Hormone therapy may increase cardiovascular risk during gender transition
Patients receiving hormone therapy as part of their gender-transition treatment had an elevated risk for cardiovascular events, including strokes, heart attacks and blood clots, according to a study published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.
Smokers Are At High Risk for Low Back Pain, Hospitalization and Opioid Use
Smokers are at high risk for low back pain, and also have higher rates of healthcare utilization and opioid use, and physicians should ask these patients about other comorbidities that may make their pain treatment more difficult, according to a new study presented this week…
With Age Comes Hearing Loss and a Greater Risk of Cognitive Decline
But study suggests higher education might counter effects of milder hearing impairment
German Researchers Discover How Sleep Can Fight an Infection
Researchers in Germany have discovered why sleep can sometimes be the best medicine. Sleep improves the potential ability of some of the body’s immune cells to attach to their targets, according to a new study that will be published February 12 in the Journal of…
Study Finds Upsurge in ‘Active Surveillance’ for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer
Many men with low-risk prostate cancer who most likely previously would have undergone immediate surgery or radiation are now adopting a more conservative “active surveillance” strategy, according to an analysis of a new federal database by scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Oral contraceptives could impair women’s recognition of complex emotions
Healthy women who use birth control pills are poorer judges of subtle facial expressions than non-users, according to new research
Lupus Strongly Linked to Imbalances in Gut Microbiome
The disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — marked by the attack on joints, skin, and kidneys by the body’s immune system — is linked to an abnormal mix of bacteria in the gut. This is according to a new study led by scientists at NYU…
Immunotherapy Appears Better Than Chemotherapy for Aggressive Type of Skin Cancer
Study findings lead to accelerated FDA drug approval The first study of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab as the initial treatment for patients with a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer known as Merkel cell carcinoma reports better responses and longer survival than expected with…
Study Finds HIV+ Cancer Patients Benefit From Immunotherapy
The immunotherapy that has revolutionized treatment of many cancers appears to offer similar benefit to cancer patients living with HIV, say researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
How Parents Can Help Teens Navigate Social Media
Parents of teenagers can feel like they’re constantly fighting for their kids’ attention. The competition? Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube, says Dr. Bhavana Arora, medical director of the CHLA Health Network, a physician-led group of more than 160 community pediatricians serving more 260,000 Los Angeles-area children.
Aspirin to Prevent Colon Cancer Underutilized in High Risk Patients
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States and advanced colorectal polyps are a major risk factor. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concluded that aspirin reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by 40 percent as well…
Better chocolate choices benefit heart health
For Valentine’s Day consideration, skip the milk chocolate candy and replace it with a cup of dark hot cocoa.