Latest news with #earlydetection
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Importance of colorectal cancer screenings
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Younger adults are facing a silent threat: colorectal cancer cases are on the rise, and experts say it's hitting harder and earlier than ever before. Madhavi Bhoomagoud, a Hartford HealthCare Digestive Health Institute gastroenterologist with Midstate Medical Center, spoke with News 8's Keith Kountz about the most common warning signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer that should never be ignored. She also explains what is behind the rise in colorectal cancer cases among younger adults, even those under age 45 who aren't eligible for screening yet. Watch the video above and visit or call 860-901-7008 for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
I Got a $4,500 Full-Body MRI to Catch Hidden Health Risks—Here's What It Found
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." I've always believed in being proactive about my health, but like most people, I usually only see a doctor when something feels wrong or if I'm overdue for an annual exam. That changed when I learned about the Prenuvo scan—a whole-body MRI designed to detect serious conditions like cancer, aneurysms, and degenerative diseases before symptoms appear. The idea of a non-invasive, radiation-free scan that could potentially catch issues early intrigued me. Still, I was skeptical. It's not a medically necessary procedure, is quite pricey (more on this later), and not widely available. Would it be just another wellness trend wrapped in high-tech marketing, or could it actually be the latest health breakthrough—or better yet, a life-saving health screening? Prenuvo has gained a lot of attention lately, especially after celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner publicly endorsed it, calling it a 'life-saving machine.' Though I don't have an endless health budget of a Hollywood elite, I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary Enhanced Screening. I'm 27 years old, generally healthy, and have no major concerns aside from some chronic neck pain and degenerative disc disease, of which I've already had imaging and treatment. Still, with a family history of cancer and a growing awareness that symptoms don't always show up until it's too late (I've worked at Prevention for years), the opportunity to really see what's going on inside my body excited me. Meet the experts: Daniel Durand, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer and president of Prenuvo Medical Group; Ken Berry, M.D., family physician and co-author of Common Sense Labs; and Mia Kazanjian, M.D., board-certified radiologist specializing in breast and body imaging The entire process, from booking the appointment to the scan itself to my post-scan consultation, was overall a positive experience. In this Prenuvo review, I'll walk through what the appointment was like, the cost, what my screening found, what medical experts think of a (non-medically-necessary) whole-body MRI, and ultimately, whether I think it was worth it. What is a whole-body MRI scan? An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging technique that 'uses protons, magnets, and radio frequency pulses' to create a detailed picture of the inside of the body, says Mia Kazanjian, M.D., board-certified radiologist specializing in breast and body imaging. 'It has no radiation, unlike CT scans and X-rays.' MRI is typically used on individual parts of the body, like the pelvis or the head, on an as-needed basis. Whole-body MRI, on the other hand, does exactly what it sounds like: It uses the same magnetic resonance imaging technology to take a picture of the whole body, which, at Prenuvo, takes about an hour. 'Typically, imaging is done in a very focused manner based on a specific question that another physician is asking,' says Daniel Durand, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer and president of Prenuvo Medical Group. 'What Prenuvo does is digitize the entire body. You can think of Prenuvo as a tech-enabled, direct-to-specialist care model. We're digitizing the human body with the most powerful tool, which is MRI, and then we're having a radiologist do a head-to-toe, on the inside, examination of the patient.' An important note about the limitations of whole-body MRI: 'Preunvo exists to layer on top of existing screenings. This is in addition to, not a replacement of, and we have always said that,' Dr. Durand explains. 'The idea is that if you have a primary care doctor and you're doing your routine screenings, Prenuvo supercharges all that. Our belief is that whole body MRI, plus existing screenings, offers a level of diagnostic accuracy and reassurance that goes beyond anything that came before.' Ken Berry, M.D., family physician and co-author of Common Sense Labs, agrees that right now, whole-body MRI doesn't replace guideline-based screening (like colonoscopies or mammograms). 'It's a supplemental tool, not a substitute,' he says. 