Category: Cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new blood test called Shield, made by Guardant Health, to screen for colon cancer in certain individuals. Although this test has been available commercially, FDA approval will help increase its availability and insurance coverage. What is the Shield Test? The test is approved for people… Continue reading FDA Approves New Blood Test For Colon Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the United States. About 30% of all new cancer diagnoses in women are breast cancer. Approximately 13% of U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Men can also get breast cancer, though it is much rare. Fortunately, after increasing for… Continue reading The 5 Stages of Breast Cancer

A new study from the American Cancer Society found that about 40% of new cancer cases and nearly half of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S. are due to preventable factors. Key risk factors include smoking, excess body weight, alcohol use, lack of physical activity, poor diet, and infections like HPV. These are things… Continue reading Study Finds Nearly Half of Adult Cancer Deaths Preventable

Pleural effusion is often referred to as “water on the lungs.” Not in the lungs, but on the lungs. This medical condition is where excess fluid builds up in the space between the layers of the pleura surrounding the lungs. The pleura is a thin membrane that lines the surface of your lungs and the… Continue reading Pleural Effusion: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Itchiness, or pruritus, is an irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch your skin. Everyone experiences itchiness from time to time. Bug bites, poison ivy, a reaction to the sun, there are a number of things that cause it! Persistent itching, however, can be particularly bothersome and may indicate an underlying health issue. Research… Continue reading Dealing with Itchiness from Skin Cancer