Stop Binning Your Coffee Grounds: The ‘Rubbish’ Hack That Solves A Stinky Fridge Overnight

Posted on 09/05/2026 by Boris Clair

I’m still reeling from the stench I smelled in my fridge the other day. After an unpleasant inspection, I realised the issue wasn’t a rotting courgette or some turned milk; instead, the little drainage hole at the back of the fridge had gotten blocked, leading stagnant water to pool under our bottom drawer.

I probably don’t need to tell you that this was not a welcome aroma. Nor did it go away completely after I flushed and cleared the drain, no matter how many times I wiped and re-wiped the surfaces.

It took a tip from appliance company Whirlpool – using coffee grounds – to finally rid our kitchen of the stinky spectre.

Coffee grounds can absorb smells from your fridge

You’ve likely already heard that a bowl of baking powder can help to get rid of some odours.

But if you don’t have that, coffee grounds do just as good a job, said Whirlpool.

“Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which is great for neutralising odours. If you’re dealing with refrigerator odours, try placing a small bowl of coffee grounds in your fridge compartment,” their site reads.

“It will not only help absorb the odour but also leave behind a slight coffee smell.”

They do also reccomend vinegar for stronger smells, though we were dealing with a lingering, one-off scent remnant here rather than an ongoing smell issue.

And yes, old coffee grounds do the job brilliantly, as The Kitchn noted. Just make sure they’re dry; you can do that by placing them in a thin layer on a baking tray after use and waiting.

So far, it’s worked. A day after the Great Stink, our fridge is back to its normal aroma.

Anything else?

The Kitchn also recommended using their deodorising power on your hands.

“The next time your hands are stinky from cutting fish, onions, or garlic, wet them and then use the coffee grounds to scrub them,” they said.

One caveat, though: do this over a bin with its lid off rather than a sink, so the grounds don’t go down the drain.

‘This Guy Can Get F*cked’: Ryanair Boss’ Call For 6am Airport Pint Ban Divides Passengers

Posted on 08/05/2026 by Boris Clair

Recently, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary called for an end to pre-flight pints.

Speaking to The Times, he said that the problem of inebriated passengers has gotten worse, claiming his company now has to divert an average of one flight a day due to rowdy behaviour on board.

This, he shared, is up from one diversion a week a decade ago.

“It’s becoming a real challenge for all airlines. I fail to understand why anybody in airport bars is serving people at five or six o’clock in the morning. Who needs to be drinking beer at that time?” he asked.

He also pointed out that airport bars don’t have to follow the usual operating hours of other alcohol vendors, saying, “There should be no alcohol served at airports outside [of those] licensing hours.”

O’Leary even called for a two-drink limit on airport bars, though he didn’t confirm whether Ryanair – which he said generally sticks to that rule anyway – would adopt the policy itself.

“We are reasonably responsible, but the ones who are not responsible, the ones who are profiteering off it, are the airports who have these bars open at five or six o’clock in the morning and during delays are quite happy to send these people as much alcohol as they want because they know they’re going to export the problem to the airlines,” he added.

It is, of course, already illegal to be drunk on a plane. Punishments include two years in prison or a £5,000 fine.

So perhaps it’s no wonder fans of the time-honoured British airport tradition had stern words for O’Leary (whose company previously took a disruptive passenger to court for losses over a diverted flight).

“This guy can get fucked,” one X poster commented on the site. “If I’m at an airport at 6:00 AM, having a beer is pretty much the only comfort.”

“Surely Ryanair should stop serving drinks on their morning flights before Michael O’Leary starts lecturing the rest of us?” another post read.

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Surely Ryanair should stop serving drinks on their morning flights before Michael O’Leary starts lecturing the rest of us?

— Richard Barrett (@richardluddite) May 6, 2026

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Surely Ryanair should stop serving drinks on their morning flights before Michael O’Leary starts lecturing the rest of us?

— Richard Barrett (@richardluddite) May 6, 2026

“Time doesn’t exist in the airport,” yet another person commented on an Instagram post.

They’re joined in their disapproval by Wetherspoons boss Sir Tim Martin, who’s called O’Leary’s proposal a “big brother” approach.

Speaking to The Times, he said: “A two-drink limit would be extraordinarily difficult to implement, short of breathalysing passengers, and would, in our opinion, be an overreaction, especially since many of the problems stem from incoming flights.”

Still, not everyone hates the idea.

“A two-drink limit feels fair to me,” one Instagram user said.

“Alcohol can metabolise differently in [the] air, and no one wants to risk being sat next to someone who’s an angry drunk who’s metabolised four drinks like they’re eight and is now plastered and raving in a metal box.”

“Ban ALL alcoholic drinks on airlines and don’t open airport bars until 12 noon,” an X poster added.

The debate takes place days after Jet2 called for a cross-airline database of disruptive passengers.

May’s ‘Beautiful’ Meteor Shower Is About To Have Its Brightest Show

Posted on 05/05/2026 by Boris Clair

In April, stargazers got to enjoy the Lyrid meteor shower.

But if you missed it, don’t worry: since April 18, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower has also been falling, and it’s set to peak this week.

Here’s why it happens, when it’ll be at its brightest in the UK, and how to catch it:

What is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower?

As with the Lyrid meteor shower, it’s not that the comets are “shooting” towards us.

They’re part of the debris following a comet (in this case, comet Halley); in our journey around the sun, we pass through this space rubble, some of which then enters our atmosphere.

When they do that, they move so quickly that they compress and superheat the air surrounding them.

That leads to a glowing “head” and, sometimes, a streaking “tail” that stargazers will recognise as part of a meteor shower.

Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) said on its site, “the beautiful streaks we see in the night sky can actually be caused by particles as small as a grain of sand.”

