Cleveland Clinic spinoff company to start clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease
Cleveland Clinic spinoff company NeuroTherapia Inc. will start clinical trials of a new drug targeting inflammation of the brain that’s found in Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases, according to a news release.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave the company the go-ahead to begin its first in-human studies of the drug, NTRX-07, in an ascending dose study schedule to begin midsummer.
NeuroTherapia plans to follow this study, which will be in healthy volunteers, with another study in patients with Alzheimer’s disease to explore the safety of repeated dosing of NTRX-07 and to look for changes in inflammation, according to the release.
“The ability to begin studies in human subjects is a critical milestone for NeuroTherapia in its efforts to develop new treatments for patients with neurologic diseases for which there are currently no good therapies” said Dr. Joseph Foss, the company’s clinical adviser, in a prepared statement. “By identifying the safe dose in this study, we will be able to design a Phase Ib study in Alzheimer’s patients to see how NTRX-07 is tolerated and to potentially demonstrate some early evidence of benefits.”
Northeast Ohio has seen significant momentum in Alzheimer’s disease work in recent months, with several multimillion-dollar grants supporting such research awarded to local institutions and researchers — part of a national push to find prevention and treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
“We have known for a long time that the immune system of the brain and inflammation play a key role in neurodegenerative diseases, including AD,” said Dr. Mohamed Naguib, scientific adviser and co-discoverer of NTRX-07, in a prepared statement. “NTRX-07 is the first drug entering clinical trials which addresses these changes. To be able to potentially help patients with this devastating disease makes all our efforts worthwhile.”
NTRX-07, a small orally available molecule, targets receptors that increase in diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic pain syndromes, according to the release.
In various animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, NTRX-07 restored normal function of the microglia, which are key immune cells in the brain.
This in turn “decreased microglial-induced inflammation, reduced levels of the Alzheimer’s-associated Ab peptide in the brain and substantially improved neuronal synaptic plasticity, learning and memory,” according to the release.
Naguib and Foss are entitled to a portion of any revenues Cleveland Clinic receives related to the technology, according to the release. Specific terms of the revenue share were not disclosed.
Pregnancy often causes a weakness of pelvic muscles
WHAT THEY DO
The female-led startup called ELVIE, developed two main products. The first helps strengthen pelvic muscles, and the second, is to help during pregnancy.
“Whether it’s menstruation, pregnancy or menopause, women’s bodies have been shrouded in taboo for centuries. We know so many issues of womanhood can be improved by technology, and there is so much potential in this space,” Tania Boler, CEO of Elvie, said in a statement.
ABOUT FIRST PRODUCT
It’s an Elvie Trainer,app-connected pelvic trainer women wear while doing Kegel exercises.
HOW IT WORKS
The Elvie Trainer app lets users visualize their pelvic floor movements with biofeedback, while the user performs the exercise. Each session is designed to be fun and lasts 5- min.
The small pebbled-shaped pod, is inserted into the vagina like a tampon, connects to a phone app that guides you through the 5-min. workouts to strengthen and tone your pelvic floor. It now has more than 1,000 health professionals around the world recommending it.
WHO IT’S FOR
The exercises are often recommended for people with incontience, which most times are women who have gone through childbirth, but obesity or constant coughing may also weaken pelvic floor muscles.
Kegel exercises are linked to better core strength, improved back & abdominal strength.
ABOUT SECOND PRODUCT
WHAT IS IT
The second product is the Elvie Pump, a smart breast pump to help women who breast feed post-pregnancy. It’s silent and worn inside of a standard nursing bra.
WHAT IT’S FOR
It comes with a connected app, which lets moms monitor the volume of their milk in real time. It tracks the pumping history on each breast, and is designed to switch from stimulation to expression mode when it detects let down. It will also stop when the bottle is full.
A number of breast pumps launched at last year’s CES. This included Willow, a handsfree breast pump that connects to the user’s phone so they can see what is happening while they pump, and Sonata Smart Breast Pump, which lets users track their sessions as well as gives educational information about breast feeding.
There’s also one other pelvic floor coach on the market. In 2015a smartphone-connected device called PeriCoach, that helps women with pelvic floor exercises was approved by the FDA.
The latest round of Series B funding was led by IPGL with participation from Octopus Ventures and Impact Ventures UK.
The raise will be put towards research and development for the two products in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
“We are delighted to have the support of Michael Spencer on our journey to create extraordinary products that improve women’s lives. This financing will enable us to continue innovating, while driving global scalability to meet customer needs.” –
Tania Boler, CEO, Elvie
Questions/Comments? Let us know.
NewsMD: What’s Hot in Healthis a division of Healthy Within Network
In March, more than 100 people fell ill from an E. coli outbreak that federal health officials now say is linked to ground beef. Here’s information your can use year round to keep you safe from E-coli, Trichinosis, and Salmonella.
Before cooking any type of meat, you must find out what internal temperature must be reached for the meat to be safely eaten. This is important for several reasons.
The first, and most important, is that you don’t want to give anyone food poisoning or a food-borne illness by undercooking the meat, or leaving the meat in the ‘Danger Zone.’
The second is because you want to ensure that you are cooking your meat to your desired doneness (i.e. rare, medium-rare, medium, etc.) and not overcooking it.
These bacteria can cause food poisoning and food-borne illnesses, which in turn can make you very sick.
These bacteria reproduce very slowly, if at all, below 40 F and above 140 F. But note that the temperatures at which bacteria are killed vary according to the microbe.
For example, salmonella is killed by heating it to 131 F for one hour, 140 F for a half-hour, or by heating it to 167 F for 10 minutes. When it comes to killing microorganisms, both heat level and time affect the equation.
E-coli, Trichinosis, and Salmonella
There’s also the issue of where the contamination is found. E-coli lives in the intestinal tract of animals, not the flesh.
Trichinosis, which is a multi-celled parasite and not a bacterium, lives in the muscles and so searing the outside of, say, a pork chop won’t kill any organisms in the meat, though it will taste better.
Trichinosis is killed at 135 F, so it’s safe to eat pork if it’s cooked to at least 140 or 145 F. Though do remember, if the pork is ground, it should be cooked to 160 F.
Salmonella can sometimes inhabit the meat of poultry, so cooking chicken and turkey to at least 160 F is wise.
Salmonella can also inhabit eggs and so there is a risk with soft-boiled eggs, omelets, and scrambled eggs if any part of the egg is left undone, like the yolk. Hence why pregnant women are advised not to eat these types of eggs.
