Healthy athlete had no symptoms before mandatory heart screening revealed hidden defect

A high-school student-athlete with a potentially life-threatening heart defect had no symptoms and only learned of his condition through a screening required by Florida law.

The state’s Second Chance Act went into effect July 1 ahead of the 2026-2027 school year and requires students in grades 9 through 12 to undergo at least one electrocardiogram (ECG) screening the first time they participate in or try out for interscholastic athletics, with certain exceptions, affiliate FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported.

An ECG, also called an EKG, is a simple, noninvasive test that measures the heart’s electrical signals and can help identify irregular rhythms or other signs of heart trouble.

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For Cameron Crider, a sophomore football and basketball player at Calvary Christian High School in Clearwater — which requires ECGs for all student athletes, the screening led doctors to discover an atrial septal defect (ASD), a congenital heart defect involving an opening in the wall between the heart’s two upper chambers.

If a significant ASD is left untreated, the extra blood flow can strain the heart and lungs over time and may lead to complications such as pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, and, in some cases, stroke.

"I’ve been playing [sports] my whole life and didn’t notice anything, so I was surprised because I haven’t felt anything," Cameron told FOX 13.

"[Cam was] going to a three-hour football practice and then a two-hour basketball practice back-to-back, and never having fatigue or shortness of breath, or, you know, anything that you would think would be a warning sign," his mother, Laura Crider, told the station. "So, we were completely shocked."

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Crider is scheduled for surgery to fix the ASD in October and is expected to be able to play sports again next season.

The mandatory ECG is "a gift from God that has been given to us, truly," Laura Crider said.

"We were able to find this out in a doctor’s office with an explanation and a clear plan that says we can help you, and so many of these other parents who are advocating for these screenings, they had to find out through a tragedy," she continued.

Up to 80% of young athletes who suffer sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) — the leading cause of death during exercise — don’t have any warning symptoms prior to their arrest, Dr. Jonathan Drezner, MD, director of the University of Washington Medicine Center for Sports Cardiology, told Fox News Digital.

Because intense physical activity places additional stress on the heart, undetected heart conditions can become dangerous during sports, the American Heart Association (AHA) told Fox News Digital.

"Sudden cardiac arrest is not the only concern," the AHA said. "These conditions can also lead to other serious heart-related complications and may require monitoring, treatment, or restrictions on athletic participation to keep students safe."

The AHA does not currently recommend mandatory EKG screenings for every student athlete.

"A heart assessment that includes a review of a student's personal and family history along with a physical examination is the best way to identify serious heart conditions that can lead to cardiac events in student athletes," the AHA said. "If the comprehensive heart assessment raises concerns, health care professionals can order appropriate follow-up testing, such as an ECG, echocardiogram, heart monitor or other advanced imaging based on the suspected diagnosis."

The AHA and American College of Cardiology support what they say is an "evidence-based, layered approach to identify heart issues so they can be diagnosed, monitored and treated as early as possible."

According to Drezner, an ECG screening, when interpreted properly, is one of the best screening tools in medicine.

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"An ECG greatly increases our ability to detect conditions associated with SCA in the young," he said. "A standard sports physical by history and physical alone will miss 80-90% of kids with at-risk heart conditions. An ECG can suggest or detect about 80 percent of the conditions that put young persons at risk. It is not perfect, but it is far better than the standard sports physical."

Though healthy athletes and young people can have a potentially lethal heart condition and not know it, Drezner said chest pain, passing out and a racing heart are symptoms that should not be ignored.

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"Make sure your child feels well when they exercise," he advised. "If you have a family history of genetic heart conditions or SCA, you should bring this up with your child’s doctor. And get your child a proper heart screen with an ECG."

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Navy veterans reunite after 30 years for 'grueling' cross-country bike challenge honoring 9/11

Two Navy veterans recently reunited to complete a great expedition across America.

Jim Serger, 55, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Cory Hardy, 51, of Ennis, Montana, hadn’t seen each other in 30 years since serving together overseas.

On July 14, the two friends embarked on a bike ride across the country – from California to New York City – in honor of the upcoming 25th anniversary of Sept. 11.

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After writing three books for the nonprofit Tunnel to Towers, Serger said he felt he needed to challenge himself "with something bigger."

