Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Cancer Trends, Stroke Global Impact, and Preventive Healthcare

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Cancer Trends, Stroke Global Impact, and Preventive Healthcare · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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Welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow, your daily dose of the latest medical and health news from around the globe, powered by
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artificial intelligence.
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I'm your host, Dr.
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Chi-Ming Chow, a family physician, general internist, and cardiologist based in Toronto.
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Let's dive into today's headlines.
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Today, we're starting with some encouraging news on cancer statistics.
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A new report has been published addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer
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diagnoses and outcomes.
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As you might recall, during the early stages of the pandemic in 2020, many Americans had to
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delay routine cancer screenings such as colonoscopies, mammograms, and lung scans.
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This was due to the overwhelming demands on healthcare facilities handling COVID-19 cases.
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The good news is that, according to this comprehensive analysis, the delay in screenings
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hasn't led to a significant long-term impact on cancer statistics.
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The report, which was published in the journal Cancer, indicates that cancer death rates
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continue to decline, and there haven't been major shifts in late-stage diagnoses overall.
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In 2021, most types of cancer diagnoses returned to their prepandemic levels.
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This is quite reassuring, as lead author Recinda Sherman from the North American
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Association of Central Cancer Registries points out.
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She highlights that, so far, there's no evidence of an increase in late-stage diagnoses
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that could lead to higher cancer death rates related to the pandemic.
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Interestingly, while the number of new cancer cases saw a decline in 2020, they rebounded to
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prepandemic levels by 2021.
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This trend was consistent across different states, despite variations in COVID-19 policy
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restrictions.
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The researchers suggest that human behavior and local hospital policies had more influence on
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these patterns than state-level restrictions.
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There were some increases in late-stage diagnoses for cervical and prostate cancer in
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2021, but these shifts weren't large enough to cause significant concern.
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The data in this report covers up until 2021, so we'll need to keep an eye on future findings
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for any long-term trends.
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This report was a collaborative effort by the North American Association of Central Cancer
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Registries, the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and
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the American Cancer Society.
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It's a testament to the resilience of the healthcare community in adapting to the
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challenges posed by the pandemic.
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In a recent announcement from the Vatican, it was revealed that Pope Francis passed away at
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the age of eighty-eight due to a stroke and cardiac arrest.
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This sad news was confirmed by Fox News correspondent Alex Hogan, who reported that the
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Pope suffered a stroke on the morning of April 21 and subsequently went into a coma before
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experiencing a heart attack.
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The Pope's passing follows a period of ongoing health issues, including a hospitalization for
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double pneumonia.
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Despite his recent health challenges, the stroke that ultimately led to his death came as
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a shock to many of his followers.
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Pope Francis, who served as the head of the Catholic Church for twelve years, was known for
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his advocacy on several important issues, such as migrant rights, climate change, and
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inclusion of the LGBTQ community.
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Just a day before his passing, he had met with Vice President JD Vance in Vatican City,
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highlighting his continued engagement in global affairs despite his health struggles.
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Strokes are a significant health concern worldwide, being the fifth leading cause of
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death in the United States and a major cause of disability.
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According to Dr.
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Sandeep Kumar, a neurologist at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston,
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Massachusetts, a stroke occurs when there is an impairment of blood flow to the brain.
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This can result from a blockage in a cerebral artery by a blood clot or plaque, leading to an
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ischemic stroke, which accounts for eighty-seven percent of all stroke cases.
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Alternatively, a hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures,
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causing bleeding within the brain tissue.
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Both types of strokes can have devastating effects, either by directly damaging brain
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cells or by depriving surrounding tissues of necessary oxygen and nutrients.
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Pope Francis's death is a reminder of the critical importance of stroke awareness and
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prevention.
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As the world mourns his passing, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the health challenges
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that affect many individuals globally and the need for continued research and education in
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this field.
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Let's talk about psilocybin, commonly known as "magic mushrooms," and why it's becoming a
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topic of increasing concern.
