MTT #86: New hope for Alzheimer’s, colon cancer and mental health

In today’s episode of Medicine: The Truth (MTT), hosts Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl explore the latest developments in Alzheimer’s disease, colon cancer detection, COVID-19’s resurgence and other significant news.

The episode begins with a discussion on the surge of new COVID-19 cases, particularly in the western and southern U.S., where wastewater surveillance data indicates high virus levels. The hosts emphasize the importance of continued vaccination, especially with new variants emerging.

The conversation then shifts to advancements in cancer detection, highlighting a new blood test for colon cancer that shows promise in identifying early-stage cancers but falls short in detecting precancerous growths. This test, though not yet a replacement for colonoscopy or the fecal Immunochemical test (FIT), could encourage more people to undergo further screening when necessary.

In Alzheimer’s research, a new blood test offers a less invasive alternative as a first step in diagnosing the disease. While it represents a significant advance, the test is not yet a gamechanger due to the lack of effective treatments for Alzheimer’s.

Other topics covered in this episode include:

  • COVID-19 updates and the impact of vaccination on long COVID
  • Advances in genetic research for rare diseases like progeria
  • The rise of new weight-loss medications and market competition
  • The continued influence of pharmaceutical payments to physicians
  • The potential of drones in cardiac arrest response
  • Climate change’s impact on children’s health and education
  • Increasing cancer rates among Gen X and millennials
  • The rise of sexually transmitted diseases in older adults
  • Mental health challenges and access to care
  • Insights into the potential impact of the upcoming presidential election on healthcare policy

Join us for this insightful episode as we delve into these critical healthcare issues and explore the future of medicine.

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of the new book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine“  about the impact of AI on the future of medicine. All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.