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How niggling hip pain led a squash coach to life-saving cancer diagnosis

<p>Melbourne squash coach and player Malcolm McClarty had been experiencing frequent pain in his right hip area for about 12 months before he mentioned it to one of his clients, a top medical oncologist, in October last year.</p> <p>The 63-year-old father-of-three coaches Professor Niall Tebbutt at the Kooyong Lawn and Tennis Club in Melbourne. </p> <p>Despite having lost his younger sister to pancreatic cancer just months earlier, Malcolm had been brushing off the pain, thinking it was a niggling sporting injury. </p> <p>Now Malcolm credits Niall, who ordered a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), with saving his life. </p> <p>Malcolm also coaches Weranja Ranasinghe, a urologist with the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ), who has been his ‘unofficial second opinion’ throughout the journey. </p> <p>Associate Professor Ranasinghe says Malcolm’s diagnosis comes as the newly-released Lancet Commission on Prostate Cancer predicts cases worldwide will double from 1.4 million to 2.9 million by 2040. </p> <p>The USANZ says although the findings are alarming, Australia is well-placed to manage the spike thanks to availability of advanced diagnostic tools, improvements in treatments and quality control registries, but it needs to be coupled with more awareness. </p> <p>“Australia is better placed than many other nations to deal with a sharp spike in prostate cancer cases, but the urgent review of guidelines can’t come soon enough,” says Associate Professor Ranasinghe.</p> <p>“Prostate cancer is not commonly understood or spoken about, particularly amongst high-risk younger men, leaving too many in the dark about their cancer risk and that can be deadly,” he added. </p> <p>“Prostate cancer is already a major cause of death and disability, and the most common form of male cancer in more than 100 countries,” says Associate Professor Ranasinghe. “It’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia with over 25,000 new cases every year, and more than 11 deaths a day.”</p> <p>Malcolm was devastated to learn his cancer was aggressive Stage Four and had spread to three spots in the pelvic bone. He also experienced other symptoms including frequent and weak-flow urinating at night. </p> <p>He will begin radiotherapy, with chemotherapy on the cards as well. But his attitude is positive; he’s hoping to live for another six to 10 years. </p> <p>Malcolm’s message for other men is simple: if you’re 50 or older, get tested for prostate cancer now. He warns waiting can lead to complex and limited treatment options. </p> <p><strong>Five Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer</strong></p> <p><strong>1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Age</strong> - the chance of developing prostate cancer increases with age.</p> <p><strong>2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Family history</strong> - if you have a first-degree male relative who developed prostate cancer, like a brother or father, your risk is higher than someone without such family history.</p> <p><strong>3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Genetics</strong> - while prostate cancer can’t be inherited, a man can inherit certain genes that increase the risk.</p> <p><strong>4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Diet</strong> - some evidence suggests that a diet high in processed meat, or foods high in fat can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.</p> <p><strong>5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Lifestyle</strong> - environment and lifestyle can also impact your risk, e.g. a sedentary lifestyle or being exposed to chemicals. </p> <p>For more information, visit <a href="https://www.usanz.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.usanz.org.au/</a></p>

Caring

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“I didn't understand it”: Albo opens up about blindsiding divorce

<p dir="ltr">Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has candidly opened up about the difficult days after his ex-wife asked for a divorce. </p> <p dir="ltr">Albo shared how he was blindsided by his wife’s request, after 19 years of marriage and 30 years together.</p> <p dir="ltr">Following their marriage breakdown on New Year's Day in 2019, Albo shared that he went overseas for two weeks and even considered quitting politics entirely. </p> <p dir="ltr">He said he was shocked by the revelation that his ex-wife, former deputy NSW premier Carmel Tebbutt, wasn’t happy in their marriage. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I didn't understand it, but I came to accept it,” the PM told Melbourne's Triple M radio.</p> <p dir="ltr">After Tebbutt asked for the divorce, Albo travelled to London for a week to visit friends before journeying on to Lisbon in Portugal. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It was two weeks to clear the air, determine what I wanted to do with my life, decide whether I wanted to run again in the election,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">He made the decision to come home and throw himself into public life, announcing a run for the top job in the lead up to the 2022 election.</p> <p dir="ltr">Along the road to his election victory, Albo found love again with Jodie Haydon after the pair met at an event in Melbourne.</p> <p dir="ltr">The PM said he was always open to finding love again, but was concerned about his public image. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I never did Tinder,” Mr Albanese said, acknowledging it would be “fine” for him to use it - “except [everyone] would know about it”.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said, “It was [incredibly challenging], but you live in the public eye. It was very difficult for me personally, but Carmel made a decision that she wanted to move on with her life... our son had reached 18, he'd graduated from school.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a decision I found difficult but one she obviously had the right to do.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In spite of the heartache, Mr Albanese and Ms Tebbutt do appear to be on good terms.</p> <p dir="ltr">They famously share custody of their dog, Toto, and Ms Tebbutt was seen on the campaign trail for Labor during the election.</p> <p dir="ltr">As for his new relationship, Mr Albanese said it's “fantastic” that he “has someone to spend his personal life with”, along with his son Nathan, particularly given the complex challenges that come with running a country.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm most proud of my resilience,” he said. “I've hung in there, I've stayed true to my values and I think I've made a difference.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0faab67c-7fff-f2f5-3925-d160baffea22"></span></p>

