While it’s true the modern political climate in the United States is heavily divided along party lines, Pennsylvania Senators Dave McCormick (R) and John Fetterman (D) have been bucking the trend by providing an encouraging example of bipartisanship.The two senators recently released a video urging an end to the government shutdown, which is beginning to take a toll on average Americans. The collaboration features Fetterman saying, “Even though we are in a different party, we both want to talk about why we believe it’s so important to reopen this government.”
McCormick shares this sentiment in the video by saying, “23 days, 12 votes, Senator Fetterman and I have both voted to open up the government. We agree on that 100%. It’s really starting to hurt Pennsylvania.”
Some of the folks who are now beginning to feel the pinch from the shutdown include air traffic controllers and border patrol agents who are working to secure the border and keep the country safe. Resources set aside for two million SNAP users are starting to run low, which means those who use the service to support their families during tough economic times could go without the resources they need to get by.
By acknowledging this reality, both senators are demonstrating a commitment that goes beyond party allegiance and addresses their constituents’ concerns and needs.
Both senators have also been deeply involved in efforts to pass bills that would alleviate the suffering caused by the shutdown. They voted in favor of a measure to pay certain federal workers during the deadlock. Unfortunately, these measures did not pass in the Senate.
Many are hoping that the bipartisanship on display between McCormick and Fetterman will rub off on others in the Senate and help heal some of the division that is ripping the country apart and preventing an agreement that will get the government up and running.
Conservatives and even a handful of Democrats are hopeful that seeing these two work together for the betterment of their constituents will lead others to see that collaboration between individuals with different political ideologies is possible when politicians, elected to represent the people, put the needs of others above their own.While there are many different areas of disagreement between Republicans and Democrats concerning the shutdown, providing healthcare for illegal aliens is one of the biggest hurdles to cross. President Donald Trump has made it clear he will not compromise on this issue.
There are four common symptoms that we’ve all likely experienced at some point or another that could actually be the first sign of pancreatic cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025, roughly 67,440 Americans will be diagnosed with this type of cancer – split 34,950 men and 32,490 women – while a further 51,980 are anticipated to die of pancreatic cancer, 27,050 of those being male.
Pancreatic cancer makes up around three per cent of all cancers in the US and around eight per cent of all cancer-related deaths.
One of the earliest clues of pancreatic cancer can actually appear in the legs before any stomach pain or jaundice kicks in.
According to medical experts, sometimes the first red flag isn’t in the pancreas at all – it’s a blood clot.
Doctors say a blood clot in a large vein, usually in the leg, can be a warning sign of something much more serious going on inside the body.
Illustration of a man’s pancreas tumour (Getty stock)
This condition, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), can happen for a number of reasons, but in some cases, it’s linked to pancreatic cancer.
There are four symptoms related to DVT – these are, pain, swelling, redness and warmth in the affected leg.
While these might sound like fairly common symptoms, they can sometimes be the body’s way of signalling that a tumour is quietly growing.
Worryingly, clots can also break loose and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can make it difficult to breathe and can be life-threatening.
Pancreatic cancer is particularly dangerous because it often doesn’t show obvious symptoms in its early stages, meaning that by the time many people notice something is wrong, the cancer has already grown or spread.
Doctors will undertake an ultrasound to scan your belly in the process of searching for a pancreatic tumor (Getty stock)
Other early warning signs can be more subtle, such as persistent fatigue or weakness that isn’t linked to exercise, or jaundice – where the skin and eyes turn yellow due to a buildup of bilirubin.
Some people also notice darker urine, pale or greasy stools, and itchy skin.
Unexplained weight loss and a loss of appetite are also common, and abdominal or back pain can appear as the tumour grows. If it presses on nearby organs or nerves, it can lead to persistent discomfort that doesn’t go away easily.
Experts say pancreatic cancer can also affect the liver and gallbladder, sometimes causing these organs to enlarge – and in some cases, it may also trigger diabetes by damaging the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin.
But while many of these symptoms can be caused by other, far less serious conditions, health professionals urge people not to brush them off – especially if blood clot symptoms appear with no clear cause.