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Men: Here Are the Health Screenings You Need

Many men will put off going to the doctor unless they are really sick, but men's health screenings help catch problems before symptoms appear.

So, how can you tell if a health screening or preventive care appointment is right for you?

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the

Scientists Get Closer to a Better PSA Test

The most common screening test for prostate cancer so often returns a false positive result that it’s no longer recommended for men older than 70, and it's offered as a personal choice for younger men.

But researchers think they’ve found a way to make the blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) accurate enough to significantly reduce overdiagnosis and better predict dangerous c...

Standard Tests May Underestimate Severity of Sleep Apnea in Black Patients

When it comes to diagnosing sleep apnea, current screening methods may put Black patients at a disadvantage, new research suggests.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious sleep disorder characterized by disrupted breathing during sleep. An initial screening tool might be an overnight pulse oximeter test — a small device clipped on to a fingertip that measures blood oxygen levels.

The Women’s Health Screenings and Preventive Care Appointments You Need

Health screenings and preventive care appointments are a key to maintaining long-term health and well-being. By proactively engaging in these practices, women can identify potential health risks early on and take necessary steps.

This guide will outline the key women's health screenings and care appointments to help you prioritize your health and stay on top of your well-being.

Experts Recommend All Women Get Mammograms Starting at Age 40

In a major change from its longstanding advice, an influential medical panel now recommends that women start mammography screening for breast cancer at age 40.

The new guidance, from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, says women at average risk of breast cancer should start having mammograms, every other year, when they turn 40. For years, the recommendation had been to start at age...

Should All U.S. Newborns Undergo Genomic Testing?

While newborns are only screened for about 60 treatable conditions, there are hundreds of genetic disorders that have targeted treatments.

Now, a national survey of experts in rare diseases found the vast majority support DNA sequencing in healthy newborns.

Testing, surveillance and treatment options exist for over 600 genetic conditions. This includes a growing number of devastat...

Four Signs That a Young Adult Might Have Colon Cancer

Four symptoms could provide early warning of colon cancer in younger adults.

Being aware of these red flags could lead to earlier detection and diagnosis for those under age 50, said researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

The telltale symptoms are abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea and iron deficiency anemia.

The death rate from colon canc...

Radiologists' Group Pushes for Breast Cancer Risk 'Assessment' by Age 25

While the typical recommendation is for women to start getting mammograms at age 40, the American College of Radiology has released new guidelines that call for all women to have a breast cancer risk assessment by age 25 to determine if they should start screening mammograms before they turn 40.

This early step is particularly important for women who are Black or Ashkenazi J...

Black Women Die of Breast Cancer at Younger Ages. Should They Be Screened Earlier?

Experts recommend that women at least consider starting breast cancer screening once they turn 40. Now a new study suggests that is especially critical for Black women.

Looking at data on U.S. breast cancer deaths, researchers found -- as other studies have -- that Black women in their 40s were substantially more likely to die of the disease than other women their age. The disparity was s...

In the Cards: Simple Test Could Assess Risk of Dementia

Is there a simple way to screen older folks for dementia risk years before there are any signs of memory loss or thinking impairment?

Yes, researchers report.

It's a test called SOMI, short for Stages of Objective Memory Impairment.

The process is straightforward. After being shown a series of images, patients who have no symptoms of dementia are asked to recall what they've ...

Study Offers Best Evidence Yet That Intervening Early Helps Curb Autism

A leading doctors' group recommends that toddlers get screening for autism at 18 months old. That may not be a moment too soon — and earlier may be even better, researchers say.

A new randomized clinical trial, the gold standard for studies, backs up the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Intervention at 18 months for children on the autism spectrum led to be...

Blood-Based 'Liquid Biopsy' Might Spot Early-Stage Cancers

An experimental blood test may be able to catch a dozen different types of cancer with a high degree of accuracy — including some that are particularly tricky to detect, a preliminary study suggests.

Researchers found that the blood test was usually on the money in detecting "signals" from 12 cancers. Importantly, the test was highly accurate in picking up early-stage cancer — which i...

AI Beats Trained Staff in Spotting Heart Trouble on Sonograms

It's machine: 1, man: 0 in the latest battle between artificial intelligence (AI) technology and human health care pros.