It’s safe to cook meat and vegetables at low temperatures for longer periods or higher temperatures for shorter periods. And it’s almost always safer to sear meat over high heat before cooking it at lower temps.
For low-temperature cooking both for roasts and braises, it’s a good idea to brown the meat first over medium-high heat (about 350 F) and then follow the recipe for cooking at a low temperature for a longer period of time.
Toxicity Factor
Heat alone isn’t the only element in preventing food poisoning. There’s also a toxicity factor. Some bacteria are simply more toxic than others, and some toxins hang around after the bacteria is dead.
Most people with healthy immune systems can ingest a bit of salmonella or listeria and their systems will kill it off without them even noticing.
Botulism toxins, though, are highly potent and dangerous, and even a small dose of the bacteria can have significant effects.
Botulism occurs mostly in improperly canned goods, but can also appear in homemade sausage. Never take a chance on something that might contain botulism.
If you want to be exceptionally safe, follow the USDA food safety guidelines and cook everything to at least 160 F.
Again, never hold hot food below 140 F, and make sure to cool food you’re going to refrigerate quickly to at least 40 F, so that you aren’t flirting with the Danger Zone.
More than 100 people have fallen ill from an E. coli outbreak that the federal health officials now say is linked to ground beef.
A total of 109 people in six states have been infected with the strain of Escherichia coli O103. No deaths or cases of kidney failure have been reported, but 17 have been hospitalized, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.
The infections date back to March, but the common cause of the illnesses was previously unknown. The CDC said health officials are working to determine a common supplier, distributor or brand of the ground beef.
Kentucky and Tennessee have seen the highest number of cases, with 54 and 28, respectively. Other states affected are Indiana, Georgia, Ohio and Virginia, the CDC says.
OR you can become Vegan. Vegans (total vegetarians) do not eat meat, poultry, fish, or any products derived from animals, including eggs, dairy products, and gelatin.
Senior Editor, UK | Contactable via charlotte@livekindly.co
Are you planning a trip? You might be inspired to after checking out the 15 best cities in the world for vegan food.
15 Of The Most Vegan-Friendly Cities In The World
1. New York City
Vegan BBQ Crayfish Burger at Seasoned Vegan in Harlem | Image/Seasoned Vegan
The Big Apple is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world. Not only is it packed with meat-free and plant-based restaurants, but many of its non-vegan restaurant menus are also plating up plant-based options. If you’re self-catering, many supermarkets – like Lifethyme, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s- throughout the city have shelves brimming with vegan food.
If you’re visiting the “City That Never Sleeps,” be sure to check out one of these five vegan-friendly restaurants:
1. By Chloe – a vegan fast-casual restaurant with six locations in West Village, Flatiron, Soho, Rock Center, Williamsburg, and Seaport District.
2. Seasoned Vegan – a soul food restaurant based in Harlem.
3. Champs Diner – classic diner food with a vegan twist, based in Brooklyn’s Bushwick Neighbourhood.
4. Avant Garden – an upscale vegan restaurant with two locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
5. Beyond Sushi – a vegan sushi chain with locations across Manhattan.
2. Bristol
Spiced cauliflower and potato cakes at Suncraft | image/Suncraft
Bristol has a vegan scene to rival any capital city around the world. Located in the southwest of the UK, the maritime city has landed in the top 10 of many lists of the world’s best vegan-friendly destinations. Most recently, Chef’s Pencil named it as the number one destination for plant-based food in the world, edging out major European capitals like Berlin and London.
The popular destination is even home to vegan vending machines. Earlier this year, Vegan Vend launched Violet and Daisy — two purely plant-based vending machines — in the Galleries shopping center and studio complex the Island.
According to restaurant app Happy Cow, Bristol is home to a whopping 167 vegan restaurants. Here are five top picks:
1. Suncraft – healthy vegan cafe on Gloucester Road.
2. Oowee – a vegan junk food diner on Baldwin Street.
3. Vx – vegan fast food cafe on East Street.
4. Eat Your Greens – vegan cafe serving Sunday Roasts on Wells Road.
5. Earthcake – vegan bakery serving cake, tea, and sandwiches on North Street.
3. London
Vegan fried chicken at Temple of Seitan | image/Temple of Seitan
Alongside Bristol, London is one of the UK’s most vegan-friendly cities. In the capital, you can find vegan food at countless restaurants, independent grocery stores, supermarket chains, markets, and pop-ups. If you’re a party animal, head into Vegan Nights. Brick Lane’s monthly festival night celebrates everything plant-based, with live music, DJs, and lots and lots of indulgent, creative, tasty vegan food. If you prefer to keep things a bit more quiet and relaxed, you could take a trip up the OXO tower for a spot of vegan afternoon tea.
Whatever you fancy, London should be able to deliver. If you’re planning a meal out, here are five top vegan restaurant picks:
1. Temple of Seitan – a vegan fried chicken fast food-style restaurant with locations in Camden and Hackney.
2. Vantra Loungevity – lounge bar serving steamed and raw vegan food on Wardour Street.
3. Itadaki Zen – vegan sushi restaurant at King’s Cross.
4. By Chloe – vegan fast-casual restaurant in Covent Garden and Tower Bridge.
5. Club Mexicana – a vegan Mexican restaurant in Dinerama.
4. Berlin
Voner specialises in vegan doner kebabs | image/Voner
Germany’s capital city has so much to offer; from art to history to culture, it doesn’t disappoint and neither does its vegan food scene. If you’re looking for junk food, raw food, smoothies, donuts, or snacks, this city has you covered. If you prefer to cook for yourself, Berlin is also brimming with organic supermarkets where you can buy whole food produce. Try Veganz, Basic Bio, or Alnatura, for example. If it’s a sit-down meal you want, try one of these top five restaurants:
1. Bamerang – a rock and metal bar serving vegan cakes and snacks.
2. Kopps – one of the best vegan fine-dining restaurants in the world.
3. Viasko – a vegan restaurant known for its freshly baked cakes.
4. Vöner – a vegan Doner kebab joint.
5. Cafe Vux – a cafe serving sweet indulgent vegan desserts.
5. Los Angeles
Mushroom crostini at Moby’s Little Pine Restaurant | image/Little Pine
Los Angeles is arguably one of the easiest places on the planet to be vegan. Among a plethora of plant-based restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and independent grocery stores, the southern city even has its own vegan milkman, a Jewish delicatessen that makes pastrami out of mushrooms, and an In-n-Out style vegan burger joint. Every year it also plays host to Eat Drink Vegan, which is basically a plant-based foodie version of Coachella. If it’s a regular restaurant experience you’re after, here are top five restaurant picks:
