The Best Apple AirPods to Buy in 2023
The second-generation AirPods Pro are the latest earphones in Apple's lineup, but they aren't your
2023-10-24 07:25
FCC Wants to Know if AI Is Going to Supercharge Robocalls
Will the rise of AI programs like ChatGPT lead to even more devious robocalls? The
2023-10-24 07:19
Best hotels in Jersey, from luxury manors to family-friendly holidays
With more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in the British Isles, Jersey is a year-round destination that is equally appealing in the height of summer as it is in the bleak mid-winter. Whether you head to this corner of the Channel Islands to play around in the sea on paddleboards, kayaks and surfboards, or to explore award-winning museums and attractions, you’re bound to have a memorable holiday. For those interested in the island’s history, visit the Jersey War Tunnels, where exhibits tell the story of what life was like for islanders at the time of German occupation during the Second World War. You can also visit Elizabeth Castle, which was commissioned by Sir Walter Raleigh when he was governor of Jersey at the beginning of the 17th century. But where to stay? You might want to opt for a seaview hotel right on the golden sands of one of the island’s many beaches; a granite manor house surrounded by country walks, or perhaps somewhere in the heart of the cosmopolitan capital, St Helier. No matter in which part of the island you choose to stay, we’ve found the best hotels in Jersey that will provide a home away from home, whatever the season. The best hotels in Jersey are: Best spa hotel: Grand Jersey Hotel and Spa Best luxury hotel: Longueville Manor Best boutique hotel: Old Court House Inn Best budget hotel: Hotel de Normandie Best hotel for walkers: Château la Chaire Best family-friendly hotel: The Merton Best romantic hotel for couples: The Club Hotel and Spa Best beach hotel: L’Horizon Beach Hotel and Spa Best spa hotel: Grand Jersey Hotel and Spa Neighbourhood: St Helier Standing guard over Elizabeth Castle since 1890, this luxury hotel just off the Esplanade in St Helier has played host to royalty and aristocracy. There’s still a hint of the golden age of travel, with porters to take your bag and a concierge on hand to answer questions about where to go and what to see. However, it’s still a thoroughly modern hotel, with a champagne bar, cinema room and soothing spa. The heated indoor pool is complemented by a steam room and sauna, while Elemis treatments include biotec facials and hot-stone massages. After visiting the spa, cocoon yourself in a soft blanket in the low-lit relaxation room. Don’t miss the fine-dining restaurant Tassili, which holds four AA rosettes. Best luxury hotel: Longueville Manor Neighbourhood: St Saviour The island’s only Relais & Chateaux hotel, this granite manor house with an impressive circular drive oozes luxury from the minute you pull up at the imposing front door (lit by dozens of pillar candles on the stone steps if you arrive at night). With just 29 rooms and suites, the place never feels crowded, whether you are taking a stroll in the kitchen garden, swimming in the heated outdoor pool, walking in the extensive grounds or enjoying the hot tub in the bijou spa. Staff take the time to learn your names and preferences, so you feel looked after throughout your stay. Choose the tower suite to feel like the Lady of Shalott. Best boutique hotel: Old Court House Inn Neighbourhood: St Aubin With just 10 rooms in a building that dates back to the 15th century, this boutique inn is both characterful and affordable. Situated right on St Aubin’s harbour, you can watch the private yachts bob in the marina (or not, depending on the tide) and easily explore the art galleries and antique shops that make up St Aubin’s village. Rooms are all unique, with one boasting a roll-top bath and another an outdoor terrace with whirlpool tub. The menu (dine at the pub, restaurant or outdoor terrace) includes steaks, burgers and battered cod and chips, which you can wash down with the house ale. Best budget hotel: The Hotel de Normandie Neighbourhood: St Helier This is a great place to bed down if you’re on a budget. Close to the seawater bathing pool at Havre des Pas, Hotel de Normandie is within walking distance of St Helier’s town centre, from where you can catch buses all over the island (the hotel is also on a bus route into town, if you’re feeling lazy). Rooms in the Victorian gabled