The People's Perspective on MedicineArticles categorized as Cancer
Why Is the Sugar Substitute Erythritol Risky?
The non-nutritive sweetener erythritol is popular, but is it safe? Studies show it increases the risk for cardiovascular complications.
HPV Vaccine Slashes Cases of Cervical Cancer
HPV vaccine can reduce the risk of cervical cancer, and a new at-home test can detect it early for quicker treatment.
The Price of Remission
Has the multiple myeloma drug Revlimid been priced out of reach for cancer patients? ProPublica investigates.
How Much Coffee Should You Drink to Improve Longevity?
Health professionals have been arguing for decades about how much coffee you should drink. Some say none. Others say coffee boosts longevity.
Is the RED ALERT Over or Just Lipstick on a Toxic Pigment?
Will the FDA really require food and drug manufacturers to remove Red Dye No. 3 from their products? Is it a real Red Alert or a false alarm?
Cancer Breakthrough? Jemperli vs. Surgery for Some Patients
A new study announces exciting results for certain solid tumors. Is Jemperli a cancer breakthrough? If the cancers are "dMMR," quite possibly!
Eating Ultra-Processed Food Is Bad for Your Brain & Shortens Your Life!
People who eat more ultra-processed foods are at a greater risk for developing cognitive decline and strokes than those eating fresh foods.
Does Vitamin D Help Prevent Colorectal Cancer?
Data from two different studies show that vitamin D may help prevent colorectal cancer, especially among younger individuals.
The Hidden Cancer Costs of CT Scans
CT scans have made diagnosis easier. They also expose patients to ionizing radiation (X-rays). Could there be an increased risk of cancer?
Why You Should Exercise and Eat Right, Now
When colon cancer patients exercise and eat right, they are less likely to have the cancer return and more likely to survive.
Which Toxic Chemicals Are Hiding in Household Products?
Many consumer products, including personal care items like acne treatments, contain toxic chemicals such as benzene.
Is It Possible To Make America Healthy Again?
Dennis Miller, R.Ph., likes RFK, Jr.'s efforts to blame processed foods for chronic disease. Will his initiative make America healthy again?
Breakthrough Discovery: How Aspirin Keeps Cancer from Spreading
Aspirin costs pennies a day. New breakthrough research explains how aspirin keeps cancer from spreading. Will medicine pay attention?
Why Doesn’t Cancer Treatment Also Include Exercise?
Have you ever been diagnosed with cancer? Cancer treatment is challenging. Exercise can help ease anxiety and improve outcomes!
Show 1420: The Cooking Oil Controversy Spotlights Cancer
This conversation is about the cooking oil controversy. Could common seed oils be contributing to our risk for cancer?
Do You Have Confidence in the FDA? Has this Watchdog Lost Its Bite?
A revolving FDA door allows leaders from Big Pharma to head the FDA and then return to industry. Does that give you confidence in the FDA?
Your Money or Your Life? Will a $2,000 Drug Cap Save Lives?
The cost of brand name medications is unbelievable. The blood thinner Eliquis is $600/month. Will the new $2,000 drug cap save Medicare pts?
Water Chlorination: Is Your Tap Water a Cancer Cocktail?
Most municipalities rely on water chlorination for safe tap water. But chlorine and other compounds may form dangerous by-products. Cancer?
Do Forever Chemicals Raise the Risk for Thyroid Cancer?
Certain PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, may increase the chance of developing thyroid cancer. Nearly everyone has been exposed.
Should You Be Taking Vitamin Supplements?
Many medications can interfere with good nutrition. If you are taking pills for certain conditions, perhaps you should be taking vitamin supplements.
Is It Really Risky to Eat Red Meat?
An analysis of six studies suggests that if you eat red meat you may run a higher risk of heart problems. Are gut microbes responsible?
Show 1414: Finding Your Exercise Prescription for Life
It's time to make physical activity a part of our daily hygiene. Our guests describe why we all need an exercise prescription for life.
Researchers Wonder If Alcohol or Wine Is Good for Your Heart
Are you confused about alcoholic beverages? There is contradictory advice. A meta-analysis of 25 studies suggests wine is good for the heart.
What Is the Difference Between Healthspan and Lifespan?
The US has a large gap between healthspan (years free of disease and disability) and lifespan (total years lived). Exercise could improve it.
What’s in Your Frying Pan? Omega-6 or Omega-3 Oils?
Seed oils from corn or soybeans have been linked to higher risk for cancer. Omega-3 oils from avocado, fish or olives seem safer.
Is There Roundup in Your Breakfast Cereal?
Glyphosate, also known by its trade name Roundup, has shown up in several different foods, not just oats. Might it harm the brain?
Are Some Vegetable Oils Worse than Saturated Fat? Colon Cancer?
For decades Americans have been told to eat lots of vegetable oils. They are also in our favorite crunch foods. Are there hidden dangers?
Will Your Microbiome Save Your Life?
The gut microbiome has a significant impact on Parkinson disease and on the response to checkpoint inhibitor cancer drugs to treat melanoma.
Show 1410: Why Practicing Kindness Could Prolong Your Life
A surprising amount of research supports the biological benefits of practicing kindness, forgiveness, compassion and gratitude.
Linus Pauling Was Right About Vitamin C for Cancer!
Mainstream medicine has criticized vitamin C for cancer and the common cold. But new research suggests that Linus Pauling was right all along!
