HealthNews

Nearly 1 in 3 young women have never had cervical cancer screening

The most common cancer in women is cervical cancer. Yet, a large number of American females have not been screened.
In 2023, nearly 1 in 3 women aged 21-29 had not received a cervical cancer screening. According to a study published in JAMA Network Open on August 27, this proportion is up from 1 in 8 women in 2005.
The screening can detect precancerous conditions so that they can be treated prior to cancer developing. However, the percentage of women aged 30 to 65 years who have never had a screen has increased.
Leana WEN, CNN’s wellness expert, explained to me what women should know regarding when and how they can be screened. Wen is a clinical associate professor and emergency physician at George Washington University. Formerly, she was Baltimore’s Health Commissioner.
CNN: What conclusions did the study make about cervical cancer screening?
Dr. Leana WEN: Researchers analysed data collected from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s nationally representative survey. This analysis covered more than 106,000 eligible women for cervical cancer screenings between 2005-2023.
In 2005, 12,5% of American women aged 21-29 reported that they hadn’t been screened. In 2023, this proportion would have increased to almost 32%. This percentage is equivalent to 6.2 millions young American women, who have never had a screening.
The proportion of women aged 30 to 65 who have never had a screening increased from 5,3% in 2005, to almost 15% by 2023. This 2023 number represents approximately 9.2 millions women.
The disparities were significant based on race, insurance and education. About 44% of Asian females aged 21-29 had not been screened in 2023 compared to 29% of White women. Around 39% of women who have a degree from high school had not been screened compared to 17% for those with masters and doctoral degrees. Nearly 32% of women aged 30 to 65 who did not have insurance were never screened. This compares with only 11% among those with private health insurance.
CNN: What limitations are there to the study?
The fact that respondents self-reported their screening history could be a limitation. They may have misremembered when or if they had been screened. The same national survey has been used over the years to track trends.
This study cannot also tell us the reasons for screening decline. The study cannot tell us why screening declined.
The study cannot prove that the decrease in cancer screening led to worse outcomes. Researchers found that rates of cervical cancer in the later stages increased more than 2 percent per year among women aged 30 to 64 after 2017. The rates of cancers with more advanced stages also rose among women aged 65 years and older. The study could not determine if the reduced screening is responsible for these trends.
CNN: Is it alarming that many women under the age of 30 have not been screened for cancer?
Cervical Cancer usually develops slowly over many years. In more than 90% of cases, persistent infections with high-risk human papillomavirus types are the cause. HPV, which is very common, is spread through skin-to-skin intimate contact and sexual activity.
Most people’s immune systems clear HPV from their bodies without any problems. Some people have a persistent infection that causes changes in cervix cells. The changes that occur can lead to cancerous growths. This is a chance to prevent cancer. The screening can detect abnormal cells or HPV that are at high risk. The precancerous lesions that are detected can be removed or monitored before they become cancerous.
The women who never had a screening missed a great opportunity. They argue that screening young adults will also help set the standard for prevention care in later life when the risk of cervical cancer is greater.
CNN: What are the recommendations for cervical cancer screening?
Two main screening methods for cervical cancer exist. The Pap Test involves collecting cervix cells and examining these for cancer or pre-cancerous conditions. HPV tests look for virus types that are high-risk and can lead to these changes in the cellular structure.
As our knowledge of HPV increased, so did the recommendations. US Preventive Services Task Force suggests that women between the ages of 21 and 29 undergo a Pap Test every three years. It recommends three different options for women aged 30 to 65: a Pap Test every three years; testing high-risk HPV once every five year or both tests every five year.
In 2026, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists will issue updated guidelines. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists continues to recommend Pap tests every three years for young women aged 21-29. ACOG recommends that women aged 30 to 65 undergo primary HPV screening every five years. Other methods of screening are still acceptable. ACOG also offers patient-collected HPV tests every three years for women aged 30 to 65, who would prefer to take their own samples.
The recommendations are for people with an average level of risk. If you have abnormal results from screening, have cervical cancer or precancer, have an immune system that is weakened, or have certain risk factors, your schedule may need to be adjusted. The patient and their primary physician or gynecologist should determine the schedule.
CNN: Do women who received HPV vaccination still require cervical cancer screenings?
Wen: Yes. HPV vaccine and cervical cancer screening is complementary cancer prevention.
HPV vaccination is highly effective in preventing infection with HPV types that are responsible for the majority of cervical cancers. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that HPV vaccines be given to all children between the ages of 9-12.
Screening is still necessary, but vaccination doesn’t eliminate it. It is important to note that the vaccination does not cover all HPV types which can lead to cervical cancer. Some people have been exposed before receiving the vaccine.
CNN: Is there a way to help women with difficulty in getting Pap tests?
Wen: I agree, and this may help some who do not currently receive screening. The traditional cervical cancer screening is a pelvic exam in which the clinician examines with a speculum and takes a specimen. Women avoid cervical cancer screenings because pelvic exams are painful. HPV tests now allow women to test their vaginal samples, making screening easier for them.
CNN: How should women respond if they have not been screened or are past due for a screening?
Ask your primary care provider or gynecologist what screenings are appropriate for you based on your age and past medical history. A person who has fallen behind in their studies does not have to wait until the annual physical before they can get caught up.
They should verify the vaccination records during their visit. The people who are not yet HPV vaccinated should inquire if they still qualify.
Screening should not be delayed until symptoms appear. Cervical cancer is not usually accompanied by symptoms. By the time symptoms like abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain, as well as pain when sexing, appear, it could already be advanced. It is for this reason that HPV vaccines and screening are so important.

