Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

Pap tests, the mainstay screening method to detect cervical cancer, are uncomfortable for some women. In mid-2024, the FDA approved a new self-swab test that can detect human papillomavirus, which causes most cases of cervical cancer. The self-swab test collects cells from the vaginal wall instead of the cervix. Clinicians guide women on how to perform the test in a doctor’s office. The self-swab method offers women several benefits, including comfort, accuracy, and potentially greater access to screening.

Ice baths typically happen in water that’s between 50° and 60° F. Studies about their health benefits are inconclusive, but ice baths can be risky. People should never take an ice bath without someone nearby, and stay in for a maximum of 15 minutes.

A sleep study is performed to detect sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. It often takes place in a special lab. The person is hooked up to equipment that records the brain’s activity and monitors snoring, blood oxygen levels, and other variables.

People who experience back pain may find some relief by increasing daily activity by 20 minutes and reducing daily sitting time by 40 minutes, according to a 2024 study.

In a 2024 study, transperineal prostate biopsies were less likely to cause infections than traditional transrectal biopsies. Transperineal biopsies retrieve tissue samples using a thin needle inserted through the skin between the scrotum and rectum.

Setting health goals can help people in their 50s avoid developing a chronic condition that can hamper healthy aging. Goals can include improving balance through various exercises; learning a new skill to improve brain sharpness; seeking age-appropriate cancer screenings, such as for colorectal, cervical, and breast cancers; prioritizing bone health by boosting calcium and vitamin D intake and weight-bearing exercise; maintaining muscle strength through strength and resistance training; and paying closer attention to diet.

A 2024 study suggests that men who follow active surveillance for their low-grade prostate cancer may reduce the risk of their cancer becoming more aggressive if they maintain a healthier diet, which can help reduce inflammation.

A 2024 study found that when air pollution levels decreased during a five-year period in Italy, so did hospitalizations for heart-related emergencies. The results suggest that reducing air pollution could lower the prevalence of heart disease.

Smart rings can do many of the same things a smart watch can, including heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen level measurement, and activity and sleep tracking.

Eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower may reduce blood pressure more than eating squash and root veggies.