building are higgledy-piggledy, with single and family rooms in the mix, and most are fitted out smartly with colourful drapes at the windows and bright prints on the wall. The real boon is the heated indoor pool with whirlpool and sauna, which is unexpected at this price and welcome in the cooler months when the sea is less inviting. Best hotel for walkers: Château la Chaire Neighbourhood: Rozel Perched on a hillside high above Rozel Bay, this dog-friendly country house hotel has an old-fashioned charm and is a luxurious place to stay. Enjoy a glass of bubbly in the residents’ lounge, which is decorated with stucco plasterwork and antique furniture; or a slap-up meal in the wood-panelled restaurant. The gardens are full of botanical plants, and it’s from here you can enjoy panoramic view of the bay. In a matter of minutes, you can join one of Jersey’s most spectacular coastal walks along the cliff path that leads to Bonne Nuit Bay. A shorter walk in the opposite direction will take you to Saint Catherine’s breakwater, from where you can get boats to the outer islands of Les Écréhous. Best family-friendly hotel: The Merton Neighbourhood: St Saviour This is the closest Jersey gets to a resort hotel. Think evening tribute acts and bingo, buffet restaurant and swimming pool with flumes and lazy river. Needless to say, it’s popular with families, who can make use of rooms with bunk beds and the non-stop entertainment. Older kids will love the surf lessons on the flowrider (the only one on the island), too. The position is within walking distance of the town centre, from where you can pick up buses to all the major attractions and beaches, so it’s a good spot for a car-free holiday to Jersey. Best romantic hotel for couples: The Club Hotel Neighbourhood: St Helier The finest dining experience on the island is to be found in this unassuming hotel tucked away off a main road leading into the heart of Jersey’s capital St Helier. Having held a Michelin star for the best part of 20 years (despite chefs coming and going), the hotel’s restaurant, Bohemia, has established itself as a reliable destination to return to year after year. Tasting menus are always exquisite and accompanied by surprising wine pairings that take you out of your comfort zone. The celebratory feel of dining here makes it popular with couples looking for a romantic weekend away. You can also enjoy massage and beauty treatments in the compact spa; an indoor and outdoor pool with thermal suite, and a well stocked honesty bar. Best beach hotel: L’Horizon Beach Hotel and Spa Neighbourhood: St Brelade You can argue with locals for hours about which is the best beach but, if you do it often enough, you’ll regularly hear St Brelade being mentioned. It’s got everything you want: a perfect arc of golden sand; watersports such as paddleboarding, kayaking and waterskiing; life guards in the summer, and a promenade of shops and restaurants. Tucked away at the end of the promenade is L’Horizon hotel, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the seaside idyll. An indoor swimming pool is favoured by the cold-shy in the shoulder seasons, while a spa serves up Elemis treatments. Read more of our Europe hotel reviews: Best Isle of Wight hotels Where to stay in Paris Best hotels on the Isles of Scilly Read more about Europe travel: The best hotels in Europe Europe’s best road trips Best budget European city breaks Read More The UK’s 10 favourite beaches and seaside holidays in Europe Best holiday destinations for November to get some late season autumn sun Best boutique hotels in Paris 2023: Stylish stays at lush locations The UK and Ireland’s best country house hotels for 2023 8 of the best wine tour holidays around the world Eight best Northern Lights holidays, short trips and packages
2023-10-24 05:51
Pulitzer, Amsterdam hotel review: Luxury, local cuisine and decadence in this Dutch period piece