HealthNews

A New Mom Begged Her Family Not to Kiss Her 10-Week-Old Baby-Then Her Brother-in-Law Deliberately Did It While Sick With a Cold

The parents have the right and responsibility to establish boundaries with their children.
This story tells of a mother who asked repeatedly for her family to refrain from kissing her baby, aged 10 weeks.
The brother-in law of her husband kept on kissing the child despite several warnings, and even when he was sick.
She’s now worried that her child will get sick, and wonders how she can stop it without creating family issues.
Uh oh! This is a very serious issue. Take a look at it!
AITA for not letting my brother-in-law kiss my baby
We had our baby together 10 weeks ago.
All family members have been asked not to touch my child since my baby’s birth.
If it’s near my lips or cheeks I’m not a fan.
It seems odd to me that you can kiss the baby’s lips even if the parents are not present.
I also don’t wish to spread any illness or disease from my daughter.
The woman was shocked to see that her husband’s brother kissed her child constantly.
The boyfriend of my husband’s wife’s husband’s brother, he kisses her all the time.
He nods as if he is in agreement.
Ten minutes later he is holding her and kissing.
When he isn’t kissing her, he always has his face in her face.
It’s rude that he doesn’t listen. He isn’t a freak.
He stayed close to his baby even when he had a cold.
Yesterday, he came over to her house with a chest cold.
What can I do to change it without creating problems? It is really irritating me.
My 10-week-old baby is not going to get sick.
He had to lie in bed upstairs because he was sick.
It’s hard to believe that I am even typing this. This is so annoying that I do not want him to come over.
AITA?! ?
Ugh! I find it very disappointing when an adult ignores a boundary that is clearly defined with a child.
When a baby is sick, it’s even worse to kiss them.
I think that OP needs to be able enforce the rules firmly, without having guilt about her protecting her child.
Check out what other people have said about this article.
The user has shared their thoughts.
One more person speaks up.
The person calling out OP is this individual.
Check out the post below about a troubled sister who ended up staying with her family instead of in a hostel.
Indeed, right?
Let’s be short and to the point.
Babys are adorable, but not everyone should kiss them.

