Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Colorectal Cancer Awareness, Big Pharma Debate, Medieval Health Hacks, and Cannabis Safety

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Colorectal Cancer Awareness, Big Pharma Debate, Medieval Health Hacks, and Cannabis Safety · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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Hello, and welcome to Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow, where we bring you the latest in medical and health news from around the world.
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I am your host, Dr.
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Chi-Ming Chow.
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Today, we're diving into a story about an actor who shares his personal experience with
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colorectal cancer, highlighting a simple sign that he initially ignored.
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James van der Beek, known for his role in "Dawson's Creek," has opened up about his
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battle with colorectal cancer, which he announced back in November 2024.
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At 48, van der Beek was in great cardiovascular shape and regularly engaged in activities like
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cold plunges, yet he was diagnosed with stage three cancer.
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He shared with Healthline that there was no glaring red flag alerting him to his condition.
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The only symptom he noticed was a change in his bowel movements, which he initially attributed
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to his coffee drinking habits.
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This highlights how subtle the early signs of colorectal cancer can be, especially since the
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screening age for colorectal cancer has recently dropped from fifty to forty-five.
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Unfortunately, van der Beek was unaware of this change at the time of his diagnosis.
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Professor Eitan Friedman, an oncologist, emphasizes that changes in bowel habits are a
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primary red flag for colorectal cancer.
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Other symptoms can include fatigue due to anemia, blood in the stool, unexplained weight
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loss, loss of appetite, and abdominal discomfort.
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Dr.
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Erica Barnell, a physician-scientist, also notes that many colorectal cancers develop
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silently, without obvious symptoms, making early detection crucial.
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For those aged forty-five and older, especially if they have a first-degree relative with colon
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cancer or suffer from conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, regular screenings
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such as colonoscopies are essential.
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These screenings can detect polyps early, which can be removed before they turn malignant.
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Despite this, compliance with screening recommendations remains low, particularly in
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rural and underserved communities.
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Dr.
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Barnell stresses the importance of increasing public awareness and access to noninvasive
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screening technologies.
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She reminds us that even though discussions about bowel habits may be uncomfortable, paying
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attention to changes can be life-saving.
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Early screening can identify potential problems before they develop into something more
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serious, giving individuals a better chance at effective treatment.
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Let's delve into a topic that's often the subject of heated debate: the pharmaceutical
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industry, or "Big Pharma" as it's commonly known.
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Does Big Pharma deserve all the hate?
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This question is not straightforward, and to understand it, we need to consider both the
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positive and negative aspects of the industry.
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The pharmaceutical industry in the United States is a global engine of innovation.
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It's undeniable that the U.S.
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leads the world in clinical research and healthcare innovation.
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This is largely due to the hard work of pharmaceutical companies that strive to advance
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cures.
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According to a study by Professor Amitabh Chandra from Harvard, global biopharmaceutical
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research and development investment totaled two hundred seventy-six billion dollars in 2021,
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with a significant portion coming from the U.S.
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These investments have led to transformative therapies, such as immunotherapies for cancer,
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mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, and cures for hepatitis C.
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They've turned what were once fatal diagnoses into manageable chronic conditions, extending
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and saving millions of lives.
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The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines is a prime example of what the industry can achieve
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through coordinated action, rigorous science, and life-saving solutions.
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Beyond innovation, the pharmaceutical industry also makes a substantial economic contribution.
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It supports over four million U.S.
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jobs and contributes hundreds of billions to the national gross domestic product.
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Entire communities rely on it, not just for medication, but for employment, research
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opportunities, and economic stability.
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Despite this, it's important to recognize that the industry isn't as profitable as some might
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think.
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Professor Chandra points out that net income margins are around fifteen percent, comparable
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to public utilities.
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However, criticisms of the industry are not baseless.
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In the United States, drug prices are significantly higher than in other countries,
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making essential medications unaffordable for many Americans.
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This often leads to skipped doses, delayed treatments, or worse.
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The complexity of the drug pricing system, involving rebates, discounts, pharmacy benefit
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managers, and insurers, makes it nearly impossible to understand the true cost of a
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drug.
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Moreover, some practices within the industry raise ethical concerns.
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Strategies like evergreening, which involves making small changes to existing drugs to
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extend patent life, can delay the introduction of cheaper generics.
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Pay-for-delay deals, where brand-name companies pay generic manufacturers to postpone launching
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a competitor drug, prioritize profits over patient access.
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Additionally, the role of certain companies in the opioid crisis, through aggressive marketing
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and suppression of addiction risk data, cannot be overlooked.
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So, is pharma the problem or the solution?
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The answer is both.