The debris of Halley’s comet is associated with two meteor showers. The other one, Orionid, is due in October 2026.

When will the Eta Aquariid meteor shower peak in the UK?

In the UK, your best odds are on Wednesday, 6 May, from midnight to dawn. But don’t despair if you miss it.

One of the things that makes the Eta Aquariid meteor shower distinct is that it doesn’t have a “sharp peak”, RMG said.

Instead, brilliant shows tend to cluster around a particular week. In 2026, that’s this week (May 4-10).

How can I see the 2025 Eta Aquariid meteor shower?

Look towards the Eastern horizon in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Steer clear of sources of light pollution, like street lamps, and wait. (Unfortunately, the peak of this meteor shower occurs alongside quite a bright moon, which might make the display less obvious).

The meteors should be visible to the naked eye, so you won’t need any special tools like binoculars.

I Worked As A Character Actor At Disney World. Here’s What You Don’t See Happening Behind The Scenes.

Posted on 04/05/2026 by Boris Clair

It’s my first day of training at Disney World Orlando, and I am learning how to be Pooh, a big yellow bear who is constantly reminded by guests that he’s not wearing pants. I’ve almost perfected the walk, but these boxy feet are giving me shin splints.

Soon I’ve successfully mastered talking, signing and acting like every character in my height range. If I can prove myself as a fur performer, they’ll upgrade me to a face character, transitioning me from cartoon animal costumes to talking human icons. I have my fingers crossed, because it’s autumn, and despite the cool breeze coming in through my mouth, sticky sweat is pouring out of everywhere else. It’s so hot that the pregnant Donald Duck standing across from me just passed out, and I am not far behind. Welcome to the most magical place on Earth!

Though I grew up on Disney films, I never imagined myself working for the Mouse. When I was 7, my grandmother made me chop my hair into a bowl cut before she would take me to Disney World. I spent the entire day crying and now I can’t clearly recall a single thing that happened while we were there.

When I was 13, my grandparents enrolled me in vocal lessons with a woman I would later consider a second mother. During our 12 years together, her daughter became a professional singer and started working at Disney as a stage performer before moving on to Broadway and producing her own albums. When it was suggested that I follow in her footsteps, I leapt at the opportunity to move away from home.

A few weeks after my 20th birthday, I sat in an audition hall alongside hundreds of other hopefuls. I was so nervous that I bombed my performance, but I was encouraged to apply as a face character and to return for stage roles when I was ready. I came back eager for a second chance and spent the day getting measured, learning parade dances, showcasing my miming abilities, and delivering the film lines of characters I resembled. While my dance skills weren’t remarkable, I did land the roles of Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Fawn, a fairy from the beloved Tinker Bell franchise, thereby securing myself a ticket to unforgettable experiences.

I quickly discover that at Disney World, pixie dust is real, except some Tinkerbells take it up the nose instead of sprinkling it on little kids, and one of the guys who plays Prince Charming is rumoured to be on a quest to sleep with a girl from every continent. Thanks to Epcot, he’s more than halfway there. I doubt Walt ever envisioned his creation turning into a buffet for brash men. Meanwhile, the Princess dressing room is abuzz with a rumour that a guy who plays one of the park’s most infamous pirates is giving out golden showers without consent on his days off. I also heard that an employee got fired for getting caught in the bathroom with Mickey’s glove. I shudder to think of how many thousands of germ-ridden hands touched it before it got up close and personal with her mini mouse.

During my first few months working at Disney, I thrive on fast-food meals, a fake celebrity status and late-night outings. I’m staying in a bougie townhouse just outside of Celebration, Florida (a suburb of Orlando that was originally created by the Walt Disney Company), with two other employees for $350 a month each. I move through several parks each week, so the break rooms are always filled with new faces. For now, my closest friends are the photographers and cast assistants who accompany me.

When winter arrives, I finally step into the role of a face character. I discover how to apply fake lashes, glitter and custom wigs. I’m told that my head is two inches smaller than average, that I need Mellow Yellow to cover my hickey, and that tanning is no longer an option. The Cinderella beside me is reprimanded for gaining weight and Ariel is with management to discuss ageing out.

On my first day as Belle, I feel like a yellow cake topper trapped in a 40-pound ballgown that, despite being laundered hundreds of times, still smells like musk. As the doors to the Princess Room open, my fellow castmates and I are greeted with literal “oohs” and “ahhs.” I wasn’t prepared to do a thousand squats today, nor was I ready for the oblivious mother who plops her baby onto my lap despite the full diaper leaking brown sludge from the sides, who then insists on taking photo after photo. And I am certainly not ready for the father who leans in and asks if I’m into bestiality.

The author playing Belle from "Beauty and the Beast." — The author playing Belle from “Beauty and the Beast.”

The Underground is a network of tunnels that serves as a shortcut to anywhere in the park. Performers use it prevent guests from seeing duplicate characters roaming the parks, which would most certainly destroy the illusion that the company is working so hard to keep intact. Because of the sour-smelling sewage running through the pipes overhead, I’m forced to play a perennial game of “dodge the drips”. Disney also offers a cafeteria with various chain restaurants, an onsite gas station, firehouse and medical clinic.

To help preserve the magic of Disney, it is said no one has ever been declared dead on park property, but I’ve heard several people have been decapitated. Tell me how that one works. It’s difficult to know what’s real and what’s not in a world of make believe but I’ve heard plenty more gruesome things have happened in the park. I was told a Tigger was literally run over during a parade and someone else claimed that a Lion King monkey snapped his neck attempting a forward roll in rehearsal. There’s a rumour that Space Mountain has claimed more than its fair share of riders. I don’t know if that’s true, but Splash Mountain was once shut down because a guest thought it would be a good idea to hop out of his boat in the middle of the ride. Long story short: the logs kept moving and the unsuspecting man was crushed as he tried to cross the human-made river.

