Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / GLP-1 Drugs, Colorectal Cancer in Youth, and Children's Mental Health

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GLP-1 Drugs, Colorectal Cancer in Youth, and Children's Mental Health · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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  Welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  I'm Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow, your host, bringing you the latest updates in the world of health and
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  medicine.
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  Today, we're diving into some exciting new research that suggests a potential new frontier
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  for a class of drugs already popular for weight loss and diabetes management.
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  Could these drugs also be used to treat addiction?
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  Let's explore.
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  A recent study has added to the growing body of evidence that glucagon-like peptide-1, or
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  GLP-1, drugs might hold promise as treatments for addiction.
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  These medications, which include names like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, are
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  already well-known for their effectiveness in managing diabetes and helping with weight loss.
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  They work by acting on both the digestive system and the brain, influencing appetite and
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  what some users describe as 'food noise.'
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  Now, researchers are beginning to explore how these drugs might impact addiction.
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  Dr.
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  W.
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  Kyle Simmons, a professor of pharmacology and physiology at Oklahoma State University,
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  highlights the potential of these drugs to become widely prescribed for addiction if they
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  prove to be safe and effective.
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  While much of the current research has been conducted on animals, there are promising signs
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  from real-world use and smaller clinical trials, particularly around alcohol-use
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  disorder.
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  A new analysis using data from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs has
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  provided further insights.
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  This study looked at over 600,000 people with type 2 diabetes who were treated with either
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  GLP-1 drugs or another class called SGLT2 inhibitors.
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  The findings suggest that those using GLP-1 medications were less likely to develop
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  substance-use disorders and experienced better outcomes if they already had such a disorder.
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  Dr.
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  Ziyad Al-Aly, who led the study, noted the surprising breadth and consistency of effects
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  across various substances, including alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine.
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  In fact, the use of GLP-1 drugs was associated with fewer people developing substance-use
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  disorders over the study period.
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  Additionally, there was a significant reduction in drug-related deaths among those already
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  battling addiction, pointing to a potential protective effect of these medicines.
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  While these findings are promising, experts like Dr.
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  Caleb Alexander from Johns Hopkins University caution that more research is needed.
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  He points out that those starting GLP-1 treatments might differ in significant ways
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  from those starting other diabetes medications, which could influence outcomes.
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  There's also a need to understand how these results might generalize beyond the
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  predominantly male and older population studied in the VA data.
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  To address these questions, more randomized controlled trials are essential.
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  These trials will help determine the safety and efficacy of GLP-1 drugs for treating addiction.
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  Current trials are already underway, including studies on alcohol, cocaine, and opioid use
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  disorders.
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  Both Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, and Eli Lilly, which produces Mounjaro, are
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  investing in research to explore these potential new uses for their drugs.
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  As we await more definitive answers, it's important to proceed with caution.
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  There are still many unknowns about how GLP-1 drugs interact with the brain's reward systems
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  and what long-term effects they might have.
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  For now, they offer an exciting glimpse into the future of addiction treatment, but we need
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  to remain vigilant and continue to pursue robust research.
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  That's it for this segment.
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  Stay tuned as we continue to explore the latest in medical research and health news.
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  I'm Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow, and this is Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  In an alarming new report, the American Cancer Society has revealed that colorectal cancer has
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  become the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50 years old.
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  The report, titled "Colorectal Cancer Statistics, 2026," highlights a worrying trend:
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  while rates of colorectal cancer have been declining among seniors, diagnoses are rising
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  among those 65 and younger.
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  This demographic now makes up nearly half of all new cases, a significant increase from
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  previous years.
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  The increase is particularly pronounced among adults aged 20 to 49, with the incidence rate
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  climbing at about 3 percent per year.
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  Even more concerning, 75 percent of colorectal cancers in adults 50 and under are diagnosed at
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  an advanced stage.
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  The report notes that half of these diagnoses occur between the ages of 45 and 49, a critical
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  age group eligible for routine screenings, yet only 37 percent actually undergo these
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  screenings.
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  Rectal cancer, a subtype of colorectal cancer, is also on the rise, now accounting for about
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  one-third of all cases.
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  This marks an increase from 27 percent in the mid-2000s.
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  Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer
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  Society and lead author of the report, emphasized the importance of understanding the
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  underlying causes of this trend and the need to educate both clinicians and the general public
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  about the importance of early detection and screening.
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  The report projects that 158,850 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed this year,
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  with the disease expected to cause 55,230 deaths.
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  It also highlights that more than half of colorectal cancer cases can be linked to
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  high-risk behaviors such as poor nutrition, high alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of
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  exercise, and obesity.
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  Dr.
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  William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, stressed the need for
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  eligible adults to begin screening at the recommended age of 45.
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  He also underscored the importance of continued funding for research to discover new treatments
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  and improve patient care.
