More Than Skin Deep

A rare cancer is becoming more common. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( Sponsored by [Wonderful Pistachios logo]( September 7, 2023 As the presidential race draws closer, Joe Biden’s age continues to be a topic of conversation — and [Kamala Harris weighed in on whether he’s too old to run](. We’ve got more political intrigue where that came from: We investigate [5 rumors about the Kennedys](. Then, a celebrity divorce attorney dishes on [why so many couples are calling it quits]( right now. But first, we're still thinking about the loss of Jimmy Buffett, and we're taking a closer look at [the rare form of cancer that took him much too soon](. Thanks for waking up with us.   In the News [Jimmy Buffett]( Getty Images More Than Skin Deep Jimmy Buffett battled Merkel cell carcinoma for four years before his death last week at 76. This form of skin cancer is rare, but rates have dramatically risen in recent years. Here’s [what you should know about the disease](: What is Merkel cell carcinoma? It develops when Merkel cells, a type of skin cell found at the base of the epidermis, start to grow out of control. In most cases, it looks like a firm, dime-sized lump, that’s often reddish or sometimes has a blue tint. How common is it? It affects about one in 130,000 Americans, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. But rates of the disease have tripled over the past two decades, and it’s expected to become more common as adults live longer. We’ve got more on this dangerous type of cancer, including [the other symptoms you should be on the lookout for]( and who’s most at risk. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fhealth%2Fcancer%2Fwhat-is-merkel-cell-skin-cancer%2F   More Stories [Woman wearing green scarf holds out green banner]( Getty Images A historic moment: Mexico’s Supreme Court has federally decriminalized abortion. “The legal system that penalizes abortion in the Federal Criminal Code is unconstitutional, since it violates the human rights of women and people with the capacity to gestate,” the court said on social media. This comes alongside the release of new research from the Guttmacher Institute suggesting that abortion rates actually rose in most U.S. states in the first half of this year, suggesting that thousands of women crossed state lines to take advantage of more permissive rules elsewhere. The hunt is on: A community in eastern Pennsylvania is on high alert after a convicted murderer broke out of a nearby prison. Danelo Cavalcante, 34, escaped the Chester County Prison last Thursday by scaling the walls. Two school districts have been closed, with children forced to remain indoors. “This is a dangerous game of tactical hide and seek,” Robert Clark, supervisory deputy US marshal for Pennsylvania’s eastern district, told CNN. A desperate effort: Rescuers in Turkey are mounting a gigantic attempt to retrieve an American caver who's been trapped in a 4,100-foot deep cave since Saturday. Caver Mark Dickey, 40, was reportedly suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding at one point, and though his condition has stabilized, his rescue remains urgent. “The operation is logistically and technically one of the largest cave rescues in the world, involving 150 rescuers,” the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service said per NBC News. On the court: Daniil Medvedev, who's set to face Carlos Alcaraz in tomorrow's U.S. Open semifinal, has issued a dire warning over the "brutal" conditions at the tournament. “One player is going to die and you are going to see,” he said during his grueling Wednesday match against Andrey Rublev, during which the temperature hit 93 degrees Fahrenheit. On a happier note, Naomi Osaka has announced her return to the game in 2024 — and she's got a busy schedule lined up. “It’s definitely way more tournaments than I used to play,” Osaka, who announced the birth of her daughter in July, told ESPN.   Must-Reads [Joe Biden and Kamala Harris]( The VP Speaks Kamala Harris weighs in on voters' concerns about Joe Biden's age — and whether she's prepared to take his place if duty calls. [Read More »]( [Woman holding a blue and red speech bubble in each hand. in the red bubble is DNA double helixes and in the blue one are outlines of fruits]( Self-Control We’re continuing our explorations of longevity with a (hopefully encouraging) look at how much your DNA influences your life span. [Read More »]( [Black-and-white photo of the Kennedys]( Curse or Coincidence? The Kennedys have attracted their fair share of rumors throughout the decades, so we're fact-checking these 5 famous myths about them. [Read More »](   The Good Stuff [Lemony Beet Hummus with Poached Wonderful Pistachios]( Lemony Beet Hummus with Poached Wonderful Pistachios. (Courtesy of Wonderful Pistachios) If you're not excited by the term "healthy snack," then you just haven't found the right one! The right combination can be nutritious and delicious — making your taste buds ask for more. We've learned [5 fascinating ways pistachios can supercharge your snack time]( when your stomach starts rumbling. [READ MORE]( [sponsored by Wonderful Pistachios](   Extra Credit Game on: Some of us love football, and some of us are just here for the tailgate. Did you know this rowdy practice has roots in the Roman empire? As the NFL season kicks off tonight with Detroit vs. Kansas City, we spoke to an expert about [the surprising history of tailgating](. On the outs: Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner are the latest celebrity couple to call it quits. Is there something in the air right now? We asked an attorney to the stars [why it feels like everyone’s getting divorced this summer](. Just desserts: When your sweet tooth is raging, nothing hits the spot quite like a chewy homemade chocolate chip cookie. Everyone’s got their own method, but [my favorite recipe]( utilizes brown butter and two types of chocolate to achieve that perfect balance between crunchy and soft.   Pop In Here’s some refreshing news: Quip, purveyors of those sleek electric toothbrushes, just launched [sugar-free mints]( that improve oral hygiene. They’rere packed with zinc to fight bad breath and Vitamin D to strengthen teeth. [Hand opening quip mints]( [CHECK THEM OUT](   One More Thing With Labor Day behind us, some companies are pushing harder than ever to get people back in the office five days per week. My friend Joanne Lipman wrote a thought-provoking piece about [why we’ll never go back to full-time in-person work]( — and why that can be a good thing, for individuals and employers.   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.]( Thanks for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! 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