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The industry is part of the problem due to its contribution to unsustainable drug pricing and
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sometimes prioritizing shareholder value over public health.
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But it's also an essential part of the solution, leading the world in life-saving
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innovation.
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Binary thinking, where pharma is seen as either evil or a savior, prevents us from addressing
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real issues like a fragmented payment system, lack of transparency, and misaligned
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incentives.
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For a more balanced future, we need transparency in pricing so that patients,
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providers, and policymakers can understand drug costs.
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Regulatory reforms to close loopholes delaying generic drugs and revisiting patent laws are
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also crucial.
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Value-based pricing models, which pay for drugs based on outcomes rather than volume, could
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better align incentives.
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Continued investment in neglected areas, such as antibiotics and maternal health drugs, would
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also help.
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Better public-private partnerships are essential.
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The success of COVID-19 vaccine development showed us what's possible when the government
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and industry collaborate with urgency and purpose.
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To solve the problem of high drug prices, we need to elevate the conversation and avoid
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reducing entire sectors to villains.
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Only then can we find real solutions and ensure that everyone benefits from the incredible
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potential of the pharmaceutical industry.
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Historians have recently unearthed some intriguing "health hacks" from the Middle Ages
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that might sound oddly familiar to anyone scrolling through TikTok today.
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This fascinating discovery comes from the Corpus of Early Medieval Latin Medicine, a
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database rich with information about how people in the so-called "Dark Ages" perceived health,
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science, and medicine.
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This project was announced by Binghamton University in July, and it includes hundreds of
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medieval medical texts cataloged by associate professor Meg Leja and her team, focusing on
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all surviving Latin manuscripts up to the year 1000.
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Interestingly, some of these ancient remedies parallel modern wellness trends.
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For instance, historians repeatedly found references to a 12-month detox plan involving
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herbs like cinnamon, sage, ginger, and fennel—one for each month.
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These drinks were believed to cleanse the body of build-up like mucus and "unwanted matter,"
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akin to today's juice cleanses.
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Another medieval recipe recommended a vinegar mask to make your face "radiant." It suggested
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grinding wheat flour with vinegar and applying it as a plaster mixed with oil.
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This sounds not too dissimilar from some of the DIY skincare tips circulating online today.
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Barley water, another ancient remedy, occasionally pops up on TikTok as a natural
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digestive aid.
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Centuries before influencers touted its benefits, early medieval writers were already
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recommending it.
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A text from before 1000 A.D.
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claimed that mixing barley with hot wine would aid digestion.
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Of course, not all medieval remedies were as palatable.
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Some involved ingredients that are both unpleasant and difficult to obtain today.
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For example, a text from before 1250 suggested that dead vultures were a cure-all for various
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ailments.
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The instructions included capturing a vulture, decapitating it with a reed while reciting a
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specific incantation, and then using parts of the vulture to prevent migraines and relieve
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eye pain.
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The text even advised tying the vulture's feathers to a pregnant woman's legs to speed up
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labor.
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Another peculiar tip for fuller hair involved using the ashes of a green lizard.
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Found in a late 9th-century priest’s manuscript, it recommended covering the head
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with fresh summer savory, salt, and vinegar, then rubbing it with the lizard ashes mixed
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with oil.
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This was believed to promote flowing locks.
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Perhaps the most repulsive remedy came from an 11th-century text, which advised dissolving
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goat dung in water to relieve chest pain.
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While it may have been a common practice back then, modern medicine would certainly advise
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against such measures.
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Dr.
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J.
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Matthew Knight, a board-certified dermatologist, cautions against trying these
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medieval cures, noting that while some ingredients like barley, cinnamon, and fennel
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might offer minor digestive benefits, there is little to no scientific backing for a year-long
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detox.
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He also warns against the vinegar facial mask, which could cause irritant contact dermatitis
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despite vinegar's antibacterial properties.
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More extreme remedies, such as using goat dung, are considered unsanitary and dangerous.
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Dr.
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Knight emphasizes that these medieval remedies predate the microscope, germ theory, and modern
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medicine.
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At the time, illnesses were attributed to spiritual imbalances, moral transgressions, or
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cosmic forces, rather than bacterial or viral causes.
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While these ancient "health hacks" may seem novel or amusing, they lack scientific validity
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and should be approached with caution.
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Today, I'm sharing the heartfelt journey of Don Riddell, a CNN sports anchor, as he and his
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wife prepare for an emotional transition into empty nesting.
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This month marks a significant milestone for the Riddell family as their twin boys head off
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to university, leaving just Don, his wife, and their twelve-pound Maltese Shih Tzu at home.
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After nearly two decades filled with the laughter and music of their children, the
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couple is stepping into a new phase of life with mixed emotions.