This time researchers set out to see if cardiologists could tell the difference between AI and a sonographer's assessments of a key measure of heart health on ultrasound images.

Spoiler alert: They couldn't.

“This is a machine beats man situation,” said...

Ultrasound Good Diagnostic Tool After Breast  Symptoms

For women with "focal breast complaints" -- issues with pain, lumps or discharge -- ultrasound is an effective diagnostic tool, according to new research.

These concerns are frequent, and ultrasound is effective as a standalone diagnostic method, researchers report April 4 in the journal Radiology.

“The evaluation of breast complaints is a common problem in breast diagno...

Suspicious Mammogram? Out-of-Pocket Costs Keep Some Women From Follow-Up

Breast cancer screening may be free for women with health insurance, but high costs may still keep some from getting needed follow-up tests, a new study finds.

The study, of more than 230,000 U.S. women who underwent screening mammography, found that those in insurance plans with higher out-of-pocket costs were less likely to get follow-up testing after an abnormal screening result.

Parts of Intestinal Scope Devices Can Break Off Inside Patients

A medical device used to diagnose and treat pancreatic and bile duct disease is getting attention from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after pieces have fallen off and remained in patients' bodies.

Previously, the FDA had expressed

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 24, 2023
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  • Kids With Autism Face Higher Odds of Vision Issues, But Many Don't Get Screened

    Children with autism are less likely than their peers to receive important vision screening despite a high risk for serious eye disorders, researchers report.

    Only about 36% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) completed vision screenings during their health checkups,

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 24, 2023
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  • Good News or Bad, Patients Want Access to Medical Test Results

    When waiting for medical test results, days can feel like an eternity.

    In a new survey, patients overwhelmingly say they'd like their results immediately -- even if their provider has not yet reviewed them and even if the news is bad.

    In April 2021, new rules went into effect requiring health care providers in the United States to make all results and clinical notes available immed...

    Chest Scans for Respiratory Ills Can Also Spot Heart Trouble

    Ordering special heart scans before a major surgery to gauge risks may be unnecessary, a new study suggests.

    Researchers found that surgeons can instead estimate patients' risk of heart attack or death by reviewing existing images of the chest captured months earlier during screening for lung issues, such as pneumonia or cancer.

    This could avoid surgery delays and increased costs, w...

    Cancer Screenings Rise in States With Mandatory Paid Sick Leave

    Many Americans are not getting recommended cancer screenings, and a new study hints at one way to push the needle: paid sick leave from work.

    Researchers found that in areas of the United States that passed mandates on paid sick leave, cancer screening rates inched up in the years afterward. Breast cancer screening rose by roughly 3%, while colon cancer screening increased by 6% to 8%.

    New Screen Might Spot More Cases of Hidden COPD

    Doctors could soon have a new tool to help diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

    A questionnaire called CAPTURE successfully identified almost half of clinical trial participants who had moderate to severe forms of previously undiagnosed COPD, researchers report.

    “The goal with trying to find COPD is to treat it earlier, which will help make patients feel bet...

    MRI Might Boost Cancer Detection for Women With Dense Breasts

    Nearly half of women have dense breast tissue, which can be a double whammy on their odds for breast cancer.

    Not only are dense breasts a risk factor for cancer, but this glandular and fibrous connective tissue make it harder to detect cancers on a mammogram, the usual method for breast cancer screening.

    New r...

    Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers

    You might not think about your cholesterol very often, if ever, but it's important to know your numbers.

    It's even helpful to get it checked at a young age, according to one heart expert.

    “People in their 20s may never consider getting their cholesterol checked, but they should because it may uncover a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol that they didn't know about,” said...

    When Schools Ask Students About Suicide, Those At Risk Get Help Sooner

    Could asking teens a simple, but pointed, question about their mental health reveal whether they are at risk for suicide?

    It might, new research suggests.

    Since suicide is now the second leading cause of death among American teens, any strategy that could lower that risk may be worth trying.

    �...

    Childhood Autism Diagnosis Is Getting Better, But Not for Everyone

    Autism cases are surging in the New York-New Jersey metro area, mainly fueled by the diagnosis of autistic children who don't have intellectual disabilities, a new study reports.