By spring, I’ve been moved to the sunrise shift. This means that I’m part of the backstage tours, a chance for guests who have paid an obscene amount of money to become disenchanted. They pass by my dressing room, and I’ve never felt more like a zoo animal. No one asks me questions — maybe they’ve been told not to interact with us — and instead I hear:

“Look at her wig!”

“I had no idea she looked like that in real life.”

“Take a picture of those shoes. Oh, right, no cameras allowed. Sorry.”

“Wow, how much do you think those dresses cost to make?”

“Someone needs some coffee.”

For the next year and a half, the luster continues to fade. I wake up, drag myself out of bed, park in the cast lot, ride the bus behind the gates, run down the tunnel, clock in late, get another warning, grab my costume, do my makeup, walk to my assigned area, listen to hype music while awaiting start time, then walk onto set feeling like a baddie.

Smile. Squat down for kids. Pictures. Squat. Squat. Squat. Smile. See 200 guests per set. Clear the room. Sigh as all smiles flatline. Walk off set. Change into break-room attire. Watch Disney films on the couch. Eat Subway. Nap. Fix makeup. Redress. Repeat four times, with each interval lasting 45 to 85 minutes.

I am allowed to go into the parks during my breaks to watch parades, get ice cream, ride coasters, or shop the gift stores, but I never feel the desire to abandon my bubble, not even when auditions for Disney Tokyo and Paris are announced. This is a job, after all. When work is done, I leave, pick up hibachi, and look forward to being home in my pyjamas.

Still, I make lifelong friends, and we take Disney cruises together, and dance our way through confetti and vodka in Florida clubs where our glitter-covered faces seem right at home.

One day at the end of my second year, I’m playing Fawn, a rough-and-tumble tomboy fairy who can talk to animals. I climb plastic trees that overlook painted sunsets until I reach popcorn ceilings, which seem to stare back at me and say, “Grow up.” But here, in Neverland, I don’t have to.

We have a meet-and-greet with a Make-A-Wish child within the first hour. After being dressed up by Fairy Godmothers, she’s wheeled in, and we surround her with gentle coos. They shut off the timer hidden in the upper right-hand corner of the room. It usually serves as a strict guest counter to make sure we hit our numbers. For now, however, it’s dark.

We take our time asking her questions about her interests and dreams. We compliment her sparkling shoes and the Mickey ears perched atop her radiation scars until it’s time to say goodbye. She’s on her way to the real Neverland, so we huddle together as our wings tremble with the emotions we’ve been holding back.

We typically meet with over 1,000 people per day. We are not told to hug children for as long as they want because we have a line to get through and quotas to meet. So we cherish moments like this, when time slows down and we are reminded of why we are here. It is our duty and honor to bring magic into the lives of both children and adults.

Some days, it is easy to shrug off or make light of this mission. On other days, an encounter with someone like this little girl settles like wet concrete in my gut and I have a hard time recovering from how unfair life feels. Unfortunately, I have to get back to work, and our customers don’t want to see a devastated fairy.

I can’t see any way to rise up the ranks at Disney World unless I moved into management, which I don’t want to do. Every day I feel more trapped beneath the wigs and pinned down by the costumes. The feeling that I’m suffocating behind the grinning masks is more constant. My panic attacks become too frequent and difficult to control, but I don’t want to take the anxiety medication I’m offered. I realise it’s time for me to move on.

On my last day, Peter Pan is a special guest in our Pixie Hollow. No one knows that Peter is my favourite representation of dreams, imagination and eternal possibilities. As the room closes and the secret set walls open to return us to human life, I pause because I realise what these last few steps mean. As if it has all suddenly become real, Peter reaches out his hand to me.

“All it takes is faith and trust,” he says, as we skip out one last time. I almost believe him.

The author (middle) with her husband (right) and a friend at Disney on Halloween.

Disney’s economy has rarely suffered because there will always be people who seek safety in nostalgia. Visitors can interact with — or even become — the characters they admire, remember what it feels like to believe in happy endings, and live vicariously through the joy of their children.

I worked at Disney for three years, and I didn’t learn a thing about myself. Disney is like high school. It solidified my identity through cliques, but did not expand it. Being a character is not all it’s cracked up to be, and making magic is not the same as experiencing it.

These days, I see Disney as a glittering pink castle placed atop a stagnant Florida marsh. You can dress it up all you want, but at the end of the day, it’s still hot, crowded and overrated. The fantasy only works when it’s carefully maintained, and someone always has to be backstage or sweating inside a costume to hold the illusion together.

If you are headed there tomorrow, go. Let yourself believe in magic. Take pictures, cry at the fireworks, hold your child’s hand a little longer than you normally might. Don’t listen to me — I never loved Disney to begin with, so I couldn’t fall out of love with it when I left.

I still enjoy watching my husband, who is new to the “wonderful world of Disney,” explore the parks. I still find myself talking like Belle when I’m on a professional call, and Fawn will always be a part of me. I watch most of the Disney films, because, as intended, they bring me comfort and inspiration.

Knowing what I know now has not ruined Disney for me. I see it as I always did: a theme park designed for entertainment and escapism. I am disappointed that I didn’t find anything magical while I worked there, but I guess that’s the point: There is no real magic behind the curtain, only what we create in front of it.

Michalla Brianna is an author, CEO/founder of Barrie Patch Books & The Healing Arts LLC, as well as an executive producer, podcast host, clinical counsellor, and expressive arts therapist. She holds five university degrees in creative writing and psychology. This essay is part of a memoir told in vignettes.

Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we’re looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.

‘Heel Walks’ Can Make Your Shins Stronger And Improve Your Balance

Posted on 03/05/2026 by Boris Clair

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about “Japanese walking,” “incline walking”, “6-6-6 walking”, and “retro walking”.

