Latest news with #non-HispanicWhite
Medscape
14-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Fast Five Quiz: Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment Issues
Breast cancer care has made remarkable strides in recent years, with advancements in imaging, targeted therapies, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and personalized medicine leading to improved survival rates. Despite these innovations, the management of metastatic and advanced breast cancer remains complex, with treatment-related complications posing significant challenges. From cardiotoxicity to issues such as fatigue, neuropathy, and bone loss, understanding these potential effects is essential for optimizing patient care. As survival rates improve, addressing these challenges becomes even more critical in ensuring long-term well-being. How well do you understand the treatment complications of metastatic and advanced breast cancer? Take this quick quiz and test your knowledge. Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) targeted therapies are associated with a higher risk for treatment-related cardiovascular toxicity, particularly in causing cancer therapy–related cardiac dysfunction during and after treatment. Anthracycline-based and HER2-targeted therapies pose significant risks of cardiovascular toxicity, including heart failure, making them a major concern for long-term breast cancer survivors. Although antibody-drug conjugates and immune checkpoint inhibitors are being rapidly developed and used alongside traditional chemotherapy, their cardiovascular toxicity risks remain less well understood and appear to be lower compared with HER2-targeted treatments. Additionally, sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors have shown promise in cardioprotection rather than contributing to cardiovascular toxicity. Learn more about HER2-targeted therapies. A key complication associated with whole-brain radiotherapy is neurocognitive decline. Whole-brain radiotherapy can cause long-term impairments in verbal learning, memory, executive function, and verbal fluency, primarily due to hippocampal dysfunction. Stereotactic radiosurgery can affect verbal learning, memory, fine motor coordination, and executive function. Meningitis, seizures, and hemorrhage are complications more commonly associated with surgical treatment of brain metastases, not whole-brain radiotherapy. Learn more about brain metastasis in metastatic breast cancer. According to a comprehensive analysis, non-Hispanic Black patients with late-stage breast cancer had higher rates of chemotherapy-related complications compared with non-Hispanic White patients. This includes higher rates of cardiomyopathy, diarrhea/enteritis, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, neuropathy, lung disease, pain, dehydration/hypovolemia, rash, and infusion reactions. Non-Hispanic Black patients also had higher rates of cardiovascular toxicities such as acute myocardial infarction and pneumonitis. Non-Hispanic White patients had higher rates of being diagnosed with psychological issues, although non-Hispanic Black patients had higher rates of cognitive decline and dementia. There were no significant differences in overall immune-related toxicities between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White patients. These racial disparities in breast cancer treatment-related adverse events might be due to non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White patients receiving different treatments. Non-Hispanic Black patients have a higher probability of receiving adjuvant therapy, whereas non-Hispanic White patients have a higher probability of undergoing curative-intent breast cancer surgery and being prescribed endocrine therapy. Learn more about breast cancer treatment protocols. A systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that although various postoperative complications can occur, seroma is the most frequently reported. It involves the accumulation of fluid at the surgical site, which can lead to discomfort, delayed wound healing, and, in some cases, infection. Other complications, such as hematoma, surgical-site infection, and chronic neuropathic postoperative pain, are also recognized but occur less frequently. Learn more about surgical treatment of breast cancer. Calcium channel blockers are preferred for managing cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction in patients with advanced breast cancer and hypertension, due to their cardiovascular benefits. Calcium channel blockers, particularly in combination with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, provide superior cardiovascular outcomes compared with beta-blockers and diuretics in hypertensive patients undergoing cardiotoxic chemotherapy. They effectively reduce blood pressure variability and arterial stiffness, contributing to improved cardiovascular health. Although diuretics are commonly used to manage hypertension and heart failure, they do not provide the same protective cardiovascular benefits as calcium channels blockers or renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in this specific patient population. Although statins might reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, their efficacy in preventing cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction remains controversial due to conflicting results from major clinical trials. Beta-blockers are used for heart failure management but are not the preferred antihypertensive agents in patients undergoing cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Learn more about signs and symptoms of hypertension.