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Empty nesting is a term that often carries a sense of heartache and trepidation.
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Don admits to feeling a daunting finality creeping up on them over the years.
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The couple has been preparing for this change by discussing future dreams, exploring new
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restaurants, and even ordering pickleball paddles.
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However, the reality of their children leaving has been a bittersweet experience, filled with
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nostalgic moments and a sense of loss.
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Don reflects on how quickly time has passed since the birth of their boys, a moment shared
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with the world by his CNN International colleagues.
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As parents, they've often wondered if their sons are ready for independence, but now Don
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questions if he and his wife are prepared to transition from being parents to once again
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being a couple.
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The concept of empty nesting isn't new, with roots tracing back to 1914, but today, more
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parents are speaking openly about the experience.
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Celebrities like Michelle Obama and Gordon Ramsay have shared their own emotional journeys
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through this transition, highlighting that it's not just mothers who feel the impact.
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Fathers, too, often experience deep emotions, though they might not always find the space to
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express them.
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Celia Dodd, author of "The Empty Nest: How to Survive and Stay Close to Your Adult Child,"
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notes that fathers might seem to cope well on the surface but often struggle internally.
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The emotional bond between parents and children, formed over many years, makes the
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transition challenging.
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As comedian Jim Gaffigan humorously points out, empty nesters can feel like they've weathered a
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hurricane, losing everything familiar.
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The transition to an empty nest can also lead to an identity crisis for parents.
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Celia Dodd highlights that while new parents receive a wealth of advice, empty nest parents
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are left to navigate this challenging phase on their own.
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The shift requires a significant adjustment of self and one's place in the world, akin to the
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emotional journey of welcoming a new baby.
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In recent times, parents have developed closer relationships with their children, often
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becoming more involved in their lives.
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Don expresses immense pride in his sons and acknowledges the importance of letting them
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grow independently.
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As much as he wants to check in daily, he understands the need to step back and allow his
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children to navigate their own paths.
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One concern for empty nesters is the increasing divorce rate among couples who find themselves
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alone after years of focusing on their children.
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Celia Dodd observes that couples may struggle to reconnect after years of neglecting their
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relationship.
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Don and his wife are aware of this potential pitfall and are taking proactive steps to
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strengthen their bond as they move into this new chapter.
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Embracing the empty nest phase, Don and his wife have planned adventures to rediscover
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their independence.
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They're scheduling intentional date nights, and Don's wife is eager to pursue her art career
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fully.
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Don himself looks forward to dedicating time to gardening and even dreams of keeping beehives.
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They've bought tickets to various events, including ghost tours and shows, to make the
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most of their newfound freedom.
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Don chooses to view this transition as an opportunity rather than a crisis.
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He believes that just as their children are gaining independence, he and his wife will
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rediscover their own.
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This positive outlook serves as a reminder that while the empty nest phase can be challenging,
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it also offers a chance for personal growth and renewed purpose.
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The Atlanta headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention became the site
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of a tragic shooting recently, leaving both the public health community and the local area
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shaken.
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A thirty-year-old man, who believed he had been made ill by the COVID-19 vaccine, opened fire
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on the C.D.C.
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buildings.
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This attack resulted in the death of a young DeKalb County police officer and the gunman
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himself.
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The incident unfolded on a Friday evening when the police received reports of an active
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shooter at a CVS drugstore located across from the C.D.C.
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headquarters.
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The gunman fired numerous bullets, damaging the sleek glass facades of at least four C.D.C.
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buildings, though fortunately, no C.D.C.
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employees or civilians were injured.
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The gunman was found dead on the second floor of the drugstore, but it's unclear whether he
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died from a self-inflicted wound or a shot from law enforcement.
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At the scene, authorities recovered five guns, including four long guns, many of which
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belonged to the suspect's father.
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The suspect was identified as Patrick Joseph White, a resident of Kennesaw, Georgia.
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Described by neighbors as a quiet man who did odd jobs, he had recently become fixated on
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vaccines and reportedly believed they were the cause of his physical ailments.
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Officer David Rose of the DeKalb County Police Department, a thirty-three-year-old who had
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been on the force for less than a year, was killed in the line of duty.
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Officer Rose, a former Marine, had joined the police force seeking to make a difference in
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his community.
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He leaves behind his wife, a young son, a six-year-old daughter from a previous
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relationship, and his wife is expecting another child.
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The attack has been seen by some as a manifestation of the growing hostility and
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misinformation surrounding vaccines, which have been a subject of conspiracy theories and
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political tensions.
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Within the C.D.C., employees expressed frustration and distress, concerned about the
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misinformation contributing to such violence.