1. Little Pine – a vegan restaurant owned by animal activist and musician Moby.
2. Crossroads Kitchen – an upmarket vegan eatery offering wine, cocktails, and fine food.
3. Cruzer Pizza & Pasta – a pizza restaurant serving a variety of creative recipes with vegan meats and cheeses.
4. Gracias Madre – a Mexican restaurant serving vegan versions of traditional recipes.
5. SunCafe – vegan cafe serving a variety of light cooked dishes as well as raw recipes.
6. Chiang Mai
Fresh spring rolls at Reform Kafe | image/Reform Kafe
Chiang Mai, a backpacking hotspot and one of the most relaxed destinations in South East Asia, is also a vegan haven. According to Happy Cow, the northern Thai city has much to offer in terms of cuisine, with plant-based Thai, Burmese, Indian, Chinese, and Western on offer.
Here are five of the top restaurants to check out if you’re visiting the laidback northern jewel of Thailand any time soon.
1. Reform Kafe – located in the Green Tiger Guesthouse, the restaurant serves vegan versions of Thai classics.
2. Bee Vegan – a restaurant offering plant-based Thai dishes and Western cuisine, too.
3. Munchies – a vegan fast food joint serving comfort food like vegan hot dogs and fish and chips.
4. Dtrairatanrap – a restaurant serving Chinese and Thai vegan dishes, including plant-based meats and fish.
5. Hearts Choices – a vegan cafe serving traditional Thai-style dishes.
7. Tel Aviv
Dosa Bar in Tel Aviv offers a wide variety of vegan dishes | image/Dosa Bar
Tel Aviv in Israel has long been at the forefront of the vegan movement. Last year, at Tel Aviv Pride, a vegan LGBTQIA+ float joined the parade to send a message of compassion to all, and in March 2018, the city held its fifth annual “Vegan Congress,” which has doubled in size since the first event was held in 2014. “We will continue to carry the banner of veganism in Israel and lead the field with great pride,” said Omri Paz of Vegan-Friendly, which sponsored the event.
As is to be expected from a city often dubbed the “vegan capital of the world,” Tel Aviv is also home to a number of vegan restaurants. Here are our five top picks:
1. Dosa Bar – an Indian restaurant that serves a variety of vegan street food.
2. Anastasia – one of the city’s first vegan restaurants. It serves healthy raw and gluten-free food, as well as sandwiches and vegan cheese platters.
3. Goodness – a vegan diner serving schnitzel and tofu among other comfort food options.
4. Nature Boys – a vegan fast food joint with a twist; there is no frying of any food involved.
5. Meshek Barzilay – a fully vegan and organic restaurant that serves a variety of dishes, including breakfast, pancakes, and Indian Thali.
8. Melbourne
Hot dogs at Lord of the Fries | image/Lord of the Fries
Melbourne, the Australian capital of Victoria, is one of the most visited destinations in the country thanks to its location on the coast. It’s packed with things to do, including museums and nightlife, and is home to some beautiful beaches. When you tire of the sand, Melbourne is also a vegan travelers paradise, with plenty of choice to please even the fussiest of eaters. Here are our five top restaurant choices:
1. Lord of the Fries – the meat-free fast food joint is one of Australia’s most popular vegan destinations, and there are six located in Melbourne.
2. Smoothme Superfood Bar – a vegan bar that serves açaí bowls and smoothies as well as cheesecake and savory bagels.
3. Crossways – a vegetarian restaurant that serves an all-vegan buffet for lunch.
4. Saravana Bhavan – an International vegetarian chain that sells South Indian meat-free cuisine.
5. Realfoods Organic Cafe – serves a variety of raw vegan and gluten-free meals.
9. Chennai
Chennai is the most vegan-friendly city in India
Chennai, located on the eastern coast of India, was recently crowned India’s most vegan-friendly city – no mean feat for a city in a country that prides itself on vegetarian cuisine. Animal rights organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) awarded the city its title. CEO of PETA India Dr. Manilal Valliyate said at the time, “global interest in the vegan lifestyle has never been higher, and Chennai is leading the country in responding to it.” As you would expect, many restaurants in Chennai offer vegan options, but these are our top five:
1. Raw Routine – serves sugar cane blends, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and salads.
2. Wild Garden Cafe at Amethyst – offers continental cuisine with a variety of vegan options, including tofu scramble.
3. Ananda Bhavan – a veggie restaurant serving Southern Indian-inspired vegan food.
4. Annalakshmi – another high-quality veggie restaurant serving Southern Indian-inspired vegan food.
5. Flower Drum – a vegetarian restaurant serving Indian, Chinese, and Thai food with plenty of vegan food on offer.
10. Portland
Vegan steak and burrito at Portland’s Homegrown Smoker | image/Homegrown Smoker
Portland in Oregon really is the place to be if you’re after lots of vegan food choice. The city is packed with options and is frequently acknowledged as one of the most vegan-friendly destinations in the U.S. The city is so cruelty-free, it’s even home to an all-vegan strip club. If it’s just food you’re after, here are our five top restaurant picks:
1. Homegrown Smoker – a cafe offering vegan versions of BBQ and Soul dishes.
2. Virtuous Pie – a restaurant offering vegan pizza and dairy-free ice cream.
3. Aviv – an Israeli vegan restaurant serving a variety of dishes, including falafel bowls.
4. Blossoming Lotus – an organic cafe serving freshly made healthy vegan food.
5. Veggie Grill – a plant-based fast-casual chain.
11. Budapest
Vegan stuffed omelettes at Foodiez | image/Slow Foodiez
The capital of Hungary is super popular among backpackers, thanks to its cheap bars, rich history, and pretty architecture. It’s also a hot spot for vegan food, with plenty of variety on offer. See below for our top five Budapest vegan restaurant picks:
1. Madal Food – a vegan pasta bar with creamy fresh pasta options.
2. Slow Foodiez – vegan restaurant serving Hungarian dishes among options like Spanish omelette and sushi.
3. Vegazzi – a vegan Neopolitan pizza parlour.
4. Napfenyes Restaurant – a vegan restaurant serving Hungarian specialties.
5. Szabad Bisztro – a new vegan pub serving a variety of sandwiches, bagels, and of course, beer.
12. Ho Chi Minh City
Veggie Saigon serves a variety of vegan meals | image/Jamiie.vo
Ho Chi Minh City is a Vietnamese jewel; it’s busy, it’s bustling, it’s full of history, and you guessed it, its vegan scene isn’t half bad either. There aren’t many things to keep you away from Ho Chi Minh City, so if you do decide to visit, try one of these five top restaurants:
1. The Organick House – a veggie restaurant serving a number of vegan dishes and a variety of smoothies and juices.
2. Hum Vegetarian – the veggie chain has a few locations across the city. It offers healthy plant-based dishes and raw vegan options.