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A recent study has highlighted a significant rise in the unsupervised use of psilocybin
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across the United States.
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This trend spans all age groups, but is particularly pronounced among adolescents and
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adults over the age of thirty.
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The study, led by Dr.
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Andrew Monte from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, noted that the
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prevalence of psilocybin use in 2023 surged dramatically, marking a five-year trend since
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states began liberalizing policies around these substances in 2019.
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Among 12th graders, psilocybin use increased by 2.4 percent in 2023, a 53 percent jump over
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five years.
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Adults, especially those with underlying mental health or chronic pain conditions, are also
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part of this rising trend.
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In fact, psilocybin use among adults in 2023 surpassed estimates for other substances like
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cocaine, illicit opioids, methamphetamine, or lysergic acid diethylamide.
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The study found that psilocybin use increased by 188 percent among adults thirty and older,
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and by 44 percent among those aged eighteen to twenty-nine.
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A concerning aspect of this trend is the corresponding rise in calls to poison control
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centers, particularly among adults over thirty.
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Dr.
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Monte, who also serves as the chief scientific officer at the Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug
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Safety in Denver, emphasized the risks associated with unsupervised use.
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Without the controlled environment of a clinical trial, these substances can lead to
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more adverse events.
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Clinical trials have shown that psychedelics like psilocybin can offer promise in treating
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conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and post-traumatic
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stress disorder.
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However, Dr.
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Petros Petridis from NYU Grossman School of Medicine points out that these trials involve
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strict regulation, with careful psychological screening and preparation to ensure safety.
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In contrast, recreational use lacks these safeguards.
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This can result in adverse psychological reactions, particularly in younger users
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without adequate support.
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Psilocybin can cause hallucinations, potentially leading to agitation and physical
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harm, and it can also pose cardiovascular risks, especially for individuals with
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pre-existing heart conditions.
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Dr.
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Monte advises that if individuals choose to use psilocybin recreationally, it's crucial to plan
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ahead.
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This includes ensuring a safe environment and having someone present in case of a negative
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reaction.
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Despite these precautions, the dangers of unsupervised psychedelic use shouldn't be
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underestimated.
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A recent study linked bad psychedelic trips to a more than twofold increased risk of death
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within five years, with suicide being a common cause of early death.
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The new study analyzed data from several national drug surveys, revealing that
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psilocybin use increased from 10 percent to 12.1 percent of the U.S.
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population between 2019 and 2023.
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This rise coincides with changes in state and local regulations, such as the legalization of
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psilocybin in Oregon and Colorado.
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While the study didn't delve into the reasons behind psilocybin use, Dr.
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Monte suggests that recreational purposes dominate, even among those with mental health
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conditions.
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This is concerning due to the potential for negative reactions when psilocybin isn't used
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under medical guidance.
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Dr.
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Charles Raison from the University of Wisconsin emphasizes the need for more research to fully
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understand the impact of recreational psilocybin use.
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While some individuals report benefits, others experience significant harm.
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He suggests that safe settings and appropriate supervision could mitigate some of the risks
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associated with psilocybin use.
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The annual cancer statistics report from the National Cancer Institute, published in the
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journal Cancer on Monday, April 21, reveals both encouraging and concerning trends in
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cancer diagnoses and deaths in the United States.
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Overall, the report indicates a decline in both new cancer diagnoses and cancer-related deaths,
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demonstrating progress in America's fight against the disease.
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Between 2018 and 2022, cancer death rates decreased by 1.7 percent each year for men and
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1.3 percent for women.
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This decline is attributed to several factors, including improved screening techniques, early
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intervention, more advanced surgical methods, and better-targeted therapies.
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Smoking-related cancers, such as lung, bladder, and larynx cancers, saw significant declines in
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both new cases and deaths, likely driven by reduced tobacco use and changes in screening
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recommendations.