In a nutshell: In Amsterdam’s oldest five-star hotel, no two rooms are the same, restaurants serve up local cuisine, and a 1909 saloon boat offers tours of the city’s canals. The neighbourhood Amsterdam attracts visitors from all around the world thanks to its rich history, eclectic museums, bike lifestyle and coffee shop culture. The city is wonderfully walkable and the five-star Pulitzer hotel places you in prime location to explore all the Dutch capital has to offer. Looming over the canal belt and in the heart of the historic Nine Streets neighborhood (right out of a Wes Anderson movie), this quintessential district is brimming with boutique shops, charming cafes and enticing restaurants. Located five minutes down the canal, you’ll find Anne Frank’s house while the Museumplein (home to Rijksmuseum, the Van Gough museum and Moco), Amsterdam Centraal and Vondelpark are a mere 20 minute walk away. If you’re keen to cycle like a local, the hotel is equipped with Pulitzer bikes and the erudite concierge Ron Stoevelaar is on hand to show you the best routes. The look Set within 25 Golden Age canal houses, the Pulitzer forms an entire block in the Nine Streets area. Founded in 1970 by Peter Pulitzer (grandson of the Pulitzer Prize founder Joseph Pulitzer), the hotel went through a £1.5 million restoration in 2016. The hotel combines 17th century Dutch elements and mid-century design (think beamed ceilings, historic fireplaces, period antiques and an impressive collection of art, books and music) with contemporary features. Every nook (and there’s many) of the hotel offers a glance into the past – whether it’s in the library of Pulitzer Prize winning books, the lobby with Persian rugs and paintings or in the four luxury collectors suites. Exemplifying the old meeting the new, look out for what appears to be a 17th century painting of a floral bouquet in the lobby. A closer look will reveal it to be a photograph of melted cutlery by a contemporary artist. The vibe Oozing elegance and class, the Pulitzer’s architectually impressive buildings are enriched with antique pieces and Dutch design details. A beguiling space, the grand lobby has a buzzy atmosphere thanks to the laid-back Pulitzer Garden bar and eatery that are tucked away toward the back, while the check-in and concierge desks are warm and welcoming. Upon arrival, you’ll spy an eclectic clientele of 30-somethings talking over old fashioned cocktails at the bar, upmarket travellers in the mid-century armchairs, older couples chatting to the concierge and families feasting in the lobby’s Italian-inspired restaurant. Stepping out of the Pulitzer doors and onto the canal side, picturesque Amsterdam – without the chaos of the main streets – is on your doorstep (just try not to collide with any of the bikes swishing past). Bed and bath Despite being home to more than 200 rooms, the hotel has a cosy, boutique feel owing to the canal house layout and warren of mood-lit interlocking corridors (there’s much enjoyment to be had in getting lost in the Pulitzer). Each room is unique and inspired by an aspect of Dutch design. With themed-collectors suites, family size spaces and canal-view rooms – as well as generous, cosy and classic spaces available – there’s a room to suit every kind of traveller. Featuring decadent marble bathrooms (complete with luxury Debaser toiletries and well-pressured power showers), the rooms boast custom made headboards, a work desk with a mirror, mid-century drinks trolleys and chaise lounges. Thoughtful details such as bookshelves, a bike repair kit, an umbrella, French press and Dutch sweet treats all elevate the space, while windows either look out over the canal, the street below or the Pulitzer garden in the centre of the hotel. You can opt in or out of having your sheets changed each morning – the hotel reminds you of the importance of saving water – by placing a card on your bed. Food and drink There are two restaurants on site at the Pulitzer: the all-day dining eatery Jansz and the more laidback Pulitzer Garden restaurant. The former favours locally-sourced ingredients and classic Dutch cuisine, with the lunch and dinner line-up brimming with seasonal small plates, freshly caught fish dishes (the shrimp croquettes and octopus were a delight) and refined classics like burgers and steaks. Jansz is also where breakfast is served, with guests able to order a la carte (the omelette is a must) or try the continental buffet. