Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Cancer Prevalence Study, CDC Pain Management, and Early Cognitive Decline Signs

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Cancer Prevalence Study, CDC Pain Management, and Early Cognitive Decline Signs · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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  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 have some crucial updates that you will not want to miss.
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  First up, let us delve into a concerning new study about cancer among men.
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  According to the American Cancer Society, the prevalence of cancer among men is expected to
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  skyrocket globally in the coming decades.
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  This study, conducted by Australian researchers, analyzed mortality rates tied to
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  30 different types of cancer among adult men in 2022.
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  They utilized data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, covering 185
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  countries and territories.
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  Based on their findings, the researchers predict that between 2022 and 2050, cancer
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  cases among men will spike by around 84 percent, increasing from 10.3 million to 19
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  million cases.
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  Even more alarming, male cancer deaths are expected to increase by 93 percent in that same
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  time frame, reaching 10.5 million by 2050.
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  The study also highlighted that cases are expected to more than double among men aged 65
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  and older, as well as for those who live in areas with a low or medium Human Development
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  Index, which measures a country's average rankings in health, knowledge, and standard of
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  living.
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  Poorer survival rates are projected for rare cancers, such as pancreatic cancer.
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  In 2020, men were 43 percent more likely to die of cancer than women, and their diagnosis rate
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  was 19 percent higher.
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  This discrepancy is partly due to men engaging more in modifiable risk factors for cancer,
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  including smoking and consuming alcohol.
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  Additionally, men are less likely to get regular screenings for male-specific cancers.
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  The study found that the 10 cancers with the highest age-standardized mortality rates among
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  men are lung cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer,
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  esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, bladder cancer, and cancers of the brain and
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  central nervous system.
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  To help reduce the impact of cancers on men, the researchers called for reducing modifiable
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  risk factors and making male-specific screenings more accessible.
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  They emphasized the importance of strengthening health infrastructure, enhancing workforce
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  quality and access, fostering national and international collaborations, and promoting
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  universal health coverage to reduce cancer disparities and ensure cancer equity among men
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  globally.
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  However, the researchers did acknowledge some limitations of the study, including the quality
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  of data provided by some countries and territories.
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  The estimates in low-Human Development Index and medium-Human Development Index countries
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  could be less accurate because many of these jurisdictions have relatively low-quality
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  cancer registries and civil and vital statistics registration systems.
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  Moreover, some measures of cancer burden, such as years of life lost or years lived with
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  disability, were not available in the original data and could not be included in the study.
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  This study underscores the urgent need for global health initiatives focused on cancer
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  prevention, early detection, and treatment, particularly in lower-income regions.
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  As always, it is crucial to stay informed and proactive about your health.
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  Regular screenings and a healthy lifestyle can make a significant difference.
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  Having an intrauterine device, or IUD, inserted for birth control is known to be potentially
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  painful.
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  The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, is now recommending
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  pain management protocols for the procedure.
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  Women on social media have documented their discomfort, with some TikTok users posting
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  videos of themselves in visible pain while lying on a doctor’s table.
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  One user, Sarah Warren, shared that she took ibuprofen an hour before her appointment as
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  suggested by her doctor, but that the procedure was still painful.
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  "I almost passed out, not going to lie," she said.
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  "There needs to be better pain management for IUD insertion."
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  In a 2014 study published in the journal Contraception, health care providers were found
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  to underestimate patients' pain during IUD insertion.
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  On a 100-millimeter pain scale, patients in the study ranked their maximum pain at 64.8
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  millimeters, while providers rated it at 35.3 millimeters.
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  Following a persistent call for change from patients and doctors, the CDC released new
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  guidance in its United States Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2024.
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  The agency suggested that all patients should be counseled on the potential pain before the
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  appointment, as well as on the risks, benefits, and alternative options for pain management.
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  "When considering patient pain, it is important to recognize that the experience of pain is
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  individualized and might be influenced by previous experiences, including trauma and
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  mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety," the guidance reads.
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  Evidence suggests that using lidocaine as a local anesthetic — or using a topical gel,
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  cream, or spray — could help reduce patient pain, according to the agency.