Relationships

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Chris Hipkins announced as next Prime Minister of New Zealand

<p>Labour MP Chris Hipkins has been elected as New Zealand’s next prime minister after a caucus meeting in Wellington on Sunday. Hipkins was the sole nominee, and the 64-person vote - considered to be largely a formality - was unanimous.</p> <p>“As a team we will continue to provide strong, stable and focused leadership that New Zealanders expect from us,” Hipkins told reporters in a conference after the vote. </p> <p>He went on to announce that his government would turn their attention to a key election concern - helping families that were struggling through difficult economic times, in the wake of rising inflation and housing affordability concerns. On this, he noted, “you shouldn't have to be on a six-figure salary to buy a new house.”</p> <p>Hipkins has helped to steer the country through crises before, having played a crucial role in New Zealand’s COVID-19 response after being appointed as health minister in 2020, work that established him as a household name in New Zealand. </p> <p>He was first elected to parliament in 2008, and as of 2020 was Minister of Education, Minister for the Public Service, and COVID-19 Response Minister. However, to many around him he is known instead as “Chippy”. </p> <p>Hipkins has strong ties within his party, and was seen walking to Sunday’s vote with “very good friend” Jacinda Ardern. He praised her leadership, and like many before him, noted the inspiration she provided for women and girls everywhere. </p> <p>Australia’s own PM Anthony Albanese took to Twitter to congratulate Chris, and to share that he looks forward “to working with him as Prime Minister.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A warm discussion this morning with incoming NZ Labour Leader Chris Hipkins. I congratulate him and look forward to working with him as Prime Minister. 🇦🇺🇳🇿</p> <p>— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/1616585939052265472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Treasurer of Australia Jim Chalmers echoed Albanese’s sentiments, telling <em>Sky News Australia</em>, “Chris Hipkins is someone of immense experience and depth and intelligence. He’s a very worthy successor to prime minister Ardern.”</p> <p>Labour MP Carmel Sepuloni was voted in as incoming deputy by the caucus. Sepuloni, who has Samoan and Tongan heritage through her mother, was said by Hipkins to become the first Pasifika person to become deputy prime minister. </p> <p>In a six part thread to Twitter, Sepuloni shared her gratitude for and commitment to her new role, as well as her enthusiasm at working alongside Hipkins, writing, “It’s hard to fathom the working class girl from Waitara can become the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand. I’m incredibly humbled that Chris Hipkins and my colleagues have put their faith in me to take up this important role.</p> <p>“I also acknowledge the significance of this for our Pacific community. I am proudly Samoan, Tongan and New Zealand European and represent generations of New Zealanders with mixed heritage.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/THREAD?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#THREAD</a>: 1/6 It’s hard to fathom the working class girl from Waitara can become the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand. I’m incredibly humbled that <a href="https://twitter.com/chrishipkins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chrishipkins</a> and my colleagues have put their faith in me to take up this important role. ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/uGPCCZDpM4">pic.twitter.com/uGPCCZDpM4</a></p> <p>— Carmel Sepuloni (@CarmelSepuloni) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarmelSepuloni/status/1617011240731283456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Hipkins’ full Cabinet has not yet been announced, but he has stated that he intends to keep former deputy prime minister, Grant Robertson, on in the role of finance minister. </p> <p>It is expected that Hipkins will be sworn in as the country’s 41st prime minister on Wednesday.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Meet Anthony Albanese’s former wife Carmel Tebbutt