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Pulitzer Garden has indoor and outdoor tables with a hearty menu inspired by Italian cuisine – think aubergine parmigiana, lobster spaghetti and chicken caesar salad. After dinner, be sure to head to the glamorous and deliciously moody Pulitzer Bar. Sink into the armchairs, sofas and bar stools to while away the evening with signature or classic cocktails (try the breakfast margarita and new Amsterdam). Public areas The neighbourhood-style complex includes the Jansz restaurant, Pulitzer Garden bar, restaurant and garden seating, the Pulitzer Bar and the resplendent lobby. Whether you’re a guest or not, the Pulitzer bar is a must-visit. Elegant and free from the havoc of city centre bars, the Art Deco-style bar looks over the canal and is the perfect spot for people watching. Open to guests, there’s also a 24-hour gym at the Pulitzer with machines, yoga mats, weights, towels and chilled water. When visiting the Pulitzer, you’ll notice two gleaming boats docked in front of the hotel. The Tourist (which famously took Winston Churchill on a trip through the city in 1946) and the smaller Belle are available for private and group tours for guests and the public at an extra cost. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the interiors are complete with polished teak and brass, luxurious carpeting, marble, leather and original bevelled glass. Lasting 90 minutes, the concierge’s guided cruises take you on a whistlestop tour of the city’s canals – and there’s a self-service mini bar for on-board drinks. Nuts and bolts Room count: 225 Freebies: Breakfast at Jansz restaurant (if included in your booking); gym access; Pulitzer tote bag; Pulitzer card deck; welcome stroopwafels; coffee or tea in the room. Wifi: Free. Extra charges: Room service; additional beds for children; pets. Disability access: There are fully fitted accessible guest rooms available to reserve. Pet policy: A small dog or cat is allowed in rooms at a cost of €50 per day. Bottom line Best thing: Impeccable service, prime location for exploring the city, excellent restaurants and an intimate bar. Worst thing: Some might not get on with the thin doors and walls in the bedroom (it is an old building after all), meaning you can occasionally hear movement in the corridor. Plus, we would have liked to see slightly more reasonable prices in the otherwise more laidback Pulitzer Garden restaurant. Perfect for: Upmarket travellers, foodies, couples and families. Not right for: Those after a budget city break. Instagram from: The moody Pulitzer bar, canal-view room, The Tourist boat tour or Jansz window tables. Room rate: Double rooms from £351 a night. Read more of our hotel reviews: The elegant Landmark Hotel London Luxury hotel meets B&B at The Dante House The Ritz-Carlton, Abama hotel review Read more on Amsterdam travel: Amsterdam travel guide: Best things to do Best hotels in Amsterdam Everything British tourists shouldn’t do in Amsterdam Read More Independent Traveller guide to best hotels and short breaks Best UK hotels 2022 Best hotels in Paris for 2023 Amsterdam travel guide: Best things to do and where to stay for a 2023 city break The best holidays to book for November, from winter sun in Oman to Scandi Christmas markets Best hotels in Europe 2023: Where to stay for a city, beach or retreat break
2023-10-24 04:55
Exhibits and collectors editions mark 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio
On the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio, rare originals are being displayed and publishers are offering collectors editions, including one that sells for $1,500
2023-10-24 04:45
Salesforce Starter Review
Salesforce is regarded as one of the best customer relationship management (CRM) solutions for large-scale
2023-10-24 00:23
10 Halloween costumes that sum up 2023
Halloween is next week (or this weekend if you're celebrating early) and so many of us will be trying to scramble a last-minute costume together. From Barbenheimer to Taylor Swift, this year has been jam-packed with pop culture moments and so there are a number of options to choose from that are relevant and fresh. And with TikTok being a great source for all things Halloween-inspired, the possibilities are endless. Here is a rundown of the costumes that best represent 2023 - if that's the vibe you're going for: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce @nfl gonna see a lot of these costumes this year 😭😂 #traviskelce #taylorswift #halloween #nfl (via kidsuper/IG) With pop star Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce making headlines with their rumoured romance, there's no doubt this will be a popular couple's costume. Meanwhile, one couple was ahead of the trend as Makayla and Nick Stephens dressed up as the celebrity couple back in 2020 - years before Swift and Kelce got together, and now their holiday photo has gone viral. Or Taylor Swift (from any era) @baileylovestayl0r 2 more months!! 