by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Last week Congress passed a bill that gave the FDA regulating authority over tobacco. The president is sure to sign it. It is supposed to be a blow to the tobacco industry and their advertising efforts. No more flavored tobacco or “light cigarette” claims.
But I have a few questions: (more…)
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Inflammation used to be easy to detect. There was redness, pain and swelling. Nowadays it’s not as easy. It has been implicated as a major culprit in chronic diseases such as heart, cancer and stroke. Read our newly posted article on why this is so, how to detect and treat it.
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Well, here we go. Many recent studies, including one I referenced Wednesday, have lauded drinking alcohol for its heart and stroke benefits. Now comes a large British study saying, “not so fast.” Any alcohol at all may increase risk of cancer.
The study was done in women, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t apply to men, also. (more…)
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Have you ever had an X-ray? Probably so. What would modern medicine be without them? I can’t count the times I’ve seen a kid with a hurt wrist thinking it was a sprain but I ordered an X-ray just in case and surprise, surprise. There’s a little fracture.
But sometimes we might depend on them a little too much. (more…)
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James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
I just assumed everyone knew what radon gas was and why it is bad for you. Recently I was talking to a very smart, educated woman. I forget the context of the conversation, but she told me she had never heard of radon or that it can cause cancer. Viola, blog post idea. So here goes.
For starters, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind cigarettes.
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
I used to make New Year’s resolutions when I was very, very young. They were bold and visionary. I never kept them and forgot what they were by January 2. Since my late teens, when people would ask me if had made a resolution, I would tell them something like sweat less, age a year or some other nonsense.
Maybe I should compromise and make one good resolution that I try my best to keep. Something specific and doable. Any ideas for me? (keep it civil now) What is your resolution?
If you smoke, may I suggest to stop by the end of 2009? Many patients I advise to stop smoking give me a frustrated look that implies easier said than done. I know. But what if you make it the one thing you resolve to do, your number one priority for 2009?
Here is one incentive. Dr. Norman Edleman of the American Lung Association says half of smokers die of lung disease. Have you ever seen anyone with chronic lung disease? Most of you can imagine cancer, but there are other more long term diseases that slowly destroy your lungs to the point you become constantly short of breath and nothing (including oxygen) relieves you. Fully half. I know most of you think you will not be in that half. Maybe, if you are lucky (sarcasm goes here), you may die of one of the many other associated cancers, or heart disease.
Here are some tips to help you stop.
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
We thought colonoscopy could prevent 90 percent of colon cancers. We were wrong. If the results in the new Annals of Internal Medicine hold up, it’s more like 60 percent. A colonoscopy is still excellent for a screening test, but far from perfect, we discover.
The investigators did a case-control study. That’s when you find people with a diagnosis and work your way backwards. In this case, the researchers found people with colorectal cancer and looked back to see whether they’d had a normal colonoscopy six months to seven years before their diagnosis. They compared them to similar people who didn’t have colorectal cancer.
What the investigators found surprised them so much, they asked that the data be looked at a second time.
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported good news in its annual report to the nation on the status of cancer. Newly diagnosed cancer rates in men declined 1.6 percent per year from 2001 to 2005. In women, they declined 0.6 percent per year from 1997 to 2005. Ten out of 15 of the most common cancers went down.
Not all was good news, as you will see below, but it is a start.
Specifically, the cancers that declined in women were:
Do you smoke? Want to quit? Want to help a friend quit? Today is the day to get serious. It is the American Cancer Society’s 33rd annual Great American Smokeout. The ACS has great information on their Web site with topics such as ”reasons to quit,” “guide to quitting” and “plan your quit day.” Check it out or mail the link to a smoker-friend. (You can even download a “Craving Stopper” button, pictured at right, that pulls up a match game to occupy your mind.)
The ACS quitline at 800-227-2345 has counseled 380,000 smokers over the past eight years.
Personally, I have never taken a puff of a cigarette. The smell, touch, and even sight, of tobacco nauseates me. It may be that my father smoked for years, finally quitting, but dying of lung cancer. But I know it is a really hard habit to quit for many. Over the years I have heard excuses like, “It is my only enjoyment,” or, “You have to die of something.” Strangely, though, I never heard it from lung cancer or emphysema victims. It is worth it to quit.
Find out what will happen to your body if you stop smoking right now at Healthbolt.
What do you think? Have you quit? Have any tips or words of encouragement?
Hi, everybody. It’s Leigh Ann Hubbard, managing editor of James Hubbard’s My Family Doctor. I’ve hijacked the blog for a sec.
We need your help. We’re discussing an upcoming article on moles. It covers what to do if you can’t get in to see a dermatologist. But there’s been a suggestion that that’s not even a concern. Is it?