3.Veggie Saigon – a restaurant serving vegan and vegetarian traditional Vietnamese dishes, including seaweed spring rolls.
4. A Di Da Phat – a vegan Vietnamese restaurant with plant-based meats on the menu.
5. Prem Bistro and Cafe – stop at this vegan-friendly cafe for a spot of scrambled tofu or a quinoa stir fry.
13. Prague
Vegan notdog at Forky’s in Prague | image/Forky’s
There isn’t much not to love about Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The medieval city is the largest in the country and as you may already be aware, is steeped in fascinating history and architecture. If you’re visiting the capital and need to rest your weary feet after all that sightseeing, try one of these five restaurants:
1. Prasad – a veggie restaurant offering a daytime buffet packed with plant-based treats.
2. Bubu’s Pub & Kitchen – stop by this vegan pub for a plant-based snack and an indulgent locally brewed beer.
3. Country Life Restaurant – a vegan restaurant serving a buffet and a selection of burgers, salads, and juices.
4. Forky’s – a vegan fast food joint offering hot dogs, burgers, and kebabs.
5. Herbivore – a vegan bistro serving soups, salads, and a selection of cakes.
14. Ubud
Earth Cafe’s Planet Platter | image/Earth Cafe
Fancy sunning yourself in beautiful Bali? In between beach stops, head inland to busy Ubud, where you can visit temples, markets, and lots of vegan-friendly restaurants. See below for our top picks:
1. Clear Cafe – a vegan-friendly cafe with a focus on serving international cuisine made with locally-sourced produce.
2. Sage – a vegan restaurant serving burgers and burritos, as well as indulgent cakes, like banana bread.
3. Earth Cafe – a vegan cafe serving a variety of healthy plant-based dishes.
4. Kafe – stop by this plant-based cafe for a healthy organic brunch.
5. Warung Sopa – a traditional Indonesian buffet-style warung with plenty of plant-based food options.
15. Edinburgh
Holy Cow uses sustainable local produce | image/Holy Cow
Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is popular for a number of reasons; it’s home to a castle, a diverse music and art scene, and plenty of beautiful architecture. It’s also home to a growing vegan scene and has plenty of plant-based restaurants for hungry travelers to fuel their busy sightseeing schedule. See below for a list of five top picks:
1. NovaPizza Vegetarian Kitchen – this veggie pizza and pasta restaurant has an extensive vegan menu filled with dairy-free cheese and plant-based meats.
2. Holy Cow – a vegan cafe with a focus on using sustainably sourced local produce.
3. Naked Bakery – a vegan bakery serving a variety of sweet treats and savoury options, including toasties and soups.
4. Karma Kebab – a vegan cafe offering vegan versions of the traditional Doner kebab.
5. Beetroot Sauvage – a vegan cafe serving smoothies and juices; it also hosts yoga classes and a weekly vegan market.
According to a study presented this week at the 2019 Experimental Biology meeting, researchers may have figured a way to use the keen sense of smell of dogs to detect deadly cancers, a new study says. Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.comHeather Junqueira, lead researcher at BioScentDx, a pharmaceutical lab in Florida is the author of the study. The experiment, conducted by researchers BioScentDx, trained the beagles to differentiate between blood samples from lung cancer patients and normal blood samples.Photo by Anton Atanasov on Pexels.comSmell receptors of all dogs are 10,000 times more sensitive than in humans.
Photo by Artem Bali on Pexels.comResearchers trained beagles to differentiate between malignant lung cancer tissue and normal blood serum. One of the dogs, named Snuggles, didn’t perform, but the other three were able to correctly identify blood samples with lung cancer 96.7 percent of the time as well as normal blood samples 97.5 percent of the time.
Photo by Flickr on Pexels.comThe dogs identified cancerous tissue 96.7% of the time. They identified normal tissue 97.5% of the time. Three beagles detected lung cancer nearly 97% of the time,
“Although there is currently no cure for cancer, early detection offers the best hope of survival, a highly sensitive test for detecting cancer could potentially save thousands of lives and change the way the disease is treated.” -Heather Junqueira, study author
The researchers now hope to use this sense to develop inexpensive, noninvasive ways of cancer detection.
Junqueira says, “This work is very exciting because it paves the way for further research along two paths, both of which could lead to new cancer-detection tools.”
The company plans to use the dog-sniffing technique in a recently launched breast cancer study, it says in a news release.
Heather Junqueira
Heather Junqueira, lead researcher, BioScentDx
“One is using canine scent detection as a screening method for cancers, and the other would be to determine the biologic compounds the dogs detect and then design cancer-screening tests based on those compounds.”
‘Jeopardy!’ host Alex Trebek reveals he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
The science of cancer detection has taken some unusual turns lately. A new study from a Florida lab appropriately named BioScentDx, presented this week at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, found that four beagles could sniff out lung cancer from human blood samples with 97 percent accuracy.
Dogs have incredibly sensitive smell receptors. These findings along with the findings of previous research are leading to artificial noses using canine scent detection to sniff out cancer. At the same time, the dogs are performing another service by identifying cancer biomarkers in the blood that signal the presence of cancer.
Besides lung cancer, another cancer that is difficult to diagnose early is ovarian cancer, which is deep in a woman’s body. At the University of Pennsylvania, using tumor specimens donated by cancer victims, researchers are putting dogs to work to sniff out cancer.
“The reason dogs are so much better than humans (in detecting cancer) is because dogs have an ability to do what I describe as smell in color,” Dr. Cynthia Otto, director of the Working Dog Center at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, told me in an interview. “They look around the room with their nose the same way we look around the room with our eyes. And they can smell each individual component.”
The next step in the process, which takes place at the Monell Chemical Senses Center at the University of Pennsylvania, is to narrow down through analytical chemistry exactly which volatile odors — from cancer — the dog is smelling.
The researchers do this by using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy — along with trial and error. This information is then used in the construction of an electronic sensor — or artificial “nano-nose” — that may one day be used in the doctor’s office to diagnose ovarian cancer earlier, when the tumor is still small enough to remove.