But if you want to strengthen your calves and shins, either for running or just for better mobility, some experts, like physical therapist Dr Jo, reccomend “heel walking”.

In the caption of a YouTube video, they shared: “Walking on heels is a great exercise for helping with lower leg injuries and muscle imbalances. It can also help with ankle pain and plantar fasciitis.”

What are heel walks?

Happily, it doesn’t involve walking in high heels.

They’re performed by lifting your toes and the balls of your feet up and walking on a flat surface on your heels. You can go forward or backwards with your feet hip-width apart, physical therapist group Therapeutic Associates Inc shared.

They should be short, small steps. “The aim is to point your toes as much as you can towards the ceiling so there is as much dorsiflexion in the ankle as possible,” said Runna.

You should keep your upper body tall with your eyes looking straight forward. Tuck your elbows in and let your arms follow your leg movements.

Keep your glutes and hips tucked in.

Theraputic Associates Inc added, “you may want to perform this exercise to fatigue as in, you can’t keep your toes up off the ground anymore and exhaust the shin muscles”.

What are the benefits of heel walks?

Runna explained that, “Heel walks are a very simple but effective warm-up exercise for the muscle that runs along the front of the shin bone (tibialis anterior).”

This is responsible for keeping your feet lifted and preventing a condition called “foot drop”. Calling it an “underappreciated muscle,” Mirafit added that a strong tibialis anterior contributes to healthy movements of the lower leg which are “all essential when it comes to everyday life and specifically when walking and hiking.”

It may help to prevent shin splints, increase your balance and mobility, and reduce your risk of overuse injuries because they make you better at absorbing shocks, they continued.

Heel walks also stretch your calf muscles and strengthen the flexors in your foot, Runna said.

The 2 Words You Never, Ever Want To Say To An Angry Person

Posted on 02/05/2026 by Boris Clair

The last thing that most of us want to deal with is an angry person in our face. But chances are, sooner or later, it’s going to happen.

So what do we do? And, maybe more importantly, what shouldn’t we do?

Those are some of the questions that Raj Punjabi and Noah Michelson, the co-hosts of HuffPost’s “Am I Doing It Wrong?” podcast, recently posed to Ryan Martin, better know as the Anger Professor, to find out how to “do anger better.”

“You had a great tweet,” Michelson said during the conversation. “You said something like, ‘Never in the history of “calm downs’ has ‘calm down’ calmed down someone.’ So I’m guessing ‘calm down’ is not the thing you want to say.”

“I think ‘relax’ is even worse,” Punjabi added.

“No, ‘relax’ has never relaxed anyone,” agreed Martin, a psychology professor and an associate dean for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

“This is a case where … people are elevated and they’re not necessarily thinking as rationally, and they’re a little defensive. You’re not going to make as much progress with those sort of direct statements that you want to make,” he added. “Telling people to do things like ‘just breathe’ aren’t going to have much of an impact.”

Instead, modelling those actions yourself is going to be more effective.

“One of the things I think is funny is that often when people tell someone to ‘calm down,’ they yell it or they say it in a very loud, stern voice,” said Martin, the author of How To Deal With Angry People and Why We Get Mad: How To Use Your Anger for Positive Change.

“But if you actually back up a little bit and you start speaking softer than normal, you start to communicate in a little more gentle tone, people will sort of inherently match that. This also is rooted in our evolutionary history, that we tend to match the people around us in tone.”

This can help take the edge off the situation without using those triggering phrases, which tend to make us even more irritated.

“It’s, frankly, manipulative. … You’re actually decreasing that elevation,” Martin said. “So speaking in that more gentle voice, staying calm yourself, finding ways to ultimately, if they’re venting, [offer] some minimal encouragers to let them get through that.”

Once there’s less intensity, you’re more likely to have an opportunity to respond.

“I don’t think you want to agree with someone if you don’t agree with them,” said Martin. “But if you can frame a response that seems validating, to let them know ‘you’re obviously really upset about this, let’s talk through some solutions together’ — ways that you can validate their feelings without necessarily validating the cause of their feelings.”

We also discussed the three questions that you should ask yourself before you get angry, what you should do before you send an angry email, and much more.

For more from Ryan Martin, visit his website and Instagram.

Need some help with something you’ve been doing wrong? Email us at AmIDoingItWrong@HuffPost.com, and we might investigate the topic in an upcoming episode.

Rectal Cancer Is Rising In Millennials. Doctors Have A Theory Why.

Posted on 02/05/2026 by Boris Clair

The untimely deaths of actors Chadwick Boseman and James Van Der Beek, who both died of colorectal cancer in their 40s, have brought more awareness to the disease, which is impacting younger people at higher rates each year.

Colorectal cancer, which is the group name for colon and rectal cancer, is the leading cause of cancer deaths in adults under 50, and new research has found that rectal cancer deaths specifically are rising in adults in this age group — namely, millennials. According to NBC’s reporting, rectal cancer will be the top cause of cancer deaths in people under 50 by 2035 if the trend continues.

While rectal cancer is similar to colon cancer, the difference lies in where the cancer is located. “The rectum is considered a part of the colon … it is the end of the colon before the anus,” explained Dr. Jatin Roper, a gastroenterologist with Duke Health and associate professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine in North Carolina. “Because the tissue is biologically fairly similar, rectal cancer is often categorised with colon cancer under the name of ‘colorectal cancer.’”

“Rectal cancers are tumours that start in the rectum. They’re similar to colon tumours in many ways,” said Dr. Michael Foote, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

HuffPost spoke with doctors who pointed out the biggest warning signs of rectal cancer, along with guidance on what you can do to reduce your risk.

The most common signs of rectal cancer include bleeding and abdominal pain.