    The percentage of kids identified with autism spectrum disorder rose from about 1% in 2000 to 3% in 2016 in that region, said lead researcher

    Only Half of Folks With Stool Test Positive for Colon Cancer Get Follow-Up Colonoscopy

    Many people undergo a stool test to screen for colon cancer but a new study finds too few follow up with a colonoscopy when that test warns of a possible cancer.

    Not following up undermines the point of screening, said study-co-author Jeff Mohl, director of research and analytics for the Amer...

    Quick Scan Spots a Common Hormonal Form of High Blood Pressure

    For people with a specific type of high blood pressure, British researchers led a new study on a particular CT scan that may enable a cure.

    In about 5% to 10% of high blood pressure cases, the source is a gene mutation in the adrenal glands, according to earlier research. Tiny benign nodules in the glands lead to excessive production of the steroid hormone aldosterone, which causes salt t...

    Many Women Over 65 Are Dying of Cervical Cancer. What Needs to Change?

    A new study shows that many women diagnosed with and dying from cervical cancer are older than 65 -- a group for whom routine screening is usually not recommended.

    Cervical cancer screening has been credited with a sharp drop in deaths from the disease in the decades since it was introduced in the United States. But current guidelines state that once a woman reaches 65, if she has been re...

    For Seniors, Declining Sense of Smell Could Signal Frailty

    Doctors already test seniors' hearing and vision. Sense of smell could be added to screenings one day, according to researchers who found links between its loss and risk of frailty in older adults.

    “We use our sense of smell to identify the threat of a fire or to enjoy the fragrance of flowers on a spring day. But just like vision and hearing, this sense weakens as we age,” said study...

    DNA Fragments in Blood Promise Cheap, Easy Test for Cancer

    Researchers are reporting progress on a blood test that can detect multiple cancers in a relatively simpler, and potentially less pricey, way than other tests under development.

    The test picks up certain cancer signals in the blood using a fairly straightforward method: counting bits of DNA that appear to be "broken" in unexpected places.

    In the new study, scientists found that the ...

    New Year: Time for Your Memory Screening Appointment

    Many conditions cause memory issues, and early detection is essential for effective treatment, according to a national Alzheimer's disease organization.

    The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) encourages people to get a memory screening in the new year.

    The foundation offers free, confidential virtual memory screenings. It doesn't set a minimum age and there are no insurance pr...

    Blood Test Might Warn of Dangerous Complication of Pregnancy

    An experimental blood test could one day provide early warning for a life-threatening complication of pregnancy, a new study reports.

    Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta — the food and oxygen source for a fetus — grows too deeply into the wall of a woman's uterus.

    The condition can cause a woman to bleed to death following delivery, especially if it hasn't been detected be...

    Only 1 in 7 Cancers Are Caught Through Cancer Screenings

    Just 14% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States are detected through routine screening, a new analysis finds -- pointing to many missed opportunities to catch cancer early.

    "It's surprising, but true," said Caroline ...

    Women's Depression Symptoms May  Differ by Race: Study

    Depression can be tricky to detect in some people, and Black women may exhibit different symptoms, leading to missed care, researchers say.

    Black women report sleep disturbances, self-criticism and irritability more often than the stereotypical low mood, according to a new study.

    As a result, standard screening tools may underdiagnose depression in Black women, the study authors sai...

    Stop Screening Asymptomatic Hospital Patients for COVID, Experts Say

    A nationwide group of infection control experts recommends U.S. health care facilities stop testing patients for COVID-19 before hospital admission or scheduled surgeries if they have no virus symptoms.

    The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) statement says facilities should rely instead on enhanced layers of infection prevention.

    “The small benefits that could c...

    Many U.S. Women Must Travel Far to Get Mammograms

    Many American women have to travel long distances to reach the nearest mammography center, a new study finds -- raising questions about whether that keeps some from receiving breast cancer screening.

    Researchers found that 8.2 million women had limited access to mammography screening in 2022 -- defined as living more than a 20-minute drive to the nearest facility. That was up from 7.5 mil...

    CT Screenings Can Dramatically Improve Lung Cancer Outcomes

    Annual lung cancer screening for heavy smokers can provide a big boost in lung cancer survival over the long term, a new study shows.

    When low-dose CT screening identifies early-stage lung cancer, patients have an 80% chance of surviving 20 years, researchers found. And for some, the odds are as high as 100%.

