Author's posts
What films get wrong about cancer – and why it matters
There are more cancer types than there are organ systems, but, according to Hollywood, there is essentially just “Cancer.” Capital C. Period. Cancer-inflicted characters on the silver screen also primarily face just one outcome: death. This…
What we have to gain from weight loss drugs
Twenty years ago, the headlines were grim. It was common for studies to warn: “Rising childhood obesity will decrease life expectancy.” In large part, those predictions came true. The rise in obesity – both in children and adults – has corr…
AI is living up to its promise as a tool for radiology
For the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been proving itself as an effective tool in breast cancer screening. An ever-growing list of research studies has shown that using AI in mammography can safely and efficiently reduce patient wait…
Proposed USPSTF guideline update: Advocating for earlier breast cancer screening at age 40
Pop Quiz: At what age do medical experts recommend women of average risk for breast cancer begin receiving screening mammograms? 40 45 50 All of the above. If you answered “D,” you are correct. Confused? I don’t blame you. Medical soc…
Revolutionizing depression treatment: Breaking free from ineffective medications for rapid relief
If you want to know whether a standard-of-care medication will work to treat your depression, flip a coin. More than half of all patients treated for major depressive disorder (MDD), the clinical name for what is typically thought of as depression, don…
Take steps (literally) to prevent dementia
A recent study out of England found that walking just under 10,000 steps a day reduces a person’s risk of developing dementia by 50 percent. Pick up the pace to a “brisk” walk (over 40 steps per minute), and that risk goes down even f…
How the mind-gut connection affects total health
As a colorectal surgeon, I address complex intestinal issues with state-of-the-art interventions. Fortunately for most people, the key to a healthy digestive system isn’t that complicated. A proper diet, regular exercise, and stress reduction all…
When should you consider surgery for scoliosis?
Most people with scoliosis will never require surgery. But who does need surgery, and how do you know? Often diagnosed in childhood, scoliosis is characterized by an abnormal curve in the spine that can range from as small as 10 degrees to more than 10…
A gastric bypass might help some people bypass cancer
In an exciting recent study, researchers found that for adults with obesity, weight loss through bariatric surgery lowered their risk of cancer by 35% and reduced their risk of cancer-related death by 43%. This was true of both gastric bypass and gastr…