Pharmacist Dennis Miller Is Optimistic About Dr. Makary at the FDA
Trump's choice of Dr. Marty Makary to head FDA is interesting. Will Dr. Makary stand up against Big Pharma?
How Safe Is the Artificial Sweetener Aspartame?
FDA ruled that aspartame is safe. Some people have unanswered questions. For example, does this sweetener lead to erectile dysfunction?
Duloxetine Recall: FDA Flags Carcinogenic Risk for Popular Antidepressant
Why has the FDA requested a duloxetine recall? Millions of capsules are being taken back. No one should stop duloxetine (Cymbalta) suddenly!
Carcinogenic Benzene Is Found in Acne and Rosacea Products
A research article in a prestigious dermatology journal reports that benzene is found in many acne products. Benzene is a known carcinogen!
Can You Manage Your Blood Sugar Naturally?
If you have type 2 diabetes, paying attention to exercise, diet and supplements could help you manage your blood sugar more naturally.
Is Metformin a Miracle or a Menace?
Is the diabetes drug metformin a miracle because of anticancer, anti-COVID and anti-aging activity or a menace due to serious side effects?
Show 1401: Are Miracle Cures Hiding in Plain Sight? Unlocking the Lifesaving Potential of Old Drugs
A physician who survived a close call with death has dedicated his life to unlocking the lifesaving potential of old drugs.
Cellphone Brain Cancer Risk Fades but Heart Risks Rise
A review of mobile phone use has concluded that a cellphone brain cancer risk does not exist. A different study found a link to heart disease.
What Is the Best Diet for Cancer Survivors?
Studies show that a plant-based diet may help cancer survivors live longer. Whole foods are preferred to ultraprocessed foods.
Prices Slashed on 10 Blockbuster Drugs For Medicare Patients!
Blockbuster drugs like Januvia and Jardiance have been busting Medicare's budget. Now the government has negotiated big price reductions!
Should You Be Peeling After Washing Fruit?
Do you wash your fruit and vegetables? Is that good enough? New research reveals that washing fruit does NOT get rid of pesticides.
Are There Toxins in Your Drinking Water?
Some drinking water contains excessively high levels of PFAS. Exposure to certain toxins increases the chance of depressive symptoms.
Will Eating Junk Food Put You at Risk for Cancer?
A diet high in junk food like soda pop or salty snacks significantly increases the risk of several types of cancer .
Show 1390: How Insurance Company Rejections Impact Medical Care
When doctors have to spend hours appealing health insurance company rejections of claims, they have less time for patient care.
Show 1354: How Hypnosis Can Help Your Health (Archive)
The practice of hypnosis can help patients manage a wide range of health problems, so long as they are hypnotizable.
Are Younger People Now at Risk for Colon Cancer?
People born since 1990 are more likely to develop colon cancer. Gen X, born between 1965 and 1980, are at risk of many cancers.
Could Sunlight Save Your Life?
Why is skin cancer increasing despite high SPF sunscreens? Is some sunlight actually healthy? How can we make sense of sunlight confusion?
Do Tattoos Increase the Risk for Cancer?
Swedish epidemiologists suspect that tattoos increase the risk for lymphoma, but call for more research to confirm causality.
Show 1387: The Patient-Led Revolution in Health Care
In this episode, Susannah Fox, author of Rebel Health, describes the patient-led revolution in health care.
Is Your Car Seat More Dangerous Than You Think?
Your car seat may be contributing to air pollution inside your vehicle. What can you do to reduce exposure to flame retardants and PFAS?
The Resurrection of Aspirin as an Anticancer and Pregnancy Drug
We used to say that aspirin was the Rodney Dangerfield of drugs...it didn't get much respect. Aspirin as an anticancer agent should!
Will Boosting Your Step Count Save Your Life?
A study of American adults shows that people who manage a step count of at least 8,000 a day have a lower chance of dying in the next decade.
Why Would the FDA Approve Ineffective Drugs?
Many doctors believe that FDA's standards for approving new drugs are very high. How come there are many ineffective drugs on the market?
Can You Prevent Colorectal Cancer With Aspirin?
A meta-analysis finds that regular aspirin use can help prevent colorectal cancer. A new study offers a reason for such an anti-cancer effect
Show 1250: Antimicrobial Resistant Infections Could Be the Next Pandemic
Overuse of drugs, especially for food production, has led to antimicrobial resistant infections. These could become a huge challenge.
Will Drug Shortages Endanger Your Life?
We're fed up asking: "Will drug shortages ever end?" They've been going on for decades. A study reports that the problem is worse than ever.
What Is the Story on Calcium Supplements?
Studies suggest that calcium supplements don't prevent osteoporosis and broken bones, and may even have troubling side effects.
Daily Exercise Boosts Lifespan
Daily exercise including muscle strengthening and aerobic activity reduces the risk of premature death from a wide range of conditions.
You Have Likely Been the Victim of Diagnostic Mistakes
Diagnostic mistakes are common, often leading to permanent disability and death. A study says nearly 1 out of 5 patients are misdiagnosed.
Can Magic Mushrooms Ease Cancer Death Anxiety?
Studies show that exposure to psilocybin in a supportive situation can help cancer patients reduce depression and death anxiety.
Orphan Drugs Have Become a Billion Dollar Bonanza for Big Pharma
Orphan drugs are huge money makers for drug companies. These medicines save lives but the cost is unlikely to be sustainable for much longer.
