How much we weigh in relation to our height matters. In other words, body mass index (BMI) matters. If we’re carrying around too much fat, our chances of all sorts of diseases are — well — fattened. Our weight at the time we’re diagnosed with a disease may matter as well.

Many people may be under the impression that palliative care is only end-of-life care. Not so. Palliative care is focused on quality of life, symptom relief and help with making decisions for anyone with a serious illness.

Treating cancer is multi-faceted and sometimes may require difficult decisions by doctors and patients. There are many different treatment options as well, some tried and true, and some new and experimental. However, not all tests and treatments have been clinically proven to be beneficial.

Travel in rural North Dakota and Minnesota — especially during the winter — is difficult. One medical student in North Dakota was curious to learn if travel distances impacted breast cancer screenings, diagnosis and treatment.

Not long ago, scientists declared that diesel fumes were cancer-causing and linked to lung cancer. An international body has now gone a step further in classifying outdoor air pollution.

Most, if not all, cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are 40 different types of this virus. HPV types linked to cervical cancer may be different in women of different races.

Along with a healthy diet, there’s almost nothing better than being physically active for achieving optimum health. This reality is well known. But what about sedentary behavior – you know, sitting around or being a “couch potato" for many hours of the day? Does that matter?

After primary treatment, many breast cancer patients are given medicine to keep the disease from returning. Medicines called aromatase inhibitors block the production of estrogen, the hormone that feeds most breast cancers. Side effects of these medications can include joint pain and stiffness.

For most people, colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer should begin at age 50. If everything looks good, the next colonoscopy happens 10 years later. For folks with a family history of the disease, earlier and more frequent screenings are recommended. But even that may not be enough.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer at any age can be difficult. Several studies have suggested that breast cancer affects women under the age of 50 deeply because the disease can have an impact on fertility, appearance and sexuality.