Science Backs Sauna, Cancer Alarm for Young Adults, and Middle East Travel Chaos
New research validates sauna's cardiovascular benefits, the American Cancer Society sounds an alarm on surging colorectal cancer rates in younger adults, and travelers navigate severe flight disruptions across the Middle East.
Scientists Confirm Sauna's Cardiovascular and Longevity Benefits — and a New Generation Is Listening
Scientists are finding robust evidence that regular sauna use delivers measurable health benefits far beyond what many suspected. Stepping into a heat chamber triggers cardiovascular responses comparable to light jogging — blood vessels dilate, heart rate climbs, and the body works to cool itself through sweat. Researchers say that over time, this kind of repeated heat stress trains the cardiovascular system in meaningful ways, producing many of the same adaptations as aerobic exercise.
Long-term population studies from Finland, where sauna culture runs deep, found that people who used saunas four to seven times per week had a 40–60% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death compared to those who went just once weekly. Additional research links frequent sauna bathing to lower rates of respiratory illness and reduced incidence of neurodegenerative conditions including dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In a 2018 study, Finnish researchers found that regular sauna users also had significantly lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood.
The new wave of public interest has sparked a booming industry, from private sauna clubs to roving festival "sauna villages" in cities like Seattle, New York, and Minneapolis. Seattle's inaugural sauna festival, organized by entrepreneur Ana Hernandez, drew three times the expected attendance. According to Christopher Minson, a physiologist at the University of Oregon who specializes in thermoregulation, the science is clear: "There's very good evidence now that repeated use of heat is healthy for humans."
American Cancer Society Warns of Alarming Rise in Colorectal Cancer Among Adults Under 65
A major report from the American Cancer Society, published March 2, 2026, in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, reveals a troubling split in colorectal cancer trends across age groups. While rates continue to decline among adults 65 and older — largely due to improved screening — they are rising sharply in those under 65. Among adults aged 20 to 49, incidence is climbing by 3% per year. Nearly half (45%) of all new colorectal cancer cases now occur in people under 65, up from just 27% in 1995.
The report identifies rectal cancer as the primary driver of this shift. Rectal cancers now account for 32% of all colorectal cancer diagnoses, up from 27% in the mid-2000s, and are rising across all age groups. For adults under 50, colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related death. In 2026, an estimated 158,850 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease, with approximately 200 new cases per day occurring in people younger than 65.
Researchers point to obesity, Western dietary patterns, and sedentary lifestyles as likely contributors, though no single cause has been confirmed. "After decades of progress, the risk of dying from colorectal cancer is climbing in younger generations of men and women, confirming a real uptick in disease because of something we're doing or some other exposure," said Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the ACS. The society recommends that average-risk adults begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45.
Airlines Resume Limited Flights as Middle East Conflict Strands Thousands of American Travelers
Travel in and around the Middle East remained severely disrupted on March 6, with Etihad Airways resuming a limited commercial flight schedule after a weeklong halt triggered by the escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. The airline is prioritizing passengers with existing bookings and offering fee-free rebooking and full refunds for affected travelers through May 15, 2026. Qatar Airways, while still partially suspended, began operating relief flights from Muscat, Oman, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for stranded passengers.
The disruption has been sweeping in scale. Aviation analytics firm Cirium estimated that approximately 20,000 scheduled flights to or from the Middle East were canceled after the conflict began February 28. The U.S. State Department has urged citizens to leave Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates due to serious safety risks, and more than 17,500 Americans have since returned from the region — over 8,500 in a single day. The first U.S.-facilitated charter evacuation flight, departing Abu Dhabi, landed at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
For travelers holding existing bookings to affected destinations, options vary by airline. The U.S. Embassy in Israel is also operating bus service to the Egyptian border at Taba for Americans seeking overland departure. The State Department's crisis intake portal is collecting information from U.S. citizens requesting departure assistance across the region.
What You Can Do
Find a Sauna Near You
Explore local sauna clubs, Nordic spas, and wellness centers that offer traditional Finnish or infrared sauna sessions.
Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer
The ACS recommends adults at average risk begin screening at 45. Learn about your options, from colonoscopies to at-home stool tests.
Check Travel Advisories Before Flying to the Middle East
The U.S. State Department has issued warnings for several Middle Eastern countries. Review current advisories and register with STEP if traveling.