HealthNews

Longevity doctor shares 4 free habits for a longer, healthier life

As “biohacks” like peptides, cold plunges and high-tech wearables grow in popularity, some advocates promote the idea of dramatically extending human life — but others say it’s better to focus on more healthy years rather than living forever.
Dr. Annu Navani — chief medical officer at Le Reve Wellness in San Jose, California, where she leads advanced regenerative and longevity medicine programs — said the biggest myth is that people will be able to live for a “very, very long period of time.”
“I do feel we have extended the human lifespan to some extent,” Navani, who is also founder of the World Institute of Regenerative Medicine, told Fox News Digital. “So yes, we are making progress, but I think it would be a false promise if we said people would live beyond 120 or 130 years of life.”
ARE PEPTIDES THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH? DOCTORS WARN HYPE MAY OUTPACE SCIENCE
Instead, Navani said the goal should be to improve the quality of the years people have.
“Longevity medicine is all about adding life to those years, not so much years to life,” she said.
4 longevity habits that won’t break the bank
Longevity medicine does not necessarily have to mean costly procedures, supplements or biohacks, according to Navani.
For those who have limited time or money, the doctor recommends “starting from within the daily routines of smart practices.”
DOCTORS SAY 8 FORGOTTEN HABITS COULD HELP FIGHT STRESS, OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE
Navani shared the following four pillars of health that form the foundation of longevity, all of which “don’t cost much money at all.”
No. 1: Maintaining quality sleep
“I think sleep is really understated in terms of its importance for overall health and longevity,” she said.
“Studies have shown that at least seven hours of sleep is [generally recommended] for a human being to be able to perform optimally, and has been linked to a good life and a decent health lifespan.”
The CDC’s guidance recommends seven or more hours for adults, but individual sleep needs vary.
Navani recommends eating at least three or four hours before bed, avoiding stimulating activities such as laptop use, and practicing calming routines like meditation, gratitude or journaling.
No. 2: Managing stress
Health agencies recommend managing stress through a combination of physical activity, optimal sleep, relaxation techniques, proper nutrition and social connections.
Navani said she begins her day with 20 minutes of meditation and gratitude, which helps calm her mind and relieve stress.
DEMENTIA RISK COULD BE TIED TO YOUR MINDSET AND OUTLOOK ON LIFE, STUDY SUGGESTS
She also recommends meditating in the evening as a way to unwind before bed.
No. 3: Adhering to a nutritious diet
General dietary guidance recommends building meals around a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or fat-free dairy, while limiting added sugars, saturated fat and sodium.
A balanced eating pattern should also be tailored to a person’s age, health needs and preferences, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s guidance.
No. 4: Sticking to a regular exercise program
The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity — or 75 minutes of vigorous activity — plus muscle-strengthening activity on at least two days per week.
Navani identified high-intensity resistance training as her pick for the most important habit for people in their 50s and beyond.
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“Studies have shown how it builds bone health and helps musculoskeletal blood flow,” she said. “Muscle strength and muscle resilience are linked to health span and longevity, as they impact cardiovascular and neurovascular health.”
Navani also identified VO₂ max — which is the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during intense exercise — as an important marker of overall health and longevity.
“I think VO₂ max is a really important key biomarker that has been shown in quite a few studies to be linked positively to good health and longer lifespan,” she said.
The metric is widely used as a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness, reflecting how efficiently the heart, lungs and muscles work together.
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For some older adults or people with health conditions, lower-intensity or supervised strength training may be more appropriate, experts say.
Navani emphasized that it’s never too late to meaningfully improve health span.
“I often say if you didn’t start in your 20s, the best time to start is today,” she said. “I have a lot of patients who come to me when they are 55 and 60 and we start the journey then.”
One-hour kickstart
The longevity doctor shared her own simple morning routine that she follows to kick-start each day, which includes breaking the first hour of the day into three 20-minute segments.
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The first segment focuses on meditation and gratitude.
“The first 20 minutes is just meditating and waking up and kind of just being grateful and thankful,” she shared. “That helps calm me down and relieves stress.”
The second 20-minute segment is devoted to movement, which includes stretching, exercising and resistance training.
The final 20 minutes are reserved for reading, she said: “I read something that I really want to capture in my brain, something I want to remember.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Navani advised against immediately reaching for the phone or opening email first thing in the morning, instead recommending using that time to read something intellectually engaging.

HealthNews

Fitness comes to people in different ways. My way works-but no one likes it.