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Happy sex life, happier you? Study reveals the right frequency that reduces depression risk significantly
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders in April 2025 revealed a connection between the frequency of sex and good mental health. This showcases the importance of a regular sex life in maintaining mental wellbeing. ALSO READ: Sex talk 101: Relationship coach shares 4 hacks for couples to open up about intimacy The study researchers examined data from over 14,000 U.S. adults within the wide age range of 20 to 59 to narrow down sex's effect across all age groups. It turns out that people who had sex at least once a week were almost 24% less likely to display signs of moderate to severe depression, in contrast to those who didn't have any sex at all in the month. Moreover, the study did identify a sweet spot for reduced depression risk of about one to two times per week. Beyond that, it plateaued and didn't offer any further mental health perks. Since the study examined a wide age range of participants, it was able to discover that this pattern remains the same despite factors like age, physical health, marital status, income, and more. The connection between sex and lower depression is strongest among younger adults, and based on the ethnicity the study included, Mexican American and non-Hispanic White participants. While the study didn't necessarily establish a direct one-way connection that sex definitely causes less depression, it's important to note that people who are in a good mood are likely to have sex. So, it's more of a cyclic pattern where each influences the other. According to the researchers, sex releases chemicals like endorphins, which contribute to keeping moods uplifted. Sex also involves emotional connection, which further relieves stress and anxiety. While sex may not be a cure or a complete prevention for depression, it may help in reducing the risk factors of depression and support your mental health. ALSO READ: What do people love most about sex? Study reveals it's not the orgasm Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kickin it for Katy returns to raise awareness about suicide
FAIRMONT — Four years after the death of a Fairmont State student to suicide, an annual walk/run to raise suicide awareness has grown to become a prominent resource for mental health. Kickin it for Katy returns to Fairmont State University this year on May 3, where Kaitlynn Jade Newbraugh, 17, attended as a student. The run/walk is part of the Marion County Race Series. Newbraugh's grandmother, Gina Dixon, organized the 5k run/1 mile walk in Newbraugh's honor. 'If we can save one person, that's all that matters to me,' Dixon said. 'The 988 hotline, we can get that number out, I mean right now it's on the back of probably 1,300 shirts we've done.' Proceeds from the run/walk will go to the Kaitlynn Jade Memorial Fund, a 501©3 nonprofit that helps students pay tuition at Fairmont State. The nonprofit recently raised money for their first endowed scholarship for the school's forensics department, where Newbraugh was a student. To be endowed, the organization had to reach $25,000. Some of the proceeds also go to help the Marion County Humane Society. The nonprofit is working toward a second scholarship. 'Anybody that wants to get into the mental health field, whether it's psychiatry, whether it's sociology, whether it's nursing, you know, anything that has to do with a mental health field, that's what our next goal is,' Kirk Harris, Dixon's right hand man, said. 'To do another $25,000 scholarship, and then after that, who knows. This year, the event will host tables from the Depression-Bipolar Support Alliance, the MVA clinic, Hope Domestic Violence Center and Marion County Quick Response Team and tables dedicated to treating addiction. The Humane Society will also hold an adoption day. However, the most poignant display will be a memory tent, which displays pictures of people lost to suicide. It will also include some who have been lost to addiction. Dixon encourages anyone who lost a loved one to suicide to display their photo in the tent. More than 720,000 people die to suicide every year, according to the World Health Organization. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-to-29 year-olds. In the U.S., there's a suicide once every 11 minutes, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Groups with the highest suicide rates are non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native people, followed by non-Hispanic White people. Other groups with higher than average suicide rates are veterans, people who live in rural areas, workers in certain industries such as mining and construction and young people who identify as LGBTQ. The Trevor Project found laws targeting transgender and nonbinary people are directly responsible for raising suicide rates among that community of people. 'That causation is the key aspect,' Ronita Nath, co-authors of a study on suicide rates and anti-trans laws, told NBC News in 2024. 