when it comes to Janine telling the high commander he is 'a pig' and 'no one here likes you, no one, and no one respects you.' Bell might be vile, yet he still has the ear of the other men. When Janine takes Lawrence into the adjoining bedroom, she reveals a peephole that the girls of Jezebel's use to get an idea of the men they are dealing with. Janine also tells Lawrence, 'You're not a good guy,' but he is in comparison to the other high commanders. She then makes her excuses before heading to see June and Moira. Lawrence's eyes are opened when he learns he is part of a long con to get as many people back to Gilead before they close New Bethlehem and the borders, and the country returns to its harshest practices. Lawrence will be blamed, and then Bell will want to see him on the wall. The others are hesitant about the latter, but Bell convinces them it is the way forward. Lawrence takes his glasses off in disbelief. Mayday might just have a new ally in the making. Commander Wharton (Josh Charles) checks in with Nick about the busy day in New Bethlehem, as 26 more families reunite?. The question of security comes up, and Nick says it is his highest priority, so Wharton wants to know what he is doing about the two guardians who were shot in no man's land by rebels, as it was an 'alarming breach' on Nick's watch. Nick is surprised to learn that one of the men is recovering from being shot point-blank, and tries to sound happy about it. Nick was the man who pulled the trigger (to aid June, Luke, and Moira's escape), and must keep this involvement from his father-in-law (and everyone else in Gilead). Nick visits Toby, the surviving guardian, in hospital, and is warmly greeted by Toby's mother. Though Toby has been mumbling so far, the chances of a full recovery are slim. Nick tells his mother to take a break, offering to stay with Toby. She calls Nick an angel, but little does she know the commander is the culprit. After she has gone, Toby's heart rate goes up when he sees Nick, suggesting recognition. However, he says something unrelated about his dog. Nick briefly leaves, but returns to the room as it is far too dangerous for him to leave a loose end. We don't see Nick killing Toby, but the locked door and ominous music suggest Toby will not be identifying the person who shot him. What is doing the right thing in Gilead? How can someone make up for all their wrongs? Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) continues to make a case for saving Janine and the other former handmaids from Jezebel's, turning to Serena for help. Lydia says that her girls suffered greatly in Serena's house, and Serena replies that they also suffered greatly in Lydia's house. Neither is wrong—the unifying factor in Gilead is hypocrisy. Serena thinks opening a fertility clinic in New Bethlehem could be a suitable place for former handmaids to be assigned, as fertility is a handmaid's brand (Lydia bristles at this wording, calling it a 'divine calling'). During Lydia's visit, Serena receives a giant bouquet, and Lydia wants to know if Serena is going dancing with Commander Wharton again. Serena tries to play it down, but the commander wants to see her before he goes back to Washington for work. Wharton has a big gesture planned under the guise of picking a new name for the library. A mock-up reveals his preferred choice is the 'Serena Joy & Gabriel Wharton Library'. Yep, this is a proposal, and it catches Serena off guard. She didn't come back to be a wife. Wharton reassures her he will be everything Fred was not, and she doesn't have to move or stop working. The influential high commanders want to change the world together, convincing Serena that this will be a true partnership. Wharton gets down on one knee, and Serena says yes. Like June, Lawrence, and Nick, she makes a gut decision. Will she regret returning to this path? Only time will tell. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. Emma Fraser is a freelance culture writer with a focus on TV, movies, and costume design. You can find her talking about all of these things on Twitter.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
The secret to men's glowing skin: is simplicity the key to skincare success?