'Whole-body MRI can detect early cancers, aneurysms, and neurological issues, but it's not always better than traditional screening.' Dr. Berry says if you have a strong family history of cancer, a genetic risk, or a history of serious illness, it may be worth considering, but he's cautious about recommending it for the average healthy adult. My experience I underwent the Enhanced Screening, the most thorough evaluation Prenuvo offers. This included a whole-body MRI, which covered the brain, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine, and major vasculature, free from radiation or contrast; a body composition analysis and advanced brain health assessment (taken during the MRI); and a comprehensive bloodwork panel. The actual experience of getting the MRI was fairly painless. Before the procedure, I was sent a fairly lengthy survey of my medical history to determine whether it was safe for me to undergo the scan and ascertain any health concerns I may have. I also took Prenuvo up on the offer to take a light sedative before heading in to ease any anxiety or claustrophobia to make the experience more comfortable. Then, I arrived at the Manhattan location ready to sit still in an MRI machine for just about an hour. Surprisingly, that hour went by pretty quickly. They gave me the option to choose a show or movie to watch on Netflix during the scan (I decided on Ginny and Georgia), which helped move things along mentally. Before I knew it, I was heading home, where a nurse from a concierge service employed by Prenuvo later drew my blood for the bloodwork portion. About two weeks after my scan, Prenuvo reached out to schedule my post-scan consultation with Vikash Modi, M.D., senior medical director of preventative medicine at Prenuvo. My virtual consultation with Dr. Modi lasted about 45 minutes, and he walked me through my scan, all of my bloodwork, my body composition analysis, and brain health assessment. He also answered any questions I had and gave me a few suggestions regarding my health moving forward. The results About a week prior to officially receiving my results, I got a call from Dr. Modi to discuss one potentially urgent finding from my bloodwork. My blood panel showed that I had a glucose level of 38, which can be very dangerous. We discussed that this was likely due to fasting all day before the bloodwork (which I had scheduled for 3:00 p.m.), as my A1c (a blood test that measures the average blood glucose from the last two-to-three months) was normal. But I was advised to repeat bloodwork with my primary care physician as a precaution. Dr. Modi then reassured me that there were no other major findings on my scan or my bloodwork, but that we would discuss it further at my official consultation. Fast forward to that appointment: Dr. Modi thoroughly went over my results, starting with my bloodwork, then my scan, the brain health assessment, and finally body composition analysis. Thankfully, my bloodwork showed I'm in good health, which was reassuring since the blood panel was very comprehensive. However, as Dr. Berry explains, 'comprehensive' doesn't always mean 'useful.' While it did give me a lot of peace of mind, Dr. Berry says that 'although most doctors don't order enough bloodwork, as I discuss in Common Sense Labs, it is also true that ordering too much labwork creates a new set of problems,' including confusion and the potential for reacting when it may not be medically needed. My scan, however, did show one moderate finding, four minor findings, and one informational finding. In addition to my virtual consultation with Dr. Modi, I was able to visit the Prenuvo online dashboard, which features an interactive and informative report. FLAIR hyperintense lesion, right frontal lobe. This sounds scary, but it was actually one of my 'minor findings.' On the Prenuvo app, it was labeled a 'small vessel ischemia,' which is a term describing the changes that occur by disrupting the small blood vessels in the brain, and is often a sign of poor cardiovascular health. However, Dr. Modi reassured me that the online interface is always being updated, and that the patient-facing side doesn't always align perfectly with the clinical interpretation. In my case, it may have been caused by head injuries I sustained during my time as a cheerleader. I had no signs of white matter disease, aneurysm, growths, or masses, and overall, my brain volume was very healthy. Scoliosis. I knew about this 'minor finding' previously from a recent X-ray. I have 'mild' scoliosis in my lumbar spine. Spondyloarthropathy of the cervical and thoracic spine. These are two 'minor findings' I was also aware of from previous imaging. Spondyloarthropathy is the medical term for degenerative arthritis. I have long struggled with neck and upper back pain, and have been undergoing treatment (mainly physical therapy) for a few months now. Discussing these findings with Dr. Modi reassured me that I'm doing everything right in my current treatment plan. Hemorrhagic ovarian cysts. This was my only 'moderate finding;' one that I was not previously aware of. While I'm not experiencing any symptoms due to these benign, fluid-filled ovarian cysts, I'm glad I know about them now in case they ever do rupture or cause any complications. While Dr. Modi didn't officially diagnose me, he suggested these may be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) due to my semi-irregular menstrual cycle, history of acne, and recent struggle to lose weight. He suggested some supplements I might consider taking and made me aware of the typical treatment and medications doctors usually prescribe, should I ever seek that. Dense breast tissue. The scan also revealed that I have dense breast tissue, which means I have more glandular tissue (as opposed to fat tissue) in my breasts, which may make it more difficult to screen for breast cancer with a typical mammogram. I was already aware of this, as I have a history of breast cysts, which is why I get regular ultrasounds. I was a little surprised the Prenuvo MRI did not pick these up, but Dr. Modi explained that the threshold for breast cysts at Prenuvo is around five millimeters. So, anything smaller than that (which my cysts likely are) would not be picked up by the MRI. 