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Read our latest stories on the people and scientific innovations making a difference in patients’ lives.
Breast Cancer Isn’t Just a Woman’s Disease
When most people think of breast cancer, the chances are they don’t think about men. Most information and many of the images about breast cancer are geared toward women. Though breast cancer in men is rare (the chance of a man getting breast cancer in his lifetime is less than 1%), the numbers remind us that breast cancer does happen in men. It is estimated that in 2019: About 2,670 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the US. About 500 men will die from breast cancer in the US. In...
Breast Cancer in Men: Michael’s Story
In 2007, Michael Kovarik and his doctor discovered a lump near his left nipple, which was beginning to invert. Michael proceeded with the necessary follow-up as his doctor ordered a series of tests. When he heard the words breast cancer, Michael didn’t have the faintest idea that men could be affected by it. His immediate thought: it’s a woman’s disease. Dealing with his breast cancer diagnosis Michael was hesitant about sharing his diagnosis at first. “It took me a while to overcome my own...
Understanding Genetic Testing
How much do you really know about health problems that may run in your family? Are there any that may affect you now or in the future? Or that may affect your children? Genetic testing can help people and their healthcare providers make more informed health care decisions. But there are some potential limitations of genetic testing to be aware of, too. Read on to learn more. The background: What are genes/chromosomes? Genes are found in chromosomes, which are located inside cells. Genes are...
ADHD in Girls
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been recognized more frequently in boys than girls, and is diagnosed 2 to 9 times more frequently in boys than girls. The CDC reports that boys between the ages of 4 and 17 were more than two times as likely to have been diagnosed with ADHD as girls (13.3% compared with 5.6%). However, in adulthood, the number of men and women with ADHD is much more similar (5.4% for males compared with 3.2% for females). Studies suggest that females may be...
The Do’s of Good Sleep Hygiene
Did you know that getting a good night’s sleep is linked to achieving better overall health? Maybe you’ve only experienced the occasional restless night of endless tossing and turning, but some people sleep poorly on a regular basis and it may be due to insomnia. Unfortunately, insomnia can get in the way of a healthy amount of sleep and can affect you mentally and physically. Keep in mind that insomnia may be a symptom of another health problem. Some health conditions that can cause insomnia...
5 Simple Tips for Talking With Your Doctor
Most people know that seeing their doctor regularly is an important part of staying healthy. During your visits, it’s important to talk openly and honestly with your doctor. Doing so can help him or her work with you to best manage your overall health. Below are some tips to help you get started. 1. Choose a doctor you’re comfortable talking with. If you don’t already have a primary care doctor or are thinking of getting a new one, take the time to find one you are at ease with. Keep in mind...
Prostate Cancer: Replacing Myths With Facts
Prostate cancer is a major healthcare challenge in the US. It's also the most common cancer in adult men besides skin cancer.But for many men, the words “prostate cancer” stop them in their tracks. This disease is often cloaked in myths, which may lead them to:Avoid screenings.Experience anxiety and depression at diagnosis.Fear and avoid treatment because of side effects.By addressing these myths, we can give men the facts they need to take action.5 common myths about prostate cancerMyth #1: If...
How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?
What counts as a drink? Contrary to popular belief, drinking beer or wine is not safer than a shot of liquor. Rather, think about how much alcohol is in your drink, and not the type of alcohol you drink. In the US, one standard drink usually has about 14 grams (or 0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. This amount of pure alcohol is generally found in 12 ounces of beer (usually 5% alcohol), 8 ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol), 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol), and 1.5 ounces or a “shot” of distilled...
Does Being a Person of Color Increase Your Health Risks?
The US has become more ethnically diverse in the last century, and in general our health and the quality of care we receive has improved. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case for some people of color. In fact, certain medical conditions and health behaviors—and the factors that can lead to them—are more common or severe among some people of color. Below are facts about 5 such conditions and behaviors, followed by steps you can take to help prevent them. Diabetes. Among adults in the US...
Protect Yourself From Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is one of the most commonly reported tick-borne illnesses in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease in the U.S. every year. Lyme disease is caused by the bite of tiny Lyme-infected black-legged ticks (sometimes called deer ticks), yet 30% to 50% of people with the disease do not recall being bitten by a tick. Although people may think of Lyme as an East Coast disease, it is found throughout the U.S...
My Story: Lupus and Pregnancy, What If?
Having lupus and wanting to have a child I always knew I wanted to be a mother—and to be one at a relatively young age too. It was something I started thinking seriously about after I graduated from college. The issue for me was that I was diagnosed with lupus when I was 17. For many women with lupus, it is possible to have a successful pregnancy. However, all lupus pregnancies are considered high risk, for both mother and baby. That made the decision to get pregnant the biggest health-related...
Latest Guidelines on Blood Pressure for Optimal Health
High blood pressure is sometimes called a “silent killer.” It often has no symptoms, which means many people don’t even know they have it. That’s why a healthcare provider often checks your blood pressure at medical appointments. Having high blood pressure can be dangerous as it increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, and other serious conditions.If you have high blood pressure (called hypertension), you may be familiar with the numbers 140/90. The top number—140—is called systolic and the...
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