<p>Anthony Albanese is a name people all over Australia have only just become well acquainted with over the last few days and weeks.</p> <p>The 56-year-old MP for Grayndler in Sydney’s west might just be our next Labor leader and perhaps eventually our next Prime Minister.</p> <p>Just this week, the minister announced his intention to run for the Labor leadership following what some would consider a shocking turn of events at the last federal election.</p> <p>However, the public are not well aware of his personal life – including his marriage to Carmel Tebbutt.</p> <p>In January 2019, Albanese released a short statement announcing the separation between him and his former wife.</p> <p>“I am deeply saddened that my relationship of over 30 years with Carmel Tebbutt has ended in separation,” he wrote.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnpt0G7hZXR/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnpt0G7hZXR/" target="_blank">A post shared by Anthony Albanese (@albomp)</a> on Sep 12, 2018 at 8:49pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“We will continue to share parenting responsibilities of our 18-year-old son Nathan, who has successfully completed his HSC and has developed into an outstanding young man who we are both proud of.</p> <p>“There are no third parties involved.”</p> <p>Anthony and Carmel both met in the late 1980s and were once hailed a power couple as they rose through the ranks of federal and state politics by each other’s side.</p> <p>“My special thanks go to my partner and best friend, Carmel Tebbutt, for her constant support, advice and outstanding political judgement,” Mr Albanese said in his maiden speech as the Federal Member for Grayndler.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVWrOTpAx66/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVWrOTpAx66/" target="_blank">A post shared by Anthony Albanese (@albomp)</a> on Jun 15, 2017 at 1:56am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Ms Tebbutt started working for the NSW Government in 1999 as the Minister for Juvenile Justice and then as the Minister for Health, Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Community Services and Minister for Climate Change and the Environment.</p> <p>She was also the Deputy Premier of NSW from 2008 to 2011.</p> <p>“My wife, to declare an interest, was the Deputy Premier at the time – Carmel Tebbutt – and they campaigned right up to election day knowing full well that there was no prospect of success at the end of that after 16 years in office,” Mr Albanese said in an on-air radio interview with FIVEaa.</p> <p>Tebbutt was the first-ever female deputy premier of NSW, serving under Nathan Rees and Kristina Keneally before resigning from state politics at the 2015 NSW election.</p> <p>Currently, she is the chief executive of the NSW Mental Health Coordinating Council.</p>

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Prevent dementia by writing shorthand?

<p><em><strong>Carmel Taylor is a 63 year old business teacher. She has worked as a stenographer and personal assistant prior to teaching. Her passion is shorthand and her hobbies are art deco, fashion and sewing. Carmel is a member of the Commercial Education Society of Australia.</strong></em></p> <p>Prevent dementia by writing shorthand? Who’d have thought? Certainly, when I learnt shorthand nearly 50 years ago my aim was to master the skill, to use it professionally and then one day teach shorthand. I had no idea that what I was doing was learning a skill which is excellent brain training and has now been identified as a method to assist dementia prevention.</p> <p>Stenography has long been a highly-regarded skill in Europe, with stenography clubs in major towns, many dating back over 100 years - long before shorthand’s common purpose was for business purposes mainly used by women. Members of the German Minden club believed that they were not just participating in a challenging past time – they also perceived that there were significant cognitive advantages associated with shorthand.  The club teamed with the Gerontology Department of the Coppenbrugge Hospital to research “shorthand against dementia”.  Members, aged between 62 and 73 participated in exercises revising or learning shorthand on a weekly basis over several years. On- going memory test results showed participants experienced either no memory deterioration or even improved memory, in spite of aging during the process. The Minden stenography club received community accolades for this work. Stenography clubs throughout Germany and Switzerland offer courses in teaching and revising shorthand, with titles such as “Shorthand Against Forgetting”, and “Shorthand for the Memory”. Many groups include social activities as well as the mental stimulation of shorthand.</p> <p>As a teenager eagerly waiting to learn shorthand at school, I had many conversations with my aunt, also a stenographer.  She inspired me with her memory of the theory of this fascinating skill and certainly increased my enthusiasm for my up-coming studies. Whilst learning, I continued to discuss my progress with her. My teacher also influenced my desire to eventually teach the skill. One day I flattered her, saying that I “wanted to do what you do”. She asked me what I meant – “to teach shorthand like you do”.  After a business career, I took the opportunity to become a teacher – this included shorthand.  I was in my element! I was teaching shorthand to teenagers; then to adults at night school.</p> <p>So, what is so magical about writing shorthand that has such an impact on the brain?  Shorthand uses several complex, cognitive processes. When learning shorthand, as with a foreign language, we memorise the theory and words to enable us to reproduce the outlines. We store the words we hear in the short term (or working) memory whilst the brain processes the decision of how to produce  them precisely on paper, drawing on the long-term memory.  When I learnt shorthand as a teenager I had no idea that this cognitive process, known as brain training, was happening – or more importantly, that I was learning a skill which could potentially assist prevention of dementia.</p> <p>As my fascination for the benefits of shorthand has grown over recent years, so has my knowledge of what groups of shorthand writers overseas are doing.  The Shorthand Writers of Maine in USA – a group of highly enthusiastic shorthand writers who meet monthly to revise theory, write shorthand from quizzes and puzzles, and, so importantly, socialise. The group has a wide range of ages, with several members in their 90’s.  Everything is all good fun – no tests or exams – just personal goals they set themselves to achieve in a convivial environment. My aunt would have been just the candidate for membership of such a group, given the opportunity.   </p> <p>Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia. The number of dementia sufferers is spiralling, as are associated financial and emotional costs. The projection is that one in six women will experience the effects of dementia, whilst with men this will be one in eleven.   Dementia  Australia’s website of “Your Brain Matters” advises that people who regularly stimulate their brain with complex mental activities are less likely to develop dementia. This is further enhanced when social activities are combined with challenging activities.</p> <p>Shorthand exercises many aspects of challenging the brain. Challenging of the brain leads to neural plasticity, the ability of the brain to form and reorganise synaptic connections, and we  now know that this can take place at any age, given the right conditions, so that older people who continue to involve themselves with new and challenging activities can have a healthy ageing experience. It was once thought that neural plasticity ceased to occur with ageing, and that all the connections had to be in place prior to this. Thankfully, we older people can now have some degree of control over this, based on our lifestyle. I find this so empowering.</p> <p>What these stenographers in Europe and Maine are achieving is exactly what Dementia Australia has prescribed as the essentials for dementia prevention activities – mentally challenging activities which are not overwhelming, which are enjoyable and which are conducted in a social atmosphere.  These shorthand groups tick all the boxes!</p> <p>For me, I now make time on a regular basis to revise my theory and to regain dexterity with my shorthand writing. I am also reading short stories in shorthand, before shortly moving onto classic novels like Sherlock Holmes, and Treasure Island.  Who knows, one day I may challenge myself to work my way through the many works of Charles Dickens (himself a shorthand writer) which have been transcribed into shorthand. And why am I doing this?  Well, firstly for the satisfaction I feel when I can read a difficult outline – we need to feel accomplished in small feats at any age, but particularly as we get older and may not be in the workforce.  Secondly, I now know that I am taking positive steps to not only maintain “the little grey cells” but to increase them. I am taking some control of the situation to avoid potentially becoming one of the one in six women who will be affected by dementia.  </p> <p>Who’d have thought that these ‘squiggles on paper’, as shorthand is often referred to, go hand in hand with the grey matter!</p>