'It's a see-a-lot test, not a see-everything test,' Dr. Modi said. Following my bloodwork and MRI scan, Dr. Modi went over my brain health assessment, which measured the volume of every structure within the brain. Thankfully, all of those structures in my brain fell into normal ranges. Finally, we discussed my body composition analysis, which showed data for total muscle mass, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat. This test is very useful, says Dr. Berry. 'Knowing visceral fat and muscle mass is much better than just looking at Body Mass Index (BMI),' he explains. (Note: Prevention no longer uses BMI as a measurement of health.) Again, thankfully, Dr. Modi ensured that for the most part, my analysis falls into 'normal' ranges for my age and sex, except that I actually have a bit more muscle mass than average, which is a good thing. This test was really interesting to look at because it included a very detailed analysis of hip and lower body muscle volume, as well as a symmetry analysis. None of this was major, but it did confirm a few things I suspected about the way my body works and moves. Are whole-body MRIs the future of preventative healthcare? It's difficult to say. 'The essence of what Prenuvo does, and I think it's poorly understood, is that we don't by ourselves prevent anything. But, we can absolutely help a patient choose their own destiny and pursue the right preventative strategies, because we can show them what's going on in them, as opposed to just general advice,' Dr. Durand explains. However, as Dr. Durand and the Prenuvo website state, there are limitations. I asked Dr. Berry, an unaffiliated family physician, whether whole-body MRIs can meaningfully replace or reduce the need for standard individualized screenings based on modern-day recommendations. He said, not right now. It doesn't replace guideline-based screening. 'It can't do what a colonoscopy or mammogram does, and it doesn't offer the same level of detail. It's a supplemental tool, not a substitute,' Dr. Berry explained. 'If it could fully replace traditional tests, I'd be on board, but the evidence just isn't there yet.' Dr. Kazanjian adds that whole-body MRI 'tends to be more effective at detecting lesions in the kidneys, pancreas, lymph nodes, and bones, among some others,' but that the screening's ability to characterize them as benign or malignant may be limited. She adds that whole-body MRI does not effectively screen for some of the most common cancers, including skin cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer. And while there will certainly be 'findings of import on these exams,' including brain aneurysms, evidence of autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndromes, and small cancers, among others, Dr. Kazanjian explains, it's impossible to say whether whole-body MRI truly leads to improved health outcomes or whether those results would be uncovered via traditional screening methods. There's also the aspect of incidental or benign findings, which are clinically insignificant (meaning they cause no harm), but create a type of 'scanxiety,' or anxiety felt by patients pre- and post-scan, Dr. Kazanjian says. The cost and impact My Enhanced Screening at the Manhattan location has a cost of $4,500, but it varies based on the exact scan you choose, and sometimes, the location. There are less costly options, like the regular whole-body MRI ($2,500) or the torso-only MRI ($999). Prenuvo also offers its Warriors Program, which offers discounted services to first responders, military members, and veterans. While some doctors, like Dr. Kazanjian, do recommend whole-body MRI for high-risk individuals (like those with a strong family history of cancer and/or genetic mutations) and for patients with cancers such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma, it is generally not recommended for the general population, she explains. 'I do not think this is cost-effective for the population, particularly given the large percentage of false positives with the necessity for costly follow-ups,' says Dr. Kazanjian. 'I say this even if the initial service were cost-free.' Dr. Durand also acknowledges that not everybody can afford the Prenuvo model of healthcare today. That's why he says Prenuvo is working every day to harness the powers of artificial intelligence to become more efficient, which will allow them to bring prices down long-term. In terms of side effects, MRI, including whole-body MRI, is mostly safe. The 'scanxiety' and inconsequential benign findings that Dr. Kazanjian points out are the main downsides. As with any MRI, it's important to tell your doctor and radiologist if you have any metal or electrical implants in your body (such as pacemakers and infusion pumps), as the magnetic field generated by the MRI machine can pose a hazard to patients in these cases. The detailed questionnaire sent over by the Prenuvo team before your appointment covers these in length, and your radiologist will also inquire about any metal in or on your body before your scan. The bottom line 'These scans have potential and may help in the future, but right now they're best for people with high risk or specific concerns or a lot of disposable income,' Dr. Berry explains. 