Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Full-Body Scans, Intrinsic Capacity, and Advances in Brain Surgery

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Full-Body Scans, Intrinsic Capacity, and Advances in Brain Surgery · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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Welcome to another episode of "Morning Medical with Doctor Chow." I am Doctor Chi-Ming Chow,
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and today we have a fascinating lineup of the latest medical news from around the world.
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We're diving into topics that are making waves in the health community, and we'll start by
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discussing a trend that's catching on among celebrities: full-body scans.
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Recently, a number of celebrities and influencers have been talking about their
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experiences with full-body scans, which are designed to detect early signs of conditions
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such as cancer, aneurysms, autoimmune disorders, and liver disease.
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Busy Philipps, an actor known for her roles in "Dawson's Creek" and "Cougar Town," shared with
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People magazine that she had a rare, malignant brain tumor removed after it was detected by a
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Prenuvo scan.
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"I'm grateful that I'm alive," she said, highlighting the importance she places on the
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scan.
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Prenuvo, the company behind these full-body magnetic resonance imaging sessions, charges
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around $2,500 per scan.
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However, it's been noted that the company has provided free scans to influencers and, in some
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cases, discount codes to share with their followers.
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It's interesting to note that Dr.
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Daniel Durand, the chief medical officer of Prenuvo, clarified that Miss Philipps did not
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receive a free scan.
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Other celebrities like Kim Kardashian, television host Maria Menounos, and "Selling
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Sunset" star Mary Bonnet have also praised these scans.
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While these scans are marketed as tools for consumers to take control of their health,
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there's a growing concern among researchers and medical organizations.
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They caution that there's insufficient evidence to recommend full-body scans for healthy
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individuals.
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There's a risk that these scans may lead to more harm than benefit, as unnecessary findings
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can cause anxiety and lead to further invasive testing.
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"You can't test yourself to health," said Doctor H.
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Gilbert Welch, a researcher at the Center for Surgery and Public Health at Mass General
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Brigham.
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Have you ever heard of the term "intrinsic capacity"?
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It's a concept that's gaining traction in the medical world, especially when it comes to
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understanding how well someone is aging.
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Unlike traditional approaches that focus on specific ailments or diseases, intrinsic
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capacity offers a holistic measure of a person's functional health, vitality, and
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mental acuity.
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According to the World Health Organization, intrinsic capacity is defined as "the composite
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of all the physical and mental capabilities that an individual can draw on at any point in
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time." Doctor John Beard, a professor of productive aging who played a significant role
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in developing this concept, explained that "intrinsic" refers to the attributes inherently
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part of an individual, while "capacity" is concerned with their functioning.
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Although doctors can't yet test for intrinsic capacity directly, there's hope that this
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concept will eventually help patients, particularly older adults, to track their
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health and well-being.
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The idea is to shift the focus from disease and frailty to maintaining function as people age,
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which is a cornerstone of the World Health Organization's healthy aging initiative that
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officially defined intrinsic capacity in 2015.
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Experts have identified five key categories that make up a person's intrinsic capacity
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score: cognition, locomotion, sensory capacity, psychological well-being, and vitality.
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Research has shown that intrinsic capacity is correlated with older adults' risk of
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disability and mortality.
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However, the real value lies in monitoring this capacity over time, allowing physicians to
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detect early signs of decline and intervene much sooner.
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Doctor Beard pointed out that even in healthy adults without any apparent diseases, changes
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in capacity can still be detected.
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This early detection could prompt interventions that prevent the decline associated with aging.
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In some clinical trials, including those in France, older adults are surveyed to assess
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their intrinsic capacity, receiving medical recommendations based on their scores.
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If a person's score starts to decline, they're referred for additional testing and treatment.
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While the concept of intrinsic capacity is still being studied, and its long-term benefits
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are yet to be fully proven, many experts are optimistic.
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David Furman, a professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, expressed hope that
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early interventions based on intrinsic capacity scores could lead to increased life expectancy,
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though he noted that the data to support this is still forthcoming.