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  The notice also listed misoprostol as a medication used by some providers to help
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  soften the cervix before IUD insertion.
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  The CDC also mentioned a variety of alternative options, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
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  drugs, or NSAIDs, smooth muscle relaxants, and analgesics, although the evidence for pain
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  reduction is limited.
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  Dr.
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  Meleen Chuang, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University Langone
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  Hospital Brooklyn, reflected on this guidance in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.
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  "Many obstetricians and gynecologists have already been doing these interventions for
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  years," she said.
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  "It is welcoming to see the CDC reflect the updates for guidance in accordance to our care
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  delivery."
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  Using pain relief methods like lidocaine to numb the cervix or taking medications such as
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  acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help with reducing
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  this discomfort, according to Dr.
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  Chuang.
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  Other non-invasive pain relief methods can include using a heating pad on the patient’s
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  belly, the doctor said.
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  In addition to pain management, Dr.
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  Chuang said her patients often find comfort in being "talked through" the procedure by their
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  doctors.
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  "The communication of what to expect before and during the procedure helps with the overall
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  experience and alleviates any anxieties," she said.
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  "These are very easy things we commonly do for patients, as well as being fast and efficient
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  in placing the intrauterine devices, to make the experience much more acceptable," Dr.
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  Chuang added.
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  "The procedure for placement for intrauterine device should take no more than two to three
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  minutes in experienced hands."
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  "We want what is best for our patients, and if there is fear or concern about pain, we are
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  obligated to help our patients feel supported and at ease," Dr.
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  Chuang concluded.
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  Chloé Johnson, 22, has been feeling hopeless lately.
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  She is struggling to focus on classes at her local community college in Dallas while also
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  working full-time, making 18 dollars an hour as a receptionist.
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  Her car broke down, so the 500 dollars that she had managed to save will now go toward a down
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  payment for a used vehicle.
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  And she was recently passed over for a promotion.
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  "Right now it just feels, like, very suffocating to be in this position," said Ms.
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  Johnson, who was diagnosed last year with bipolar two disorder, depression and Attention
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  Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
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  "I am not getting anywhere or making any progress."
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  It is an endless loop: Ms.
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  Johnson’s mental health has worsened because of her financial difficulties and her financial
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  problems have grown, partly because of the cost of mental health treatment but also because her
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  disorders have made it more difficult to earn a college degree that could lead to a more
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  lucrative job.
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  "I have failed several classes," she said.
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  "I burn out really easily, so I just give up."
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  The mental health of adolescents and young adults has been on the decline and it is partly
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  because of "harmful megatrends" like financial inequality, according to a new report published
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  on Tuesday in the scientific journal The Lancet Psychiatry.
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  The global trends affecting younger generations also include wage theft, unregulated social
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  media, job insecurity and climate change, all of which are creating "a bleak present and
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  future for young people in many countries," according to the authors.
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  Why focus on global trends?
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  The report was produced over the course of five years by a commission of more than 50 people,
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  including mental health and economic policy experts from several continents and young
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  people who have experienced mental illness.
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  Toronto is reporting an increase in mpox cases, and health officials are urging eligible
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  residents to get vaccinated to contain the spread.
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  Dr.
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  Rita Shahin, associate medical officer of health with Toronto Public Health, says the
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  agency wants to remind people of the importance of immunization against the virus.
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  Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that can cause a range of symptoms,
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  from mild to severe, including fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
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  In some cases, it can lead to complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, which can
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  be life-threatening.
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  The virus spreads through close contact with an infected person or animal, or through contact
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  with contaminated materials.
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  It can also be transmitted via respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.
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  Toronto Public Health is particularly urging vaccinations for at-risk groups, including men
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  who have sex with men, individuals with multiple sexual partners, and those who have
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  been in close contact with someone diagnosed with mpox.
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  "Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of mpox," Dr.
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  Shahin emphasized.
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  "We encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible."
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  In addition to vaccination, Toronto Public Health recommends practicing good hygiene, such
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  as regular handwashing and avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick.
