Shock, grief, and gratitude after death of Chadwick Boseman

“He was a gentle soul and a brilliant artist, who will stay with us for eternity through his iconic performances over his short yet illustrious career. God bless Chadwick Boseman.” — Denzel Washington, via a statement.

“Chadwick.....no words to express my devastation of losing you. Your talent, your spirit, your heart, your authenticity........It was an honor working beside you, getting to know you....Rest well prince...May flights of angels sing thee to thy heavenly rest. I love you!” — Viola Davis, co-star in “Get on Up” and the upcoming adaptation of August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” via Instagram.

“During the premiere party for Black Panther, Chadwick reminded me of something. He whispered that when I received my honorary degree from Howard University, his alma mater, he was the student assigned to escort me that day. And here we were, years later as friends and colleagues, enjoying the most glorious night ever! We’d spent weeks prepping, working, sitting next to each other every morning in makeup chairs, preparing for the day together as mother and son. I am honored that we enjoyed that full circle experience. This young man’s dedication was awe-inspiring, his smile contagious, his talent unreal. So I pay tribute to a beautiful spirit, a consummate artist, a soulful brother...‘thou aren’t not dead but flown afar...’. All you possessed, Chadwick, you freely gave. Rest now, sweet prince.” — Angela Bassett, co-star in ”Black Panther,” via Instagram.

“I don’t have words. Rest In Peace, Bruh. Thank you for all you did while you were here. Thank you for being a friend. You are loved. You will be missed.” — Boseman’s “Black Panther” co-star Sterling K. Brown.

“I’m absolutely devastated. This is beyond heartbreaking. Chadwick was special. A true original. He was a deeply committed and constantly curious artist. He had so much amazing work still left to create. I’m endlessly grateful for our friendship. Rest in power, King.” — Chris Evans, who played Captain America in multiple Marvel films, via Twitter.

“What a man, and what an immense talent. Brother, you were one of the all time greats and your greatness was only beginning. Lord love ya. Rest in power, King.” — Mark Ruffalo, Boseman’s co-star in “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” via Twitter.

“THANK YOU @chadwickboseman for all you gave us. We needed it & will always cherish it! A talented & giving artist & brother who will be sorely missed.” — Samuel L. Jackson, co-star in “Avengers: Endgame”, via Twitter.

“This is a crushing blow.” — director and actor Jordan Peele on Twitter.

“Our hearts are broken and our thoughts are with Chadwick Boseman’s family. Your legacy will live on forever.” — Marvel Studios, via Instagram.


“Heartbroken. My friend and fellow Bison Chadwick Boseman was brilliant, kind, learned, and humble. He left too early but his life made a difference.” — Kamala Harris, on Twitter. Harris and Boseman were both graduates of Howard University, and his final tweet celebrated her selection as Joe Biden’s running mate.

“The true power of @ChadwickBoseman was bigger than anything we saw on screen. From the Black Panther to Jackie Robinson, he inspired generations and showed them they can be anything they want — even super heroes.” — Joe Biden, via Twitter.

“We are devastated by the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman. His transcendent performance in ’42′ will stand the test of time and serve as a powerful vehicle to tell Jackie’s story to audiences for generations to come.” — Major League Baseball, via Twitter.

“This broke me.” — Actor and writer Issa Rae on Twitter.

“i will miss you, birthday brother. you were always light and love to me. my god.” Don Cheadle, via Twitter.

“So stunned. Honored to have worked with @chadwickboseman early on. Truly an amazing man. God bless his wife and family in this difficult time. Rest In Peace, brother.” — Terry Crews, via Twitter.

“A warrior of light til the very end. A true king. I am without words. May he rise in power.” — Actor Kerry Washington, on Twitter.

“I met you at the premier of 42 in Pittsburgh in 2013. Even though you were in the spotlight and all eyes were on you, I remember you saying, ‘I’m that one that’s starstruck by all of these athletes here.’ That’s the man you were. Humble. You will be missed.” — Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen, a former National League Most Valuable Player when he played for Pittsburgh, on Twitter.

“Just when you thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse... A deeply gifted man is gone too soon. His memory will blaze on fiercely... from here to eternity.” — Mark Hamill, on Twitter.

“Hard to hear about this. Rest in love, brother. Thank you for shining your light and sharing your talent with the world. My love and strength to your family.” — Dwayne Johnson, via Twitter.

“Our makeup artists are friends and he used to get on the phone and ask me to sing “You Mean The World To Me” because it was his favorite song of mine and now this song will be forever dedicated to him.” — Toni Braxton, recording artist, on Twitter.

“In power. Eternally in power.” — “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins, via Twitter.

“We love you, Chadwick. Your legacy will never die.” — Lena Waithe, on Twitter.

“An immeasurable loss. From “Black Panther” to “Da 5 Bloods,” Chadwick Boseman brought strength and light to the screen, every time.” — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, via Twitter.

“We’ve lost a great one. My heart is truly broken.” — Octavia Spencer on Instagram.