The most common symptom of rectal cancer is rectal bleeding. This red flag is particularly “much more common” in younger people with rectal cancer, Foote said. This could be blood in the stool or even maroon-coloured stools, according to Roper.

The blood can range in colour from bright red to dark red and can happen when you poop, or at random times throughout the day. The blood may appear in the poop itself or on the toilet paper when you wipe. This can cause some folks to confuse the bleeding for hemorrhoids or even menstruation.

Abdominal pain is also commonly reported. Additional symptoms include changes in bowel habits, constipation, thinner stool, fatigue and weight loss, Roper said. Anemia is also a sign of rectal cancer, he said.

Since rectal cancer happens at the end of the colon, it’s more likely that patients will experience thinner stools or blood in the stool, according to Roper.

“I think the key message is that any change in your gastrointestinal tract should not be ignored, and so any change in your GI function should be investigated by a doctor, and the most concerning signs that should prompt an investigation include any sign of blood in the stool,” Roper said.

In some people, though, rectal cancer has no symptoms, Roper said, which makes regular colorectal screenings even more crucial.

Rates of rectal cancer deaths are rising in younger adults.

Rectal cancer rates are currently rising in younger adults in their 30s and 40s.

Recent research published by the American Cancer Society shows that while colorectal cancer rates are declining in people 65 and older, rates are increasing in younger adults.

“We know that young people getting cancer, most of it’s on either the left side of the colon or especially in the rectum,” Foote said.

“The rate of rectal cancer is rising more quickly than the rate of colon cancer. We don’t know why,” Roper said. Historically, colon and rectal cancer were considered diseases of older individuals, according to Roper, but “it is now recognised that rates of colon and rectal cancer are rising dramatically in younger people. Such that it is unfortunately becoming common to diagnose cancers in individuals under the age of 50.”

Foote stressed that colon and rectal cancer are still overall rare in younger adults. However, cases are increasing more steeply in younger generations, Roper explained. The rate of rectal cancer in people born in 2001 (Gen Z) is higher than for millennials born in 1991, which is, in turn, higher than for the oldest millennials, born in 1981.

“Even in a recent report at a conference that looked at rates of colorectal cancer in teenagers ― very young individuals ― while the absolute numbers are quite low, the rate of rise is just remarkable,” Roper said.

Research shows that the rates of colorectal cancer in adults under 50 has increased by 63% since 1988, according to Foote. Eight out of 100,000 adults under 50 had colorectal cancer in 1988, and now that number is 13 out of 100,000.

While the overall numbers seem low, the increase is concerning “because it raises the possibility that there’s something in our environment or in our diet that we haven’t pinpointed that is increasing this risk in people that are younger, and until we identify what that is, it’ll be very hard to address it,” Roper said.

While research is ongoing, there are a few things experts think could be behind the increase in rectal cancer rates.

Obesity is a risk factor for colorectal cancer in both younger adults and older adults, both experts told HuffPost. “But, most of the people that have young onset colorectal cancer are not obese,” Foote said. Diabetes is also a risk factor, Foote added, but most younger people with colorectal cancer are also not diabetic.

“The rise in colorectal cancer in younger people started sometime between probably 1950 and 1990 … and [rates have] been increasing at a greater rate since,” Foote said.

It’s thought that something changed in our environment during that time; experts don’t believe the rate increase is simply because people are being screened more.

“It’s associated with a Western diet … high animal fat, high carbohydrates, relatively lower vegetables, red and processed meat, and … refined grains and processed sugars,” Foote said.

According to Foote, from 1950 to 1990, our food landscape changed. Fast food popped up across the country, preservatives became more plentiful and even plastic food containers ― which contain microplastics ― became commonplace.

“Other possible causes can include changes in the gut microbiome, or the bacteria that live in our intestinal tract,” Roper suggested. “That microbiome can be changing due to changes in our dietary habits in the last few decades or change in exercise habits. It’s a little bit unclear.”

There are steps you can take to lower your rectal cancer risk.

While there is no one way to totally erase your risk of developing rectal cancer, there are actions you can do to reduce your risk. First, it’s important to get your routine colonoscopy or a stool-based test, which both screen for colon cancer and rectal cancer.

For people at average risk, these start at age 45. “If the 45th birthday is coming up, plan one year in advance to get scheduled for one of these tests with the doctor,” Roper suggested.

For folks who can’t make time for a colonoscopy or don’t have someone to pick them up after the procedure, stool-based tests such as Cologuard and faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) are good options.

“And a positive FIT test or a positive Cologuard test means that you should get a colonoscopy to follow up to investigate that positive test,” Roper explained.

Those with a first-degree family history of colon or rectal cancer (a parent or sibling who had it) may be eligible to get a screening test before 45.

Beyond screenings, Roper recommended following a Mediterranean diet, which is low in animal fats, especially red meat, and high in soluble fibres such as many types of beans, veggies, fruits, seeds and whole grains.

“Try to avoid sugar-sweetened beverages,” Foote suggested. It’s also a good idea to limit your alcohol consumption.

“People are trying to avoid plastic containers more — I think that’s not such a bad idea,” Foot said, who added the caveat that data linking microplastics to colorectal cancer is not as clear.

“If you do have obesity or diabetes, think about trying medications or trying a lifestyle change to reduce your risk there as well,” Foote said. “And then talk to your doctor, get established with a primary care doctor early. A lot of young people don’t have access to primary care. They don’t prioritise it.”

Having a doctor you regularly check in with and who knows your personal history is an important way to manage your health. Don’t ignore symptoms of rectal cancer symptoms, either.

“I think this is a change in how the medical community looks at these symptoms over the last …10 to 20 years, because the incidence of rectal and colon cancers [is] rising so dramatically in younger people,” Roper said, before adding that the symptoms mentioned above deserve investigation but aren’t always signs of rectal cancer.

