How do our perceptions of risk, and our outsized — or undersized — fears affect our health? In this episode of Signal we explore the killer snail (flu) and the shark (cancer screening) of medicine.

(It's a metaphor, people.)

The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

How do our perceptions of risk, and our outsized — or undersized — fears affect our health? In this episode of Signal we explore the killer snail (flu) and the shark (cancer screening) of medicine.

(It's a metaphor, people.)

The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

Hi, Signal listeners, we have some happy news to share — Meg is getting married! That means we’ll be taking a break for a few weeks, but fear not, Signal will be back in March with fabulous new shows on how our medicines get made. Take a listen to see what’s up next. Spoiler alert: It includes killer snails.

Hi, Signal listeners, we have some happy news to share — Meg is getting married! That means we’ll be taking a break for a few weeks, but fear not, Signal will be back in March with fabulous new shows on how our medicines get made. Take a listen to see what’s up next. Spoiler alert: It includes killer snails.

Alzheimer’s disease poses a huge threat to our health and our economy — more than 5 million Americans are estimated to currently have the disease. But it has been as good at evading treatment as just about any disease out there.

For decades, scientists’ efforts in treating Alzheimer's have been focused on a protein in the brain called beta amyloid. Some think that the seeds of the disease’s destruction lie in the protein. But others in the field think that may be a dead end. Who is right?

The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

Alzheimer’s disease poses a huge threat to our health and our economy — more than 5 million Americans are estimated to currently have the disease. But it has been as good at evading treatment as just about any disease out there.

For decades, scientists’ efforts in treating Alzheimer's have been focused on a protein in the brain called beta amyloid. Some think that the seeds of the disease’s destruction lie in the protein. But others in the field think that may be a dead end. Who is right?

The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

An FDA panel reviewed a drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy called drisaperson on Tuesday. What it found is not encouraging. The Signal podcast takes a look at what happened and where things go from here.

An FDA panel reviewed a drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy called drisaperson on Tuesday. What it found is not encouraging. The Signal podcast takes a look at what happened and where things go from here.

An introduction to Signal, a podcast from Stat.

(Image: Fox Photos/Getty Images)

An introduction to Signal, a podcast from Stat.

(Image: Fox Photos/Getty Images)