When ovarian cancer is found early, more than 90 percent of patients survive after five years. It is taking an unlikely team of scientists to accomplish this goal of early detection: a dog expert, a renowned chemist and cancer specialists.
Bats and dolphins — and their use of echoes in the wild — led to the development of the ultrasound. Now it’s the turn of man’s (and woman’s) best friend to lead to better detection of cancer.
In the near future, before you ever see a CT scan or MRI, a mechanical nose will be sniffing your blood samples to look for identifiable clues. When a dog wags his tail, it may mean he is smelling something he likes. When the mechanical nose alarms, it will mean it is smelling something it doesn’t.
Marc Siegel, M.D. is a professor of medicine and medical director of Doctor Radio at NYU Langone Medical Center. He is a Fox News Medical Analyst. Follow him on Twitter @drmarcsiegel.
Photograph: Mark Chilvers for the Guardian“She fixed her eyes on mine and stared intently. She seemed certain there was a problem.’-Emilie Clark with her dog Mia
I met my miniature dachshund, Mia, at a rescue centre five years ago. She was one of a litter of 12-week-old puppies confiscated from a puppy farm. I hoped she would be my assistance dog for my health problems.
Since birth, I have suffered with a type of heart arrhythmia called ventricular tachycardia. My heart races and, if I don’t take medication immediately to slow it, I lose consciousness.
I’ve had to be rushed to hospital to have it restarted. Unrelated to that, at 19 I started to lose my hearing and now struggle with high-pitched sounds such as the phone or doorbell ringing.
I was studying to be a vet, so the idea of having an assistance dog appealed to me – I love animals. The theory was that Mia would alert me when the phone was ringing or when my heart rate was speeding up and I had to take emergency medication.
When she was 16 weeks old, she was assessed by a charity that trains pets to become assistance dogs. I hoped the immediate and instinctive bond Mia and I shared when we met meant she’d be suitable.
She qualified as my assistance dog just before her second birthday. Mia learned to alert me just before my arrhythmia starts by making a horrible screeching noise and jumping up at me. She ferrets in my handbag and brings me my heart medicine.
She puts her paw on my leg to inform me when the phone’s ringing. Once we were in B&Q when the fire alarm sounded and, executing her training perfectly, she lay on the floor and stared at me, hard, to tell me a siren was blaring.
One evening in November 2011, I was at my computer when Mia leapt on to my lap and nuzzled into the flesh at the top of my left breast. She closed her eyes and licked furiously. That frightened me because it’s what she does when I have a bruise or cut.
I pushed her gently away but she fixed her eyes on mine and stared at me intently, as she does when she’s alerting me to something. I was uneasy now.
Mia seemed certain there was a problem with the area at the top of my breast. I couldn’t distinguish anything – my breasts are naturally lumpy – so it was difficult.
All evening Mia attempted to leap on to my lap and tend to the area of skin where she perceived a problem. The following morning, I visited my GP with a sense of dread.
I asked for an ultrasound or a mammogram. I didn’t start the consultation by telling him that my dog had alerted me to the possible abnormality – I was aware it might sound far-fetched, but when he was dismissive, saying it was unlikely I had breast cancer because I was only 24, I explained.
“I know dogs detect cancer and my dog is determined there’s something wrong with my breast,” I said firmly. Then I informed him that, as I trusted my dog, I wasn’t leaving his surgery until he’d made me a hospital appointment.
My faith in Mia’s diagnostic abilities wasn’t misplaced. I had an ultrasound within a week and, sure enough, there was a lump that a biopsy later confirmed was grade 2a breast cancer.
Two days later, I was in surgery having the lump removed. Then I started radiotherapy – five days a week for three weeks. I was angry. I was only 24 and I’d already suffered so many health problems.
It made everything else harder. Training to be a vet requires 100% dedication and, with fighting cancer and having intense and exhausting radiotherapy, I couldn’t give that, so I had to drop out of university. They were really hard times. My relationship broke up and I had to move back home with my parents. Mia was by my side through it all. Cuddling her after bad news or a gruelling session of treatment alleviated some of the pain.
None of the oncologists I met during my ordeal was sceptical about Mia’s role in diagnosing my cancer – they had heard it before. There’s a charity called Medical Detection Dogs that trains dogs to sniff out cancer, and its work is endorsed by Cancer Research UK. Scientists are researching how dogs possess this diagnostic ability so that humans can harness it.
Fortunately, my cancer hadn’t spread but it will be another 16 months of scans before doctors grant me the all clear. Meanwhile, I’m rebuilding my life. No matter what life serves up, the bond between Mia and me will always be incredibly strong.
Breath Test To Identify Early Stage Lung Cancer (Apr. 16, 2007) — A series of quietly exhaled breaths might indicate whether or not a patient is at risk for lung cancer. Using DNA recovered from exhaled breath, researchers can examine the state of cells that line … > read more
New Device Uses Gold Nanoparticles to Test for Lung Cancer (Dec. 13, 2011) — A new device clearly distinguishes between the volatile organic compounds in cancer patients’ exhaled breath compared to the breath of a control group. Subjects simply exhale into a bag, and the … > read more
Genetics and environmental factors aside, you actually have a lot of control over how well you age and how long you live. It’s good news because every day you have an opportunity to make better, healthier choices.
In 2012, U.S. News and World Reports published the How to Live to 100 Project.
Lindsay Lyon, staff writer and senior editor for the Consumer Advice section, compiled research findings by different age groups. She found there are over 20 basic lifestyle choices you can control to age well naturally. Many seem like basic things you should already know, but they’re worth repeating.
Cut your chances of being mowed down prematurely by major scourges like heart disease and cancer by exercising regularly. Get your heart rate up for 150 minutes each week through moderately intense aerobic activities, such as brisk walking, or for 75 weekly minutes through more intense activities, such as jogging.
Limit red meat to no more than 18 (cooked weight) ounces per week, suggests the American Institute for Cancer Research.
Harvard School of Public Health researchers recently linked daily consumption of red meat—particularly processed varieties—with increased risk of premature death, especially from cancer and heart disease.
DRINK WATER – LIMIT OR AVOID ALCOHOL COMPLETELY
Limit alcohol: no more than two daily drinks for men and one for women.
Too little sleep can lower your immunity and invite obesity to accidents. One sleepless night can be the equivalent of being drunk, so you don’t want to drive. Consistently getting at least 9 hours of sleep is best. 10 hours for teenagers.