Is Cooked Oatmeal Better for You Than Instant Oatmeal?
Instant oatmeal raises blood sugar more quickly than cooked oatmeal. As a result, people eating it may get hungry sooner.
Show 1362: Lowdown on New Medicines for Treating Obesity –Part 2
In this episode, we consider the benefits and considerable risks of drugs like Wegovy for treating obesity. Our guest says eat real food!
The Miracle of Metformin Against Diabetes, Cancer, COVID-19 and Dementia
Metformin helps manage blood sugar. It is the miracle of metformin. It also helps prevent long COVID, dementia and some common cancers.
Is Aspirin a Miracle or a Menace?
Aspirin, and its kissing cousin salsalate, can lower blood sugar as well as ease inflammation. Is aspirin a miracle or a menace? New data!
Shocking Conflicts of Interest in Nonprofit Patient Charities
Americans trust nonprofit patient organizations educating about cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer disease. Beware Conflicts of Interest!
Show 1351: Are You Risking Your Life Trusting Mail Order Medicines?
A mother whose child relies on medicine to prevent transplant rejection found that his medicines lose potency during shipping.
A Pharmacist’s Perspective on the Cancer Epidemic
Here’s one pharmacist’s perspective on what’s causing the cancer epidemic. Can you avoid carcinogens in modern life?
How Do You Weigh the Benefits and Risks of Aspirin?
Before starting a daily regimen, carefully consider the benefits and risks of aspirin. Will you be helped or harmed by this amazing drug?
How Can You Manage Opioid-Induced Constipation?
One drawback of narcotics for pain relief is opioid-induced constipation. Several drugs may help counteract this complication.
Will Statin Drugs Help Fight Cancer?
Scientists are learning how statin drugs may work against both breast and prostate cancer. Statins may help against many other cancers too.
Study of Vitamin D Supplements Results in Disappointment
A study of vitamin D supplements demonstrated that these pills do not protect people from heart disease or cancer.
Show 1307: Cocoa Compounds and the COSMOS Trial (Archive)
A rigorously conducted, multi-year experiment with cocoa compounds vs placebo showed that they may reduce cardiovascular mortality.
FDA Stance on Drugs & Cancer Is Confusing
The FDA has issued numerous warnings about drugs & cancer. Many either cause cancer in animal studies or are contaminated with carcinogens.
Do People Who Skip Meat Have a Lower Chance of Cancer?
People who skip meat in favor of fish, dairy or vegetable protein seem less likely to develop cancer of the breast, prostate or colon.
Will Oklahoma Upend Mail-Order Pharmacy?
How were your medications shipped to your pharmacy or mailbox? Who monitors mail-order pharmacy? Oklahoma has proposed a revolutionary rule!
Can N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) Help Cancer Patient?
N-acetylcysteine is both a medicine and a dietary supplement that protects liver, lungs and kidneys from damage.
Show 1317: Psychedelic Compounds for Healing
In these interviews, our guest experts suggest that use of psychedelic compounds could revolutionize the treatment of some mental illness.
Drug Price Gouging Is Immoral
Drug price gouging is becoming commonplace. Desperate people are being charged thousands of dollars a month for critical medicines.
Opioid Crackdown Leaves Cancer Patients In Pain!
Many cancer patients in pain are treated humanely. But the opioid crisis has scared some doctors away from prescribing adequate pain relief.
Benzene In Sunscreen? What’s the Latest?
Last summer we were told about benzene in sunscreen. 25 million products were pulled off shelves. But is benzene gone? Where's the FDA?
Will High Drug Prices Soon Destroy Healthcare?
Are drug companies killing the golden goose? High drug prices are breaking the bank. It is almost impossible to figure out the pricing system
Prednisone Withdrawal: Can You Ever Stop Corticosteroids?
Corticosteroids are prescribed to millions of people. Many may not be informed about side effects or strategies for prednisone withdrawal.
What Are the Alternatives to Colonoscopy?
How good are the alternatives to colonoscopy, such as FIT or Cologuard, for detecting colorectal cancer? When should you start?
Show 1302: Managing the Microbiome for Better Health
Scientists report that intestinal microbes affect our overall health. In this interview airing 5/28/22, learn about managing the microbiome.
Show 1301: What Are Forever Chemicals Doing in Food Packaging?
In these interviews, we discuss PFAS, known as forever chemicals. Consumer Reports found them in some but not all restaurant food wrappers.
Show 1300: How Vitamin D and Omega-3s Help Your Health
In this week's interview, a high-powered study called VITAL revealed that vitamin D and omega-3s can reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases.
Does Your Medicine Pose a Cancer Risk?
Establishing a drug-induced cancer risk may take 5 to 10 years or longer. The FDA rarely requires such long-term research. What can you do?
War on Opioids Punishes Desperate Pain Patients
Opioid prescriptions are down dramatically but deaths from illicit fentanyl are up. People in severe pain are suffering without relief!
Valisure Identifies Benzene in Antiperspirant Body Sprays
If you do not want benzene in hand sanitizers or sunscreens, why would you want benzene in antiperspirant body sprays? Where is the FDA?
People in Pain Are in Misery Because of the War on Opioids
People in pain are being victimized by the war on opioids. As a result, the CDC is offering new guidelines for opioid prescribing.