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Neurosurgeons in London, England, have achieved a groundbreaking medical milestone by
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successfully completing the first-ever operation to remove a brain tumor using
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artificial intelligence assistance.
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United Kingdom health officials have confirmed that this innovative procedure, which restored
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the eyesight of a forty-eight-year-old man, took place at the National Hospital for
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Neurology and Neurosurgery.
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This hospital is part of the University College London Hospital's National Health Service
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Foundation Trust, and the surgery was conducted as part of a clinical trial utilizing
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artificial intelligence technology developed at University College London.
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The details of this monumental trial were kept confidential until the patient, Rhys Hibbert,
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made a full recovery.
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Rhys, who is a customer services manager and community volunteer from the outskirts of
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London, is the first patient to undergo surgery in this manner.
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The foundation explained in a statement that without surgery, Rhys’s tumor would have
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continued to threaten his sight and could have ultimately led to blindness.
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Fortunately, the operation successfully removed the tumor and protected his vision.
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In this pioneering procedure, the surgical team remained in full control of the operation,
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while their artificial intelligence tool analyzed a live surgical video feed in
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real-time.
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This technology assisted the surgeons in making more precise decisions by alerting them to
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critical structures at the base of the brain near the tumor.
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The pituitary gland, the area of the brain they were operating on, is about the size of a
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marble and is surrounded by tightly packed blood vessels and nerves that control vision,
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leaving almost no margin for error.
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The hospital emphasized that even a millimeter's mistake could make a critical
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difference, potentially leading to death, blindness, or stroke.
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The artificial intelligence tool played a crucial role in identifying risky areas to
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avoid while enabling the safe removal of as much of the tumor as possible.
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This tool also has the potential to track surgical instruments and their interactions
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with brain matter.
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Rhys, who has now recovered from the surgery, expressed that contributing to learning is very
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important to him.
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He described his experience with the procedure as "humbling," noting the institution’s
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illustrious history and reputation as an authority at the forefront of neurological
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research.
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The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery was founded in 1859 and was the
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world’s first dedicated neurosurgical hospital.
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Rhys shared that it seemed fitting for the same hospital to also be the world’s first to carry
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out an artificial intelligence-assisted neurosurgery.
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He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be cared for in the hospital and felt
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humbled to have been asked if he would be prepared to be the world’s first patient in
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this research.
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Commenting on this first-of-its-kind operation, James Frith, the United Kingdom Health
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Innovation Minister, stated, "This is an example of artificial intelligence at its best:
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patients receiving care previously deemed unimaginable thanks to the latest
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groundbreaking technology." He added, "I am so pleased for Rhys that he had this life-changing
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surgery as part of government-funded research that will pave the way for the treatments of
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tomorrow."
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Minister Frith also emphasized the importance of proper safeguards for artificial
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intelligence, ensuring that safety is always taken seriously.
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However, he also stressed the need to benefit from the opportunities artificial intelligence
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brings to deliver faster and more effective care.
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"That is what we mean by building a National Health Service that is fit for the future," he
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concluded.
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The surgery was performed by Hani Marcus, a consultant neurosurgeon at the National
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Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospital, and a
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professor of neurosurgery at the University College London Queen Square Institute of
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Neurology.
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The artificial intelligence system used in the surgery was developed by the University College
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London Hawkes Institute.
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Manitoba is taking a significant step forward in promoting physical education by introducing
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a new health curriculum that will make in-person physical education mandatory for all
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students from kindergarten to Grade 12.
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This initiative marks the first update to the curriculum in many years, and it aims to
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instill a culture of physical activity and healthy living among students.
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Education Minister Tracy Schmidt announced this change at a news conference held at Victor
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Mager School in Winnipeg, emphasizing the importance of physical activity for everyone.
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The new curriculum will be introduced through a voluntary pilot program starting this September
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and will continue through the 2027-28 school year.
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A full rollout is expected in the 2028-29 academic year.
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Schools across rural and northern Manitoba, as well as in Winnipeg and Brandon, are
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participating in this pilot program.