“If you’re having symptoms, don’t just sit on them,” Foote said. And if your doctor doesn’t take your symptoms seriously, don’t be afraid to escalate the problem.

I Knew My Cancer Was Back, But My GP Insisted It Was Just A Gym Injury

Posted on 02/05/2026 by Boris Clair

You know your body better than anyone – but what happens when no one listens? Welcome to Ms Diagnosed: a HuffPost UK series uncovering the reality of medical gaslighting. With new stats showing that 8 in 10 of women have felt unheard by medical professionals, we’re sharing the stories of seven whose lives were nearly lost to the gap between their symptoms and a system that refused to listen. As the UK introduces Jess’s Rule – a new mandate for GPs to ‘rethink’ after a third visit – we’re exploring why the medical system is still failing women and how we can start to fix it.

The pain was absolutely unbearable.

By January 2024, the pain that had started in my forearm had spread to my neck; and it was agony.

On the way to pick my daughter up from school, I’d be in tears because it was so excruciating. As I approached the school gates, I’d think, ‘Just power through!’.

I’d been contacting my GP surgery for a year; but, while tendonitis and a nerve conduction test were floated, the real cause of my symptoms wasn’t picked up. And it really should have been; because I had a history of cancer.

Eventually, in February 2024, I was diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer, which had spread to my lungs, liver, lymph nodes and bones; among other areas.

And I can’t help wondering whether the cancer would have spread so much if it had been picked up earlier.

I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2016; and it’s worth saying that my treatment, from my first appointment with my GP onwards, was fantastic. I had a lumpectomy, followed by three weeks of radiotherapy. Subsequent test results showed my chance of recurrence was low, so my oncologist said I didn’t have to have chemotherapy.

Fast forward to January 2022, and I started getting a deep, dull ache in my left forearm.

It was strange. I did go to the gym, but I hadn’t injured myself. At this point, I didn’t want to go to the doctor; it felt too embarrassing to go and say, ‘I’ve got armache’.

Now, of course, I’d advise anyone with these symptoms to go to the GP; no matter how trivial or embarrassing it may feel. But back then, I just didn’t know.

I remember saying to a friend, ‘What if it’s the cancer again?’ but they said, ‘No, it won’t be,’ – because, of course, no one knows ongoing, unexplained pain can be a symptom of secondary cancer. So I dismissed the thought.

But it got to the point where, if the pain came on when I was having a conversation, I couldn’t concentrate on what was being said; so I decided to go to my GP in January 2023. I specifically remember her saying to me, “It’s so weird that you haven’t done anything to cause it!” – but she just gave me some exercises for tendonitis.

I’m frustrated by the fact that she thought it was strange and yet didn’t look into it more; but I’m far more disappointed in the GP I saw next.

I tried the exercises, and I tried taking painkillers, too – but, obviously, none of that did anything.

Around a month or so later, the pain started spreading to my neck and shoulders. It got to a point where I couldn’t lift my left arm past my shoulder. I tried to hang from the bar in the gym in the hope it would stretch it out – I knew I was strong enough; but I physically couldn’t do it.

Now, I know there were so many tumours that they were causing an obstruction.

I was always in pain. My husband booked me a massage, and I thought, “Good, I’ll have that, and then I’ll feel all loose and relaxed”. But, of course, I didn’t; because the pain had nothing to do with the muscles.

I went back to the GP surgery in September 2023, and saw a different GP. I told him all about the unexplained neck and arm ache, and said the area above my collarbone was really tender.

He examined me – but throughout the appointment, his manner made me feel as though my symptoms weren’t worthy of his time.

He then suggested I should have a nerve conduction test, which he referred me for.

He’d warned me there’d be a wait for that test, so I started Googling, hoping to find ways to manage the pain in the meantime – and I read about how there are lymph nodes just above the collarbone, which was where I was getting the pain.

As soon as I saw that, alarm bells started ringing and I felt really scared. The pain was on the same side as my breast cancer; and I knew breast cancer and lymph nodes are often connected.

I used the NHS messaging service to contact that same GP, saying I’d realised the area I’d mentioned as being tender was where my lymph nodes were; and I mentioned having had breast cancer before. I was worried, and I wanted to let him know what I’d learned.

He replied saying he hadn’t found any lymphadenopathy (swelling of lymph nodes).

But roughly three weeks later, I noticed a pea-sized lump in the lymph node area. I wasn’t as worried as I should have been, because I’d been reassured by the GP that he hadn’t noticed anything of concern.

The pain was also getting increasingly unbearable, though, so I contacted the GP again – through the messaging service, because I didn’t want to waste their time with more appointments – and said the pain was constant. He replied saying I could make an appointment to explore pain relief options.

“He’s still thinking it’s not anything to worry about,” I thought, feeling reassured.

By January 2024, I couldn’t live with the pain any longer; so, even though I finally had a date for the nerve conduction test, I went back to the GP. This time, he found lumps in my lymph nodes; and he acted surprised, saying, “How long have you had these?!”.

“That’s the area I told you was really tender,” I said.

He referred me to the hospital; and from that point on, my care was wonderful. I had an ultrasound and a biopsy, and I felt fine during the tests, but whilst I waited with my husband to see the consultant and I was alone with my thoughts, I started to realise: “It’s the cancer, isn’t it?” I broke down in tears.

When I saw the consultant, she confirmed my fears. “I’m really sorry,” she said. “It does look like the cancer’s come back.”

The appointment where I received my official diagnosis was six days later, on my husband’s 40th birthday. ‘It is cancer, and the care is going to be palliative,’ said the consultant – and I couldn’t stop crying.

“I don’t mind what you do,” I insisted. “Cut off my arm; do whatever you have to do; but I can’t die. I can’t leave my husband or daughter.”