    But only 16% of lung cancers are caught early, and more than half of...

    Anyone Can Get Lung Cancer. Detecting It Early Is Crucial

    Too few people are getting screened for lung cancer.

    This is the message from the American Lung Association's 2022 "State of Lung Cancer" report. Less than 6% of eligible Americans have been screened for lung cancer, and in some states, lung cancer screening rates are as...

    Doctor's Office Stress Test Could Gauge Your Heart Risk

    Evaluating a person's psychological stress can be a good way to gauge their risk of heart and blood vessel disease, new research suggests.

    And a brief questionnaire could help with the assessment, the study findings showed.

    “Our study is part of the accumulating evidence that psychological distress is a really important factor in a cardiovascular diagnosis, such as the other healt...

    How the Pandemic Affected Americans' Blood Pressure

    Although blood pressure levels among Americans rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, new research suggests things could have been far worse.

    "We expected blood pressure control to be worse due to decreased physical activity, stress, poor sleep and other cardiovascular disease risk factors that worsened during the pandemic," said study leader

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 3, 2022
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  • Top Medical Groups, Hospitals Urge Better Access to Lung Cancer Screening

    Screening tests routinely catch cases of breast and colon cancer early, but a screening test for lung cancer is sorely underused in high-risk people and that needs to change, more than 50 cancer organizations said in a joint statement issued Tuesday.

    What prompted the move? Low-dose CT screening is recommended for people who are more likely to develop lung cancer, yet only 5....

    Did the Decline in PSA Testing Lead to More Cases of Advanced Prostate Cancer?

    A large new study of U.S. veterans suggests that when prostate cancer screening rates go down, the number of men diagnosed with advanced cancer then rises.

    Researchers found that across 128 U.S. veterans health centers, the rate of PSA screening for prostate cancer declined between 2008 and 201...

    Not Just for Glasses: Eye Exams Could Save Your Life

    Eyes may be your window to good health.

    Patient Barbara Krupar, a 65-year-old Ohio retiree, learned this firsthand.

    Krupar made an appointment with her ophthalmologist after experiencing disturbing vision changes.

    Dr. Nicole Bajic detected possible early warning signs of a stroke. She advised Krupar to go to the emergency room immediately to have her head and neck imaged.

    <...

    As Clinics Providing Abortions Closed in Iowa, STD Rates Started Rising

    Even before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer, many states had already moved to limit abortion access by defunding family planning health centers.

    Unfortunately, these very same clinics offer a broad range of essential primary care services beyond abortion, including access t...

    Screen Kids 8 and Older for Anxiety, Expert Panel Recommends

    Children aged 8 and up should be screened for anxiety, the influential U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended on Tuesday. Kids aged 12 and up should also be screened for

  • By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 12, 2022
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  • New Test of Pancreatic Cysts Might Boost Cancer Detection

    Pancreatic cancer is often fatal, but a molecular test that can accurately distinguish benign cysts from those that could become cancerous may be a key to saving lives.

    Researchers tested the technology — called PancreaSeq — to see if it could work in a clinical setting and found success.

    “Based on the results of this study, molecular testing of pancreatic cysts is poised to e...

    1 in 5 Young Women Has No Plans to Get a Mammogram

    Terlisa Sheppard knows the value of tracking changes in her body.

    The Orlando Health patient was eight and a half months pregnant and just 31 years old when she felt a lump under her arm. She left work to get it checked out and "didn't return back to work because that is the evening that I found out I had breast cancer," Sheppard said.

    Now, 23 years later -- and long after deliveri...

    Not Enough Older Americans Are Checking Blood Pressure At Home

    Regular home monitoring can help with blood pressure control, but only half of people who have hypertension or other related conditions actually do it, a new study found.

    Of Americans ages 50 to 80 who take blood pressure me...

    Too Few Kids With Sickle Cell Anemia Get Screened for Stroke Risk

    Too few children with sickle cell anemia are getting the recommended screening tests for stroke, a common complication of this disease, a new government report finds.

    What's more, many aren't receiving

  • By Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 21, 2022
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  • Task Force Recommends Anxiety Screening for All Adults Under 65

    In what amounts to a public acknowledgement that anxiety disorders have run rampant during the pandemic, an influential expert panel is recommending for the first time that all Amer...

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