Why Put Aluminum OR Benzene In Your Armpits?
We used to worry about aluminum in antiperspirants. There's a new concern: BENZENE. What's it doing in your aerosol spray? It's a carcinogen!
Is CAR-T for Cancer the Latest Immunotherapy Breakthrough?
New data suggest that CAR-T for cancer may be performing better than oncologists imagined possible. Can CAR-T "cure" some patients with CLL?
How Plants Like Thyme and Oregano Make Cancer-Fighting Compounds
Plants like thyme and oregano produce compounds that give them their special smell and taste. They also have medicinal uses.
Can You Trust TV Ads for Cancer Drugs?
Drugs commercials want you to "ask your doctor" for an Rx. Ads for cancer drugs are very persuasive. How can the FDA permit this? Stop them!
Why Should You Eat Colorful Veggies?
People who consume a flavonoid-rich diet full of colorful veggies and berries are less likely to die prematurely of heart disease or cancer.
The Zantac – Ranitidine Weirdness Just Got Stranger
What are we to make of FDA flip flop flips on ranitidine/Zantac? For many people the ranitidine weirdness is overwhelming. Now Zantac is BACK!
How to Choose Whole Grains for a Longer Life
Analyses of many long-term studies shows that eating whole grains for a longer life works best when people get at least three servings a day.
What Is the Benefit to Eating Black Walnuts?
English walnuts may have the advantage for heart health, but black walnuts appear to have anticancer activity.
Should You Worry About Benzene in Some Sunscreens?
Have you been slathering on the sunscreen? Are you concerned about reports that there is benzene in some sunscreens? Read the benzene backlash
Show 1179: What Should You Do About Digestive Distress? (Archive)
Listen to find out when your digestive distress might signal a serious problem and when you could manage it at home with simple remedies.
Do People Who Eat Nuts Live Longer?
A study of older Americans show that people who eat nuts live longer. However, peanut butter eaters get no advantage.
Some Hand Sanitizers Are Contaminated with Benzene
Benzene is a bad actor. Do not breathe it or get this carcinogen on your skin. And yet some hand sanitizers are contaminated with benzene.
Is Zantac – Ranitidine and Cancer the Tip of the Iceberg?
For over 30 years, millions of people took ranitidine (Zantac) for heartburn. Is there a link between ranitidine and cancer? There's new data!
New Ways to Detect Thyroid Cancer
Some day you may sing during an ultrasound to see if you have thyroid cancer. Another approach–a trained dog sniffing urine.
Show 1228: Why Clinical Trials Matter for COVID-19 and Cancer
Dr. Vinay Prasad explains why clinical trials are crucially important, especially when it comes to killers like cancer and COVID-19.
Show 1170: What Makes Your Immune System an Elegant Defense? (Archive)
You might imagine your immune system as an army fighting off invaders. What if it behaved more like a peacekeeping force to maintain harmony?
Bayer Settles Roundup Litigation for Up To $10.9 Billion
Bayer will settle longstanding Roundup litigation although it disputes the claim that exposure to glyphosate causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Missouri Court Slashes Baby Powder Damages for J&J
A court of appeals in Missouri reduced the amount of baby powder damages for women with ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson may appeal the $2.1 billion award.
Which Metformin is OK and Which is on the FDA’s Problem List?
The FDA admits that several metformin diabetes formulations are contaminated with a probable carcinogen. Which metformin is OK? How would you know?
Reducing Cancer Risk With Vitamin D and Magnesium
A new study finds that the combination of adequate vitamin D and magnesium helps patients with colorectal cancer avoid an early death.
Show 1200: Making Sense of Changing Nutritional Guidelines
Is fish oil helpful or useless? Does eating red meat make any difference for heart health? Can you keep up with changing nutritional guidelines?
Does Taking Belviq to Lose Weight Increase Your Risk for Cancer?
The FDA has just asked the maker of lorcaserin (Belviq) to lose weight to withdraw it due to an increased risk of a cancer diagnosis.
Can Indian Fruit Fight Off Cancer?
An Indian fruit known as bitter melon appears to block some cancer cells' ability to get energy from sugar or fat. Watch for further research!
Show 1161: What Is the Evidence for Food as Medicine? (Archive)
In examining how our diets can alter angiogenesis, Dr. Li has turned up plenty of evidence for using food as medicine to beat cancer.
FDA Slow to Recognize Asbestos Danger in Powder
Although the FDA has known for decades that some talcum powder might be contaminated with asbestos, for most of that time it overlooked the risk.
Yogurt and Fiber Lower Your Chance of Lung Cancer
A study of over one million people found that those who ate the most yogurt and foods rich in fiber had less chance of lung cancer.
Drug Shortage Threatens Children with Cancer
Many children with cancer count on treatment with vincristine for recovery. This medication is now in critically short supply.
Show 1186: What Happens When Doctors Make Diagnostic Errors?
No one knows quite how many diagnostic errors doctors make each year, but the number is high. Some have serious or deadly consequences.
Is Meat OK to Eat Now? Do Food Flip-Flops Make You Mad?
Public health experts have told us for decades that red meat causes heart attacks and cancer. But new studies question that dogma. Is meat OK after all?
Do Onions and Garlic Cut the Risk of Breast Cancer?
Epidemiologists find that Puerto Rican women who eat lots of onions and garlic have a lower chance of breast cancer.