🎃 part 2? #fyp #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #taylorswiftedit #halloween #halloweencostume #ideas If you wantfell to dress up as Taylor Swift for Halloween, then the internet is full of inspiration thanks to Swifties dressing up in singer's different album eras when attending the Eras Tour live shows. Whether, it's debut, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, reputation, Lover, Folklore, Evermore or Midnights, there are costume tutorials and guides out there for every single one. AI-generated Pope in a Puffer Jacket Artificial intelligence has improved in recent years, so much so this realistic photo generated by AI of the Pope Francis in a white puffer jacket had people scratching their heads, unsure on whether it was real. The image quickly became a viral meme, so this would be a great 2023 meme to recreate for Halloween - and you'll be kept warm wearing a puffer jacket. Carmy from the Bear @sofia.silerio yes jeff #fyp #thebear #jeremyallenwhite #halloween #halloweencostume Season 2 of The Bear was released in June this year, and viewers love Jeremy Allen White's character the intense award-winning chef - a costume that is easy to put together with a white t-shirt, black trousers and a blue apron. Daisy Jones & the Six @ecovi ahead of my time @daisyjonesandthesix #halloween #halloweeninspo #halloween2023 #fyp #foryou Channel the 1970s by recreating looks from Daisy Jones & The Six, after the TV adaptation was released back in March - this could make a great group costume. Some of the different elements include flared trousers, crochet tops, kimonos, and florals while not forgetting the knee-high platform boots. Kendall Roy from Succession @remyedenmaria My boy squiggle cooked up this beat for me #kendallroy #halloween #ltotheog #succession #successionhbo #jeremystrong #fyp #foryoupage Viewers were devastated when the final season of Succession aired back in May this year, but fans can recreate one of the show's most iconic moments - Kendall Roy displaying his rap skills with his song 'L to the OG'. To channel Kendall, you'll need a pinstripe NY Yankees jersey, and a white shirt with a black bowtie. Rihanna at the Super Bowl @lifewithvikki best couple’s costume if you ask me #halloween #couplescostume #rihanna #rihannasuperbowl #rihannahalftimeshow Rihanna playing her biggest hits while pregnant at this year's Super Bowl was one of the musical highlights of 2023, so there was no doubt it would also be a go-to costume for Halloween. And if you're looking for a group costume, then other pals can dress up in white as the backup dancers - which inspired plenty of memes. Barbenheimer @noodlesn16 #greenscreen Barbenheimer will be the number 1. Count it ONE. Couples Halloween cotume this year. You heard it here first. #barbie #barbenheimer #oppenheimer #halloween #couplescostume With the release of the Barbie movie and Oppenheimer on the same day (July 21), 2023 was truly a Barbenheimer summer, and so this will no doubt inspire many looks this Halloween. For those who want to dress as Barbie there are a number of looks to choose from - roller-skating Barbie, cowgirl Barbie and disco Barbie etc, while with Ken you have surfer Ken, cowboy Ken, or the white fur coat look with the bandana and glasses. While bright and bold colours are seen in Barbie, those dressing up in an Oppenheimer look should be suited and booted in muted tones from the 1940s - with a porkpie hat and a cigarette or smoking pipe. Justin and Hailey Bieber @biebersgoodside.2 “Another one. Thank u!” 🤣 #justinbieber #haileybieber #jailey #halloween #couplecostumes #bieberfever #costume Justin and Hailey Bieber became a meme this year for their different styles, with Hailey dressing up when attending events while Justin goes for the more casual and relaxed look. This is a pretty easy couples costume as you can recreate the look with clothes from your own wardrobe. Paris bed bugs @thatblonderebel Easy Halloween costume: Parisian bedbugs video inspo: @Danielle Pinnock #halloweencostume The news of bedbugs infesting public transport in Paris soon became a viral concern as videos circulated of the critters on TikTok so what better way to reference a recent trend than by dressing up as a bedbug for Halloween? (After all, Londoners have been petrified of bugs arriving on the tubes and trains). Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-10-24 00:19
Can You Fly a Real Helicopter After an Hour in a VR Simulator?
