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Health Decisions

All articles tagged with #health decisions

health2 years ago•6 min saved

The Key Metric for Making Health Choices: It's Not Your Age

Medical associations and health advocacy groups are shifting their approaches to health decisions at older ages, basing recommendations on life expectancy rather than simply age. Factors such as overall health, lifestyle choices, and family history can affect life expectancy and determine the usefulness, pointlessness, or harm of future screenings and treatments. Online tools, such as the Know Your Chances calculator and ePrognosis, provide estimates of life expectancy and help inform health decisions. However, these tools should be used as a guide and discussions with medical providers are essential for making informed decisions.

via The New York Times|

#health #health-decisions #life-expectancy

health2 years ago•4 min saved

Jenna Wolfe's Hysterectomy After BRCA Gene Discovery

Former Today show correspondent Jenna Wolfe revealed on Instagram that she underwent a hysterectomy after testing positive for the BRCA-1 breast cancer gene. The BRCA genes are tumor-suppressing, and when working properly, they keep breast, ovarian and other types of cells from growing, changing or dividing rapidly. Mutations in the genes, however, can lead to an increased risk of cancer. Women with the BRCA1 gene are at higher risk for an aggressive form of uterine cancer and thus may opt for a prophylactic hysterectomy. Wolfe's followers applauded her candor and shared their own experiences with preventative surgeries.

via Yahoo Life|

#brca-gene-mutation #cancer-risk #health