Popular Heartburn Drug (Zantac/Ranitidine) Tainted with a Carcinogen
Is ranitidine (Zantac) tainted with a carcinogen called NDMA? Should it be recalled? The FDA says NDMA is in ranitidine, but no worries. We're not so sure.
Nivolumab Offers Benefit for Hard-to-Treat Lung Cancer
People with non-small-cell lung cancer that didn't respond to chemo have a much better chance of survival if they are given the immunotherapy nivolumab.
Should You Take a Drug to Prevent Breast Cancer?
The USPSTF says a woman at high risk can benefit from taking a drug to prevent breast cancer. A woman whose risk is low will probably benefit very little.
Is It Better to Get Protein from Plants or Animals?
People getting most of their protein from plants and consuming a healthful plant-based diet are more likely to live longer and less likely to get diabetes.
Show 1175: How to Mix Conventional and Ayurvedic Medicine for Cancer
Hear how an American physician decided to mix allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine to treat his metastatic neck cancer. Should we all learn to combine them?
Is New Cancer Drug Worth the Price?
Will the new cancer drug Xpovio work well enough to justify its extremely high price tag? Oncologists are also worried about dangerous side effects.
Should You Eat Yogurt for a Healthy Colon?
According to a new study, men who eat yogurt twice a week or more have a lower risk of colon polyps and possibly colorectal cancer.
Do Sweet Drinks Boost Your Risk for Cancer?
French people who consume sweet drinks frequently are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer.
How to Grill Safely This Summer
Grill safely this summer by paying attention to how you clean the grill as well as marinating, pre-cooking and flipping your meat frequently.
FDA’s Accelerated Approval of Cancer Drugs A Big Bust
Patients with hard-to-treat cancers are desperate for new and better cancer drugs. The FDA's accelerated approval process is supposed to do that. Does it?
Billion Dollar Settlement for People with Bad Hip Implants
Johnson & Johnson will pay a billion dollars to people who received the company's bad hip implants and had poor outcomes. Legal action on Roundup too.
Another Week Another Losartan Recall | Will It Ever End?
After nine months the recall of contaminated generic BP drugs continues. Now it's a losartan recall from Teva. Why hasn't the FDA cleaned up this mess?
A New Carcinogen Found in BP Meds | More ARB Recalls!
There are new ARB recalls. Camber and Torrent Pharma companies are recalling large lots of losartan. How did this happen? A new carcinogen rears its head!
Show 1151: What Was the First Immunotherapy for Cancer?
Dr. William Coley developed the first immunotherapy for cancer more than 100 years ago. How did this bacterial toxin work to overpower tumors?
Will Colonoscopy Change Your Gut Flora?
Colonoscopy is a life-saving procedure to detect and prevent colon cancer. Does the stringent colon cleansing process result in changes to the gut flora?
CAR-T Immunotherapy Produces Stunning Results vs. B Cell Lymphoma
People who have failed traditional treatment for B cell lymphoma have few options. But two new studies report that CAR-T immunotherapy offers new hope.
Show 1144: New Ways to Heal Your Digestive Tract
We talk with two eminent experts about how to heal your digestive tract. Dr. Shaheen treats Barrett's esophagus. Dr. Bretthauer treats C diff.
Can Fish Oil Really Help Your Heart?
Fish oil supplements prevent fatal heart attacks, especially for people who don't eat much fish. However, they can also increase AFib.
Vitamin D Strikes Out Against Heart Attacks and Cancer
In the VITAL trial, vitamin D strikes out for preventing heart disease and cancer. Are such supplements completely useless?
Is Fish Oil to Prevent Heart Attacks a Dud?
The VITAL study looked at fish oil to prevent heart attacks. The results were mostly disappointing, but fewer people taking fish oil died of heart attacks.
Are Organic Food Enthusiasts Protected from Cancer?
People who eat organic food more often are less likely to come down with cancer, according to a big French study.
Do People Who Eat Fish Grow Old More Healthfully?
A long-running study suggests that people who eat fish and shellfish regularly are less prone to chronic disease as they age.
Is Melatonin Safe for Night Shift Nurse?
People who work the night shift may need help sleeping during the day. Is melatonin safe for this purpose? We need more research to know for sure.
Show 1135: Who Do You Believe–the Experts or the Evidence?
How well do doctors follow the evidence in choosing treatments? Might they be swayed by their relationship with a pharmaceutical or device manufacturer? This show will air Sept. 22, 2018.
How Good Should You Feel About BPA Substitutes?
Manufacturers are replacing the endocrine-disrupting plasticizer BPA with other compounds. Are these BPA substitutes really safer?
Pharmacist Did Not Tell the Truth About Valsartan Source
With the expanded recall of valsartan from China, it makes sense to learn where your valsartan was made. This might be more of a challenge than it seems.
Is Liver Cancer a Risk of Acid-Suppressing Drugs?
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium and Prilosec can prevent heartburn and heal ulcers. But they do have some frightening side effects and might even promote liver cancer.
Pharmacist Wouldn’t Take Back Recalled Valsartan BP Med
Who's responsibility is it to take back recalled valsartan? Should patients get a refund for a contaminated drug? What happens when a pharmacist refuses to honor a recall?
Can You Stop Being Tired All the Time?
When people with thyroid problems feel tired all the time, they may benefit from T3 as well as T4 replacement. Trouble converting from T4 to T3 is now recognized as a possible contributor.