Social media is abuzz with the 'wash your face like a man' trend, a hilarious and relatable commentary on men's minimalist hygiene. Image: Tima Miroshnichenko/pexels Let's face it, skincare can feel unfair. Women often spend countless hours (and thousands of rands) perfecting 10-step routines, only to battle persistent breakouts, dryness and frustration. Meanwhile, men slap on a bar of soap meant for their face, their body and their hair and somehow walk away with glowing skin. The absurdity of this imbalance has sparked a viral conversation online, with millions of users poking fun at the simplicity of male grooming habits and questioning how this 'one-bar miracle' even works. Now, a viral trend: 'Wash your face like a man' has social media is abuzz with hilarious and relatable commentary on men's minimalist hygiene. It all started when Instagram creator Martha shared a video demonstrating how men aggressively scrub their faces with just soap and water and still manage to have clear skin. The video, now boasting over 4.3 million views, resonated deeply as women everywhere chimed in with disbelief and humour. Here are some of the responses to the viral video: 'Men treat their face like a car windshield and still have perfect skin.' 'My man uses dish soap and has the nerve to glow.' 'Why do they wash their eyeballs so aggressively?' While the trend delivers plenty of laughs, it also raises a serious question: why does this low-maintenance routine work for some and is it actually healthy for your skin? The truth about soap and skin According to dermatologists, the soap-and-go lifestyle isn't as universally effective as it appears. What works for one person's skin might wreak havoc on another's. 1. Soap strips natural oils Speaking to the "Hindustan Times", Dr Anil KV Minz, a senior dermatologist at Marengo Asia Hospitals, explained that regular soap can strip the skin of its natural oils. 'While some people with normal skin may get away with using soap, it can cause dryness and irritation, particularly in sensitive areas like the beard, ears and eyebrows,' he said. For individuals with dry skin, eczema or allergies, soap can aggravate existing issues. Even those with oily skin might experience dryness and irritation if soap is overused. 2. Soap disrupts your skin's pH balance Most soaps are alkaline, while our skin naturally prefers a slightly acidic pH of 5.5. When you use soap on your face, it can disrupt the skin's natural pH balance. This disruption can weaken the skin's protective barrier, leading to dryness, tightness, redness, or even more breakouts over time. Differently, facial cleansers are specifically formulated to be gentle, maintaining the skin's natural pH while still removing dirt and oil. The viral trend might make it seem like men's minimalism is the secret to flawless skin but dermatologists agree: that skincare isn't one-size-fits-all. Some men with naturally oily or resilient skin might be able to handle soap without issue, especially in hot and humid climates. But for most people especially those with dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin soap alone can cause long-term damage. The key is tailoring your skincare to your skin type and lifestyle. A simple routine doesn't have to involve 10 steps or need to break the bank. Even adding a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser can make a world of difference. Why some men's skin 'glows' effortlessly So, why do men often seem to have better skin despite their low-effort routines? Martha demonstrating how men aggressively scrub their faces with just soap and water and still manage to have clear skin. Image: Screenshot/instagram Experts suggest a few reasons: 1. Thicker skin: Men's skin is about 25% thicker than women's, thanks to testosterone. This makes it more resilient to environmental damage. 2. Higher oil production: Men's sebaceous glands produce more oil, which naturally moisturises the skin and helps maintain its glow. 3. Simple routines: Minimalism might actually help. Using fewer products means fewer chances of irritation from harsh ingredients or over-exfoliation. The humour of the 'wash your face like a man' trend underscores an important point: skincare is deeply personal. While men's low-maintenance routines might work for them, many people especially women need more care to keep their skin healthy and comfortable. Social media is abuzz with the 'wash your face like a man' trend, a hilarious and relatable commentary on men's minimalist hygiene. Image: Tima Miroshnichenko/pexels
Buzz Feed
6 days ago
- Buzz Feed
23 Female Serial Killers
Dana Sue Gray, who murdered three elderly women in 1994 in Southern California through violent methods like stabbing and strangling. Gray was arrested after one of her intended victims survived and identified her. It turned out her crimes were financially motivated; she killed to steal credit cards and valuables to fund her shopping habits. She is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla. Martha Wise, often referred to as the "Poison Widow of Hardscrabble," was an American serial killer from Ohio who was active in the 1920s. She poisoned 17 of her family members, which resulted in three deaths and 14 injuries. Her weapon of choice was arsenic, which she administered through water buckets and coffee pots. In March 1925, after confessing to authorities who had become suspicious of her large purchases of arsenic, Martha was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life 1962, after serving 37 years in prison, Martha had her sentence commuted to second-degree murder due to her good behavior. However, no family members would take her in, and rest homes refused to accept her. Within three days, she returned to prison, where her