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  Early detection is crucial, as the five-year survival rate is 95 percent when the disease is
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  caught at a local stage.
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  This report is a call to action for both the medical community and the public.
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  By increasing awareness and encouraging lifestyle changes, we can hopefully reverse
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  these troubling trends and improve outcomes for those at risk.
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  It's an unfortunate reality of our world that conflicts and wars can have significant
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  impacts, not just on those directly involved, but on people everywhere, including children.
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  When children are exposed to images or news of such events, they may experience a range of
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  emotions, from fear and anxiety to anger and confusion.
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  It is crucial for adults to help them process these feelings in a healthy way.
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  Experts recommend that parents and caregivers create a safe and open environment where
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  children feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and emotions about what they see or
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  hear.
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  Start by asking what they know about the situation and listen to their concerns without
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  judgment.
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  This approach helps children feel heard and validated, which is essential for their
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  emotional health.
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  Rebecca Smith from Save the Children emphasizes that avoiding discussions about difficult
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  topics like war does not make them go away.
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  Instead, it can leave children feeling isolated and scared.
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  Having honest, age-appropriate conversations can help children understand the situation
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  better and feel more secure.
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  It's also important to tailor these conversations to the child's age and maturity
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  level.
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  Younger children may only need basic information, avoiding graphic details that
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  might cause unnecessary anxiety.
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  Older children might have more questions and can handle a bit more detail, especially if
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  they're seeing images or headlines about the conflict.
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  For families directly affected by conflict, these conversations can be even more critical.
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  They may need to discuss practical matters like safety plans and staying connected with loved
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  ones.
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  In such situations, keeping the dialogue simple and calm can help children feel a sense of
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  stability amidst uncertainty.
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  Limiting exposure to distressing news is another strategy experts recommend.
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  The younger the child, the less exposure they should have to potentially upsetting media.
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  Parents can use this as a teaching moment to explain the importance of reliable news sources
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  and how to identify misinformation.
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  Finally, it's important for adults to be mindful of their own emotional well-being.
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  Children often take emotional cues from adults, so sharing your own feelings appropriately can
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  model healthy emotional expression.
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  If needed, seek professional help to support both your own and your child's mental health
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  during difficult times.
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  In recent years, glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, drugs have gained significant attention
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  not just for their role in managing diabetes and aiding weight loss, but also for their
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  broader impacts on lifestyle and health habits.
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  A new survey by Leger Healthcare has shed light on the growing prevalence of these medications
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  among Canadians and how they're reshaping daily life.
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  According to the survey, about three million Canadian adults are currently using GLP-1 drugs
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  such as Ozempic or Mounjaro.
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  These medications are primarily taken for weight loss and diabetes management, but
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  they're also being considered for heart health.
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  Interestingly, the survey found that cost remains a significant barrier for many who wish
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  to use these drugs.
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  Insurance coverage and the availability of low-cost generic options could potentially
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  increase their accessibility.
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  The survey revealed that more than half of the respondents taking GLP-1 drugs reported a
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  noticeable decrease in appetite, and 40 percent experienced fewer food cravings.
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  This shift in appetite is influencing consumer behavior, as approximately 30 percent of users
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  reported dining out or ordering takeout less frequently.
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  Instead, they're opting for more fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods.
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  Weight loss emerged as the leading reason for taking these medications, with diabetes and
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  heart health following closely behind.
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  Interestingly, men were more likely than women to cite heart health as a reason for using
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  GLP-1 drugs.
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  The survey also highlighted a growing interest, with six percent of respondents expressing a
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  desire to start these medications, indicating a potential increase in use if cost barriers are
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  addressed.
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  The survey also noted a change in alcohol consumption among users, with 36 percent
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  reporting a decrease.
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  These lifestyle changes extend beyond diet and alcohol, affecting spending habits on clothing,
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  personal care products, beauty services, and fitness.
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  This suggests that GLP-1 drugs are influencing broader lifestyle choices, not just dietary
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  habits.
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  Despite their benefits, the cost of GLP-1 medications is a concern, with about a quarter
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  of users paying out of pocket.
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  Only 28 percent have full insurance coverage, while nearly half have partial coverage.
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  Additionally, the risk of side effects, such as gastrointestinal issues and more severe
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  conditions like pancreatitis, remains a consideration for potential users.
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  The survey's findings highlight the widespread impact of GLP-1 drugs, not just as a
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  pharmaceutical solution, but as a catalyst for changing health and spending behaviors.
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  As we continue to explore the potential of these medications, addressing cost and
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  accessibility issues will be crucial in maximizing their benefits for Canadians.
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  That's all for today's episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  Thank you for joining me as we explored the latest developments in health and medicine.
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  Until next time, stay informed and take care of your health.
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  I'm Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow, wishing you a healthy day ahead.