The calorie counting app MyFitnessPal received a facelift earlier this year. The makeover wasn’t major – if there had been a deep-plane, then it would only have been superficial – but it made it harder for me to use my app every day to track everything that I eat.
Not only me, but many other users were also annoyed by the new update. MyFitnessPal is entitled to redesign the app, but that didn’t stop me from feeling like the app was sneaking in to my bathroom to rearrange my medicine cabinet. The relationship between a user and their calorie counter can be very intimate.
I did realize that maybe this app or others should not have such an intense psychic connection. The update made me think of how many hours I spent on Earth tapping away at MyFitnessPal. It’s become an intricate record of my life, and I was ambivalent about the app.
In my adulthood, counting calories has never felt cool. But lately, it seems lamer than before.
The New York Times announced earlier this year that the reign of calories as the primary measurement of nutrition in the United States was over. “Counting them” is not a sustainable way to maintain a positive relationship with food. Town & Country followed up with an article a few months later asking if calorie counting is dying. The idea of restriction has gone out of style. T&C reported that the “new status symbols” of certain gym-going women were the 3,000 calories a day goal.
It feels embarrassing to me as a mommy who is not muscly in 2026, that I would still be counting calories. It’s possible that I am embarrassed. But still, I keep counting. Here I am still counting calories, even though the body-positivity craze has passed. Other people are now talking about Ozempics, macros, or both. Should I stop tracking my calories or accept that it may take me the rest of my life to tap-tap to-tap into MyFitnessPal?
MyFitnessPal is the original and most popular food tracking app. There may be better ones, but it’s likely that you tried one of these apps before. It was founded in 2005 by Mike and Albert Lee (it started as a simple website) and is now owned by the private equity firm Francisco Partners. Today, it boasts 280 millions users across 120 countries. Reuters reports that MyFitnessPal earns $150 million a year. This is a large amount of cash considering the awkwardness and laggardly nature of this app. What? You mean the app that I use to sort through user-generated listings of macaroni and cheese with typos could sell for $1 billion? MyFitnessPal subscribers can access a number of premium features for just $24.99 per month. I have always used the free app.
MyFitnessPal, as well as similar apps, work on the principle that once you have a good handle on how many calories you burn each day, you are able to track “calories-in, calories-out,” or CICO. You can then adjust your caloric intake according your weight loss, maintenance, or gain goals. Once you understand the math, it’s easy. To lose one pound you must create a 3,500 calorie deficit. A simple (if not practical) way to achieve this is to consume 500 calories less than normal every day.
What does it tell you about me when I have never been able to maintain a streak on an app that is more enjoyable, like Duolingo Crossword or New York Times Crossword but am currently enjoying a streak of 500 days in MyFitnessPal. No, I’m not interested. My history with MyFitnessPal is much more complex than 500 days. Elena Ferrante would be able to write an entire novel on my relationship with MyFitnessPal. I am sure I’m far from alone.
Mikala jamison is a writer of a popular body culture newsletter. She hypothesized, when I talked to her, that given the time MyFitnessPal launched, many women would probably link it with the punishing 2000s body-culture. Jamison stated that back then “nobody gave a second thought to everyone running around discussing their diets or their calorie intake all the time.” The logo, which features a woman jumping with her legs extended, is also a bit cringe-worthy. I have long considered it a feminine version of the Air Jordan Jumpman. In the beginning of MyFitnessPal’s existence, diet and body culture was undoubtedly crueler. They’re still confused, full of contradictions, and a lot of attempts to fix past mistakes that end up being overcorrections. It seems that we haven’t even decided if it is okay to wish to lose weight. Although it isn’t interesting or commendable to want to lose weight, I can totally relate.
What is my history with MyFitnessPal? While writing this article, I checked to see if I had a record for what I ate exactly 10 years earlier. I did. On Sept.1, 2016, I had Honey Nut Cheerios as breakfast, five different snacks and a sandwich for lunch and turkey meatballs at dinner. This totaled 2,055 calories which were several hundred over my daily goal. Even though it’s been years, my habits have not changed much. I still eat Honey Nut Cheerios as breakfast and no longer log the Diet Cokes I drink. MyFitnessPal has been more reliable than I realized. I have entries in all but two years of the past 10 years.
It’s not right that anyone has this much information on what they ate 10 years ago. What should I do? We all generate mountains of data that could be embarrassing all the time. The data in question is both embarrassing for its specifics as well as the overall story that it tells.
Lacey Baier, a health and wellbeing content creator who specializes in wellness topics, was also a MyFitnessPal long-time user. She experienced a negative reaction when the redesign of the app took place earlier this year. Her frustration led her, unlike me, to stop using the app, which she announced in her July newsletter. She told me that she was on the fence as to whether to continue using it, because she felt like tracking macros would be a burden for the rest her life. Tracking made me feel like I couldn’t keep up with everything on my own. I needed to externalize it and depend on another to do so. I also wanted more freedom in life and less meticulousness.
Baier has been tracking her weight, macros, calories, etc. for years. As a nutritionist and personal trainer, she continues to believe in this method. She wrote, in her newsletter: “I’m clear. Tracking works. It helped me to lose weight and understand nutrition. I also developed habits that I continue to carry and will likely for the rest of my life. It’s a great tool. “But for me, I had to give it up after 20 years. It was a crutch and I hadn’t realized the cost until then.”
Baier’s statement that tracking is effective was very helpful, as there are many messages in the new post-calories age that suggest otherwise. The BBC published this headline in March, “Calories don’t work.” “Try Eating Smarter instead.” I understand what they are saying: most people who know better consider calorie counting unworkable and the nutritional composition of food is more important than the number. As Jamison pointed out, talking about proteins can be used as a way to talk about weight loss. It is true that calorie counting has flaws, but it also works for a lot of people. I am one of them. My usual pattern is to consistently use MyFitnessPal for about a year, then lose weight. Then I stop, and stay away from it for some time, which coincidentally results in a weight gain. This yoyo effect might be interpreted by some as proof that calorie counting is not working. It works when it’s done, but it stops when it isn’t. Does that mean you have to keep on doing this forever?
Jamison said that while she does not track her intake of food on a regular basis, she is doing it right now to work towards achieving a goal. She has also discussed this in her newsletter. She said that when she feels like she is at a point in her life where she wants to focus on a specific goal, certain actions feel natural. She can understand why people are hesitant about certain things like setting a calorie target and tracking her diet and exercise. For some, this doesn’t feel right. This feels disordered or too similar to unhealthy or uncomfortable diet-culture related stuff. This is, after all, a diet. This is not a diet. This is what it’s all about. It depends on what I am doing at the same time and how I feel about it. This might not apply to everyone. Just depends on who you are. At one time, it might feel good to do so. At another time, this might be a bad idea.
Jamison continued, “I believe people, in their quest for understanding more about nutrition, and our own bodies, want to know really definitive answers. Does calorie counting make you healthier or less healthy? Does it make sense or not to count calories? It’s bad. What is it? What is it? “I think I’ve got a rather unsatisfying answer, namely, that it depends.”
It resonated because my latest MyFitnessPal experience has been different from the rest, even though it may seem like I am just getting back on track for the umpteenth. After looking through my food journals from ten years ago, it’s clear that I set my calorie targets way too low. I became frustrated when I didn’t reach them.
The goals are higher because I’m trying to stay realistic, and avoid being discouraged to the point where I quit. In the past ten years, I would often have days when I was too embarrassed to record my food intake. Although I do it still, I have gotten much better about moving past those bad days. I now know that one poor day does not mean I can’t continue a healthy habit. In a Substack article, another MyFitnessPal alumna expressed a similar sentiment about returning to the app with a new mindset. “I’m on MyFitnessPal again for the first in many years. I am on a fitness quest and yes, hoping to continue losing a few kilos.” It’s true that I am motivated by health this time. It’s possible to count calories in a (relatively!) normal way.