Even at older ages, quitting smoking may still add years to your life. Here’s a research-tested trick: When the urge to light up strikes, imagine, say, having to breathe through a tracheotomy tube as opposed to the feel-good sensation of taking a drag. Evoking smoking’s serious potential consequences helps quell cravings.
Flex your mental muscle by writing, reading, or playing games, such as crossword puzzles. Despite there being no proven way to cut the chances of Alzheimer’s, some research suggests that keeping the brain active from childhood on may somewhat armor against the disease.
Excessive testing—even preventive screenings—and over-reliance on medications, such as antibiotics, can actually be harmful. Before taking any medication or agreeing to any procedure, discuss with your doctor the pros and cons. If you’re uncertain, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion.
BEWARE ANTI-AGING TREATMENTS
Watch out for anti-aging treatments: Nothing can turn back the clock and some therapies can be dangerous. Your money and health are on the line.
You can get a ballpark idea of how long you can expect to live with centenarian researcher Thomas Perls’ Life Expectancy Calculator. The roughly 10-minute, 40-question test helps reveal the affect your health-related behaviors could have on your longevity, and suggests ways to adjust your lifestyle to add years.
20s and 30s:
HABITS IN 20S & 30S AFFECT AGING
Your lifestyle now can affect how well (or poorly) you age.
Develop “positive coping skills,” or healthy ways to manage life’s stressors. Deadline looming? Rather than shoveling chips into your mouth, go on a run or bike ride. Meditate. Now’s the time to lay down a lifelong foundation for healthy living.
Cultivate a positive outlook on aging. No one wants to grow old, but evidence
suggests a link between harboring a negative view and heart attack and stroke susceptibility.
NATURAL SUNLIGHT IS BEST TO GET YOUR DAILY VITAMIN D
Don’t skimp on calcium and vitamin D—both promote bone health. This chart, from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), outlines recommended daily intake by age and gender.
Men and women ages 51 to 70 are generally advised to get 1,000 milligrams and 1,200 mg of calcium, respectively, and 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D each day.
(Read labels. Don’t overdo any supplement –or you can damage liver and kidneys)
Take care to avoid falls—the No. 1 cause of injury-related death for the 65-plus set. Potential preventives include balance-building activities such as tai chi, and making practical changes around the house, like installing “grab bars” near the shower.
Maintain your fitness to prolong good health and ability to live independently. If 150 minutes of physical activity per week seems daunting, try dividing it into three 10-minute blocks, five days per week.
Stay up to date on recommended cancer screening tests, such as colonoscopies, and immunizations, such as flu and pneumonia shots, especially ages 50 plus.
Know the warning signs of top killers, such as stroke. Call 911 immediately if you notice symptoms. For stroke, they include numbness in your face and limbs, sudden difficulty seeing or speaking, dizziness, and/or a sudden severe headache.
Healthy, positive, supportive relationships are a big part of aging well. Turns out, married men are healthier, wealthier and live longer. The longest-running study of longevity ever conducted is the Terman Life-Cycle Study, begun in 1921. 1,528 men and women, were 11-years old when the study started, were followed for their lifetime. The group who lived the longest were those who got married and stayed married. The study revealed consistency made a positive difference in their lives. You’re more likely to stick to healthy habits when your partner is like-minded.
Saturday, April 13, tune into Dr. Sanjay Gupta on CHASING LIFE. He travels the world to find not so common secrets to living well longer. 9pmET/PT on CNN.
Chasing Life: New Discoveries in the Search for Immortality to Help You Age
By Sanjay Gupta
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Maria Dorfner
Maria Dorfner is a health journalist and producer, who began her career at NBC in 1983 working behind-the-scenes on the Today Show. Three years after commuting from Brooklyn, New York, she moved to New York City. In 1989, she purchased her first car, which she needed to drive from New York City to Ft. Lee, New Jersey with fellow producers to help launch CNBC. She then worked as a reporter for Top Cops, syndicated by CBS and as a producer for The Rush Limbaugh Show and Profiles with Liz Smith pilots, nationally syndicated. In 1993, she created and produced Healthy Living, Lifestyles and Longevity, Healthcare Consumers and more. The shows generated more revenue and profits for the production company than any others in their history. She covered health for NBC Miami and produced the weekly JAMA Report airing on all networks, co-founded and launched Cleveland Clinic News Service. While based in North Carolina for two years, she field produced and directed 21st Century Medicine for Discovery. She traveled extensively for the documentary series, conducting interviews with pioneers in medicine.
She is the recipient a Medical Reporting Scholarship from the American Medical Association, Freddie Award for Excellence in Medical Reporting, Media Recognition Award from the American Heart Association for her series, Heart Smart airing on NBC, nominated for an Alfred I. DuPont Award for best new talk show, Outstanding Leadership Abilities Award from Pace University and National Association of Female Executives, an Advanced Writing Scholarship from NBC, Commitment to the Advancement of Women in Media Award, and a 2019 Albert Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in her field. Maria mentors journalism and marketing students at her alma mater, Pace University, where she was a member of the National English Honor Society and won Miss Pace University and an Outstanding Achievement Award from Pace and March of Dimes. She was awarded an Advanced Writing scholarship for graduate work at Columbia University from NBC NEWS and wrote The Ivy League Roundup covering health.
She is the author of Healthy Within and PRESSure: Break Into Broadcasting and an Italian cookbook based on her grandmother’s recipes. Health Heart and Humor in an Italian-American Kitchen.
You can follow her on Twitter at @Maria_Dorfner |maria.dorfner@yahoo.com
A brain aneurysm (AN-yoo-riz-um) is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain.
It can leak or rupture, causing bleeding into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke).
WHAT CAUSES A BRAIN ANEURYSM?
Aneurysms have a variety of causes. Most often a ruptured brain aneurysm occurs in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering the brain.
Causes include high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, trauma, heredity, and abnormal blood flow at the junction where arteries come together.
There are other rare causes of aneurysms. Mycotic aneurysms are caused by infections of the artery wall.
Although the exactcause is unclear, certain factors contribute to it, like damaged tissue in arteries.
CAN STRESS CAUSE A BRAIN ANEURYSM?
The arteries can be harmed by blockages, such as fatty deposits.
This stress can damage the arteries because of the increased pressure.
CAN A BRAIN ANEURYSM BE PREVENTED?
You can‘t always prevent brain aneurysms, but you can lower your risk by not smoking and reducing high blood pressure.
Emilia Clarke shares never-before-seen photos from her traumatic hospitalisation.
