MedBlog

Cancer; Discovery; Prevention

Precision medicine, immunotherapy drive largest single-year drop in cancer deaths

Cancer death rates have dropped nearly 30% since 1991, and more that 2% between 2016 and 2017 alone – the biggest one-year drop on record. The driver has been precision medicine, an approach that focuses on personalization and collaboration. Learn more now.

John Sweetenham, M.D.

January 15, 2020

Cancer; Prevention

Real expectations in treating pancreatic cancer – and the power to prevent it

Media coverage of celebrities with pancreatic cancer such as Alex Trebek and Ruth Bader Ginsburg can lead to misconceptions about typical outcomes. In this week’s MedBlog, John Mansour, M.D., discusses realistic goals of treatment, advanced therapies, and a novel prevention program that can spare at-risk patients’ lives. Learn more.

John Mansour, M.D. / Nisa Kubiliun, M.D.

December 30, 2019

Discovery; Heart; Prevention

Obesity and high blood pressure: How a supplement might break the link

Obesity is one of the main causes of high blood pressure, although the connection has not been well understood. But Philip Shaul, M.D., and colleagues recently discovered that changes in our sugar molecules might be the missing link – and a supplement might help break the link. Learn more.

Philip Shaul, M.D.

December 26, 2019

Heart; Prevention

The internet can be hazardous to your health. Really!

One of the most powerful health risks facing all of us in 2019 – and in the foreseeable future – is the proliferation of medical misinformation. Every day, it spreads across the internet through platforms like Google, Facebook, YouTube and other social media, and patients end up making health decisions – sometimes life and death decisions – based on faulty and flat-out incorrect material. Dr. Joseph A. Hill provides a physician's perspective and offers some solutions to root out the fake news.

Joseph A. Hill, M.D., Ph.D.

December 19, 2019

Mental Health; Prevention

7 ways to cope with holiday stress

Whether you’re dealing with financial worries, family dynamics, or health concerns, it’s important to keep your holiday stress levels under control. Licensed social worker Rita Smith offers seven easy but effective ways to navigate the pressures of the season in today’s MedBlog.

November 27, 2019

Cancer; Digestive; Prevention

Skip the colon cancer screening? Not in the U.S.

Is colon cancer screening necessary? A study out of the U.K. published in The BMJ suggests average-risk patients age 50-79 might not need a colonoscopy if they have low risk-score. But Syed Kazmi, M.D., disagrees when it comes to U.S. patients. Find out why in this MedBlog.

Syed Kazmi, M.D.

November 20, 2019

Cancer; Prevention; Women's Health

3 ways patients benefit from 3D mammograms

Even with known benefits of 3D mammography – such as reduced healthcare costs and earlier detection of cancer – the technology still has its critics. But what some people call an upsell opportunity, is actually the best patient care. Breast imaging expert Basak Dogan, M.D., discusses the benefits of 3D mammography in this week’s MedBlog. Learn more.

Basak Dogan, M.D.

November 13, 2019

Digestive; Nutrition; Prevention

A breakthrough in Type 1 diabetes: What it might mean for children

Teplizumab, a Type 1 diabetes immunotherapy drug, has been proven to slow onset of the disease by 2 years. This landmark discovery could lead to potential reduction in long-term health risks related to diabetes. Find out how the drug works and who might benefit in this week’s MedBlog. Learn more.

Sasan Mirfakhraee, M.D.

November 6, 2019

Prevention

Cochlear implants for hearing loss: Myths vs. reality

Cochlear implants can improve quality of life through better comprehension of speech and other sounds. Those who are no longer receiving sufficient benefits from hearing aids might be candidates for cochlear implants. Bethany Baumgart, Au.D., debunks common myths about who can benefit from cochlear implants and how well they work. Read more.

Bethany Baumgart, Au.D.

October 25, 2019

Aging; Mental Health; Prevention

Sleep: The real Fountain of Youth

Whether we like it or not, sleep patterns change as we age and consistently poor sleep can lead to larger health problems. UT Southwestern's Natalia David, Psy.D., offers practical solutions on how you can get a better night's sleep and feel more vibrant because of it.

Natalia David, Psy.D.

October 23, 2019