Do Vitamin D Pills Lower Your Chance of Cancer?
A study from New Zealand showed no reduction in the chance of cancer for people taking pills with 100,000 IU of vitamin D each month.
What Health Benefits Can You Get from Spices?
Many herbs and spices contain phytonutrients that seem to have health benefits. They may work together synergistically, so it makes sense to eat them with a meal.
Are Frequent Flyers At Higher Risk For Developing Cancer?
Are frequent flyers at risk from cosmic ionizing radiation? What about cabin crew? A study examines the health risks for flight attendants. What did they discover?
Is Poliovirus Therapy a Breakthrough Against Deadly Brain Cancer?
A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine describes poliovirus therapy against glioblastoma. This heretofore incurable cancer may respond to this unique immunotherapy. What are the pros and c
Will Vitamin D Pills Help You Avoid Cancer?
Those who cannot get adequate vitamin D from sun exposure should take vitamin D pills. Scientists have not yet determined, however, if such supplements can protect people from cancer.
Where in the World Are Cancer Rates Highest?
A careful analysis of cancer rates around the world found that they seem to be higher among relatively wealthy populations.
Can You Skip Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer?
A study shows that women over 50 with a common type of breast cancer and an intermediate score on a genetic test could skip chemotherapy and just take anti-estrogen drugs.
Super Immune Therapy Gave One Woman Her Life Back
A special immune therapy using a patient's own T-cells was able to reverse Ms. Perkins' metastatic breast cancer and return her to health. Will it work for others?
Should Desperate Patients Have the Right To Try Unproven Drugs?
Many people with a terminal illness are willing to take almost any risk to improve their odds. Will the new right to try bill passed by Congress help? What are the downsides?
Are Sky-High Orphan Drug Costs Bankrupting Healthcare?
Can the drug companies justify extraordinarily high orphan drug costs? If a new cancer treatment can cost up to a million dollars, who will pay? Will insurance premiums skyrocket?
Should Reader Worry About His Anticancer Supplements?
A combination of anticancer supplements that includes aspirin as well as curcumin and blackseed might reduce the risk of recurrence, but could lead to bleeding.
Will Vitamin D Help Prevent Cancer?
In Japan, people with higher levels of vitamin D are less likely to develop cancer. Research has not yet determined whether vitamin D supplements will help prevent cancer.
Nuts Reduce Chance of Colon Cancer Recurrence
People who frequently eat nuts reduce their risk of a recurrence of colon cancer. Nut consumption has other health benefits as well, especially for cardiovascular health.
Does Scalding Tea Boost Your Risk for Esophageal Cancer?
A large study in China suggests that people who smoke or drink alcohol have a much higher risk of esophageal cancer if they also slurp scalding tea.
How To Choose Safe and Effective Over-The-Counter Medicines
Do you play doctor by medicating yourself or those you love with over-the-counter medicines? Do you understand the pros and cons of such drugs? Our faves and our fears on OTC meds!
Are Breast Implants Linked to Rare Cancer?
Dutch scientists have uncovered a link between breast implants and a rare cancer, anaplastic large-cell lymphoma of the breast. This deserves further scrutiny.
Will Diabetes Drug Metformin Protect the Thyroid?
The diabetes drug metformin is showing significant promise for preventing and treating cancers such as those of the thyroid, breast, prostate and colon.
Can What You Eat Change Your Risk of Cancer?
An anti-inflammatory diet rich in vegetables and fruits, even spices, can help reduce the risk of cancer of the colon. Soda pop and refined grains are pro-inflammatory.
What Is the Link Between Gums and Cancer?
A prospective study found that people with infected gums were more likely to develop lung or colorectal cancer.
Beta Blockers Boost Benefits from Cancer Immunotherapy
A familiar and inexpensive beta blocker like propranolol may make cancer immunotherapy for melanoma and other tumors far more effective.
Blackseed Oil Saved Knee and Lowered Cholesterol and Blood Sugar
Blackseed oil has anti-inflammatory properties. It may also have anti-cancer activity. Does this natural product have any scientific support?
Should You Worry About Your Cell Phone and Cancer?
It is estimated that 95% of Americans have a cell phone. Most kids now have one. Is there a link between a cell phone and cancer? New guidelines from CDPH.
For People with Lymphoma, Fitness Helps Survival
People with lymphoma are more likely to survive when they are more physically active before diagnosis and during and after treatment.
Drinkers Boost Their Chance of Getting Cancer
Drinking often and drinking more increase people's likelihood of getting cancer. ASCO calls for moderation in alcohol consumption.
A Pharmacist Remembers a Link Between Omeprazole and Cancer:
A new study linking PPIs to stomach cancer made headlines. A pharmacist with a long memory found a 1994 warning about omeprazole and cancer in the PDR.
Do Acid-Suppressing Drugs Cause Cancer?
A new study suggests that long-term use of acid-suppressing drugs might pose a substantial risk for stomach cancer in patients treated for H. pylori.
Are New Cancer Drugs Worth Their Price?
A new study finds that too many new cancer drugs are approved without solid scientific evidence of benefit.
How Good Is Aspirin Against Cancer in New Study?
Do you take aspirin for granted? It's one of the cheapest drugs in the drugstore. How effective is aspirin against cancer? You just might be surprised.
Will Drug Shortages From the Puerto Rico Disaster Impact Your Health?