The challenge for the latest episode of Hello World was this: Could I go to Zurich, sit in
2023-10-23 23:59
As Rebecca Adlington shares heart-breaking miscarriage news: How to support others experiencing baby loss
Rebecca Adlington said she is “truly heartbroken” after suffering a late-stage miscarriage. The double Olympic gold medal swimmer found out about the devastating loss at a routine 20-week scan, sharing the news in a post on Instagram yesterday evening. “I don’t really have the words right now but unfortunately we went for our 20 week scan this week and they found no heartbeat. I gave birth to our angel, Harper on Friday at 7pm. We held her, and had time with her. We will forever love her and remember her always,” Adlington, 34, said. After thanking staff at Wythenshawe Hospital for their “kindness and care”, she added: “I don’t have the strength or words right now and don’t feel ready to share this news. However, I can’t pretend to be ok or fake a smile. I can’t have people ask me how pregnancy is or when I am due as I still look pregnant. I don’t have the strength to tell this news individually. “We are so truly heartbroken. Our beautiful girl. Rest in peace.” Adlington – who shares son Albie, two, with her husband Andy Parsons and has an eight-year-old daughter, Summer, from her previous marriage with Harry Needs – previously revealed she’d had a miscarriage 12 weeks into her pregnancy last August, resulting in emergency surgery. And as her Instagram post this week highlights, one of the many difficult things about losing a baby is telling other people. So, how can people respond supportively when a friend, relative or colleague shares news of a baby loss? Showing empathy “It’s about showing empathy as much as you possibly can, showing some form of understanding, and really just being there to listen to them,” Rochelle Love, a midwife working with baby loss charity Tommy’s, told the PA news agency. A late miscarriage is one which happens between 14-24 weeks of pregnancy, and is less common than early-stage miscarriage, occurring in an estimated 1-2% of pregnancies, Love explained. “We don’t always know why these miscarriages happen. They can be for a multitude of reasons, and the sad thing for expectant parents is that we may not always find a definite cause,” she added. “It may not necessarily be related to previous miscarriage.” Take care with ‘helpful’ comments Friends and family may try to comfort someone who’s lost a baby with well-meaning but sometimes way off-the-mark ‘helpful’ comments. Love said it’s crucial to be very careful about what you say. “I don’t think it’s ever up to us to make assumptions, and especially do not make comments like: ‘Don’t worry, you can have another baby’, ‘Don’t worry, you can try again’, or, ‘You were only 20 weeks pregnant’,” Love advised. “I think sometimes people just don’t know what else to say, so they make these throwaway comments, which are not necessarily the best things to say when someone’s grieving. It’s not up to us to say [these things] – how do you know, for example, that they can have another baby? Think about what you’re going to say before you speak to someone who’s had a loss.” Be mindful of terminology Remember this isn’t just a foetus to the grieving parents – it’s their child, and it can be very important to talk about it as such. Love said: “Address the baby as their baby, and if the baby has a name, then use it. Be very careful of the words you use.” Be there for them Instead of offering up platitudes, Love said it’s often better to just let people know you’re there if they need you. “Just let them know you’re there for them – you’re there if they want to speak, or if they just want to sit in silence – you’re available to be their support if and when they should need it,” she explained. Don’t forget their partner Love stresses that any kind of support needs to be extended to the partner as well. “Sometimes the partner is ignored and we just focus on the pregnant person, but the partner is the pregnant person’s closest support and they’ve also lost their baby and are also grieving,” she said. “I always advise anyone who’s had an unfortunate loss that if they decide to go for grief counselling, they should make their partner a part of that process as well, so they can go on that grief and healing journey together.” Remember everyone will grieve differently Loss and grief is experienced differently by everyone. “How I may grieve a pregnancy loss may be very different from how somebody else might grieve,” said Love – so it’s important to let people do things their way and at their own pace. Think about offering them helpIf you are close with them, offer practical help if you feel they may welcome it. Love said this could mean “getting someone’s groceries for them because they don’t feel they can face getting dressed and going out, or cleaning the house – anything at all could be very well received.” Tommy’s helpline is on 0800 014 7800 Read More What you need to know about new research into treating cervical cancer How to do Halloween make up and still take care of your skin Which houseplants best suit your star sign? 5 of the hottest new perfume launches for autumn/winter Consistent lack of sleep may increase risk of future depressive symptoms – study World Osteoporosis Day: The risk factors and early warning signs everyone needs to know about
