Three Questions to Ask Your Doctor

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About a year before my mother-in-law passed away from cancer, her oncologist said nothing more could be done to treat her illness. He did not volunteer how much longer she might live, nor did he indicate how the remaining course of her disease would likely unfold. Here’s the surprising part: This doctor’s omissions were perfectly legal in the state in which he practiced. That’s because there is no law in that state that required him to disclose such information unless the patient specifically asked for it or he was proposing a treatment that required her to either accept or reject it.Read More »Three Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Exercise – How It May Lower Cancer Risk

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The relationship between exercise and cancer has long both intrigued and puzzled oncologists and exercise physiologists.

Exercise is strongly associated with lowered risks for many types of cancer. In epidemiological studies, people who regularly exercise generally prove to be much less likely to develop or die from the disease than people who do not. At the same time, exercise involves biological stress, which typically leads to a short-term increase in inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation can contribute to elevated risks for many cancers.Read More »Exercise – How It May Lower Cancer Risk

Summer Survival Guide

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We all look forward to summer: sultry afternoons in the backyard, long weekends in the woods, vacations at the beach.

But summer can also be fraught with dangers that do more than ruin your day. As we get older, we’re more susceptible to heatstroke, not to mention the sprains and strains that come with increased activity.

The best way to enjoy summer activities with friends, kids and grandkids? Be prepared.Read More »Summer Survival Guide

Five Medical Conditions to Treat Immediately

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You may have heard of the “golden hour,” that short window of time when medical attention must be administered for an injury or illness. Once the window closes, the chances of successful treatment diminish greatly, and any risks may then outweigh the benefits. Here are some of the most important examples of medical conditions that you should know about.Read More »Five Medical Conditions to Treat Immediately

BeSafeRx: Know Your Online Pharmacy

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The FDA’s BeSafeRx initiative is a national campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of buying prescription medicines from fake online pharmacies. This campaign provides the resources to help consumers know the risks and signs of using fake online pharmacies, as well as the resources to locate safe, state-licensed online pharmacies.Read More »BeSafeRx: Know Your Online Pharmacy

No living will? What you must know about end of life documents

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Fewer than half of Americans older than 65 have a living will (also called an advance directive), according to a recent Consumer Reports National Research Center survey. “The ramifications of not having one are so severe that it’s bewildering that more people don’t do it,” says Howard Krooks, past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Without that document, which spells out your health care wishes if you are unable to speak for yourself, your loved ones will have to guess. If they disagree, the problem could end up in court.Read More »No living will? What you must know about end of life documents