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  They also advise keeping living spaces clean and disinfected, especially in shared
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  environments.
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  The recent spike in cases has prompted Toronto Public Health to increase its outreach efforts,
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  including setting up vaccination clinics and providing information through various media
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  channels to ensure the public is well-informed about the risks and preventive measures.
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  Dr.
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  Shahin also noted that the current rise in cases serves as a reminder that infectious
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  diseases can re-emerge and spread quickly, especially in densely populated urban areas.
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  "It is crucial to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect public health," she
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  said.
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  Toronto Public Health is coordinating with other health agencies and community
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  organizations to monitor the situation closely and respond effectively.
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  They are also working on strategies to reach underserved communities that may be at higher
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  risk of infection.
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  Residents can find more information about mpox and vaccination clinics on the Toronto Public
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  Health website or by calling their hotline.
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  The agency also encourages the public to stay updated through reputable sources and avoid
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  spreading misinformation.
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  Our final topic today is about a potential early warning sign for cognitive decline.
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  According to a new study published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry,
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  a decrease in psychological well-being could be an indicator of future cognitive impairment.
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  Feeling as if you are wandering aimlessly through life or like you have done all there is
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  to do may carry harms more serious than unfulfilling days — it could be hurting your
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  brain.
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  The study found that people who developed mild cognitive impairment had lower levels of
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  purpose in life and personal growth starting three and six years, respectively, before their
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  diagnosis, compared with participants who remained cognitively intact.
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  Mild cognitive impairment, where a person goes through an early stage of loss of memory or
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  other cognitive abilities but still maintains the ability to independently do most activities
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  of daily living, is often a precursor to dementia.
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  Dr.
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  Angelina Sutin, a professor of behavioral sciences and social medicine at the Florida
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  State University College of Medicine, noted that this study is a strong test of the changes
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  in psychological well-being that may occur during the earliest stages of cognitive
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  impairment development.
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  Dr.
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  Sutin was not involved in the study.
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  The study used data from 910 cognitively intact older adults from the Illinois-based Rush
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  Memory and Aging Project, an ongoing study that began in 1997.
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  For up to 14 years starting in 2008, participants — most of whom were women and
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  White — underwent annual assessments regarding neurological, cognitive, medical, and
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  psychological health.
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  Psychological well-being was based on six components: self-acceptance, autonomy, purpose
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  in life, personal growth, positive relation with others, and the ability to manage one’s
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  immediate environment.
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  Compared with participants who remained cognitively intact, psychological well-being
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  declined faster in older adults who ultimately developed cognitive impairment, and their
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  well-being was lower two years before diagnosis.
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  This finding suggests that poorer wellness, especially in terms of purpose and personal
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  growth, could be a predictor for future cognitive impairment.
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  Positive relations with others declined rapidly after diagnosis, while the rate of decline for
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  other well-being components remained the same before and after diagnosis.
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  This highlights the importance of wellness potentially both as a way to stave off dementia
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  but also, when worsening, as a possible warning sign of dementia, said Dr.
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  Glen R.
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  Finney, director of the Geisinger Memory and Cognition Program in Pennsylvania.
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  Dr.
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  Finney was not involved in the study.
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  The authors of the study emphasized that maintaining wellness, seeking purpose, and
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  continuing personal growth are always important and make life better in general.
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  However, in older age, these endeavors are more critical than ever.
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  Activities that can support psychological well-being include strategy games, high-level
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  reading material, and learning new skills.
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  Social engagement, such as participating in clubs, volunteering, or joining fitness groups,
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  can also play a significant role.
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  If you find it hard to stay socially or mentally active, talk with your doctor about
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  whether that could be a sign of neurodegenerative disease.
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  Addressing risk factors proactively helps lower the risk for dementia, helps preserve function
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  in the face of dementia, and can at least in part help reverse some mild symptoms early on
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  before dementia takes hold.
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  That wraps up today’s episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  I hope you found these updates as enlightening as I did.
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  Remember, staying informed and proactive about your health can make a significant difference.
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  Until next time, stay healthy and take care.