'For the average person, they often create more questions than answers. Too much testing can lead to fear, cost, and harm, especially when there's no clear benefit. Prevention and early detection are very important, but it has to be reasonable and relevant, not just expensive.' Reflecting on my experience with the whole-body MRI at Prenuvo, I feel fortunate to have had access to such advanced technology. The scan provided valuable insights into my body's health that I wouldn't have otherwise had. However, while I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to those who have the resources and are curious about their health, I do believe it's important to approach it with a balanced perspective. From a cost-benefit standpoint, it's not yet a universally essential tool in healthcare, and its value largely depends on individual circumstances and priorities. 'The best advice I can give to the people reading this is the advice I live by and the advice I give my patients. This is the same advice I give my mother—and I love my mother. It's to live a healthy life—keep a healthy weight, eat whole grains and vegetables and lean protein, exercise regularly, sleep seven hours a night, avoid tobacco and alcohol, and get annual checkups, recommended screenings, and vaccines with your doctor,' Dr. Kazanjian says. 'Prevention is the best medicine.' You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50

Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Regular screening can prevent heart attacks -- if you take the time
Aug. 6—MOSES LAKE — Heart health is nothing to take lightly. "Over the last 50 years, heart attacks have decreased almost 90% in the United States," said Dollie Jo Cloud, a nurse at Samaritan Healthcare specializing in cardiac medicine. "(It's due) to early detection, getting that preventative care." With the children of the 1970s now nearing or in their 50s, more people are realizing they don't want to follow in their parents' footsteps, gritting their teeth and working through health problems until they get too big to ignore, Cloud said. "We can live a longer, healthier life," she said. "The key is early detection, making sure we're getting screened for congenital heart disease and heart failure, eating right, exercising and just making sure that we're doing everything that we can." Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control; a person dies every 34 seconds from it. Most of those deaths were preventable, Cloud said, if people would just take the time. "We can do blood tests to make sure we're not diabetic (and) if we are, we can get on medication," she said. "We can (change) our lifestyle. We can change the way we eat. We can exercise, lose weight. If that doesn't help, there are medications out there. We can start doing a log of our blood pressure. If it's elevated, then we need to make sure we're seeing our primary care (provider)." Working out and eating healthy seem like a no-brainer, but 33% of Grant County residents 65 and over have difficulty even walking, according to the Grant County Health District. Twenty-three percent of Grant County adults 18 and over experience food insecurity and 32% are obese. Forty-two percent of adults in Grant County have not had a medical checkup in the past year, according to GCHD data. "(The mistake people make) is just not paying attention to (their health)," Cloud said. "You're hearing it, but it doesn't resonate. It's not going to happen to me. I've worked all my life and I'm healthy. I'm not feeling anything, so I'm good. And the next thing you know, they're in the ER and they've had a heart attack." A huge factor in assessing the risk is family history. According to a study published by the College of Family Physicians in Canada, if your sibling had cardiovascular disease, you're 40% more likely to have it yourself, and if one of your parents had premature cardiovascular disease, your risk increases by 60-75%. "We can do all the exercise that we want. We can eat healthy," Cloud said. "But if you got this from your parents — well, congratulations, that's what you have inherited ... If your grandparents have had these issues, and your parents have had these issues, and you've got cousins or siblings (who have had them), it's coming for you." For people who are adopted or for some other reason may not know their family history, genetic testing may turn up some information, Cloud said. The key, again, is to talk to your primary care provider and if necessary, get a referral for a cardiologist. "A lot of times when patients come in and (the doctor) sits down and he goes over everything, we ask, 'Have you had any heart palpitations? Have you had shortness of breath when you're walking upstairs? Have you had any chest pain?' And sometimes they'll be like, 'Well, I thought it was just probably just indigestion, but I have had shortness of breath here lately,' or 'I've had a little pain in my chest, just a little pressure.' That's an indication to us that we need to look a little bit deeper." Modern technology offers several ways a cardiologist can monitor a patient's heart for tests or for ongoing observation, Cloud said. There's a seven- to 15-day monitor that can assess daily problems, and another that monitors 24/7 for 30 days for issues the patient may not be aware of. But none of that technology helps if the patient doesn't take that first step, Cloud said. "Make sure you get your screenings," she said. "Make sure you get your yearly blood work. Go to your doctor every year. It may be a scary thing to look at, but ... it's kind of like you're going down the highway and there's a hole in the road. If we do not get that fixed, it's going to keep getting bigger and bigger and bigger, and then you're just going to fall into it. So, with your health, make sure we get that prevention done."