HealthNews

In This ‘Quasi-Medical Space,’ Sexual Assaults and Death

Americans who travel abroad in search of psychedelic healing can sometimes find something much more dangerous. The New York Times explains how loosely-regulated clinics across Latin America have coincided with deaths, abuses, and allegations of ibogaine and other potent substances. Some patients have died from heart problems and organ failure. Others report being told to stop taking psychiatric medications, mix dangerous drugs or take prescription pills before they are properly screened. In a JAMA study of 50 clinics, fewer than 50% had trained medical personnel on their staff. Only 10% were equipped with emergency training. The Times highlights claims of sexual abuse and exploitative marketing, such as a Florida woman alleging she was raped in Mexico by a medical professional.
According to reports, patients have been videotaped or sold services when they are still intoxicated. Amy McGuire is the head of Baylor’s Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy and the co-author on the JAMA Report. She says, “We are seeing these for-profit companies pop up in the quasi-medical sector without any safeguards.” The real danger is in that area. As US demand and interest grow, experts warn that a boom in an unregulated, overseas industry can cause serious harm and lead to repercussions. This is what psychedelics supporters fear. Jesus Alonso Olamendi, the head of the Legal Defense Program at the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research, and Service, says that the substance itself isn’t the issue. It’s not the substance that is the problem, but the abuse of substances or the unethical treatment of patients who are impaired. You can read the full article here.
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HealthNews

More than 400 Floridians diagnosed with Cyclospora amid lettuce-linked outbreak

Health officials are continuing to track an outbreak of Cyclospora infection in Florida, which is linked to the recalled iceberg lettuce.
Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is one of several states that have reported cases.
All recalled icebergs lettuce that was connected with the outbreak have been taken off the market by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
According to new CDC statistics, women are responsible for 56% (or all) of the Cyclospora cases reported in the United States.
The parasite Cyclospora can lead to intestinal disease. The symptoms can be diarrhea, cramps in the stomach, fatigue, and nausea.
Experts in health say that Cyclospora is more prevalent during the warmer months. The season typically ends around fall.
Officials continue to urge consumers to check for recalled food products and follow the safety guidelines.