parole was revoked. Martha died in the Ohio Reformatory for Women on June 28, 1971, at the age of 88. Karla Homolka, a serial killer who acted as an accomplice with her husband Paul Bernardo (also a serial killer) in the rapes and murders of at least three teenagers, including her own sister from 1990–1992. According to CBC News, "Bernardo was convicted in 1995 of the kidnapping, raping, and murdering of southern Ontario teenagers Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy. Homolka portrayed herself as the innocent victim of a murderous monster. She struck a deal with prosecutors (later dubbed the "deal with the devil") and pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the deaths in exchange for a 12-year prison sentence. But videotapes of the crimes, found after the plea bargain, showed her to be a more active participant. Public outrage about Homolka's sentence had barely cooled by the time of her extremely high-profile release from prison in 2005." Kristen Gilbert, a former nurse who worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Northhampton, Massachusetts in the late '80s. She was convicted of four murders and two attempted murders of patients. Over time, her coworkers grew suspicious when they realized the deaths of her patients also coincided with a noticeable shortage of epinephrine. Rumors started to go around about her and Gilbert soon quit. After an investigation and trial, she was convicted of first-degree murder of three veterans, second-degree murder of a fourth, and attempted murder of two more. Stacey Castor, a convicted murderer from Weedsport, New York who killed her husband with antifreeze, attempted to kill her daughter with crushed pills mixed into a drink and was also suspected of killing her first husband in the 2000s. Castor's case became so widespread in the national news that there was even a special two-hour edition of ABC's 20/20 about it in 2009. Linda Hazzard, aka "The Starvation Doctor," who was responsible for at least 15 deaths in the state of Washington in the early 1900s. Hazzard had no medical degree, but due to a loophole for practicing alternative medicine, was actually licensed to practice medicine in Washington state. Hazzard created a sanitarium called Wilderness Heights in Olalla, Washington, where she "treated" patients via fasting, giving them only small amounts of juices. Although some patients actually survived her care, she was convicted of manslaughter in 1912 and was sentenced to 2 to 20 years in prison. She was released on parole in December 1915 after serving two years and even received a full pardon the following year. She died in 1938 from starvation while attempting a fasting cure. Amy Archer-Gilligan, a serial killer who also ran a nursing home, murdered at least five people by poisoning them in Windsor, Connecticut during the early 1900s. According to the New York Times, "In 1916, Mrs. Gilligan was arrested. State police, after an investigation, concluded that she had shortened the lives of up to two dozen or so men by poisoning them with arsenic. One of them was Michael W. Gilligan, her second husband. [...] The arrest of Mrs. Gilligan and her trial in 1917, after many bodies had been exhumed, rocked the state." Sara María Aldrete, aka "La Madrina," a convicted serial killer who also ran a drug-smuggling and human sacrifice cult with a man named Adolfo Constanzo in Mexico during the '80s. According to the San Francisco Gate, "All their victims except Mark Kilroy [a college student] were from Mexico. They were slaughtered in what police said were satanic rituals involving candles, machetes, and chants." Beverley Allitt aka "The Angel of Death," who was convicted of killing four children, attempting to murder three more, and causing grievous bodily harm to six others at a hospital in Lincolnshire, England between February and April of 1991. According to the Radio Times, "Allitt is currently serving three life sentences in Nottinghamshire-based psychiatric ward Rampton Secure Hospital." Nannie Doss, aka "Giggling Granny" and the "Lonely Hearts Killer," who was responsible for the deaths of at least a dozen people between the 1920s and 1950s, including four husbands, two children, and other family members. According to the Muskogee Phoenix, "She confessed to only killing her four husbands. Exhumations revealed she killed at least 12 family members, which she blamed on [a] childhood head injury. Journalists called her 'Giggling Granny' because she laughed whenever she told how she killed her husbands." Marybeth Tinning, whose nine children died suspiciously under her care in New York during the 1970s. It is believed she poisoned them over a span of several years. Before being caught, she managed to convince people her children had died of different things like acute meningitis, seizures, cardiac arrest, sudden infant death syndrome, acute pulmonary edema, and bronchial pneumonia. According to the Associated Press, "Under questioning by state police investigators in early 1986, she admitted to smothering the girl [her ninth child, Tami Lynne] as well as two of her sons. Prosecutors indicted her for the three deaths, with the lone conviction coming in the case of Tami Lynne's killing." Miyuki Ishikawa, aka the "Demon Midwife", who was charged with murdering many infants (possibly even over 100) through purposeful neglect. Her crimes were committed with accomplices during the 1940s in post-World War II Japan. While the story is complicated — her crimes related to poverty struggles people in Japan faced after the war — according to All That's Interesting, "When she was finally apprehended, her death toll was so high that to this day, she remains the most prolific serial killer in Japanese history and one of the most