Health Line
6 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Deion 'Coach Prime' Sanders Advocates for Bladder Cancer Screening After Close Call
University of Colorado football coach Deion Sanders shared he was successfully treated for bladder cancer after having his bladder removed. 'Coach Prime' said the cancer was detected early after he underwent a routine CT scan to monitor his other health conditions. Experts say it's particularly important for men over 50 to get screened for bladder cancer since the disease can be treated if caught in its early stages. University of Colorado football coach Deion Sanders is getting the word out about bladder cancer screenings after his close call with the disease. 'Coach Prime,' 57, said that medical professionals detected bladder cancer after he underwent a routine CT scan earlier this year. In a recent press conference, the former two-sport star said the early diagnosis led to successful bladder surgery, and he is now 'cured' of his cancer. 'Men — everybody — get checked out because if it wasn't for me getting tested for something else, they wouldn't have stumbled upon this,' said Sanders, who played professional football and baseball. 'And make sure you go to get the right care because without wonderful people like this, I probably wouldn't be sitting here today.' Sanders went in for his CT scan this spring because of previous issues he had with blood clots and chronic vascular disease that led to the amputation of two of his toes last year. The scan revealed there was a tumor in Sanders' bladder. Surgeons removed the tumor and learned the cancer had invaded the bladder wall but had not yet reached the muscular layer beyond the wall. Janet Kukreja, MD, a robotic surgery expert at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said at the press conference that she recommended bladder removal because, without that surgery, there was a 50% chance the cancer would return. 'I am pleased to report that the results from the surgery are that he is cured from the cancer,' Kukreja said. Sanders said he went public with his diagnosis and treatment to help save lives. 'We are helping some folks today. There's some folks right now calling their doctors, scheduling checkups,' he said. Experts say Sanders is offering good advice. 'It is important to understand that the earlier bladder cancer is diagnosed, the less involved the treatment and increase in the rate of cure,' said Ramkishen Narayanan, MD, an urologist and urologic oncologist and the director of the Center for Urologic Health at The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Occupational in California. Stages and risks of bladder cancer The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates there will be about 85,000 new cases of bladder cancer in the United States in 2025. About 65,000 of those cases will be males. More than 90% of people diagnosed with bladder cancer are over the age of 55, with the average age of diagnosis being 73. The ACS projects that about 17,000 people in the U.S. will die from bladder cancer this year. About 12,000 will be males. Bladder cancer is the 10 th leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Bladder cancer death rates have decreased by about 1% per year since 2013. The stages of bladder can vary. The five stages are: Stage 0: Cancer hasn't spread beyond the bladder lining Stage 1: Cancer has spread past the lining of the bladder Stage 2: Cancer has spread to the layer of the muscle in the bladder Stage 3: Cancer has spread to tissues surrounding the bladder Stage 4: Cancer has spread to neighboring areas of the bladder The 5-year survival rates for bladder cancer are vastly different, depending on the stage. According to the National Cancer Institute, there is a 97% survival rate for cancer that hasn't spread past the lining of the bladder but only an 8% survival rate for cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Jack Jacoub, MD, a medical oncologist and the medical director of MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast and Saddleback Medical Centers in California, told Healthline there is a big difference between low risk bladder cancer in its early stages and the high risk version in the latter stages. He said cancer spreading to the muscle layer and surrounding tissues is 'the critical point in the development of bladder cancer.' Jacoub said it's not entirely clear how bladder cancer develops. He noted that, like the colon, the bladder stores waste products, and the chemicals from those products can leak into surrounding layers and tissues. 'The bladder at the end of the day is a reservoir,' he explained. Symptoms and treatment for bladder cancer Bladder cancer occurs when abnormal bladder cells divide and grow out of control. These cells can form a tumor and eventually spread to surrounding muscles and organs. The number one risk factor is smoking. About 50% of bladder cancer cases are linked to smoking. The ACS reports that people who smoke may be three times more likely to develop bladder cancer than people who don't smoke. 