Have you been horrified by the hurricane's destruction of Puerto Rico? This disaster may seem far away but drug shortages from Puerto Rico could affect you.
Should Your Doctor Know You Are Not Sleeping?
If you are not sleeping as much as you need to, your health could suffer. That's why you should tell your doctor, and look for nondrug approaches to overcome insomnia.
Preventing Peripheral Neuropathy From Chemotherapy with Multivitamins
There are many challenging side effects from cancer treatment. One that is not always appreciated in advance is peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy.
How Much Does It Really Cost to Develop a New Drug?
A new analysis show that the cost to develop a new cancer drug is high, but not as high as the industry has claimed. Moreover, the cost is recouped quickly.
How Many Breast Cancer Survivors Suffer Nerve Pain?
Two-fifths of breast cancer survivors in a recent study reported troubling nerve pain two years after treatment with chemotherapy.
What Makes Turmeric So Wonderful?
Activity against a wide range of chronic diseases, from Alzheimer to cancer to fatty liver makes turmeric so wonderful that it is a very popular supplement.
Would You Pay $475,000 for the New CAR-T Cancer Treatment?
How much is a life worth? Will new cancer treatments bankrupt the American health care system? CAR-T gene therapy is revolutionary, but can we afford it?
New Anti-Inflammatory Drug Cut Chance of Lung Cancer
The anti-inflammatory drug canakinumab cut the risk of dying from lung cancer by as much as 50 percent among participants in the CANTOS trial.
Why Vitamin C Might Protect You Against Cancer
New research shows why vitamin C might protect both mice and humans from cancer, particularly leukemia. Stem cells need vitamin C!
Colorectal Cancer Is Killing More Young Adults
A review of data since 1970 shows that colorectal cancer is killing more white Americans between age 20 and 55.
The Pros and Cons of Metformin for Diabetes
Millions of people pop metformin for diabetes every day. It's the world's most popular diabetes drug. Did you know this amazing med came from mother nature?
Hair Dye & Breast Cancer?
Tens of millions rely upon hair dye to provide a more youthful appearance. But is there a connection between hair dye & breast cancer? New research say yes.
Can You Afford Your Medicine?
Americans spend more on medicine than people anywhere else in the world. How can you afford your medicine when prices keep skyrocketing?
Will Aspirin Keep Barrett’s from Turning into Cancer?
Research suggests that aspirin blocks a key inflammatory pathway cells utilize when they are becoming cancerous and could prevent esophageal cancer.
Does Metformin Have Anti-Cancer Potential?
The anti-cancer potential of metformin lies in its ability to alter the metabolism of cancer cells and to alter their surrounding environment.
Cancer Deaths Are Dropping, But Not Everywhere
The overall picture looks promising for cancer survival, but some regions have more than their share of cancer deaths. Are the risks higher there?
Why Smoking Just a Little Is Still Bad for You
Even people smoking only a few cigarettes a day are putting themselves at risk of dying prematurely.
How Does a Colonoscopy Affect Microbes of the Digestive Tract?
Cleansing the bowel in preparation for a colonoscopy may deplete the digestive tract of many types of beneficial bacteria. Probiotics might restore them.
Save Money on Fall Special to Spice Up Your Health
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme taste great and are good for you. Scientists are rediscovering the healing power of many culinary herbs and spices.
Staying Active Can Help Prevent Chronic Health Problems
People who engage regularly in moderate to vigorous physical activity are less prone to chronic health problems such as heart disease or diabetes.
Why Would Metformin and Crestor Stop Prostate Cancer?
Could drugs for diabetes and high cholesterol reduce the likelihood that prostate cancer would recur? Metformin might have surprising anti-cancer activity.
Is the FDA Putting Americans at Risk with Chinese Drug Imports?
Where do the ingredients for your medicine come from? Chances are good that they are made in India, China, Hungary or some other country. Are they safe?
Should Everyone Be Taking Metformin to Fight Cancer?
Metformin is one of those widely prescribed but under appreciated drugs for diabetes. It may gain new converts because of anti-cancer activity. Is it safe?
Should You Worry About Cellphones and Cancer?
People now depend on cellphone and wireless technology to communicate. They assume such devices are safe, but is there a link between cellphones and cancer?
Big Week for New Cancer Breakthrough Drugs!
The FDA has been designating a number of new treatments as cancer breakthrough therapies. What does "breakthrough" actually mean?
How to Reduce Your Risk of Bile Duct Cancer
Regular aspirin use significantly cuts the chance of developing unusual but hard to treat bile duct cancer.
Could Your Diabetes Drug Prevent Death from Cancer?
Metformin, a mainstay of treatment for type 2 diabetes, resulted in a lower risk of death from cancer of the colon, pancreas, endometrium or liver.
When Will FDA Start Testing Food for Roundup Residue?
The FDA plans to test corn and soybeans to determine if they have remnants of the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup) in 2016.
Immune Cell Therapies for Cancer Look Promising
Immune cell therapies have oncologists excited. New research on T cells shows the possibility that they may overcome cancers resistant to chemotherapy.
Will Hair Dye Increase the Danger of Bladder Cancer?
A connection between hair dye and cancer has been controversial for decades. Studies have produced conflicting results. What should this cancer patient do?