prolific female serial killers in the world." Rosemary West, a serial killer in England who murdered, sexually assaulted, and tortured at least nine women (possibly more) along with her husband, Fred, from 1973–1987. According to Sky News, "Many of the Wests' victims, who were all young women, were found buried in the cellar or garden of their house." Fred died by suicide in prison in 1995, while Rosemary remains in a prison in Yorkshire serving a life sentence. Aileen Wuornos, aka "The Damsel of Death," a serial killer who murdered and robbed six men (and possibly a seventh) while doing sex work in Florida from 1989–1990. According to CNN, Wuornos initially claimed she acted in self-defense. However, Sgt. Bob Kelley of the Volusia County Sheriff's Department — who investigated the case — later said, "After she was convicted of the first murder of Richard Mallory, she then pled guilty to the others, and after a certain point in time she started to recant and say she wasn't a victim. She simply robbed and killed those men to gain their personal property and to gain money." Wuronos was executed on Oct. 9, 2002. Belle Gunness, a Norwegian American serial killer active in Illinois and Indiana from 1884–1908, suspected of killing up to 15 men for insurance. Her children died in a house fire in 1908 and it's unclear if the body of a woman found with them was Belle. According to All That's Interesting, "Gunness had a system. After murdering her two husbands, the Norwegian-American woman posted ads in the paper looking for men to invest in her farm. Fellow Norwegian Americans flocked to her property — hoping for a taste of home along with a solid business opportunity. She also posted ads in lovelorn columns to attract wealthy bachelors. To lure her last victim, Gunness wrote: 'My heart beats in wild rapture for you, My Andrew, I love you. Come prepared to stay forever.'" Dorothea Puente, who ran a boarding house in Sacramento, California where she killed various elderly people and people with mental disabilities in the '80s. The total victim count reached nine confirmed murders and six unconfirmed. Puente was charged with a total of nine murders and convicted of three of those. She received two life sentences without the possibility of parole and died in prison at Chowchilla on March 27, 2011, from natural causes. Myra Hindley who was called "the most evil woman in Britain" in the press for her involvement in killing five children with her partner Ian Brady in the 1960s. According to BBC News, "Ian Brady and Myra Hindley tortured, sexually assaulted, and murdered five youngsters in 1963–65, burying four of them on Saddleworth Moor (an area in North West England)." Elizabeth Báthory, a Hungarian countess who is believed to have tortured and killed hundreds of young women in the 16th and 17th centuries. The lore is that the countess thought bathing in her victims' virginal blood would give her eternal youth. According to National Geographic, "Some witnesses estimated her body count at more than 600. Yet the countess was never convicted, and her husband could not be prosecuted from his grave. Instead, four of Báthory's servants were convicted of violence against young women in her castles. The countess, meanwhile, remained locked in her spacious jail until she died in 1614, at the age of 54." Tillie Klimek, who claimed to have "precognitive dreams" predicting her victims' deaths. She is believed to have poisoned and killed three husbands as well as neighborhood children in Chicago during the 1920s along with an accomplice. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, a March 6, 1923 story read, "Tillie Klimek and Nellie Stormer Koulik, the so-called 'arsenic widows' of the Polish quarter, were placed on trial today for the murder of one of the numerous husbands they are alleged to have poisoned. Apparently, the women killed Klimek's second husband for insurance money and later married and poisoned other husbands." Blanche Taylor Moore, a suspected serial killer who was convicted of poisoning her boyfriend and was also believed to be responsible for the death of her first husband, father, and mother-in-law. According to CBS 17, as of February 2023, "Neither her bout with cancer nor the death penalty have claimed her life, making her the oldest woman in the United States on death row." Frances Knorr, aka the "Baby Farming Murderess," an English woman who moved to Australia, became a baby farmer, and is believed to have killed, by strangulation, multiple children in the late 1800s. According to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Knorr was tried and found guilty and ultimately hanged on Jan. 15, 1894, for her crimes. Amelia Dyer, another baby farmer turned serial killer in England who adopted and then murdered many children over a 30-year period in the late 1800s. According to BBC News, "Recently widowed and with a daughter to support, she learned of the practice [of baby farming] from a colleague. In 1869 she began advertising in local papers — 'Married couple with no family would adopt healthy child, nice country home. Terms - £10.' But instead of providing a safe and loving home, she would instead take the child for a fee and murder them — either by starving them, drugging them with an opiate-laced cordial known as Mother's Friend, or by strangulation." Finally, Joanne Dennehy who committed a series of murders in Cambridgeshire, England in March 2013. All three of her victims were male and she had killed them by stabbing. According to the Independent, "After killing her third victim, she phoned a friend to sing the Britney Spears song 'Oops… I Did It Again' and danced a jig of delight when she saw a television news report about the killings, which took place over two weeks."