2023-10-23 21:29
Grab Microsoft Office Professional 2021 (With Training) for $30
The holidays are quickly approaching, and there's less and less time to get shopping done
2023-10-23 20:56
What you need to know about new research into treating cervical cancer
Using existing drugs to treat cervical cancer before standard treatment could lead to a 35% reduction in the risk of relapse or death, a new study suggests. Researchers from the UCL Cancer Institute and UCLH looked into whether a short course of induction chemotherapy (IC), where a drug is used to destroy as many cancer cells as possible, before chemoradiation (CRT), could help with this. Here’s everything you need to know about the findings… What is cervical cancer? According to the NHS website, cervical cancer is a type of cancer found anywhere near the cervix – the opening between the vagina and the womb (uterus), which is also known as the neck of the womb. Most cervical cancers grow very slowly and are caused by an infection from specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and mostly affect women under the age of 45. According to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, symptoms include vaginal bleeding that is unusual to you, changes to vaginal discharge, discomfort during sex and pain in your lower back or pelvis. Changes to cells can be spotted by a cervical screening, and then treated before they turn into cancer. There are around 3,200 new cases every year in the UK, with the five-year survival rate being around 70%, according to Cancer Research UK. CRT has been the standard treatment for cervical cancer patients since 1999, but even though there have been overall significant developments in radiation therapy techniques, up to 30% of people experience their cancer coming back. What did the research involve? Over a 10-year period, 500 patients who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer – that was large enough to see without a microscope but hadn’t spread to other parts of the body – took part in the Interlace trial at hospitals in the UK, Mexico, India, Italy and Brazil. Researchers looked into whether a short course of IC before CRT could reduce rates of relapse and death. What results were found? After five years, researchers discovered that 80% of the people who received a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy were alive, whilst 73% had not seen their cancer return or spread. A major benefit, according to researchers, is that it can be incorporated into standard of care treatment relatively quickly, because cheap, accessible and already-approved ingredients such as carboplatin and paclitaxel are needed for IC. “Our trial shows that this short course of additional chemotherapy delivered immediately before the standard CRT can reduce the risk of the cancer returning or death by 35%,” said Dr Mary McCormack, lead investigator of the trial from UCL Cancer Institute and UCLH. “This is the biggest improvement in outcome in this disease in over 20 years. “I’m incredibly proud of all the patients who participated in the trial; their contribution has allowed us to gather the evidence needed to improve treatment of cervical cancer patients everywhere. “We couldn’t have done this without the generous support of Cancer Research UK.” Why is the research important? Dr Iain Foulkes, executive director of research and innovation at Cancer Research UK, said: “Timing is everything when you’re treating cancer. The simple act of adding induction chemotherapy to the start of chemoradiation treatment for cervical cancer has delivered remarkable results in this trial. “A growing body of evidence is showing the value of additional rounds of chemotherapy before other treatments like surgery and radiotherapy in several other cancers. “Not only can it reduce the chances of cancer coming back, it can be delivered quickly using drugs already available worldwide. “We’re excited for the improvements this trial could bring to cervical cancer treatment and hope short courses of induction chemotherapy will be rapidly adopted in the clinic.”
2023-10-23 20:22
Blizzard Is Rewarding Diablo IV Players for Donating Their Blood
Blizzard is celebrating the release of Season of Blood for Diablo IV by asking players
2023-10-23 20:19