I grew up in Portland, Oregon, one of the friendliest cities in the United States. It is not uncommon to have a conversation with a few strangers on the bus, and to shout a thank you to the bus driver when you get off. Furthermore, my parents’ house is part of a co-housing community; 15...Continue reading
Preventing Sun Damage and Skin Cancer
By Partha Nandi, MD FACP (ASK DR. NANDI) – Sun safety is a critical topic for adults and children. More than 1.2 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, kills one person every hour. Overexposure to the sun is the number one...
Size Really Does Matter… A Lot!
Ask a woman how many irregular periods she’ll have before she gets concerned or gets medical help. The answer is two, or maybe three at most. That fast. Do men have a similar barometer of health? Honestly, what besides pain or a threat-to-life brings young men to medical care? Answer: Not much. A Hard Example Nothing...Continue reading
Marijuana And Your Reproductive Health
Marijuana is becoming all the rage among the government types and politicos, as a chance to win votes. There are countless (non scientific and unfounded) articles portraying the great benefit to society of increased marijuana availability, as well as its purported harmlessness. I am personally very concerned over the panacea that has taken hold, ignorant...Continue reading
Male Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is not just a woman’s disease. Men can get breast cancer too. The disease is much less common in men than it is in women. Older men are most likely to develop breast cancer. However, men of any age can get the disease. If a man is diagnosed with breast cancer early, the...Continue reading
Using a Video to Empower Patients Facing Major Surgery
How can patients about to undergo major surgery effectively communicate their wishes for care after their operations? Feedback from patients and family members led researchers to revise their plan for testing a tool to promote advance care planning. When you think of a state fair, you’re likely to envision a large Ferris wheel, game stations,...Continue reading
When is Running Not Just Running?
I got to know a guy named Laird Malamed recently. He’s a regular working stiff, just like the rest of us, and it just so happens that he loves to run. Not every day, but very far, in fact marathon distances and beyond. In his words, it’s a “crazy mid-life crisis running addiction.” His goal? “The...Continue reading
Do You Have A Hydrocele?
A hydrocele is sac that is filled with fluid which forms on a testicle. It causes inflammation or swelling in the scrotum. They are most common in babies, but can affect males of any age. In adult men, it often affects those that are middle-aged or older. They are not a very serious condition as...Continue reading
Manorexia: The Masculine Side of Body Image Distortion
In the U.S., at least a third of the 30 million people suffering from eating disorders are boys or men, according to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). That’s 10 million people, most of whom won’t ever get the help they desperately need because they have a Y chromosome. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is...Continue reading
The Family Jewels: To Cut or Cover?
“OK, Honey, I’m pulling the goalie. The IUD is out. Your turn to think about contraception.” Gees, now what? Quick, go through the list in your head. Withdrawal? Abstinence? Rhythm method? Not likely. Really boils down to vasectomy or condoms. Cut it or cover it. Handling Old Faithful Gees, condoms?!? Believe it or not, the oldest known condoms...Continue reading