'Smoking hands down is the biggest risk factor,' Jacoub said. Sanders has never smoked, so it's clear there are still other risk factors. They include exposure to certain chemicals, a family history of the disease, and chronic bladder infections. 'Cigarette smoking is the dominant risk factor — carcinogens are inhaled, filtered by [the] kidneys into urine, and exposed to the bladder,' noted Narayanan. 'Exposures — aromatic amines and dyes found in industries such as metal, leather, painting and hair-coloring, plastics manufacturing, and firefighting — significantly elevate risk,' he told Healthline. The most common symptoms of bladder cancer are: blood in the urine painful urination frequent urination urgent urination urinary incontinence Bladder cancer can also cause pain in the abdomen and lower back, as well as fatigue, loss of appetite, and swollen feet. The disease is usually initially detected from lab tests, such as a urinalysis. Doctors may then order tests such as a cystoscopy, a biopsy, or a CT scan for further diagnosis. The treatment for bladder cancer depends on the stage at which it is discovered. In the early stages, doctors may elect to simply remove the tumor and/or order chemotherapy or immunotherapy for the patient. In later stages, doctors may decide to remove part or all of the bladder as well as order chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. 'Bladder cancer is often treatable, especially when found early,' Eugene Shkolyar, MD, a clinical associate professor of urology at Stanford University in California, told Healthline. 'The most important determinant in treatment is what type of bladder cancer is found.' Deion Sanders' bladder removed during cancer treatment In Sanders' case, doctors elected to take out his entire bladder. In that type of surgery, doctors first remove the bladder. Next, they cut out about a foot and a half of the end section of the small intestine known as the ileum. Surgeons then slice that section of the ileum so it lies flat. Then they fold the section in half and attach the back end to the front end. The surgeon then secures this neobladder to the kidneys and urethra. The neobladder doesn't function like the original bladder because it doesn't send signals to the brain to let a person know when to urinate. People like Sanders who have neobladders undergo training to learn to control their urination functions during the day. However, there is usually leakage when the person is asleep. Shkolyar said the recovery after bladder removal can be a long road. 'After bladder removal (cystectomy) recovery can take several months,' he said. 'This is a major operation that involved not only removing the bladder but also re-routing the urinary tract using the intestines. Patients first focus on regaining bowel function and learning how to manage their urinary system. Afterward, the focus is on return to good nutrition, physical strength, and function. This can take up to three months for some.' At a recent press conference, Sanders acknowledged he now 'depends on Depends.' He noted there will probably be a portable toilet on the field when he coaches University of Colorado football games. Sanders said it's important that people talk about these issues. 'I know there's a lot of people out there going through what I'm going through. And dealing with what I'm dealing with,' he said. 'And let's stop being ashamed of it.' Shkolyar said follow-up appointments are crucial for anyone who has been treated for bladder cancer. 'No matter the treatment, ongoing follow-up is important to watch for recurrence and manage any side effects,' he said. 'Support from multidisciplinary healthcare teams with expertise in bladder cancer is critical.' Sandip Prasad, MD, the surgical director of genitourinary oncology and vice chair of urology at Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey, a part of the Atlantic Health System, agrees that consistent check-ins with medical professionals is crucial for people who have had bladder cancer. 'For all bladder cancer patients, there will be a lifetime of follow-up to ensure the disease does not recur,' Prasad told Healthline. 'For this reason, your relationship with your urologist is critically important to maintain good communication, preserve quality of life, and achieve a long and healthy life as a bladder cancer survivor.'


The Independent
04-08-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Colorectal cancer rates in the US have increased ‘steeply', research finds
Research indicates a steep rise in colorectal cancer rates among younger adults in the U.S., with a 50 percent relative increase observed between 2021 and 2022. The recommended screening age was lowered from 50 to 45 in 2021 to encourage earlier detection, as early onset cases have nearly doubled in young adults under 55 over the past decade. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., with over 154,000 new cases projected for this year. While theories such as poor nutritional health and gut toxins are being explored, researchers have not yet identified a definitive cause for the surge in cases. Experts predict that by 2030, colorectal cancer could become the leading cause of cancer death for individuals under 50, highlighting the need for increased public awareness and screening.