A new study shows that children of childhood cancer survivors who were treated with radiation or chemicals do not have a significantly higher risk of birth defects. (Click here for full release)
Childhood Cancer Treatment and the Reproductive System
Tamara Stratford
Congress may say pizza is a vegetable, but that doesn’t mean your kids have to rely on it for healthy lunches. (Click here for full release)
Food for Thought
TaTayana Fulwiley
Despite the many benefits of breastfeeding, most of the nation’s hospitals can do more to support breastfeeding in new mothers. Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that fewer than 4% of hospitals were using all recommended policies to fully support breastfeeding. (Click here for full release)
Is Your Hospital Baby-Friendly?
Latrease Holman and 18-month-old Silas
When it comes to mobile apps, Angry Birds is easily the most popular. But if you’re looking to keep track of your health, computer birds won’t help you much. Just in time for Christmas, a new wave of health-related apps is emerging to help people in Columbia and around the country do everything from managing their weight to helping prevent cancer. (Click here for full release)
Gift Smart for the Holidays!
Warren Eure
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for catching up and sharing family stories. It can also be a great time to learn about your family health history.
In a study published this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that one’s family history for cancer is most likely to change during early and middle adulthood. The study shows that self-reported history of breast and colon cancer increases the most between ages 30 and 50. An updated family history can better identify family members who could benefit from early screening. (Click here for full release)
Spruce Up Your Family Tree
Mary Wilson
Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths in the United States than any other form of cancer. It’s also considered the most preventable, and more people are getting the message. (Click here for full release)
The Cost of Smoking
Tori West
When you’re talking about great places to live, raise a family or retire, Columbia is “Famously Hot.” But when it comes to getting off the couch, we’re noticeably cooler. (Click here for full release)
Making physical activity a regular part of your day
Robert Coffey
Adam McDuffie
These days, governments at all levels are cutting spending. Even popular programs like breast cancer research are affected.
But in many states, including South Carolina, people who want to help can do so as easily as checking a box on their tax returns or renewing their license plates. (Click here for full release)
Drive for a Cure
Tiara Rosemond
When it comes to health in Columbia, every dollar counts.
The new study, published in the August issue of Health Affairs, found that communities that spent more on public health programs also had lower rates of death from disease. The greatest effects were seen in infant mortality and deaths from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. These four preventable health conditions are among the largest targets for public health agencies. (Click here for full release)
The Impact of Public Health Spending
Tiara Rosemond
September is Prostate Health Month, so it’s a good time to explore the truths about African Americans and prostate cancer.
Screenings for prostate cancer provide doctors with the ability to detect cancer and start treatment early. The two most common tests are the digital rectal exam, performed by doctors; and specific antigen (PSA) test, which is a blood test. (Click here for full release)
When should you get a prostate cancer screening test?
Edward Watson