Even a little exercise linked with lower stroke risk in people with afib
Testosterone therapy without evidence of deficiency may boost heart risk
Weight-loss drug may lower risk of heart attacks and infections
What to eat on the DASH diet
Migraine: How it's diagnosed and what that means
Tricep workouts you can do at home
Mindfulness practices to reduce stress and improve focus
Antihistamines may not offer meaningful relief from eczema symptoms
Overweight and taking blood pressure medications: Study finds it's a trend that's working
FDA approves first mRNA-based flu vaccine
Digestive Health Archive
Articles
The family history of cancer
If cancer runs in your family, there is much you can do to recognize your potential risk and catch the disease before it strikes.
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You may remember stories of your father's military service and your mother's hometown, but how much do you know about your family's medical history? In particular, do you know whether anyone on your mom or dad's side ever had cancer?
"Family history can be one of the first lines of defense in preventing cancer," says Dr. Huma Q. Rana, clinical director of the Center for Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Don’t tolerate food intolerance
Here's what to do when certain foods disagree with you.
Image: ChesiireCat/Thinkstock
You probably remember an occasion when you ate something that did not agree with you. But if your stomach issues have become severe and frequent, you might have a food intolerance.
"Food intolerances puzzle many older men, since foods they long enjoyed suddenly give them problems," says Evagelia Georgakilas, a registered dietitian and nutritionist with Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "They might tough it out and suffer in silence, but by identifying the problem foods, making adjustments in portion sizes, and switching out certain foods as needed, they can avoid painful and recurring digestive issues."
Modern acupuncture linked to constipation relief
It appears that electroacupuncture may be a treatment option for people with chronic severe functional constipation.
Immediate radiation when PSA levels spike after prostate cancer surgery helps reduce risk of recurrence
After prostate cancer surgery, the patient’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is monitored by his doctor via a simple blood test. New research indicates that if the PSA increases following surgery, immediate radiation therapy can reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
Treatment versus monitoring of prostate cancer: Survival rates the same after 10 years
Two new studies add to the evidence that for many men with prostate cancer, if it is detected early and has not metastasized beyond the prostate gland, monitoring the cancer will lead to the same chance of survival after 10 as choosing surgery or radiation. Men treated with surgery or radiation often experience significant side effects. The rates of depression and anxiety were the same in men who opted for monitoring and those who opted for treatment.
Top screenings to avoid cancer
Talk to your doctor to nail down your cancer risk, and check this list to see which tests may help save your life.
Images: Monkey Business Images/Thinkstock
Recommendations for cancer screenings sometimes change, and it can be confusing about which tests you need and when. "It's best to talk to your doctor about your cancer risk factors and family history, learn which screenings are right for you, and then develop and stick to a screening schedule," says Dr. JoAnn Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Routine screenings
Other screening tests
Some screenings are not recommended routinely but may be important based on your cancer risk.
Lung cancer. The American Lung Association recommends low-dose computed tomography to detect early signs of lung cancer for heavy smokers ages 55 to 74 who have a 30 pack-year smoking history (equivalent to one pack per day for 30 years) and who have smoked within the past 15 years. The USPSTF extends the screening age to 80. If you're not in this group, you should not have routine screening; the risk from radiation exposure and potential unnecessary follow-up testing is not worth the small chance of benefit.
Skin cancer. The USPSTF says there's not enough evidence to recommend regular visual skin exams by a doctor to screen for skin cancer, and that screenings increase the risk for unnecessary biopsies, overdiagnosis, and overtreatment. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that all people conduct skin self-exams and report any unusual spots on their skin to a dermatologist.
People with an increased risk for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, should talk to a dermatologist about how often they should get a skin exam.
What about a PSA test?One of the most debated screenings is the blood test used to look for prostate cancer in men. It measures the level of a protein in the blood called prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which can rise when prostate cancer develops. In 2012, the USPSTF recommended against routine PSA tests, saying they raise the risk of unnecessary follow-up testing and treatment, which can cause problems such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Recent evidence shows that fewer men are being screened as a result. "The sentiment among many physicians now is against offering routine PSA testing for men, especially when nearly every study has not shown any tangible benefits for those who have undergone testing and treatment," says oncologist Dr. Marc Garnick, editor in chief of Harvard's Annual Report on Prostate Diseases. The American Cancer Society suggests that men 50 or older (at average risk for prostate cancer) make the decision about screening with their doctor, but only if they have a life expectancy of at least 10 years, and only if they have been advised about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of prostate cancer screening. |
A new look at colon cancer screening
Don't be intimidated about screening tests. The latest guidelines suggest you can choose from multiple strategies.
Image: Bigstock
Colon cancer continues to be the country's second leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the third most common cancer in men, according to the CDC.
It almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths). Screening tests, which are recommended for men ages 50 to 75, help find and sometimes aid removal of polyps before they become cancer. (Men older than 75 may still benefit, depending on their health.)
Even a little exercise linked with lower stroke risk in people with afib
Testosterone therapy without evidence of deficiency may boost heart risk
Weight-loss drug may lower risk of heart attacks and infections
What to eat on the DASH diet
Migraine: How it's diagnosed and what that means
Tricep workouts you can do at home
Mindfulness practices to reduce stress and improve focus
Antihistamines may not offer meaningful relief from eczema symptoms
Overweight and taking blood pressure medications: Study finds it's a trend that's working
FDA approves first mRNA-based flu vaccine
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