The Journal
6 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
'If my mum was here she'd be fighting for this': Group demands breast cancer screening changes
A GROUP OF breast cancer survivors, and families who have been impacted by breast cancer, including those who have lost loved ones spoke about the need for changes to breast cancer screening in the Dáil today. Lobular Ireland, a group that promotes awareness of invasive lobular breast cancer, which can present differently to other types of the disease, is calling for mandatory breast density reporting in mammograms both in the public and private sector. In other parts of the world including Canada, the US, and Australia women are informed of their breast density, but although campaigners have been calling for the same to be done here since 2018, there has been little political discourse or conversation on the issue in that time. Breast density is a risk factor for cancer, as research has established that dense breasts have more cells than can potentially become cancerous cells, and dense breast tissue can make it harder for radiologists to see cancer on mammograms. Both breast tissue and tumours appear as white in mammograms, making it harder to establish a diagnosis in some cases. Nearly half of women aged over 40 have dense breasts, research suggests. Martha Lovett Cullen and her mother Marian. Martha Cullen Lovett's mother, Marian Lovett, got the all clear from a routine BreastCheck mammogram scan in August of 2022. A year later, she noticed a small lump in her breast and a change in her breast size, which she went to have seen by a GP. It was initially suggested to her that she should wait until her next scheduled mammogram, but she insisted on having a private mammogram. In October 2023 a mammogram revealed a suspicious shadow. Further testing revealed that Marian had dense breast tissue. The following month she was diagnosed with breast cancer, with a diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer confirmed later. In August 2024, shortly after her 61st birthday, Marian was admitted to hospital with pneumonia and fluid around her heart. Towards the end of that month her condition rapidly declined. On 26 August she passed away. Marian's death was an immense shock for Martha and her whole family – a matter of days before she had been having coffee in the hospital cafe with her mum. She says that her mother, who was originally from Tralee, was incredibly passionate about social justice and the arts – Marian worked as the Director of Temple Bar Gallery + Studio for ten years, and later ran the Limerick City Gallery of Art. 'More than that, she was just the most warm, selfless person. She raised me and my little brother with so much love. She cared so deeply about social justice and she wasn't afraid to speak out when something was wrong, she followed cases like Vicky Phelan's and Savita Halappanavar's closely and was always calling out injustices for women in Ireland, especially for women,' Martha said. Now, she is joining Lobular Ireland's call for breast density monitoring in Ireland. 'I think the big thing that stood out to her when she was diagnosed with breast cancer was that she was also told she had dense breasts for the first time, which kind of masked her tumour. Advertisement 'Throughout the whole time she was sick, she was really frustrated and confused as to why she wasn't told about it sooner. She did a lot of research into it herself, and she couldn't understand why that information isn't given out here, because it could lead to someone going for further testing, and getting an earlier diagnosis,' Martha said. It's been a devastating time for Marian's family, but Martha is determined to share their story in order to see change enacted. 'One thing we'll always wonder is if she knew she had dense breasts when she got that all clear mammogram, or when she started getting her breasts checked age 50, would she have been more aware of the risks, could it have made a difference? 'Maybe it could have kept her around, maybe not forever, but maybe it could have given us more time with her,' Martha reflected. She added that during her life, her mother taught her that 'silence isn't an option'. 'I still carry that with me every day, which is why I'm fighting for this on her behalf,' Martha added. Campaigner Siobhan Feeney. Siobhan Feeney is one of the founders of Lobular Ireland who spoke in the Dáil today. She herself was given the all clear after a routine mammogram in 2015. Just six months later she was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive lobular breast cancer at the age of 55. 