“I’m sorry,” she replied. “If it turns out there is any option for surgery we’ll do it, but because of where the cancer is, I don’t think it will be a possibility.”

At that time, I thought I’d only have months to live. My husband and I were both distraught and utterly overwhelmed.

Now I know that, thanks to incredible advances in cancer treatment, my prognosis is much more favourable.

But I can’t help wondering what could have been. I know you can’t cure secondary cancer; but if it had been picked up sooner, would it be so widespread now?

I’m constantly aching and have been unable to return to work. Without a pension or life insurance, this has had a huge impact on my family.

The hardest thing is, I’ll never know what effect being diagnosed so late has had on my prognosis.

I know GPs have an incredibly difficult job, but the symptoms I went in with are common symptoms of metastatic breast cancer. I want every GP to know the symptoms of secondary cancer; and I want primary breast cancer patients to be told, “Hopefully, it never comes back; but here are the symptoms to look out for”.

Because I just didn’t know.

Charli has been greatly helped and supported by Breast Cancer Now; in particular, by their ‘Younger Women Together’ events, which are opportunities for women aged 18-45 who are struggling with cancer to come together, share their experiences and support each other. Find out more here.

My GP Said I Was ‘Fine’ — But I Had A Melon-Sized Tumour In My Chest And Acute Leukaemia

Posted on 27/04/2026 by Boris Clair

“Have you tried Head & Shoulders shampoo?,” asked my GP. ‘We think you might have a scalp infection.’

I stared at her, gobsmacked. I had between 20 and 50 hard, pea-sized lumps that kept appearing on my scalp, as well as horrible flaking. I knew it was more than a scalp infection.

“I’ve had a dry scalp all my life,” I said, eventually, “I use Head & Shoulders all the time.”

“Hmmm,” mused the GP. “Well, we’ll prescribe you some shampoo that will hopefully get rid of the lumps.”

I didn’t have a scalp infection. I had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL); and this was diagnosed following a trip to A&E, after I’d gone to my GP surgery every week for ten weeks to no avail.

My symptoms started in July 2021, when I was 26. I’d had Covid for two weeks – then, things only got worse.

For a start, there were those lumps developing on my scalp; as well as down the back of my ear, down my neck and in my armpits.

I was losing a lot of hair; I had terrible night sweats; I was sick a lot; and I was very fatigued, to the point where my boyfriend was having to help dress me. Even walking 100 metres to my office from the carpark, I’d have to stop and catch my breath.

I first visited my GP that summer. ‘We’ve seen a lot of people come in with exactly what you’re saying,’ she said. ‘We think it could be Long Covid.’

That initially made sense; I’d had Covid, after all. But over the course of the following ten weeks, I went back to the GP again and again and she’d make me walk up and down the corridor to test my blood oxygen levels and my pulse. “You’re fine; you’re fine,” she’d say.

“Well…I’m obviously not fine, because I’m out of breath all the time,” I said, utterly bewildered. Once, I was just sitting on the grass watching my boyfriend playing sports when my watch notified me that my heart rate was too high.

But the GP kept saying, “No, no, you’re fine.” As it later turned out, I had a tumour the size of a melon on my chest.

I went back to the surgery again and again with the same symptoms. I’d be told things like, “You’ve got a history with asthma; we’ll give you an inhaler.”

I was prescribed the same shampoo again for the lumps on my scalp. Another time, they suggested the lumps were an allergic reaction to my hair dye.

I had blood test after blood test, but I kept hearing, “They’re fine, they’re fine, all your bloods are fine.”

Obviously, my blood was not fine.

Every time I left the GP’s office, I felt so let down. It seemed there was no end in sight; I’d just been pushed away again with an inhaler or some scalp treatment.

It was incredibly frustrating and very upsetting – all the more so because I knew, deep down, there was something very wrong. Once, when I was really struggling at work, I said to my manager: “Something’s not right. I know it.”

Another time, I messaged my mum: “What if it’s cancer?”. She replied: “If it was going to be cancer, it would have come back on your blood tests. Try not to worry.”

Those texts will always stick with me. Clearly, on some level, I knew.

In October 2021, I got a migraine at work. I do get migraines, but this was the worst head pain I’ve ever had. I couldn’t even open my eyes. I rang 111 and explained the migraine and all the symptoms I’d had since July; and they sent an ambulance.

I was taken to A&E, where I had a blood test, an ultrasound and a CT scan.

Then, because of Covid restrictions, I was left on my own in a little side room. After about four hours, a doctor came to see me. “We think you’ve got Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” he said.

“I’m sorry…I don’t know what that is,” I said, helplessly.

“It’s a type of cancer,” he said; and then he left. I was on my own trying to process that news; and I burst into floods of tears.

I was taken to the cancer ward, where I stayed for seven days while they did various tests. Eventually, I was diagnosed – not with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but with ALL.

My treatment lasted for nearly three years, because I had a high percentage of leukaemia in my bone marrow as well as my blood. I had regular chemo, and a lumbar puncture every four weeks to take out spinal fluid and check for cancer in my brain. I also had a Hickman line – which was inserted into a vein in my neck and poked out of little valves in my chest – to administer chemotherapy and take regular blood samples. I never got used to that.

Eventually, I finished my treatment in June 2024 – and I’ve now been in remission for 21 months.

I visit my consultant every six months for blood tests and a check-up, and I have to take antibiotics if I get a cold because my immune system isn’t 100%. But with each month that passes, I get stronger. I’m going to the gym three or four times a week and my hair is so long, which feels amazing.

But while I’m a lot better physically, I still struggle mentally.

Even though my consultant told me my treatment would have been the same whether I’d been diagnosed on Day 1 or Day 100, I’m horrified when I think of how many times I was told by a GP that I was fine, when I unequivocally wasn’t – and, thanks to being misdiagnosed repeatedly, I’m left with health anxiety.