The Game of Thrones actor reveals in a personal essay published in The New Yorker that she has survived two brain aneurysms during the early years of making the fantasy show.
Over the weekend, Clarke made an appearance on CBS News and spoke of her experience with these brain bleeds, or as they’re formally known, as subarachnoid haemorrhages.
“With the second one, there was a bit of my brain that actually died,” Clarke said. “If a part of your brain doesn’t get blood to it for a minute, it will just no longer work. It’s like you short circuit. So, I had that. And they didn’t know what it was.
“They literally were looking at the brain and being like, ‘Well, we think it could be her concentration, it could be her peripheral vision [affected].’”
For Clarke, though, she found the humour: “I always say it’s my taste in men that’s no longer there! That’s the part of my brain, yeah, my decent taste in men.”
In the CBS interview, Emilia recalled the day in February 2011 when her first aneurysm ruptured:
“Basically I was in the gym, the most excruciating pain, like an elastic band just went, like, snap in my head,” she said. “An enormous amount of pressure suddenly, and then very very very quickly, I realized I couldn’t stand and I couldn’t walk, and in that moment I knew I was being brain damaged.”
Emilia suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, or bleeding in the space that surrounds the brain. But miraculously, Emilia was back to work on season two of Game of Thrones just six weeks later.
Two years after that, Emilia was back in the hospital with another aneurysm-and this time, it almost killed her, she said. “With the second one, there was a bit of my brain that actually died,” she said, explaining that “if part of your brain doesn’t get blood to it for a minute, it will just no longer work. It’s like you short circuit. So I had that.”
The actress says her recovery was helped by being able to lose herself in such an empowering character like Daenerys.
“You go on the set, and you play a badass character, and you walk through fire, and you speak to hundreds of people, and you’re being asked to be – to work as hard as you possibly can,” Clarke said.
“And that became the thing that just saved me from considering my own mortality.”
Clarke details the symptoms she suffered that first suggested she was not well in her New Yorker essay:
“My trainer had me get into the plank position, and I immediately felt as though an elastic band were squeezing my brain. I tried to ignore the pain and push through it, but I just couldn’t. I told my trainer I had to take a break. Somehow, almost crawling, I made it to the locker room. I reached the toilet, sank to my knees, and proceeded to be violently, voluminously ill. Meanwhile, the pain—shooting, stabbing, constricting pain—was getting worse. At some level, I knew what was happening: my brain was damaged.”
Game of Thrones’ eighth and final season will begin its broadcast with episode one on April 15, on Sky Atlantic at 2am and 9pm.
For more visit:
CBS News: Emilia Clarke on “Game of Thrones” and her near-death experience
As Danerys Taergaryn on “Game of Thrones,” Emilia Clarke plays a character who can walk through fire. And the actress has found that, in some ways, she can, too. She tells correspondent Tracy Smith that portraying a strong woman on TV helped her to be one in life, when she suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, twice, and nearly died. Having completed ten years’ production on the hit HBO series, Clarke has started a charity, SameYou, for brain injury survivors.
Actress Emilia Clarked revealed in The New Yorker on Thursday that she had two life-threatening aneurysms and two brain surgeries since joining the cast of “Game of Thrones.” The 32-year-old said that for a time, she was unable to speak.
Emilia Clarke describes “excruciating pain” of suffering brain aneurysms
“Game of Thrones” actress Emilia Clarke is opening up about her life-threatening battles off the screen. She recently revealed she survived two brain aneurysms, and shared her health journey with “CBS Sunday Morning’s” Tracy Smith.
Maria Dorfner is the founder of NewsMD: What’s Hot in Health, a division of Healthy Within Network. She can be reached at Maria.dorfner@yahoo.com|@Maria_Dorfner
Improve the health of your brain by including these foods on a regular basis:
Research shows the best brain foods are the same ones that protect your heart:
Green, leafy vegetables. Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collards, and broccoli are rich in brain-healthy nutrients like vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta carotene. Research suggests these plant-based foods may help slow cognitive decline.
Fatty fish. Fatty fish are abundant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, healthy unsaturated fats that have been linked to lower blood levels of beta-amyloid—the protein that forms damaging clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Try to eat fish at least twice a week, but choose varieties that are low in mercury, such as salmon, cod, canned light tuna, and pollack.
If you’re not a fan of fish, ask your doctor about taking an omega-3 supplement, or choose terrestrial omega-3 sources such as flaxseeds, avocados, and walnuts.
Berries. Flavonoids, the natural plant pigments that give berries their brilliant hues, also help improve memory, research shows.In a 2012 study published in Annals of Neurology, researchers at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that women who consumed two or more servings of strawberries and blueberries each week delayed memory decline by up to two-and-a-half years.
Photo by Nick Collins on Pexels.com
Photo by Burst on Pexels.comTea and coffee. The caffeine in your morning cup of coffee or tea might offer more than just a short-term concentration boost.
In a 2014 study published in The Journal of Nutrition, participants with higher caffeine consumption scored better on tests of mental function.
Caffeine might also help solidify new memories, according to other research. Investigators at Johns Hopkins University asked participants to study a series of images and then take either a placebo or a 200-milligram caffeine tablet. More members of the caffeine group were able to correctly identify the images on the following day.
Walnuts. Nuts are excellent sources of protein and healthy fats, and one type of nut in particular might also improve memory. A 2015 study from UCLA linked higher walnut consumption to improved cognitive test scores.Walnuts are high in a type of omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which helps lower blood pressure and protects arteries.
RFA stands for Radiofrequency Ablation for the management of thyroid nodules.
A TV viewer of “Inside Edition” spotted a lump (a thyroid nodule) on host, Deborah Norville’s neck and commented on it.
“A long time ago an “Inside Edition” viewer reached out to say she’d seen something on my neck. It was a lump,” she said. “I’d never noticed the thing, but I did have it checked out and the doctor said it was nothing, a thyroid nodule. And for years, it was nothing. Until recently, it was something.”-Deborah Norville, Anchor, “Inside Edition”
She went to a doctor, had it checked and was told it was fine. Years later, she learns it wasn’t fine. It was cancerous.
Norville says:
“The doctor says it’s a very localized form of cancer, which tomorrow I’ll have surgery to have removed. There’ll be no chemo, I’m told no radiation, but I will have surgery and I’ll be away for a bit,” Norville said on “Inside Edition.” “If you believe in prayer, please say one for me and for my surgeon and I thank you very much.” -Deborah Norville
She had surgery to have it removed and it went well.
