The Scope

Breast Cancer isn’t just a women’s issue – about 2,000 men will be diagnosed with the disease this year. Ginger Johnson, president of GetScreenedUtah.com, says it’s important for men to check themselves regularly, but to look for more than just lumps. She gives some helpful advice for a thorough self-check that both men and women can use.

Knowing your family history for prostate cancer can help you get appropriate screening according to Lisa Cannon-Albright at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. She is the senior author on a recent study that finds that cases of prostate cancer, even in distant second and third degree relatives, can increase your risk for the disease.

If you have a picky eater, you might worry that your child is anemic if they seem weak or pale. Dr. Cindy Gellner goes over the signs and symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia and how to tell if your child really has that problem or not. She also discusses blood tests, treatment options and helping your child get the most out of their diet.

In a perfect world, everyone would receive the same quality of medical care. But in reality, many factors get in the way, including a patient’s ethnicity and cultural upbringing. Debra Penney, an associate professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Utah, conducted research to identify barriers that prevent Iraqi Muslim refugee women from receiving equal healthcare. She found problems...

If you’re thinking of applying to a physician assistant program, be prepared for a hefty application. Doris Dalton is the director of admissions for the University of Utah’s PA program. She offers sound advice for standing out on an application and planning ahead to finish it on time. A perfect podcast for anyone planning on applying for PA school.

Some people say they’re fine with less sleep – some people are sure that they can’t function on less than eight hours. Dr. Kyle Bradford Jones talks about what’s best for people of different ages. From young children to elderly adults, he talks about how to maximize your rest time and provides some recommendations for how you and your family can get a better night’s sleep.

What if your baby was born with some of its internal organs outside the body? You may not have heard of gastroschisis before, and therefore think it’s a rare condition. But rates of this birth defect have skyrocketed in recent decades, especially for young mothers. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks with gastroschisis researcher Dr. Marcia Feldkamp about this shocking and scary birth defect, its recent...

Winter driving problems do not always happen on the road—sometimes they happen while you are stuck. Family physician Kyle Bradford Jones, MD , breaks down five practical items that can make a big difference if your car breaks down or gets trapped in snow. From staying visible to staying warm, these simple additions to your trunk can help keep you safer and more comfortable when winter does not go...

Ever had a very large, inflamed insect bite and freaked out? Tom Miller, MD , talks to Mark Eliason, MD , about the body’s defenses when it comes to bug bites, how you can treat most bites safely at home, and when you should seek treatment from a physician.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing more deaths in women than all cancers combined. Heart disease used to be a men’s issue, but in the last few decades, women have caught up and surpassed men in deaths from heart disease. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks about the reasons women suffer from heart disease and how to best prevent it.

If you’re in the backcountry and you or someone in your party is injured, you might hesitate to call search and rescue. Dr. AJ Wheeler at St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson Hole, Wyo., is also the medical director of the Teton County (Wyoming) Search and Rescue operations. As a doctor and search-and-rescue member, he gives his perspective on when it’s a good idea to call for help.

If you find yourself gasping for air while exercising, you could be out of shape… or it could be a sign of something more serious. Dyspnea is what’s known as shortness of breath. Dr. John Ryan , director of the new dyspnea clinic at University of Utah Health, talks about why a wide variety of people are affected and when to see a doctor about the condition.

If you get itchy bumps on your skin, it’s usually because of bug bites or allergies. But some people get hives spontaneously and aren’t sure what’s causing them. Dr. Tom Miller and Dr. Mark Eliason , a dermatologist, talk about hives and why we get them. Dr. Eliason describes how to treat minor hives at home, when to see doctor about them, and when you should run to the ER because of hives.

For the 35 million people worldwide who are living with AIDS, antiretroviral therapies are lifesaving medicines that can slow or halt the disease. But in some developing countries where these drugs are most needed, culture can impact the effectiveness of treatment. Lou Barrows, Ph. D., professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Utah is investigating interactions between commonly...

Deciding how to treat your breast cancer can be a very difficult and personal decision. Dr. Cindy Matsen, breast surgeon at Huntsman Cancer Institute, says it’s easy for women who begin initial research into these treatments to become overwhelmed and nervous. She explains in-depth how mastectomies and lumpectomies differ in terms of surgery, recovery, risk of recurrence, appearance and more.

Many parents worry when their child's feet turn inward, a condition known as intoeing. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains why intoeing happens, when it typically resolves on its own, and what parents can do to support their child's development. Learn when intoeing is a normal part of growth and when it might require medical attention.

For patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the burden of constantly judging when and how much insulin to self-inject is bad enough. Even worse, a miscalculation or lapse in regimen can cause blood sugar levels to rise too high, potentially leading to heart disease and other long-term complications, or to plummet too low, which in the worst cases can result in coma or even death. Danny Chou, Ph. D.,...

One in two men and one in three women will get cancer in their lifetime. Do lifestyle choices make a difference? Dr. Saundra Buys at the Huntsman Cancer Institute weighs in on a recent study that sparked controversy about whether cancer as a whole comes down to random chance. She says not all cancers are created equal and some are more preventable than others.

You may have been in great relationships, but none of them ever felt like the kind you see in movies: the type of love that gives you butterflies and makes your heart race. Is it normal to reach a certain age without being in love? Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks about the science of falling in love. Why the initial “butterflies” feeling of a relationship eventually wears off – and why some people n...

Being diagnosed with glaucoma can be overwhelming, but the good news is that effective treatments can help preserve your vision. Norm Zabriskie, MD , a glaucoma expert at Moran Eye Center , explains what happens after diagnosis, the importance of lowering eye pressure, and the different treatment options available.

Is your child constantly complaining that their feet hurt? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner goes over the signs and symptoms of flat feet in younger kids and teenagers. She talks about how to treat this condition and the one thing doctors used to recommend but don’t anymore.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, think about how you use the word “love” in your life. You love your significant other, your kids, your friends, and your siblings in different ways. Kirtly Parker Jones, MD , talks about the research behind these types of affection and why our loved ones make us crazy—in good ways and bad ways.

Greg Clark, PhD, associate professor of bioengineering at the University of Utah is working with a team to develop a prosthetic hand that amputees can move with their thoughts, and that allows them to feel sensation. He talks about what will be capable with the new technology, how it works, and the emotional impact of providing patients with a prosthetic that feels like a part of their body. Learn...

Kayte Thomas’ daughter was born with some of her organs sticking out. Her daughter had gastroschsis, a rare and devastating birth defect. In this interview, Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks with Kayte and Marcia Feldkamp, a birth defects and gastroschisis researcher. Kayte talks about the moment she learned about her daughter’s condition and her journey to find support and connect mothers and childre...

People with chronic sinus problems suffer from other types of problems stemming from sinus inflammation – congestion, loss of sense of smell and taste and trouble sleeping. Dr. Richard Orlandi, sinus surgeon, says that sinus issues really affect quality of life. He discusses what surgery can do to help you enjoy life without a congested head. If you or someone you know is considering sinus surgery...