'State-level anti-transgender laws caused — so, not associated with, not linked to — we can say very confidently, they caused up to a 72% increase in number of past-year suicide attempts among trans and nonbinary young people,' as well as a 49% increase in the percent of trans and nonbinary young people who made at least one attempt in the past year.' West Virginia has passed laws targeting trans and nonbinary people. The CDC found in 2020 the financial toll of suicide on society was over $500 billion in medical costs, work loss costs, value of statistical life and quality of life costs. The CDC calls suicide a serious public health problem. This year will be the first year Kickin it for Katy has grief counselors onsite, Dixon said. The registration fee is $25, however, registrants who enter as a team pay $20. The price goes up two days prior to the run/walk. Dixon said registration won't be available the day before the walk, and 'door' tickets will cost $30. Food trucks, which will be present at the event, will be free to registrants. Register at where tax-deductible donations can be made. 'Katy was an amazing, amazing little girl,' Dixon said. 'She was her family's center.'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rising autism rates now affect 3% of children, says CDC report
New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed climbing autism rates among children. In 2022, a surveillance program called The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network began monitoring children aged 4 to 8 across 15 U.S. states, focusing on multiple benchmarks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among 8-year-old children, researchers found that one in 31 children — more than 3% of America's kids — had ASD. Bill Gates Likely Had Autism As A Child, He Reveals: 'Wasn't Widely Understood' ASD was found to be 3.4 times more likely in boys than girls, and the prevalence was lower among non-Hispanic White children. The CDC confirmed that ASD prevalence among 8-year-olds was higher in 2022 than the previous year, as one in 36 kids were diagnosed with autism in 2020. Read On The Fox News App By 48 months of age, identification of ASD was higher among children born in 2018 than among those born in 2014, which suggests "increased early identification consistent with historical patterns." Kids With Autism Supported By Service Dogs, As Research And Families Note 'Incredible Changes' "[This] underscores the increased demand and ongoing need for enhanced planning to provide equitable diagnostic, treatment and support services for all children with ASD," the CDC commented in the report. "The substantial variability in ASD identification across sites suggests opportunities to identify and implement successful strategies and practices in communities to ensure all children with ASD reach their potential." Jonathan Alpert, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist and author, said he considers the CDC's findings "alarming but not surprising." "We're living in a time when diagnosis has become the default, not the exception," he shared with Fox News Digital. "Whether it's children in schools or adults in therapy, more and more people are being told they have a disorder." Alpert suggested that this spike in autism is part of a "much larger trend." Cdc To Launch Study Into Vaccines And Autism, Possible Links: Report "Are we really seeing an epidemic of illness, or are we expanding definitions to the point where normal variation gets labeled as pathology?" he questioned. "I see it in my practice every week – patients who come in are already convinced something is wrong with them because of a checklist they found online or a therapist who rushed to diagnose." "Many are struggling, yes — but they're being failed by a system that offers quick labels and long-term treatment plans instead of results." The expert called out behaviors like shyness, awkwardness and emotional sensitivity, which were "once seen as a part of the human experience," but are now being treated as "symptoms of a disorder." "People deserve honesty, not confusion," he commented. "They deserve to know whether a diagnosis is grounded in real clinical need or in shifting cultural norms and professional convenience." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Regarding the potential link between vaccines and autism, Alpert said this could be linked to a larger issue of trust in institutions, including mental health. "When the field becomes more focused on image and ideology than outcomes, people tune out," he said. "And that's the crisis we should really be focused on." A spokesperson from the New York-based nonprofit Autism Speaks commented that these findings reflect "real progress" in children being identified more accurately through increased awareness, broader diagnostic criteria and more "consistent, standardized screening tools." "While there are many factors driving these numbers, research shows that 60% to 90% of autism risk is rooted in genetics," they said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Still, one thing is clear – this steady increase in prevalence calls for deeper, sustained investment in autism research — not only to understand its causes, but also to support the growing number of people diagnosed today." The spokesperson called for changes in policies and budgets to reflect this "new reality." "That means expanding access to early intervention, strengthening educational and healthcare systems, and providing supports that span a lifetime. This data is not just a number — it's a call to action." Autism Speaks reiterated that research confirms vaccines "do not cause autism," and advocated for vaccine information to be "based on scientific evidence." "We recognize the administration's interest in autism research and reiterate our long-held position that federal investments need to be increased and focused on evidence-based advancements that benefit autistic people and their families," they said. For more Health articles, visit "Moving forward, meaningful research must be grounded in rigorous, evidence-based methods and carried out in partnership with the autism community, including scientists, clinicians, autistic individuals and families."Original article source: Rising autism rates now affect 3% of children, says CDC report