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For adult males, mortality rates declined for 12 of the most common cancer types between 2018
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and 2022, including prostate, liver and intrahepatic bile duct, esophagus, melanoma of
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the skin, kidney and renal pelvis, urinary bladder, colon and rectum, leukemia, myeloma,
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stomach, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and lung and bronchus.
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Lung and bronchus cancer saw the most significant decline in deaths, falling by 4.5
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percent each year during this period.
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However, men's death rates increased for cancers of the pancreas, bones and joints, oral
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cavity and pharynx, and non-melanoma skin cancer.
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Among women, 14 common cancers had reduced death rates, including brain and other nervous
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system, cervix, soft tissue including heart, urinary bladder, kidney and renal pelvis,
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breast, stomach, leukemia, colon and rectum, myeloma, gallbladder, non-Hodgkin lymphoma,
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ovary, and lung and bronchus.
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Lung and bronchus cancer deaths declined the most for women, falling 3.4 percent annually
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between 2018 and 2022.
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However, death rates increased for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, corpus and uterus,
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and liver and intrahepatic bile duct during this timeframe.
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In terms of new cancer cases, among men, diagnoses fell by 1.6 percent to 2.2 percent
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each year between 2001 and 2013, and these rates remained stable between 2013 and 2021.
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However, six cancers saw an increase in diagnoses, including prostate, pancreas, oral
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cavity and pharynx, kidney and renal pelvis, myeloma, and testis.
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Prostate cancer saw the sharpest increase, rising 2.9 percent per year.
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For women, new cancer cases rose by 0.3 percent per year between 2003 and 2021.
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Women saw an increase in eight cancers: stomach, liver and intrahepatic bile duct,
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melanoma of the skin, breast, myeloma, pancreas, corpus and uterus, and oral cavity
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and pharynx.
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The report highlights that 16 percent of all breast cancer cases can be linked to alcohol
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consumption, and rising rates of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer are likely
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driven by factors such as reduced fertility rates, advancing age at first birth, and
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increases in obesity and alcohol consumption.
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The report also highlights a decrease in cancer deaths among young people.
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Among children, cancer death rates fell by 1.5 percent per year between 2001 and 2022.
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Among teens and young adults, cancer-related mortality decreased by 2.9 percent per year
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from 2001 to 2005 and 1 percent per year from 2005 to 2020.
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However, death rates did not change for this group between 2020 and 2022.
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Overall, the research shows that new children's cancer cases dipped by 0.8 percent per year
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between 2017 and 2021.
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However, there were increases in new cases of leukemia and lymphoma during this period.
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The most common cancers affecting children included leukemia, brain and other nervous
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system cancers, and lymphoma.
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Among teens and young adults, new cancer diagnoses remained stable between 2017 and
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2021, with the most common types being female breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and testicular
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cancer.
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The report also notes that the decrease in cancer cases and deaths could be attributed to
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the team approach to cancer treatment, which involves combined efforts by surgeons, medical
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subspecialists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and nurse practitioners.
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This collaborative approach is helping to decrease mortality rates and improve patient
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outcomes.
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Interestingly, new cancer cases had fallen with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,
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returning to expected levels in 2021.
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Due to this anomaly, the 2020 case data was analyzed separately and was not included in the
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cancer trend analysis.
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Today, we're exploring the topic of food dyes and their potential health effects.
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Recently, the Trump administration announced plans to remove petroleum-based synthetic food
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dyes from the nation's food supply.
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This move is part of a broader effort by health authorities to address concerns surrounding
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artificial dyes and their impact on health.
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The United States Department of Health and Human Services, along with the United States
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Food and Drug Administration, are leading this initiative.
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It's noteworthy that the Food and Drug Administration has already banned red dye
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number three, and several states have started to reduce the use of artificial dyes commonly
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found in food products.
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As consumers become more health-conscious, the conversation around food dyes has gained
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momentum.
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Many people are curious about the potential health risks associated with these synthetic
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additives.
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Questions often arise about their link to behavioral issues in children, allergies, and
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even cancer risk.