Associated Press

Good and bad news on aspirin and colon cancer: study

PARIS - Daily aspirin use -- known to reduce the risk of colon cancer -- could also make the disease harder to treat if it does occur, researchers reported Wednesday.

The new findings based on mathematical modelling, if confirmed statistically and in the lab, would mean that aspirin's ability to ward off colon cancer may come at an unacceptably high cost, they cautioned.

Taking aspirin regularly "has been shown to reduce the incidence (of) a variety of cancers," including of the colon, noted the authors of a study in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.


But at the same time, the drug may render the cancer "more difficult to manage therapeutically," they added.

"This indicates a potential trade-off."

A growing body of research has shown that daily micro-doses of aspirin taken for at least 5 years can slash the risk of cancer later in life.

Rates of prostate, throat and non-small-cell lung cancer all drop off significantly, with the incidence of colon cancer cut by up to half.

Other studies, meanwhile, have tested the impact of aspirin directly on cancer cells in the laboratory, showing that the common painkiller can slow the rate of cell division and boost cell death.

But scientists do not yet understand the mechanism at work, or know whether aspirin might have as-yet-undiscovered effects on cancer spread.

To find out more, researchers led by Dominik Wodarz of the University of California at Irvine -- who conducted these earlier experiments -- investigated whether the drug may cause dangerous cancer mutations.

LASTING BENEFITS

Indeed, aspirin did boost the cancer's ability to produce aggressive, mutant cells that are drug-resistant, they found.

The results could challenge the protocol for aspirin use in cancer prevention.

It is now critical to ensure that aspirin delays "the onset of colourectal cancer by a sufficient amount of time to avoid the negative effects of this trade-off," the study authors said.

People who take the drug, especially in middle age, should be regularly screened for cancer, they added.

Roughly half of adults in the United States take small doses -- 80 to 325 milligrams -- of aspirin to ward off cardiovascular disease. In Britain the figure is about 40 percent.

The general public has not yet recognized the potential benefits for cancer prevention, notes Peter Rothwell, a professor at the Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia at the University of Oxford.

"It takes a while, and more replication studies, to convince people that the benefits are real," he told AFP.

Rothwell published a study earlier this year showing an increased risk of internal bleeding in people over 75 who take aspirin regularly.

"You might want to take it in your 50s and 60s, but then stop," he told AFP.

"The benefits you get from cancer prevention carries on for another 10 years or so."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Why you should check for colon cancer

MANILA -- Colon cancer is fourth among the top causes of cancer-related deaths in the world and the rate is going up even in the Philippines, according to Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes.

In dzMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Gopez-Cervantes, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist, explained that colon cancer is a cancer in any part of the 1.5 meter-long large intestine that processes waste that goes out through the rectum.

"Kapag namamaga ang colon o 'yung large intestine, nagkakaroon ng diarrhea kasi 'di naaabsorb ang water."

Colon cancer has four stages:

Stage 1

- The tumor is localized and is only on the surface of the colon. It is usually found as incidental finding when a CT scan or colonoscopy is administered to the patient.

Stage 2

- The tumor goes deeper into the colon and invades lower layers of the large intestine.

Stage 3

- Lymph nodes (kulani) will be present.

Stage 4

- The tumor reaches other organs such as the liver, kidney, and bones.

The bad news is that the symptoms of colon cancer will only be noticeable once the tumor has already advanced.

"Kung ang tumor o ang cancer ay nasa left side ng colon, 'yung few centimeters magmula sa anal opening... nagkakaroon ng manifestation ng pagbara ng daanan ng dumi kaya lumiliit ang dumi."

There will be instances when the patient will experience alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation, blood stains on their stool, or loss of appetite that could lead to weight loss.

If the tumor is in the right side, one of its manifestation is anemia.

Unlike the tumor in the left side of the colon, bleeding won't be noticeable for those who has it on the right side.

Patients with ages 50 to 65 years old may experience weight loss and anemia might be showing signs of colon cancer.

Colon cancer is seldom painful unless it is already in an advanced stage.

"Seldom magbibigay ng pain unless bumara na ang isang tumor kunwari sa left side, lumaki na to the point na halos 'di na makalabas ang dumi, lalaki ang intestine to the point na lalaki ang tiyan, magbibigay ng abdominal pain, vomiting, at kadalasan walang lumalabas na hangin o dumi man."

However, there is good news: colon cancer can be treated early and prevented.

Gopez-Cervantes said the tumor starts as a polyp (tissue) in the large intestine which can evolve and develop into colon cancer.

If it is immediately seen by the doctor, it can be removed to prevent it from growing.

"Kung nakita siya during colonoscopy which is the direct visualization of the inside of the colon, 'pag nakitang may polyp o lamang tumutubo, kayang-kayang tanggalin right there and then lalo na kung 'di gaanong kalakihan and that will save the patient from colon cancer."

She reminded everyone to get checked, especially those who already reached 50 years old because 20 to 30 percent of their population produce polyps which can lead to cancer in five to 10 years.

People who have a family history of colon cancer or those who have immediate family members who had polyps removed from their colon should undergo screening when they reach 40 to 45 years old.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com