Removing growths in the colon reduces colon cancer death rates by half, new research suggests. It’s the first study to show that a test called colonoscopy can save lives. This test looks inside of the colon using a long tube with an attached camera. The doctor can remove any cancers or growth called polyps that are found. Some polyps can develop into cancer. The new study kept track of 2,602 people who had precancerous polyps removed during a colonoscopy. In the next 16 years, 12 died of colon cancer. The estimated number of deaths was 25 for a similar group in the general population. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study. A second study in the journal compared results for 2 tests used for screening people without symptoms for colon cancer. One was colonoscopy, which is widely considered the best test. The other test looked for blood in a stool sample.
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My father-in-law was just diagnosed with vascular dementia. The doctor said heart disease probably contributed to the problem. What exactly is vascular dementia, and how can I help my husband avoid the same fate?
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Research suggests that people who drink coffee may be less susceptible to depression.
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An analysis of Medicaid data showed an increase in spending on depression care, mainly on medications.
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A study boosts support for the ability of statins to help clear arteries of plaque, while two others reaffirm the drugs’ safety.
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Video games that involve physical activity can be beneficial for people of all age groups and abilities.
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Many people with resistant hypertension are not receiving the most effective combination of medications for the condition.
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A cholesterol study found that lowering LDL with a statin was more beneficial than attempting to boost HDL with niacin.
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My family seems to have shifted from bananas and strawberries to a steady diet of blueberries with breakfast “because they’ll keep you healthy.” I love blueberries, but I do miss variety. So I want to know if blueberries really are good for our health.
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The biggest criticism of the PSA test for prostate cancer is that it is not accurate enough. The decision whether or not to have the test depends on an individual’s risk factors and overall health.
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