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This approach allows teachers and parents to provide feedback, ensuring the curriculum meets
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the needs of the students.
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Education Minister Schmidt stated, "The message of this curriculum is that physical activity
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and healthy living are for everyone." The curriculum aims to offer students a variety of
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activities they might enjoy, such as sports, weightlifting, yoga, and walking.
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As of now, approximately 25 schools have volunteered to participate, and more are
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expected to join.
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The changes particularly impact students in Grades 11 and 12 who previously could earn
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physical education credits through self-directed activities outside of school.
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Premier Wab Kinew highlighted that many students were merely filling out forms without
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actually engaging in physical activities.
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The new curriculum eliminates the option to skip physical education with a doctor's note,
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emphasizing the importance of daily physical activity for young people.
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Superintendent Jason Cline of the Rolling River School Division expressed excitement about
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working with the new curriculum, stating that it aligns with the goal of fostering healthy
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students and staff.
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The province previously made physical education and health education mandatory for Grades 11
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and 12 in 2008, but this marks the first comprehensive update in 25 years.
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The curriculum now includes learning outcomes addressing modern challenges, such as the
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mental health impacts of social media, artificial intelligence, and the marketing of
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vapes and supplements.
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Premier Kinew emphasized that the curriculum aims to set high standards for ensuring young
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people are active and informed about nutrition, sleep, and the potential harms of screen time.
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He remarked on the importance of teaching students about the health risks of sugary
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drinks, making a bold statement about the damage these drinks cause compared to other
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substances.
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Manitoba's chief provincial public health officer, Dr.
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Brent Roussin, highlighted the curriculum's role in teaching children the long-term
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benefits of exercise and nutrition, noting that healthier kids lead to a healthier province.
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High school student Firdaus Yesufu, who enjoys physical education, acknowledged that while she
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likes the class, it might be challenging to get all her peers on board.
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However, she recognizes the importance of getting kids more active.
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Premier Kinew reassured parents and students that the curriculum is designed to accommodate
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everyone's needs, encouraging collaboration to ensure all students can be physically active
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during their school day.
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This initiative aims to address the concern that many teens in Canada are not getting
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enough physical activity, with the hope of fostering a healthier future generation.
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The trial of Lindsay Clancy, a former nurse who tragically took the lives of her three
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children, has cast a spotlight on the severe consequences of postpartum psychosis.
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This trial has reignited discussions around this complex condition, which presents a
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continuum of severity.
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Nancy Byatt, a perinatal psychiatrist and professor at the University of Massachusetts
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Chan Medical School, shed light on the intricacies of this condition in a recent
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interview with MedPage Today.
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Dr.
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Byatt explained that postpartum psychosis affects approximately 1 to 2 per 1,000 births,
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underscoring that the pregnancy and postpartum periods are fraught with risk for mood and
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anxiety disorders.
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These periods are characterized by intense physiological and hormonal changes, which can
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trigger such conditions.
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She emphasized the importance of noting when new symptoms arise during the perinatal period,
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as different time frames are linked with distinct physiological changes.
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Interestingly, postpartum psychosis is often seen in individuals with bipolar disorder,
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although it can occur in those with any mood disorder or even without any psychiatric
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history.
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Dr.
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Byatt pointed out that individuals with a personal or family history of bipolar disorder
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are particularly at risk.
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Therefore, clinicians should closely monitor pregnant individuals with such histories for
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signs of postpartum psychosis.
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Bipolar disorder is typically chronic, but Dr.
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Byatt noted that some individuals might develop it during pregnancy or postpartum without it
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persisting in the long term.
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She urged clinicians to prioritize questions about symptoms like sleep quality, racing
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thoughts, and the patient's feelings about themselves and their baby before tackling more
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sensitive topics.
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Dr.
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Byatt highlighted that it's not uncommon for new parents to experience intrusive thoughts
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about harming their baby during the perinatal period, even if they don't actually wish to act
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on these thoughts.