Diclofenac Could Be a Powerful Cancer Fighter
The common pain reliever diclofenac is showing significant promise against a range of cancers, but clinical trials are needed to confirm its benefit.
Research on Twins with Cancer Raises Red Flags
A large study of 200,000 twins shows that for certain malignancies, twins with cancer mean their other twins are at significantly greater risk.
Skeptical Doctor Doubts The Goodness of Garlic
Garlic has been used by healers for thousands of years but it is not a staple of modern medicine. Why has this extraordinary herb been dismissed by doctors?
Grilled Meat Contributes to Kidney Cancer
Cancer-causing compounds formed when meat is cooked at high heat increase the risk of kidney cancer, especially in vulnerable people.
Beating Back Garlic Breath With Parsley
Garlic is tasty and good for us. Not only does it have cardiovascular benefits it may also have anticancer activity. But what can we do about garlic breath?
Processed Meats Boost Risk of Cancer
The cancer tracking agency of the WHO has determined that people eating lots of processed meats are at higher risk of cancer.
Pricey New Cancer Drugs Produce Disappointing Results
When the FDA approves new cancer drugs there are often exciting newspaper headlines about advances and breakthroughs. Do the data support the hype?
Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements Failed in Cancer Prevention
A placebo-controlled study found that vitamin D and calcium supplements did not prevent recurrence of adenomas, growths that may turn into cancer.
Is Drug Company Greed Out of Control?
The cost of life-saving medicines has reached stratospheric levels. That's especially true for rare diseases. Without access to these drugs people will die.
Lymphoma as a Side Effect of Remicade
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ulcerative colitis need to be aware of lymphoma as a side effect of the TNF blocker Remicade.
Regular Aspirin Use Lowers Risk of Colon Cancer
Long-term, low-dose aspirin use reduces the likelihood of developing colon cancer by about 27 percent. Be aware of potential side effects.
Could Floating Poop Be A Sign of Celiac Disease?
Should you worry about floating poop? The answer is complex. It could be nothing or a sign of something serious like celiac disease or pancreatic cancer.
Doctors Lead Protest Against High Cancer Drug Prices
Drug companies have finally infuriated cancer doctors to the point that they have started a movement to lower high cancer drug prices. Want to join them?
Is Ginseng Safe for Cancer Patient?
Cancer patient wonders, is ginseng safe? In most cases, the answer appears to be yes.
Leisure Time Exercise Helps Americans Live Longer
People who enjoy the recommended amount of leisure time exercise cut their risk of premature death.
BCG Drug Shortage Puts Cancer Patient in Mortal Danger
A BCG drug shortage is holding up bladder cancer treatment and putting patients at risk of the cancer becoming invasive.
Does Hair Dye Cause Cancer?
Most people have assumed that hair dyes are safe because some federal agency is protecting the public. A Swedish suggests there may still be problems.
Cancer Treatments Recruit the Immune System Against Tumors
Finding ways to alert the immune system to the presence of cancer is starting to pay off with a range of tumors.
New Cancer Drugs Use the Immune System to Treat Melanoma
A combination of new medications, Opdivo and Yervoy, helped shrink melanoma tumors more than either one alone.
New Drugs Show Promise Against Melanoma and Lung Cancer
New medications and regimens can help delay death from treatment-resistant melanoma.
To Lower Liver Cancer Risk, Drink Coffee, Not Alcohol
A regular habit of taking as few as three drinks daily can increase the likelihood of developing cancer of the liver.
Herbicide Is Named Probable Carcinogen
The pesticide glyphosate, also called Roundup, is considered a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Booster Shot May Boost Brain Cancer Treatment
Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, may respond better to vaccine treatment if the patient is pretreated with an ordinary tetanus booster.
Helping the Immune System Find and Fight Cancer
An anti-cancer compound that works to activate the immune system is effective in reducing mortality from two different types of cancer.
Vitamin D Aids Cancer Survival
People with higher blood levels of vitamin D when they were diagnosed with cancer survived months longer.
New Melanoma Drug Approved
An expensive new medicine will treat advanced melanoma by activating the immune system against the tumor.
Bisphosphonates Do Double Duty
Certain bisphosphonates used to treat osteoporosis also reduce the risk of endometrial cancer by 50 percent.
Is Metformin a Modern Miracle Medicine?
Metformin is not just for treating diabetes. It may become a powerful anticancer treatment, used to both prevent and treat malignancies.
Curry Spice to Fight Cancer
Curcumin can slow the growth of cancer cells in the laboratory; can it be used for prevention or treatment?
Low-Dose Aspirin Aids Survival after Colon Cancer Diagnosis
Colon cancer patients taking low-dose aspirin are less likely to die of their cancer.
Diabetes Drug Metformin Makes Lung Cancer Cells Sensitive to Radiation
The diabetes drug metformin shows promise in making cells more susceptible to radiation or chemotherapy for lung cancer.
Aspirin is a Hundred-Year Miracle Drug
Aspirin is the Rodney Dangerfield of the drug world. It gets very little respect even though studies show this drug has powerful anti-cancer effects.
Health Hazards from Hybrids?
People who by hybrid cars are trying to be kind to the planet. But do they realize some hybrids may put out EMF radiation? Are there hazards from EMF?
Cancer Patients Thrive Online
Online support groups help cancer patients learn about treatments, side effects and coping strategies.
Aspirin Has Anti-Cancer Action
Aspirin use can reduce the risk of cancer.
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