NPR Topics: Your Health http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1066&ft=1&f=1066 News and commentary about personal health, medicine, healthcare, drugs, diet, recipes, and nutrition. Download the Your Health podcast and subscribe to our RSS feed. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Your Health http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1066&ft=1&f=1066 A Week Of Changes For Women's Health For the second time in a week, a panel of medical experts has recommended that younger women be tested less frequently for cancer. The latest advice is that women can wait until 21 to have their first Pap test for cervical cancer. Many women can skip annual Pap smears after that. The guidance comes after another recommendation earlier this week that routine mammograms needn't start until age 50. NPR digital health correspondent Scott Hensley has been following the changes and joins host Scott Simon to talk about it. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646686&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646686&ft=1&f=1066 For the second time in a week, a panel of medical experts has recommended that younger women be tested less frequently for cancer. The latest advice is that women can wait until 21 to have their first Pap test for cervical cancer. Many women can skip annual Pap smears after that. The guidance comes after another recommendation earlier this week that routine mammograms needn't start until age 50. NPR digital health correspondent Scott Hensley has been following the changes and joins host Scott Simon to talk about it.

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]]> Overlooked In The Rush To Digitize Medical Records The administration has made $45 billion available for doctors and hospital across the country to digitize medical records. This money, part of the government's stimulus plan, promises what amounts to a gold rush for major technology firms, who have begun competing to win those accounts. But Fred Schulte, senior reporter for the Huffington Post Investigative Fund, says some health care professionals wonder if the promise of electronic medical records has been exaggerated. Host Scott Simon talks to Schulte about the potential pitfalls. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646690&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646690&ft=1&f=1066 The administration has made $45 billion available for doctors and hospital across the country to digitize medical records. This money, part of the government's stimulus plan, promises what amounts to a gold rush for major technology firms, who have begun competing to win those accounts. But Fred Schulte, senior reporter for the Huffington Post Investigative Fund, says some health care professionals wonder if the promise of electronic medical records has been exaggerated. Host Scott Simon talks to Schulte about the potential pitfalls.

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]]> Rolling The Dice On Mammograms Every 1,900 screenings for women in their 40s produces just one case in which cancer is discovered. But what if you're the one? Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120645754&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120645754&ft=1&f=1066 Every 1,900 screenings for women in their 40s produces just one case in which cancer is discovered. But what if you're the one?

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]]> Politics, Breast Health Have A Long History Together Meddling in medical recommendations is nothing new for politicians Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:20:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114409272&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114409272&ft=1&f=1066 Meddling in medical recommendations is nothing new for politicians

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]]> Evidence-Based Medicine: Hard For Some To Swallow Patients often find it difficult to base medical decisions on study results. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:07:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120620408&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120620408&ft=1&f=1066 Patients often find it difficult to base medical decisions on study results.

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]]> Talking Turkey About Holiday Stress The holiday season is here and for many that can mean a surge in stress. But what is stress exactly? <em>Science Friday</em> hit the streets of New York City to gauge stress levels and consulted with experts on the effects of stress and strategies for how to cope. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613258&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613258&ft=1&f=1066 The holiday season is here and for many that can mean a surge in stress. But what is stress exactly? Science Friday hit the streets of New York City to gauge stress levels and consulted with experts on the effects of stress and strategies for how to cope.

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]]> Debating Benefits, Risks Of Routine Mammograms New guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend women start getting routine mammograms at age 50, not 40. Ira Flatow and guests take a closer look at the guidelines and what they mean for women's health. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613264&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613264&ft=1&f=1066 New guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend women start getting routine mammograms at age 50, not 40. Ira Flatow and guests take a closer look at the guidelines and what they mean for women's health.

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]]> Listeners Reject, Accept New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Tell Me More host Michel Martin and Lee Hill, the program's "digital media guy," comb through listener feedback and offer important news updates to recent conversations heard on the program. This week, the audience shares personal stories in reaction to controversial new guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency says suggests women can now wait an additional 10 years before getting an annual mammogram. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120608136&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120608136&ft=1&f=1066 Tell Me More host Michel Martin and Lee Hill, the program's "digital media guy," comb through listener feedback and offer important news updates to recent conversations heard on the program. This week, the audience shares personal stories in reaction to controversial new guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency says suggests women can now wait an additional 10 years before getting an annual mammogram.

