All articles tagged with #prevention
Breast cancer diagnoses among women under 50 are rising at twice the rate of older cohorts. Experts link this to lifestyle factors, while new genetic tools aim to identify high-risk individuals earlier.
A new study links low cognitive scores in adults aged 60-69 to a significantly higher risk of stroke, but this association disappears in older age groups.
Medical experts warn that bowel incontinence, often dismissed as embarrassing or unrelated to cancer, can signal advanced colorectal cancer, particularly when involving the rectum. While less common than other symptoms like bleeding or fatigue, this sign indicates that a tumor may have grown large enough to obstruct stool or disrupt nerve signals. Early detection remains critical, as colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., and rates in young people are rising. Doctors emphasize that while incontinence is rarely the first symptom, it requires immediate medical evaluation to rule out serious conditions.
Medical experts warn that bowel incontinence, though often dismissed as embarrassing or unrelated to cancer, can indicate advanced colorectal cancer. While not a primary symptom, it may result from tumors disrupting nerve signals or causing obstruction. Early detection through screening and lifestyle changes remains critical, as colorectal cancer rates are rising, particularly among younger populations.
A new study in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine finds that isometric exercise training (IET), such as wall squats, can significantly lower blood pressure with minimal time commitment. Researchers from Canterbury Christ Church University in the UK tested 100 adults with normal to high-normal systolic blood pressure. Participants who performed three sessions of wall squats per week for four weeks saw their systolic blood pressure drop by an average of 9.45 mm Hg. Those who continued this frequency for eight weeks saw a further reduction, reaching an average drop of 13.73 mm Hg. The study suggests that even two or one session per week yields benefits, but stopping exercise entirely causes blood pressure to return to baseline levels within four weeks. The findings indicate that IET is a practical option for individuals with limited time or adherence challenges, potentially offering a scalable intervention for cardiovascular health.
A new analysis of a large randomized trial indicates that daily low-dose aspirin may reduce dementia risk by 70 percent for individuals with specific platelet-related genetic markers. However, this benefit comes with a doubled risk of serious bleeding, and experts caution against self-prescribing. The findings suggest that previous trials may have missed benefits by averaging results across all participants, highlighting the potential for personalized prevention strategies.
Dr. Tommy Wood, a professor at the University of Washington, explains that common memory lapses like forgetting names or losing keys are usually caused by stress or fatigue rather than neurodegenerative disease. He notes that while dementia involves a failure to encode new memories, everyday forgetfulness is often a retrieval issue. Wood emphasizes that at least 50% of dementia cases are preventable through lifestyle changes and addressing reversible medical conditions.
A new report suggests that specific daily activities may help reduce the risk of developing dementia. While general physical movement is often viewed as beneficial, the context of the activity matters significantly. Engaging in voluntary, leisure-based exercises appears to offer stronger cognitive protection compared to mandatory or work-related physical tasks. This distinction highlights that not all forms of exertion yield the same neurological benefits, emphasizing the importance of enjoyable, self-directed movement for brain health.
A Washington Post guide highlights seven common age-related vision changes, while medical experts emphasize that early detection through regular exams is critical for managing conditions like macular degeneration and cataracts.
The 2026 World Alzheimer Report frames dementia research as entering a new era focused on earlier diagnosis, understanding disease biology, and a broader mix of interventions that move from curing to preventing decline. Fully curing Alzheimer's remains unlikely, but drugs like donanemab and lecanemab have modestly slowed early progression, and global trials are expanding in number and scope. The report notes 139 million people could have dementia by 2050, with as many as 45% of cases preventable by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and physical inactivity. However, access and diagnosis gaps persist—only a small fraction of diagnosed patients receive gold-standard testing in some places—and better biomarkers and broader trial access are needed to ensure scientific advances reach patients.
Doctors anticipate a typical fall–winter sick season driven by flu (A early, B later) with additional impact from COVID-19 and RSV; vaccination remains the strongest protection, including RSV vaccines for infants and older adults, and antiviral options exist if you test positive. Indoor gatherings and limited ventilation raise transmission risk, so masking, hand hygiene, testing for flu and COVID, and avoiding crowds are advised. The southern hemisphere season was not unusually severe, offering cautious optimism for the coming months.
Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency after a spike in infections, pledging intensified testing, treatment, and prevention efforts and seeking international support to curb the spread.
Up to 80% of heart disease and stroke are preventable with lifestyle changes. Doctors warn that Type 2 diabetes is a silent assassin that often goes undetected for years and sharply raises the risk of heart attack and stroke by damaging blood vessels and promoting atherosclerosis. To prevent or delay diabetes, focus on weight loss, a diet of whole foods, and regular physical activity, while limiting high-starch white foods like white bread, rice, pasta, and sugary items—especially for kids—to curb lifelong risk.
Blood tests that detect Alzheimer’s risk are not recommended for asymptomatic individuals; a positive result indicates risk but doesn’t guarantee dementia and can include false positives, while negatives are more reliable. In contrast, robust evidence shows that protecting midlife heart health—managing blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking—via regular exercise, resistance training, the MIND diet, sufficient sleep, social engagement, hearing care, and cognitive activities can substantially delay or reduce dementia risk. Ongoing trials may alter testing guidance, but for now, lifestyle and cardiovascular health are the best prevention tools.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection from infected blacklegged ticks. Early symptoms resemble the flu, and a hallmark expanding rash may appear. If detected early, most cases are treatable; removing a tick within 24 hours lowers risk and preventive measures help. Treatment is typically a 10–14 day course of antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline, amoxicillin, cefuroxime), with longer therapy for severe cases. A small number may experience lingering fatigue or cognitive symptoms after treatment (PTLDS), but prolonged antibiotics are not beneficial.