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Despite overwhelming research demonstrating the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines,
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misinformation continues to spread.
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This has led to increased threats against health care workers and public health agencies
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like the C.D.C.
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The incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by these institutions in the current
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climate, where public health efforts are sometimes met with skepticism and hostility.
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Today, we're delving into a growing concern that has been making headlines: the rise in
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cannabis poisonings, particularly among children.
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This issue has become more pronounced as cannabis legalization and commercialization
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have expanded across the United States, making marijuana edibles more accessible than ever.
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A recent incident illustrates the gravity of the situation.
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Amy Enochs, a mother from central Ohio, experienced a terrifying ordeal when her
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daughter's elementary school went into lockdown.
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Several fourth graders, including Ms.
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Enochs's daughter, had consumed marijuana gummies mistaken for Easter candy.
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The children were rushed to the hospital with symptoms like racing pulses, nausea, and
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hallucinations.
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Ms.
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Enochs recalled the fear and panic she felt upon learning of her daughter's condition.
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According to data from America's Poison Centers, the number of cannabis-related
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incidents reported has surged from about nine hundred thirty cases in 2009 to over twenty-two
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thousand last year.
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Of these, more than thirteen thousand were classified as nonlethal poisonings with
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documented negative effects.
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Public health officials believe these numbers are likely underestimated, as hospitals are not
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mandated to report such cases.
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Alarmingly, more than seventy-five percent of these poisonings involve children or teenagers.
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Dr.
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Shamieka Virella Dixon, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in
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North Carolina, notes that she has treated toddlers experiencing severe symptoms due to
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accidental cannabis ingestion.
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In some cases, children have even required ventilators due to life-threatening conditions.
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The Times' investigation into this issue revealed that children across the country have
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unintentionally consumed cannabis products belonging to relatives or friends, leading to
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hospitalizations for symptoms like paranoia, vomiting, and hallucinations.
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Although most cases are not severe, a growing number have resulted in serious complications,
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such as breathing difficulties.
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Dr.
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Robert Hendrickson, an emergency physician at Oregon Health & Science University, has seen an
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increase in cannabis poisoning cases.
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He recounts treating a toddler in the intensive care unit after consuming a cannabis cookie,
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resulting in seizures and the need for a ventilator.
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Tragically, four deaths since 2009 have been attributed to cannabis poisoning, with one
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involving a child or teen.
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Despite the widespread use of cannabis by millions of Americans without issue, there is a
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concerning perception that T.H.C., the intoxicating component in cannabis, is entirely
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safe.
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As cannabis products, including those with hemp-derived T.H.C., become more prevalent, the
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risk of accidental exposure increases.
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Most reported exposures last year were deemed unintentional, often due to misleading
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packaging.
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Dr.
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Stephen Sandelich, a pediatric emergency physician at Penn State, highlights the role of
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packaging in accidental overdoses.
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He has had to intubate several children who ingested cannabis products, underscoring the
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need for more stringent packaging regulations.
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In one instance, Ms.
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Enochs's daughter hallucinated after consuming gummies containing fifty milligrams of T.H.C.,
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leading to legal actions against the responsible parent.
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The aftermath of such incidents can leave lasting psychological effects on children.
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Ms.
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Enochs shared that her daughter felt unsafe at school and struggled with fears at night, even
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years after the incident.
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The mental scars of these experiences can be profound and enduring.
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Doctors emphasize that the toxicity of cannabis depends on the product's potency and the
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individual's size.
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While an adult might need to consume a large quantity to experience severe effects, children
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are far more vulnerable.
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Dr.
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Laurén Murphy, an emergency physician at Temple University Hospital, describes the devastation
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of seeing a child in such a state, noting that cases involving young children are almost a
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daily occurrence.
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While most poisonings involve children, adults, particularly older adults, are not immune.
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A study in Canada found an increase in emergency room visits among seniors following
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cannabis legalization.
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Slower metabolisms, medication interactions, and higher potencies contribute to this
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vulnerability.
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Despite state-imposed potency limits for edibles, many physicians argue that these caps
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are still too high, often reaching one hundred milligrams per package.
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Public health advocates continue to push for stricter regulations on packaging and marketing
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to prevent appealing to children.
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However, they face resistance from the cannabis industry, which warns against driving consumers
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to illegal markets.
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Dr.
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Hendrickson, who helped set potency limits in Oregon, stresses that even small changes can
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significantly impact children's safety.
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As we conclude today's episode, it's clear that while cannabis offers benefits to many, there
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are significant risks, particularly for vulnerable populations like children.
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Increased awareness, education, and regulation are vital to prevent further incidents.
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Thank you for tuning into Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow.
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Stay informed, stay safe, and we'll see you next time.