Every time I get a bruise on my leg, I automatically think: ‘The cancer’s back.’ If I ever get hot in the night, I worry that I’m getting night sweats again.

In November, a few symptoms were making me extremely anxious – night sweats, bruising, aching muscles and bones. I couldn’t wait for my next scheduled appointment, so I arranged an emergency appointment with my consultant. After reviewing some blood tests, he reassured me that I was a ‘picture of health’ and had nothing to worry about.

I think I’ll always have this anxiety – I went through such a tough journey, the thought of going back to that is incredibly scary – but feeling my strength returning has helped.

And my advice to anyone else struggling to get answers for certain symptoms is: Trust your instincts, and keep on pushing. Try to get a second opinion; if necessary, go to A&E and tell them about all your symptoms.

I’m so glad I kept pushing. I knew something was very wrong; and it turned out I was absolutely right.

Learn more about ALL:

ALL is a rare type of blood cancer, with just 790 new people diagnosed in the UK every year, according to Leukaemia UK. The most common symptoms are fatigue, frequent infections and bruising.

What The Renter’s Rights Act May Mean For Landlords And Tenants

Posted on 27/04/2026 by Boris Clair

On May 1, 2026, the first phase of the Renter’s Rights Act reforms will come into effect.

The government said the act was created to “empower renters by providing them with greater security, rights and protections so that they can stay in their homes for longer, build lives in their communities, and avoid the risk of homelessness.”

But what does it actually mean for tenants and landlords?

Here’s what Amy Rootham, home insurance expert at Compare the Market, told us about the most important changes for both groups.

How will the Renter’s Rights Act 2026 affect tenants?

“While the Renter’s Rights Act is largely focused on improving protections for tenants, it will also change how renting works day-to-day. Renters will have more flexibility and security, but may also need to plan more carefully around things like moving, budgeting, and maintaining the property,” said Rootham.

She said five significant changes will include:

The end of ‘no-fault evictions’. “The end of ‘no-fault’ evictions means renters have greater protection against being asked to leave without reason. However, the shift to rolling tenancies also means contracts are more open-ended, making longer-term planning feel less predictable.”

Greater flexibility to move. “Tenants will be able to leave with shorter notice, making it easier to relocate for work or personal reasons.”

Better protection against poor living conditions. “Stricter rules on issues like damp and mould should lead to quicker fixes and improved housing standards, giving renters more confidence to raise concerns.”

Easier access to renting with pets. “Tenants will have a stronger right to request a pet, which is a major shift for many households. However, renters should still be mindful of their responsibilities, as they may be expected to cover any damage caused.”

Rent increases will follow a set process. “Under the new rules, landlords will need to use the Section 13 process to increase rent, with increases limited to once per year and at least two months’ written notice required. Tenants may also be able to challenge increases they believe are above market rate.”

How will the Renter’s Rights Act 2026 affect landlords?

Per Rootham, some of the most significant changes for landlords will be:

Rolling tenancies. “As of the 1st May, all fixed-term contracts will move to rolling monthly contracts, removing the certainty of long-term contracts. Landlords must check that their loss-of-rent cover doesn’t lapse or become invalid if a tenant decides to leave. The new regulations mean tenants only need to give a minimum of two months’ notice.”

Extended liability for missed rental payments. “The threshold for mandatory eviction due to arrears is increasing from two months to three. This means landlords could face significantly longer periods without income.”

Stricter health and safety responsibilities. “With Awaab’s Law now applying to the private rented sector, landlords will be legally required to fix hazards like damp and mould within strict timeframes.”

Reduced grounds for refusing pet ownership. ”One of the most significant changes likely to impact landlords relates to pets. Tenants will gain a legal right to request a pet – this cannot be refused without a ‘reasonable’ justification.

“Crucially, consent will be legally implied unless landlords respond to the request within 28 days.”

Removal of ‘no-fault’ legal protection. “The end of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions means all expulsions must now go through a ‘Section 8’ court process. This is often slower and more expensive. Landlords should consider reviewing their legal expenses cover to make sure it can help handle these more complex, evidence-based court hearings.”

Mandatory database fees. “Landlords will have to join a new Private Rented Sector Database and an Ombudsman scheme. Unregistered landlords could find their insurance voided if they are not compliant with these new statutory registries.”

Shelter says this could be good news for tenants

Speaking to HuffPost UK, Sarah Elliott, chief executive of housing and homelessness charity Shelter, said: “For too long, renters have stayed silent about discrimination and endured hellish conditions, for fear of losing their homes. The Renters’ Rights Act has the potential to transform private renting, finally freeing tenants from the injustice of no-fault evictions, which have pushed record numbers into homelessness.

“But renters must understand that the current system remains in place until May 1, 2026. Until then, we stand ready to help them understand the vital changes the Act will introduce. Anyone in need of support should visit our website for housing advice or use the webchat to speak to one of our advisers.”

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Rectal Cancer Is Rising In Millennials. Doctors Have A Theory Why.

The most common signs of rectal cancer include bleeding and abdominal pain.

Rectal cancer rates are currently rising in younger adults in their 30s and 40s.

While research is ongoing, there are a few things experts think could be behind the increase in rectal cancer rates.

There are steps you can take to lower your rectal cancer risk.

I Knew My Cancer Was Back, But My GP Insisted It Was Just A Gym Injury

My GP Said I Was ‘Fine’ — But I Had A Melon-Sized Tumour In My Chest And Acute Leukaemia

What The Renter’s Rights Act May Mean For Landlords And Tenants

How will the Renter’s Rights Act 2026 affect tenants?

How will the Renter’s Rights Act 2026 affect landlords?

Shelter says this could be good news for tenants