Mind

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Carmel’s carrot cake

<p>As featured in the Over60 cookbook, here Gabrielle Foster shares her recipe for Carmel’s carrot cake.</p> <p>"The recipe has featured at our family gatherings for some 40 years now, and is shamelessly calorific. Known in the family as Carmel’s carrot cake, it came to us via an old family friend who told us that it had come into her family via an outback station cook which goes some way, I guess, to explaining its very generous size and the fact that the original recipe suggests that it be cooked in a baking dish. I love a recipe with provenance! Now embraced by a new generation of cooks led by my daughter-in-law, Katie, the cake has featured in her sister’s London cafe and more recently at another sister’s wedding. For a recent occasion, to put two carrot-averse kids 'off the scent' so to speak, I renamed the cake 'Gaby’s Golden Cake'!" – Gabrielle Foster</p> <p>To discover 174 more recipes from the Over60 cookbook and the lovely stories behind where they came from, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">why not order your very own copy of The Way Mum Made It today</span></strong></em></a>. </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span></strong> 8–10</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>2 cups caster sugar</li> <li>4 eggs</li> <li>1½ cups light olive oil</li> <li>2 cups plain flour</li> <li>2 teaspoons cinnamon</li> <li>2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda</li> <li>pinch of salt</li> <li>3 cups grated carrot</li> <li>1 cup chopped walnuts</li> </ul> <p><em>Icing</em></p> <ul> <li>375 g icing sugar</li> <li>150 g unsalted butter, chopped</li> <li>250 g cream cheese</li> <li>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Preheat the oven to 180°C. Lightly grease a 24 cm x 40 cm loose-based cake tin.</li> <li>Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and eggs until creamy. Gradually add the oil while mixing. Fold in the flour sifted with the cinnamon, bicarbonate of soda and salt. Mix through the carrot and walnuts.</li> <li>Pour the mixture into the prepared tin. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool completely in the tin.</li> <li>To make the icing, use an electric mixer to beat all the ingredients until well combined.</li> <li>Once the cake is cool, spread with the icing and then refrigerate until ready to serve.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Note:</strong> This cake is best made a couple of days in advance to allow the flavours to develop, and will keep in the refrigerator for 7–10 days.</p>

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