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Such thoughts can arise from conditions like depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive
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disorder.
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For instance, a new parent might report having persistent thoughts of throwing their baby down
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the stairs but express terror at the idea and avoid stairs altogether, indicating that
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they're still grounded in reality.
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Dr.
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Byatt explained that individuals with these types of intrusive thoughts are unlikely to act
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on them, which is markedly different from the severe manifestations of postpartum psychosis,
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which constitute a psychiatric emergency.
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In severe cases, an individual might believe there's something wrong with their baby and
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that both would be better off dead, a delusion Dr.
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Byatt described as 'altruistic.'
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Postpartum psychosis can also present more subtly, with fluctuating mental status and
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confusion.
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Loved ones may notice that the person isn't acting like themselves.
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Unfortunately, such symptoms can rapidly escalate to auditory or visual hallucinations,
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such as hearing voices suggesting the world would benefit from their absence.
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Dr.
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Byatt stressed the importance of early recognition and treatment to prevent postpartum
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psychosis from escalating into a psychiatric emergency.
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Accurate diagnosis is crucial, as many individuals with bipolar disorder are
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mistakenly diagnosed with unipolar depression, which requires a different treatment approach.
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Misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment, such as prescribing antidepressants,
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which might exacerbate symptoms by triggering mania in individuals with bipolar disorder.
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Continuing treatment for mental health and psychiatric conditions during pregnancy is
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vital.
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Dr.
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Byatt noted a shift in attitudes, with an increasing recognition that most medications
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treating these conditions are safe during pregnancy.
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Clinicians can guide patients on maintaining care for both mother and child postpartum.
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While postpartum psychosis is not currently included in the Diagnostic and Statistical
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Manual of Mental Disorders, there's a push to have it added.
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Dr.
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Byatt emphasized that severe psychiatric illnesses can 'hijack' the brain, and it's
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crucial to approach affected individuals with compassion, considering what might have led to
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their behavior.
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A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has highlighted a concerning trend in cervical
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cancer screening rates among women in the United States.
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Despite longstanding recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force
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and the American Cancer Society, the number of women who are not getting screened for cervical
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cancer is on the rise.
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The study, authored by Kalyani Sonawane, PhD, and colleagues from the Medical University of
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South Carolina, found that nearly one-third of women aged twenty-one to twenty-nine had never
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undergone screening.
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This represents a significant increase from previous years, with the proportion of
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unscreened women rising from twelve and a half percent in 2005 to thirty-one point nine
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percent in 2023.
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The study revealed that the increase in the number of women not being screened for cervical
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cancer was particularly notable from 2010 to 2023.
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During this period, the average annual percentage change was a staggering seven point
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nine percent.
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The researchers also noted an increase in cervical cancer incidence, particularly in
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regional-stage and distant-stage cancers, among women aged thirty to sixty-four since 2017.
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This underscores the importance of regular screening as a preventive measure against
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cervical cancer.
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The decline in screening rates is troubling, especially when considering the overall
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increase in cervical cancer cases.
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Despite the availability of the human papillomavirus vaccine, which has shown to be
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effective in preventing cervical cancer, screening remains a crucial tool in early
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detection and prevention.
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The study found that rates of human papillomavirus vaccination among women aged
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twenty-one to twenty-nine increased significantly from five point seven percent in
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2008 to fifty-four percent in 2019.
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However, the missed opportunities for both primary and secondary prevention are
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substantial.
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The findings of this study point to structural barriers and the need for targeted strategies
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to improve screening uptake.
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The authors of the study emphasized that the growing gap in cervical cancer prevention among
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young women and those in midlife highlights the urgent need for interventions.
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Prior research has suggested that the decline in screening rates might be due to a lack of
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patient knowledge and clinician recommendation, as well as disruptions caused by the COVID-19
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pandemic.
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Although rates for breast and colorectal cancer screenings have rebounded, cervical cancer
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screening rates have continued to decline.
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Data analysis from the National Health Interview Survey cycles between 2005 and 2023
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provided a comprehensive look at cervical cancer screening trends.
