Healthy Skeptic, MD

Last season in the Healthy Skeptic, MD, Dr. Gil Welch educated us about the downsides of breast cancer screening. We get a different take this week from Dr. Christoph Lee, a breast radiologist and researcher at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Christoph is at the forefront of new approaches to breast cancer screening. Christoph also talks about his work on the risks of radiation from medical imaging.

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Humans have a complex relationship with alcohol, dating back to the stone age. In excess quantities, it can be deadly. But what about a daily glass of wine? The answer is nuanced, as you will learn in this week’s episode with primary care doctor and alcohol researcher, Dr. Ken Mukamal from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.  

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Link for our channel on podcast apps and Youtube: wavve.link/healthyskepticmd

In 2018, the FDA authorized the first genetic test that could be marketed directly to consumers – a home test made by 23andme for BRCA mutations to assess breast cancer risk. Since then, the number of genes linked to cancer and other health conditions has continued to increase. Yet what to do with this information has not become any less confusing. In today’s episode, cancer specialist Vinay Prasad, MD, MPH from the University of California, San Francisco explains his anxieties about genetic testing, but also the opportunities. Dr. Prasad also discusses a recent controversial article he wrote suggesting that those who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine can loosen up on the social restrictions. He argues – compellingly -- that for those who have previously been vaccinated, the mental and psychological impacts of these restrictions do not outweigh the small residual infection risk.

**Be sure to subscribe to The Healthy Skeptic MD on your favorite podcast app and on Youtube!
Link for our channel on podcast apps and Youtube: wavve.link/healthyskepticmd

In 2019, MedPage Today launched an investigative healthcare reporting team. Find out what they have uncovered so far with Kristina Fiore, who directs their Enterprise and Investigative Reporting efforts.

As a bonus, we will also hear from Shelly Rosenfeld, a lawyer who co-directs the Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC). Find out how this team might help you or a loved one with cancer advocate for your rights during a challenging time.  

**Be sure to subscribe to The Healthy Skeptic MD on your favorite podcast app and on Youtube!

Link for our channel on podcast apps and Youtube: wavve.link/healthyskepticmd

Tonsil surgery and ear tubes are among the most common procedures in the U.S. The risks are low, but there are downsides. In today’s episode, Pediatric ENT surgeon and author Dr. Nina Shapiro from UCLA talks us through how to know when it makes sense to proceed with one of these procedures. Dr. Shapiro also weighs in on COVID-19 vaccination in children! This is a great episode to pass along to friends, family and colleagues with young children.

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Link for our channel on podcast apps and Youtube: wavve.link/healthyskepticmd

Many patients go to the doctor’s office each year expecting to get a full panel of tests, including a blood count, platelets, kidney and liver tests and electrolyte levels. But are these tests really necessary? Could they lead to more harm than good? In today’s episode, primary care doctor Steven Hochman makes the case that patients and doctors could do more to promote health by focusing on healthy eating, exercise and addressing active medical issues rather than performing extensive routine blood testing.

**Be sure to subscribe to The Healthy Skeptic MD on your favorite podcast app and on Youtube!

Link for our channel on podcast apps and Youtube: wavve.link/healthyskepticmd

This week’s episode kicks off season 2 of the Healthy Skeptic, MD. We will focus on key medical decisions that we may all need to consider at one point or another, such as: Should you take a daily multivitamin? Is red wine healthy for the heart? Do mammograms save lives? In today’s episode, Dr. Rita Redberg, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, and Editor-in-chief at JAMA Internal Medicine, explains why a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise are much more important for preventing heart attacks and strokes than a daily cholesterol pill.
  
**Be sure to subscribe to The Healthy Skeptic MD on your favorite podcast app and on Youtube!

Link for our channel on podcast apps and Youtube: wavve.link/healthyskepticmd

Older adults are the most vulnerable both to the directs effects of COVID-19 but also to the indirect impact on psychological and mental health. Dr. Jay Bhatt – a geriatrician and the former Chief Medical Officer for the American Hospital Association – breaks down the risks and provides advice for the holiday season.
 
After today’s episode, we will take a  break for the holidays and pick it up again for season 2 of the Healthy Skeptic, MD on Friday January 8. Season 2 will focus on key health decisions we all should be aware of, such as the pros and cons of a daily multivitamin and whether or not to take cholesterol medications.
 
A happy and safe holiday season to all!

**Be sure to subscribe to The Healthy Skeptic MD on your favorite podcast app and on Youtube!

Link for our channel on podcast apps and Youtube: wavve.link/healthyskepticmd

We’re now 9 months into this pandemic and malls and casinos have reopened, but in many parts of the nation schools have not. Hear from Pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman how we might safely get kids back in their classrooms (at least when this latest surge settles down!).
 
Also, we’ll discuss the latest of the COVID vaccine and whether there’s a better approach to managing the latest surge other than renewed “safer at home” orders.
**Be sure to subscribe to The Healthy Skeptic MD on your favorite podcast app and on Youtube!

Link for our channel on podcast apps and Youtube: wavve.link/healthyskepticmd

Dr. Kedar Mate is the new President and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), perhaps the world’s most respected healthcare quality improvement organization. Today, we discuss his vision for healthcare improvement in the coming years. We also will touch on the latest health news.

**Be sure to subscribe to The Healthy Skeptic MD on your favorite podcast app and on Youtube!

Link for our channel on podcast apps and Youtube: wavve.link/healthyskepticmd