Over my 30 year career as a cancer physician I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous progress in treating cancer patients. There continues to be controversy in the screening and treatment of prostate cancer (PC) for which I am grateful to have the opportunity to share more information with you.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 77 and have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I am taking Fosamax and taking all the steps recommended for strengthening bones. But I have two questions: First, is it possible to avoid a fracture without taking medication. Second, is it necessary to avoid coffee completely? I am confused about both questions, having read a lot of conflicting information online. I recently finished reading a book that strongly condemned osteoporosis medication, and have also read that coffee is OK, even good for bones; though, other sources say it leeches calcium from bones. I would appreciate some clarity on these issues. -- J.M.
I have been married to the same man for 52 years. Thirty-six years ago, I had a child, who is a product of an affair.
Q: I’ve lost 25 pounds by changing my eating habits, but I still have a pouch of belly fat that won’t go away. How can I get a flatter torso? -- Greg F., Fort Collins, Colorado A: When you are overweight or obese, there’s a good chance that you have added what’s called visceral fat around your internal organs. This is different from the so-called subcutaneous fat that’s right below your skin’s surface. Visceral fat doesn’t just sit there. It impacts how your organs function and is linked to heart disease, diabetes, dementia, high blood pressure and premature death. And it doesn’t like to be shown the door.
A person can experience a panic attack when they least expect it. This can cause a great deal of fear and anxiety for the person.
Getting professional help for dealing with your persistent fears and anxieties is the single most important step in your recovery. Many people are reluctant to get the assistance they need for various reasons.
DearAmy: I’m hoping you can shed some light on this subject. Is there any justification or logical reasoning behind some of these new parenting trends, specifically one that grants basically full autonomy to a toddler to make his or her own decisions? One that is particularly irksome is letting said toddler choose whether or not they want to hug an immediate family member.
Dear Amy: I think I was scammed! As a divorced 62-year-old woman on a fixed income, I recently hired someone to fix plumbing damage to my house that insurance wouldn’t cover. His bid was substantially lower, and he could start the next day. He asked for half down so I sent him 50 percent ($300) through an online payment system.
Q: I’ve begun to worry about losing my mental edge -- and I’m only 48. Any dietary suggestions you can make that might help me stay sharp? -- Delores D., Westfield, New Jersey A: There are many dietary steps to take to make sure your blood flow to the brain doesn’t get obstructed by plaque-lined vessels and reduce your cognitive powers. You know my recommendations: No red or processed meats, no highly processed foods, no added sugars. Instead, focus on plant-based foods and healthy fats like olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids like ALA in walnuts and DHA and EPA that are found in fatty fish like salmon, herrings, anchovies and sardines.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, and along with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I have been taking 1 mg of anastrozole daily. The bone mineral density of my left hip has not changed significantly. The bone density of my lumbar spine has decreased 6.3% compared to 2020. Several of the doctors I’ve worked with are open to using natural hormone blockers, such as diindolylmethane, instead of the anastrazole. What would you recommend? -- B.C.N.