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Health experts have been examining these concerns for years.
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Some studies suggest that certain food dyes might exacerbate conditions like attention
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deficit hyperactivity disorder in children or trigger allergic reactions.
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However, the evidence is not definitive, and more research is needed to fully understand the
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implications.
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The shift away from synthetic dyes is also driven by consumer demand for more natural
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ingredients in their food.
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As awareness grows, manufacturers are increasingly turning to natural alternatives,
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such as beet juice or turmeric, to achieve the vibrant colors that consumers expect without
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the associated health concerns.
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It's a complex issue, and we're eager to hear your questions about the health effects of food
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dyes and the changes being implemented.
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CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr.
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Sanjay Gupta, may address some of these questions in an upcoming video segment.
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If you have questions or concerns, now is a great time to voice them.
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Today, I want to share a powerful perspective from a medical student named Kyle Edwards,
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who's currently in his third year at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
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Kyle's reflections bring to light an important issue in our healthcare system—one that affects
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millions of Americans every day.
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He argues that America doesn't truly have a healthcare system, but rather a "sick care"
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system where care is often provided only after a person has become ill.
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Kyle shares a poignant story of a patient he calls "Daisy," a woman in her early sixties
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battling stage four colon cancer.
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Despite the dedicated care provided to her, Daisy's condition was terminal, and her story
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serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the gaps in our preventive care system.
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Daisy's case isn't unique.
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Many patients with colon cancer are diagnosed at late stages, when the disease has already
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spread, despite the fact that early detection through routine screenings can dramatically
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improve outcomes.
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The Affordable Care Act, or "Obamacare," sought to address these gaps by mandating that
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insurers cover preventive services recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task
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Force, without out-of-pocket costs.
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These services include immunizations and cancer screenings, which have been shown to save an
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estimated 100,000 lives each year.
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Since the ACA's passage in 2010, the use of many preventive services has increased, making
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healthcare more affordable and accessible.
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However, there's a looming threat to these gains.
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The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case, Kennedy v.
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Braidwood Management, Inc., which could potentially overturn the ACA's requirement for
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preventive care coverage.
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If this happens, access to lifesaving screenings and services for millions of
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Americans could be jeopardized, leading to devastating public health consequences.
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Kyle Edwards emphasizes that requiring insurers to cover screenings isn't just good policy—it's
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a matter of life and death.
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Early screenings for diseases like colon cancer significantly increase survival rates.
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For instance, the five-year survival rate for early-detected colon cancer is 91%, compared to
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just 13% for those diagnosed after symptoms appear.
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The economic implications are significant too; increased screening could save Medicare
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billions of dollars by 2050.
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The U.S.
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spends nearly 18% of its Gross Domestic Product on healthcare, yet we lag behind other
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developed countries in outcomes and life expectancy.
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Kyle argues that the focus should be on transforming our "sick care" system into a true
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healthcare system that prioritizes prevention.
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This includes more access to preventive care, which not only saves costs but also improves
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health outcomes.
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Revolutionary treatments have extended lives, but they come at a high cost and are sometimes
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too late to make a difference.
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Kyle's experience with Daisy is a stark reminder of the importance of preventive care.
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He believes that true healing starts long before hospital stays—it begins with
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prevention.
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If the Supreme Court allows the rollback of the ACA's preventive care protections, the
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consequences could be severe, with higher costs and more families grieving over preventable
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losses.
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Kyle Edwards's perspective is a call to action for all of us.
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He reminds us of Benjamin Franklin's wisdom that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound
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of cure." As healthcare providers, policymakers, and citizens, we must advocate
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for a system that keeps Americans healthy by focusing on prevention rather than cure.
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Let's work together to transform our system into one that truly embodies the principles of
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healthcare.
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Thank you for joining me on this episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow.
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As we continue to navigate the complexities of healthcare, let's remain committed to making
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informed decisions that prioritize the well-being of all individuals.
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Until next time, stay healthy and take care.