“Thank you again for all your kind words of encouragement. The world truly is filled with good people 😊 in case you missed the end of @insideedition yesterday, here’s the message that explains my brief absence from the show.”
-Deborah Norville
ARE THERE SYMPTOMS?
It’s important for people to know the majority of benign thryoid nodules are asymptomatic, remain stable in size and do not require treatment. A lump as seen in photos above may not cause pain or other symptoms.
A minority of patients experience pain in their jaw, ear or neck or have difficulty swallowing. Patients say it feels there’s a constant tickle in their throat.
WHAT IS A THYROID NODULE?
Thyroid nodule is a lump that can develop in your thyroid gland. It can be solid or filled with fluid.
ARE THYROID NODULES CANCEROUS?
Thyroid nodules are relatively common and rarely cancerous.
WHERE IS MY THYROID?
Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located near your larynx (voice box) and in front of the trachea (windpipe). See photo above.
HOW IS TESTED TO FIND OUT IF IT’S CANCER?
If your doctor thinks a biopsy is needed, the simplest way to find out if a thyroid lump or nodule is cancerous is with a fine needle aspiration (FNA)of the thyroid nodule. This type of biopsy can sometimes be done in your doctor’s office or clinic.
WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF A CANCER?
Again, most people have no symptoms at all, but can visually see the thyroid nodule on their neck (see photos at top). If it’s cosmetically an issue, it can be removed. You should always have a doctor check any lumps. Some people do experience symptoms, such as trouble swallowing, pain in neck, ear or jaw, hoarseness of voice (a concern for cancer)
Thyroid cancer can cause any of the following signs or symptoms:
A lump in the neck, sometimes growing quickly
Swelling in the neck
Pain in the front of the neck, sometimes going up to the ears
Hoarseness or other voice changes that do not go away
Trouble swallowing
Trouble breathing
A constant cough that is not due to a cold
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, talk to your doctor right away. Many of these symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions or even other cancers of the neck area.
Again. lumps in the thyroid are common and are usually benign. Still, if you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
WHAT IS THE CAUSE of THROID CANCER?
The cause is unknown, but some say it may be from too much exposure to radiation. It’s important to ask for a THYROID GUARD whenever you have a mammogram or are at dentist getting x-rays. Dr. Oz did an episode on it this week as there has been a rise in thyroid cancer in women. Please share that information.
TREATMENTS for Benign (harmless) Thyroid Nodule:
The timely use of ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive thermal therapies has changed the natural history of benign, enlarging thyroid nodules (TNs).
These procedures produce persistent shrinkage of TNs and an improvement of local symptoms.
RFA is performed in outpatient clinics and has a lower risk of complications compared to surgery.
‘Inside Edition’ Anchor Deborah Norville to Undergo Cancer Surgery
“Inside Edition” anchor Deborah Norville revealed to viewers on Monday that she will undergo surgery to remove a cancerous nodule on her thyroid.
“The doctor says it’s a very localized form of cancer, which tomorrow I’ll have surgery to have removed. There’ll be no chemo, I’m told no radiation, but I will have surgery and I’ll be away for a bit,” Norville said on “Inside Edition.” “If you believe in prayer, please say one for me and for my surgeon and I thank you very much.” -Deborah Norville
Norville said she first became aware of the lump on her neck from a viewer who spotted it.
“A long time ago an “Inside Edition” viewer reached out to say she’d seen something on my neck. It was a lump,” she said. “I’d never noticed the thing, but I did have it checked out and the doctor said it was nothing, a thyroid nodule. And for years, it was nothing. Until recently, it was something.”
-Deborah Norville
In her absence, Norville said she would be temporarily replaced by her colleague Diane McInerney. No word yet on how long that will be.
Norville has been a longtime presence on the CBS-distributed, syndicated newsmagazine, anchoring the show since 1995. Before that she held stints as a reporter for CBS News and as a co-host of “Today” on NBC.
“Inside Edition” anchor Deborah Norville revealed to viewers on Monday that she will undergo surgery to remove a cancerous nodule on her thyroid.
“The doctor says it’s a very localized form of cancer, which tomorrow I’ll have surgery to have removed. There’ll be no chemo, I’m told no radiation, but I will have surgery and I’ll be away for a bit,” Norville said on “Inside Edition.” “If you believe in prayer, please say one for me and for my surgeon and I thank you very much.” -Deborah Norville
Deborah’s surgery went well, She is recovering. Sending prayers and well wishes.
Thank you to the viewer who saw something and said something.
If you ever notice something unusual, don’t be shy. One time, a friend of mine shared a post from this blog on unusual symptoms of breast cancer. She shared it on Facebook. Her friend read it, recognized one of the signs in herself, got it checked and sure enough they caught breast cancer early.
WISHING DEBORAH ALL THE BEST!
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Easter Egg Strawberries Are Way Tastier Than Dyed Eggs
Maria Dorfner is an award-winning TV producer and health journalist and owner of NewsMD, providing health content and PR services for the best in medical | health. Maria has produced and directed “21st Century Medicine” on DISCOVERY, created and co-anchored Healthcare Consumers, Healthy Living, Lifestyles and Longevity and Green Magazine on CNBC. She also co-founded and launched The Cleveland Clinic News Service, helped launch MedPage TODAY and CNBC.
Maria has received a Freddie Award for Excellence in Medical Reporting, Medical Reporting Scholarship from the American Medical Association and Upjohn Pharmacia, Media Recognition Award for her “Heart Smart” series from the American Heart Association, an Outstanding Achievement Award from the March of Dimes, an Outstanding Leadership Abilities Award from her alma mater, Pace University, where she was an honors English and Political Science student.
She interned at NBC in New York and launched her own company after relocating to North Carolina. She studied illustration and design at Pratt Institute and Advanced Writing at Columbia University through a scholarship from NBC News.
She currently divides her time on the east and west coast and donates her time to good causes and mentoring. She speaks to Investors and start-ups about “The Power of Storytelling.” Most recently, at The Core Club in New York City.
She is an avid reader, traveller, explorer and lifelong health enthusiast and advocate. Her books include: Healthy Within, Health Heart and Humor in an Italian-American Kitchen and PRESSure: Break Into Broadcasting. Her next health book due is out in 2020.
This is her blog. Be sure to follow this blog for more on What’s Hot in Health.
Follow on Twitter: @Maria_Dorfner | Email: Maria.Dorfner@yahoo.com
NewsMD: What's Hot in Health 