'It was a tumour measuring seven centimetres, but I was later told that it was a slow growing form of cancer rather than it being aggressive, so I did wonder how it could be the case that it was missed,' she said. Siobhan had decided to go for a check up after noticing that her nipple on her right side looked as though it was being pulled in a particular direction. She was offered another mammogram and requested an ultrasound, which eventually led to her diagnosis. Siobhan ended up having a full right side mastectomy. During her time receiving chemotherapy and recovering from surgery, after learning that she had dense breast tissue, Siobhan researched the risks associated with dense breast tissue in-depth, and began the campaign to bring in reporting on it here. Members of Lobular Ireland calling for politicians to act at the Dáil today. 'I'm years at this now, and it's taken too long for us to be having this conversation in the Oireachtas today. In 2021 and 2022 we made submissions to the National Screening Advisory Committee to consider mandatory reporting of breast density. 'Telling a woman with dense breasts her mammogram is clear is incomplete information. There are studies that indicate up to 50% of breast cancers are missed on mammograms of women with dense breasts. Women do not know this because we are not being told. The Government now has it within its powers to make these changes,' Siobhan said. UCD Professor of Cancer Biology William Gallagher joined Siobhan and the other group members for the presentation today. Labour Party Senator Nessa Cosgrove invited the group to speak in the Dáil today. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
'Wash your face like a man' trend is hilarious but here's what experts say
A new trend on social media called "wash your face like a man" is getting millions of views and laughs. It started when Instagram creator Martha posted a video on Instagram showing how men often wash their faces with just soap and water and still have clear skin. Meanwhile, many women use multiple skincare products every day and still struggle with skin problems. The video, which has over 4.3 million views, has sparked a lot of discussion about skincare routines and what really works. The internet is also finding it hilarious, with comments like 'Why do they wash their eyeballs so aggressively?' and 'When I use this method, my skin looks so good tho.' Others joked, 'Men treat their face like a car windshield and still have perfect skin,' and 'My man uses dish soap and has the nerve to glow.' A post shared by Girls (@girls) So what's the truth behind this trend? Are men's simple routines enough or is there more to the story? A post shared by Chitra Sharma (@thecrankbrown) Experts explain why washing your face with just soap might not be the best idea for everyone. Dr Anil KV Minz, a senior dermatologist at Marengo Asia Hospitals in Faridabad, says that regular soap might be fine for people with normal skin but it can cause problems for those with dry or sensitive skin. 'Normal soaps can strip away natural oils from the skin,' he explains. This can leave some areas like the beard, ears, and eyebrows dry and irritated. People with dry skin, eczema, or allergies should be especially careful. Even people with normal skin can benefit from simple skincare tailored to their skin type and the season. Dr Minz adds that expensive treatments are not always necessary. Taking good care of your skin with the right products can make a big difference. Dr Harsimran Kaur, a consultant dermatologist and medical advisor at Kaya Limited, explains that most soaps are alkaline while our skin prefers to be slightly acidic, with a pH of about 5.5. 'When you use soap on your face, it can disrupt the skin's natural pH balance,' she says. This can cause dryness, tightness, redness, and even more breakouts over time. Facial cleansers are designed to be gentle and match the skin's natural pH, so they clean without damaging the skin's protective barrier. Some people with oily skin might be able to use soap occasionally, especially in hot and humid weather, because their skin produces more oil. But even oily skin can become dry and irritated if harsh soaps are used too often. If you have dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, it is best to avoid using regular soap on your face. Instead, choose a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type. This will help keep your skin balanced and healthy without stripping away natural oils. The 'wash your face like a man' trend is funny and relatable, but it also reminds us that skincare is not one size fits all. Men's simple routines may work for some, but many people need more care to keep their skin healthy and comfortable. The key is understanding your skin and choosing products that support its needs.
