This year, about 100,000 people will get tested for a genetic mutation that is linked to an elevated breast and ovarian cancer risk. People with genetic mutated “breast cancer genes” – called BRCA1 and BRCA 2– may face a 60 to 85 percent risk of getting breast cancer in their lifetimes. Sound Medicine contributor Shia Levitt talks with one woman about a breast and ovarian cancer mutation in her family, and the impact that genetic testing had on her life, and her daughters’ lives.
In the past, fear of medical malpractice lawsuits made hospitals reluctant to accept blame for medical errors. But recently, that trend is shifting in the opposite direction: hospitals with ‘disclosure’ policies are being hit with fewer lawsuits from patients. Health reporter Allan Coukell talks about a patient, her doctor and the medical error that unites them.
Americans now are living longer and healthier lives than ever before; however, with these longer lives come challenges for family members. One such challenge is finding a compromise between moving into an assisted living or nursing home and living independently. Sound Medicine reporter Sandy Roob looks at the growing need across the state and the country for Adult Day Services.
Home health aides assist the ill, elderly, or disabled by tending to personal care, housekeeping tasks, and other things around the home. Reporter Rebecca Shier speaks about the challenges of being a home healthcare worker.
For more than 60 years, Little League baseball has been a staple of summertime fun for American youth. Recently, however, there has been an explosion of increasingly competitive leagues, and ambitious players and coaches who have their eyes on college scholarships and the big leagues. Such intense playing has given rise to another trend that is somewhat alarming: pitchers blowing out their arms at increasingly young ages. The problem has become so pronounced that this year, Sound Medicine’s Jeremy Shere reports that Little League officials have implemented new rules designed to protect young arms.
Essayist Eric Metcalf, science and health writer and regular contributor to Sound Medicine, has proof that at least one thing your mother taught you – moderation in all things – makes good sense.
Archived editions of Sound Medicine as well as other helpful information can be found at http://www.soundmedicine.iu.edu.
Sound Medicine is underwritten by the Lilly Center for Medical Science, Clarian Health, and IU Medical Group; Jeremy Shere’s “Check-Up” is underwritten by IUPUI.