Fox News
17-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Rising autism rates now affect 3% of children, says CDC report
New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed climbing autism rates among children. In 2022, a surveillance program called The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network began monitoring children aged 4 to 8 across 15 U.S. states, focusing on multiple benchmarks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among 8-year-old children, researchers found that one in 31 children — more than 3% of America's kids — had ASD. ASD was found to be 3.4 times more likely in boys than girls, and the prevalence was lower among non-Hispanic White children. The CDC confirmed that ASD prevalence among 8-year-olds was higher in 2022 than the previous year, as one in 36 kids were diagnosed with autism in 2020. By 48 months of age, identification of ASD was higher among children born in 2018 than among those born in 2014, which suggests "increased early identification consistent with historical patterns." "[This] underscores the increased demand and ongoing need for enhanced planning to provide equitable diagnostic, treatment and support services for all children with ASD," the CDC commented in the report. "The substantial variability in ASD identification across sites suggests opportunities to identify and implement successful strategies and practices in communities to ensure all children with ASD reach their potential." Jonathan Alpert, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist and author, said he considers the CDC's findings "alarming but not surprising." "We're living in a time when diagnosis has become the default, not the exception," he shared with Fox News Digital. "Whether it's children in schools or adults in therapy, more and more people are being told they have a disorder." Alpert suggested that this spike in autism is part of a "much larger trend." "Are we really seeing an epidemic of illness, or are we expanding definitions to the point where normal variation gets labeled as pathology?" he questioned. "I see it in my practice every week – patients who come in are already convinced something is wrong with them because of a checklist they found online or a therapist who rushed to diagnose." "Many are struggling, yes — but they're being failed by a system that offers quick labels and long-term treatment plans instead of results." The expert called out behaviors like shyness, awkwardness and emotional sensitivity, which were "once seen as a part of the human experience," but are now being treated as "symptoms of a disorder." "People deserve honesty, not confusion," he commented. "They deserve to know whether a diagnosis is grounded in real clinical need or in shifting cultural norms and professional convenience." Regarding the potential link between vaccines and autism, Alpert said this could be linked to a larger issue of trust in institutions, including mental health. "When the field becomes more focused on image and ideology than outcomes, people tune out," he said. "And that's the crisis we should really be focused on." A spokesperson from the New York-based nonprofit Autism Speaks commented that these findings reflect "real progress" in children being identified more accurately through increased awareness, broader diagnostic criteria and more "consistent, standardized screening tools." "While there are many factors driving these numbers, research shows that 60% to 90% of autism risk is rooted in genetics," they said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Still, one thing is clear – this steady increase in prevalence calls for deeper, sustained investment in autism research — not only to understand its causes, but also to support the growing number of people diagnosed today." "This steady increase in prevalence calls for deeper, sustained investment in autism research." The spokesperson called for changes in policies and budgets to reflect this "new reality." "That means expanding access to early intervention, strengthening educational and healthcare systems, and providing supports that span a lifetime. This data is not just a number — it's a call to action." Autism Speaks reiterated that research confirms vaccines "do not cause autism," and advocated for vaccine information to be "based on scientific evidence." "We recognize the administration's interest in autism research and reiterate our long-held position that federal investments need to be increased and focused on evidence-based advancements that benefit autistic people and their families," they said. For more Health articles, visit "Moving forward, meaningful research must be grounded in rigorous, evidence-based methods and carried out in partnership with the autism community, including scientists, clinicians, autistic individuals and families."
