How to discuss your diagnosis with loved ones

Having a recent diagnosis can be hard on many levels. There can be lots of information to take in and decisions to make about your treatment. You may feel confused by what’s happening or fearful and uncertain about the future.

What is informed consent in clinical trials?

If you’re considering different treatment options available to you, chances are you may be considering a clinical trial. Clinical trials can provide you with an alternative treatment pathway, potentially giving you access to investigational drugs you wouldn’t normally be able to receive.

Testicular cancer: Risks, signs, symptoms and treatment

Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in young adult men – yet it’s also one of the most curable. While new cases of testicular cancer have doubled in the past 40 years, deaths from the disease have decreased as treatments have improved.

Skin cancer: What to look for and how to prevent it

Skin cancers are by far the most common types of cancer, accounting for one in three diagnosed globally. While some, such as non-melanoma skin cancers (including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) are usually non-lethal, others, such as melanomas, can be more serious. Cases of both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers have been increasing over the past few decades, with the growth in melanomas of particular concern. By 2040, it’s estimated that nearly half a million cases of melanoma will be diagnosed every year, up by 62% from 2018.

Why do we need clinical trials?

Clinical trials are studies that determine whether a drug or device is effective at helping treat medical conditions. Every treatment available today will have undergone testing in clinical trials first. This is because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (or FDA), and similar agencies in other countries, need to know it works and is safe before it can be prescribed or distributed for general use.

A day in the life of a clinical trial patient: Part two

Signing up a clinical trial can feel quite daunting. You may have questions about what the trial process is like, or want to know how other participants have gotten on first-hand. You’re not alone. We’ve put together a blog series to follow the “diary” of Mark Blyth, a fictional patient volunteer, to help give you a sense of what it can be like to participate in a clinical trial; this blog is the second installment.

COVID: The unmet needs being addressed by clinical trials

Thanks to clinical trials, significant advances have been made in our knowledge of how to prevent and treat COVID-19. Nevertheless, the disease remains a threat. That’s why a great deal of effort continues to be poured into vaccine and treatment research. Here’s a brief overview of that effort.

Personalized medicine and what it means for you

Personalized medicine is big news. But why are scientists and doctors so excited by it? Well, imagine being able to get a more accurate and faster diagnosis, and then being given a treatment that your physician can more confidently know is the best treatment option specifically for you. That’s why there’s so much effort going into developing personalized medicines and diagnostics.

NASH/NAFLD: Screening and Diagnostic Testing

The screening practice for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) depends on highly variable global guidelines. Screening refers to checking for a disease in the absence of symptoms. Early detection through screening increases the likelihood of successfully treating the disease. In the US, high-risk populations for NAFLD/NASH are screened through laboratory tests, imaging, and, sometimes, a liver biopsy to determine if they meet the criteria to be diagnosed with NAFLD or NASH.

NASH: Present and Emerging Treatments

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the second leading cause of liver transplantation in the United States. Since available therapeutic options remain limited, developing new therapies that can change the disease outcomes for people living with NASH is vital. This brief article will look at the current NASH management options and discuss new drugs in development.