New centre to offer eyesight screenings for elders aged 60-80

Apr 28 2023

Minister for Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela announced the launch of a national program of ophthalmology screenings through the opening of a new centre in St Vincent de Paul Long Term Care Facility.

The new geriatric clinic will offer eyesight screenings for people aged between 60 and 80 years old.

‘The main aim’, wrote Abela, ‘is to raise awareness and take action early when it comes to conditions like glaucoma, cataracts or retina diabetes.’

‘This national program will be offered in the coming weeks in Dar Padova in Gozo so that we can offer a better quality of life to Maltese and Gozitan elders.’

#MaltaDaily

Neil Agius reveals next challenge: 70 hours of swimming

Apr 28 2023

Record breaking local swimmer Neil Agius has unveiled what his next challenge will be – traversing the sea between Mallorca and Ibiza between the 25th of June and 17th July.

The challenge will see Agius swimming for 160 kilometres, or 100 miles, in a whopping 70 hours of swimming and 175,000 strokes.

‘I now understand that I am a by product in all of this, I have been given this gift and it will be selfish of me not to swim again’ wrote Agius in a public statement.

Agius will not be allowed to touch the boat, to have physical assistance, to use flotation devices, to wear a wetsuit or to use a smart watch as he undertakes this Herculean task.

He will also be using food attached to a pole and drinking from a water bottle tied to a 5 metre cord.

‘This endeavour is a true test of resilience against severe sleep deprivation’ he said. ‘I believe I can do it. I have a great team behind me and some amazing sponsors who believe in me and the cause.’

Thanking his team and the sponsors who believe in him, he hopes to share the journey with all of us as we are left once again baffled by this man’s incredible feats.

#MaltaDaily

Falling tiles seriously injure 25 year old man in Ta’ Kerċem

Apr 28 2023

Today, at around 0730hrs, police were informed of an accident that had taken place in Guże Flores in Ta’ Kerċem, Gozo.

Police convened immediately on site and preliminary investigations showed that a 25 year old man from Xewkija was hurt after tiles being lifted into a residence fell on him.

He was given first aid by a medical team and taken to Gozo General Hospital. He was later certified to have been seriously injured.

An inquiry has been opened and investigations are ongoing.

#MaltaDaily

Oral sex deemed the main cause of throat cancer

Apr 28 2023

New research has suggested that oral sex is the main culprit behind a reported ‘epidemic’ of throat cancer in countries like the US.

According to Professor Hisham Mehanna from the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences at the University of Birmingham, the human papillomavirus is to blame.

Writing for The Conversation, he explained how for oropharyngeal cancer, the main risk factor is the number of lifetime sexual partners, especially oral sex.

According to the American Cancer Society, cases of HPV-linked oropharyngeal cancer, a type of throat cancer, rose annually by 1.3% in women and 2.8% in men between 2015 and 2019.

On their part, the CDC estimate that around 70% of oropharyngeal cancer are caused by HPV infection – affecting the tonsils, base of the tongue and the back of the throat.

Further research in 2021, researchers discovered that people with 10 or more oral sex partners were more than four times more likely to develop HPV—related mouth and throat cancers.

This was more worrying considering that the CDC state that 41% of teens between ages 15 and 19 participate in oral sex. Those between 15 and 24 were found responsible for nearly half to the 26 million new STD infections in 2018.

#MaltaDaily