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]]> Breast Cancer Advocates Not Buying New Guidelines Studies show that testing women in their 40s could save a small percentage of lives. But to some public health officials, it isn't worth the possible harm the excess testing causes. Cancer survivors and advocacy groups say the screening tool isn't perfect, but it's worth the risk. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120581364&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120581364&ft=1&f=1066 Studies show that testing women in their 40s could save a small percentage of lives. But to some public health officials, it isn't worth the possible harm the excess testing causes. Cancer survivors and advocacy groups say the screening tool isn't perfect, but it's worth the risk.

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]]> Backlash Over Mammogram Guideline Worries Evidence Advocates Resistance to guidelines against routine mammograms for women in their 40s suggests a tough road for other evidence-based recommendations in medicine. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:57:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114406687&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114406687&ft=1&f=1066 Resistance to guidelines against routine mammograms for women in their 40s suggests a tough road for other evidence-based recommendations in medicine.

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]]> Understanding The New Mammogram Guidelines For years, women were encouraged to get breast cancer screenings at 40. Now, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued new guidelines saying that the average woman can wait until 50. The guidelines also discourage the teaching of self breast examinations. Experts explain how the study was conducted, and how to interpret the new recommendations. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120537928&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120537928&ft=1&f=1066 For years, women were encouraged to get breast cancer screenings at 40. Now, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued new guidelines saying that the average woman can wait until 50. The guidelines also discourage the teaching of self breast examinations. Experts explain how the study was conducted, and how to interpret the new recommendations.

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]]> Hunting For Swine Flu Vaccine Regional variations in the distribution of swine flu vaccine can make all the difference in where you should look for it. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:30:34 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114403703&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114403703&ft=1&f=1066 Regional variations in the distribution of swine flu vaccine can make all the difference in where you should look for it.

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]]> New Guidelines On Breast Cancer Stir Confusion For years, health care organizations have worked to send a consistent message to women about breast cancer. But new guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a component of the Department of Health and Human Services, have stirred confusion. The agency suggests women can now wait an additional 10 years before getting an annual mammogram &mdash; at age 50 instead of age 40 &mdash; and that some women ages 50-74 can even skip a year between exams. Dr. Diana Petitti, who leads the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and Dr. Wayne Frederick, an oncologist at Howard University discuss the new guidelines. Frederick shares his concern about how the changes may affect black women, who are at higher risk of breast cancer between 40 and 50 years old. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120493002&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120493002&ft=1&f=1066 For years, health care organizations have worked to send a consistent message to women about breast cancer. But new guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a component of the Department of Health and Human Services, have stirred confusion. The agency suggests women can now wait an additional 10 years before getting an annual mammogram — at age 50 instead of age 40 — and that some women ages 50-74 can even skip a year between exams. Dr. Diana Petitti, who leads the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and Dr. Wayne Frederick, an oncologist at Howard University discuss the new guidelines. Frederick shares his concern about how the changes may affect black women, who are at higher risk of breast cancer between 40 and 50 years old.

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]]> FDA Says Don't Mix Plavix And Prilosec The heartburn medicine Prilosec and some other drugs can interfere with the clot-fighter Plavix, reducing its effectiveness. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:55:54 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114403029&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114403029&ft=1&f=1066 The heartburn medicine Prilosec and some other drugs can interfere with the clot-fighter Plavix, reducing its effectiveness.

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]]> FDA Bows To Pressure From Fans Of Raw Oysters Facing political pressure from the Gulf Coast oyster industry, the FDA has backed off a plan to require that raw Gulf of Mexico oysters be treated to rid them of a potentially deadly bacteria found in warm-water oysters. The plan had sparked anger in Louisiana &mdash; especially in New Orleans. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:07:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120391035&ft=1&f=1066 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120391035&ft=1&f=1066 Facing political pressure from the Gulf Coast oyster industry, the FDA has backed off a plan to require that raw Gulf of Mexico oysters be treated to rid them of a potentially deadly bacteria found in warm-water oysters. The plan had sparked anger in Louisiana — especially in New Orleans.

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