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The study included responses from eight thousand nine hundred and one women aged
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twenty-one to sixty-five.
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The analysis revealed significant disparities in screening rates based on race, education,
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and insurance status.
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Asian, Hispanic, and Black women were less likely to have been screened compared to white
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women.
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Additionally, women without insurance had higher never-screening rates compared to those
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with private insurance.
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The study's authors acknowledged limitations, including reliance on self-reported data, which
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may be subject to recall bias.
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Despite these limitations, the findings highlight a critical public health issue.
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The overall increase in women not receiving cervical cancer screening is compounded by
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inequities across demographic and geographic subgroups.
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Addressing these disparities is essential to improving health outcomes and ensuring that all
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women have access to necessary preventive care.
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The Food and Drug Administration has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines, a significant step
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that clears the path for manufacturers to begin distributing doses to pharmacies and doctors'
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offices.
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Both Moderna and Pfizer, which produce the most widely used COVID-19 vaccines, are expected to
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start shipping soon.
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Pfizer announced that it would begin distributing the vaccines "immediately," and
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Moderna has a history of shipping within days of approval in past years.
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Sanofi, offering a non-messenger RNA option known as Nuvaxovid, traditionally referred to
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as Novavax, indicated that doses would be available shortly, though the timing might vary
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by location.
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However, access to these vaccines could be complicated by criteria set by the Food and
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Drug Administration and legal disputes stemming from previous actions by the Trump
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administration.
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The new vaccines have been approved for people aged sixty-five and older, as well as younger
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individuals who have conditions that increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
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For those eligible, the Moderna vaccine is approved for ages six months and older, the
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Pfizer vaccine for ages five years and older, and the Sanofi vaccine for ages twelve years
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and older.
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Additionally, a lower-dose Moderna vaccine, called mNexspike, has been approved for ages
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twelve and up.
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The Food and Drug Administration officials estimated last year that between thirty to
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sixty percent of Americans have a condition that qualifies them for the vaccine.
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These conditions include asthma, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, pregnancy,
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cancer, immune deficiencies, certain mental illnesses, and various heart and lung diseases.
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Importantly, people who do not meet the formal eligibility criteria may still be able to
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receive the vaccine.
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Doctors have the authority to administer vaccines "off label," meaning outside the Food
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and Drug Administration's approval criteria.
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Health Canada is currently investigating the safety of viral squishy toys after receiving
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numerous reports from concerned citizens.
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These toys, which have become increasingly popular among children, might not be as
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harmless as they appear.
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Parents have reported strong chemical odors emanating from the toys, as well as incidents
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of skin irritation and headaches among children who play with them.
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The investigation comes in response to dozens of complaints submitted to Health Canada,
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prompting the agency to take a closer look at these widely-sold toys.
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The reports suggest that the materials used in manufacturing these toys may contain chemicals
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that could pose health risks to children.
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Although the toys are marketed as safe, the concerns raised by parents indicate that
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further scrutiny is necessary to ensure their safety.
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Health Canada's review will include a thorough examination of the toys' composition,
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manufacturing process, and any potential chemical emissions.
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The agency aims to determine whether these toys meet the safety standards required for
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children's products in Canada.
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If any risks are identified, Health Canada is prepared to take appropriate actions, which may
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include issuing warnings or recalls to protect consumers.
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This investigation highlights the importance of vigilance when it comes to children's toys,
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especially those that capture the attention of young audiences with their appealing designs
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and textures.
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Parents are advised to monitor their children's interactions with these toys and report any
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adverse reactions to Health Canada.
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In the meantime, it may be wise for parents to limit their children's exposure to these toys
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until the investigation is complete.
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As we conclude today's episode, it's crucial to remember that our health and safety are
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paramount, especially when it comes to our children.
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Thank you for joining me, Doctor Chi-Ming Chow, on "Morning Medical with Doctor Chow." We'll
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continue to bring you the latest in medical and health news.
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Until next time, stay informed and take care of your health.