The Scope

Breast cancer patients and their loved ones might have a lot of questions about the possibility of reconstructive breast surgery. Dr. Jay Agarwal is a breast reconstructive surgeon at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and he’s here to answer those questions. Dr. Kirtly Jones and Dr. Agarwal discuss the surgery and the many options breast cancer patients have when it comes to mastectomy and breast reco...

Preparing for surgery does not just happen in the operating room—it begins weeks before. Prehabilitation is about the steps patients can take to improve their recovery, from quitting smoking and controlling blood sugar to exercising, adjusting medications, and ensuring proper nutrition. Tom Miller, MD , talks to Dan Vargo, MD , about how these proactive measures can lower complication risks, speed...

Imagine being thrown together with a group of strangers and coming up with a fundable scientific proposal in less than a week. That’s the basic nuts and bolts of the National Science Foundation Ideas Lab, a relatively new mechanism for encouraging big thinking in science and out-of-the box interdisciplinary collaborations. Interesting idea, but does it work? Matt Wachowiak, Ph. D., USTAR professor...

Research shows that regular exercise is probably the most helpful thing you can do to absorb insulin and control your diabetes. It can also help prevent your pre-diabetes from worsening. Dr. Tim Graham is an endocrinologist and medical director of the Diabetes and Metabolism clinic at the University of Utah. In this podcast he talks about how stepping outside for just a few minutes per day can mak...

Negative test results can bring a sigh of relief, but positive results can also give you peace of mind in knowing what’s wrong. If you think you’re coming down with the flu, is it worth it to ask your doctor to test you for the flu virus? In this podcast, Dr. Tom Miller has the answer as well as some tips for knowing whether your sniffles are due to the flu or just a common cold.

Giving birth is a lot of hard work, but since most women are anesthetized during the process, eating and drinking anything besides ice has generally been discouraged. But many women feel like they need extra nutrients and energy, especially if their labor ends up lasting hours. Certified midwife Debra Penney talks safety and hydration while giving birth.

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed substances in the world, found in everything from coffee and tea to sodas, energy drinks, and even chocolate. But is it good for you, bad for you, or somewhere in between? Kirtly Jones, MD , talks about caffeine consumption, potential health benefits, recommendations, and concerns. Learn how much caffeine is considered safe, why pregnancy requires extra...

Children who receive chemotherapy for cancer treatment can be prone to negative effects of those chemicals later in life. The Pediatric Late Effects Clinic at Huntsman Cancer works to monitor adults who had cancer as children. Dr. Jennifer Wright is director of the clinic. She talks about how childhood cancer survivors can take charge of their own health and stay healthy by visiting clinics such a...

Do you have cysts or cancer in your pancreas? Your doctor might have mentioned a Whipple procedure to you. In this podcast, Dr. Courtney Scaife and Dr. Tom Miller discuss the ins and outs of the Whipple surgery and what it means for your pancreas, the cancer and your ability to recover and live a full life afterward.

You might be embarrassed to talk about your leaking bowels with anyone, even a doctor. But there are ways to improve the function of the rectal muscles. In this podcast, Dr. Tom Miller and colorectal surgeon Dr. Bartley Pickron discuss what can cause fecal incontinence and a few of the treatment options.

Suicide is the third most common cause of death from kids aged 10-19. Children and teens suffering from depression, whether it is being treated or not, are much more likely to think about taking their own life. If you worry that your child is having suicidal thoughts, there is help. Dr. Cindy Gellner has advice for parents seeking to have this worrisome conversation with their kids. The National S...

Many scientists would argue that some public policy does not reflect the current state of scientific knowledge. Arguably, some of this misrepresentation can be attributed to a disconnect between scientists and policy makers. Christy Porucznik, MD, associate professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine, gives real examples of misunderstandings that have t...

Every time you spend some time outside you end up covered in mosquito bites. Why do they bite you more than anyone else? It turns out about one in five people seem to have this problem. In this podcast Dr. Kirtly Jones talks about what attracts mosquitos, from your blood type to what you wear.

A study led by the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah could explain why elephants rarely get cancer. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) , the results may lead to new strategies for treating cancer in people. Pediatric oncologist Joshua Schiffman describes the research and tells the story of exploring how elephants evade the deadly disease.

Lots of research has been done about the benefits of skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her new baby. In this podcast, lactation consultant Elizabeth Smith talks about the many benefits for both mom and baby when they have contact immediately after birth and during feeding. While many babies get some contact when they breast feed, some moms either aren’t able or choose not to breastfeed, so...

If your heart murmur turns out to be a narrowing of the heart valve, or aortic stenosis, you might be surprised. Many patients with aortic stenosis don’t notice symptoms. What does this diagnosis mean for you? Dr. Tom Miller and Dr. James Fang discuss the treatment options.

Emergency room doctor Robert Stephen wants you to know that once you walk into the ER, you will not be turned away, no matter what. But there are times when the emergency room gets so full that special measures are taken. In this podcast, Dr. Tom Miller questions Dr. Stephen about how he continues to treat patients in the ER even when he runs out of room.

Michael Cohen was told that a pain in his chest was indigestion, and it wasn’t until two years later that he learned it was actually caused by a lung tumor. By that time the mass had grown considerably, and is now undergoing tough medical treatments that may have been avoided if the cancer were caught early. Everyone will be subject to a medical misdiagnosis at least once in their lives, sometimes...

What you eat (or don’t eat) can have an impact on your oral health. Acidic foods and sugar free sodas wear the teeth down faster than most foods, and forcing yourself to throw up can be devastating for your pearly whites. In this podcast Dr. Kirtly Jones talks with Dr. Lea Erickson about the impacts of eating disorders on your teeth and signs of eating disorders in children, friends and loved ones...

How do you know when your diabetes requires the help of a specialist? Dr. Tim Graham is a diabetes expert and he says he wouldn’t want patients to pay more to see a specialist if it’s not going to benefit them. He talks about when you should see a specialist based on your blood sugar levels and the kind of care you’re receiving from your primary care physician.

As the weather gets colder, many of us get runny and stuffy noses. But if it’s happening more than three times a year and lasts for weeks at a time, it could be something more serious than just a cold. Jeremiah Alt is an ear, nose and throat surgeon. In this podcast, he talks with Dr. Tom Miller about chronic sinusitis and how you can get treated for your perpetually stuffy nose.

What’s the biggest benefit to the Five for Life program? Men who sign up can meet with experts they normally wouldn’t get to see. Your insurance pays for a doctor visit but you can meet with several different specialists free of charge. Dr. Brian Ely talks about some of the screenings and advice you can get.

In 2013, poison control centers received 16,000 calls about children eating hand sanitizer and getting sick. Dr. Cindy Gellner warns that some hand sanitizers are twice as strong as vodka, and no parent would allow their child to have a shot of that. She provides some tips for keeping the hand sanitizer out of reach and keeping your kids safe. If you have concerns, call the Poison Control Center a...

Learning that your child has cancer is overwhelming. Soon after you learn about it, you’ll be on the receiving end of piles of information from your child’s doctor and many other people. It can be a lot to handle all at once. Dr. Jennifer Wright talks about how to process all the information and how you and your family can stay emotionally stable during this hard time.

Your teenager seems to have lost interest in their hobbies and is sleeping a lot—is it depression or just the hormones? Many of the symptoms of depression seem to be how teenagers normally act. So how can you tell if your teen really needs help? Dr. Nathan Bexfield has the answers.