"And why not wrangle in my old Navy buddy, who I hadn’t seen for 30 years, that I knew was a tremendous bicyclist," he told Fox News Digital. "Back in January, I said, ‘Would you like to go on this trip?’ And he said, ‘Absolutely, Jimmy, count me in.’"

Hardy said he’s always viewed himself as "incredibly patriotic," as he’s been granted "so many opportunities" through the military to see the world and get an education.

"When Jim approached me about the idea of doing this, I was like, ‘Wow, this is awesome. This is something that I can do,’" he shared.

"It's the 250th anniversary of our country and the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and I don't want to forget, and I want people to keep it at the forefront of their minds."

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Serger trained for 10 months, logging 5,000 miles on an indoor trainer. When spring came, he hit the trails around Cincinnati.

A few months later, the duo began their journey in San Diego and headed east. They were met with 20 road closures, a fire and flooding in Colorado, two flat tires, three bike shop visits and lots of backroad maneuvering.

Serger and Hardy focused on staying hydrated, especially in the California and Arizona heat, with a collective three gallons of water each day, sometimes including electrolytes. They snacked on energy waffles, protein bars and "salt gummy bears," and ate lots of carbs at meals.

Hardy said he took 10-minute ice baths "every single day." Serger reported losing six pounds by the end of the mission, which he gained back by eating "good food" in New York.

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While Hardy was already accustomed to the elevation after living in mountainous Montana, Serger said the altitude posed a physical challenge.

"It was grueling ... so hard," he told Fox News Digital. "Cory had to take the mountains in Colorado, I stayed on flat ground — that was our game plan."

Serger and Hardy were met by some of their old Navy buddies along the way. One fellow veteran, an Arizona state trooper, drove from Phoenix to Flagstaff to meet them on the route. Others opened their homes for the pair to stay the night.

The friends stopped at about 25 firehouses to hand out Tunnel to Towers books and to introduce themselves.

"Sometimes we were there for an hour, sometimes we were there for four hours," Serger said. "Talking about Tunnel to Towers, where they were on 9/11 … how much they train … it was just very heartwarming."

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Serger said he and Hardy both foster the "patriotic mentality" of "what we can do for others," as Hardy serves on the city council and Serger's wife cooks for the fire department every month. These types of efforts were reciprocated on their journey.

"Every fire station, EMS, police station, they're all involved in the communities. We got patches, we got hats, we got pins, we got T-shirts," Serger said.

Hardy added that at every firehouse, everybody was there to help, "regardless of their state’s political affiliation."

"They're just another American out there willing to put their life on the line to save people," he said. "I thought it was super awesome to get to meet firefighters from East Coast to West Coast."

"The closer we got to Shanksville and the Pentagon and New York, it became very emotional, because then people said, ‘My mom was there’ or ‘My aunt was there' ... and then a firefighter said, ‘Three of our brothers went up there.’"

"The closer we got, we knew we had hit the epicenter of how people responded to those terrorist attacks – and it really hit home."

At the Pentagon, Serger and Hardy got a police escort from the Pentagon Police and Pentagon Fire Department before receiving a five-hour tour, including the 9/11 memorial.

Clocking about 170 miles a day, the pair made it to Lower Manhattan in 20 days.

They were welcomed by the FDNY, Port Authority and NYPD Honor Guard at FDNY Ten House, across from Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

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"I started crying," Serger said. "My wife was there. She flew in. We had Sal Cassano, the [former] FDNY Fire Commissioner, there. Fire Station 10 had firemen, civilians were there. It was very, very moving."

Serger and Hardy’s cause has so far raised more than $17,000 for Tunnel to Towers.

In addition to raising funds for the organization, Serger said the expedition aims to generate continued awareness for those who sacrificed and risked their lives on 9/11 as the 25th anniversary approaches.

"We never forget 9/11," Serger said. "We never forget the sacrifice of our heroes, of our military, our first responders and gold star families," he said. "We never want 9/11 to fade away."

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Serger described the bike ride as a "surreal" and emotional experience.

"It started off with, we're going to raise money for Tunnel to Towers, and I think our final [takeaway] was there's a lot of love and pride and patriotism in this country, from far west all the way to the east," he shared. "Everybody welcomed us with open arms. That's all we talked about."

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Hilaria Baldwin shares 5 simple stretches to do at work to prevent pain and stiffness

Sitting all day at a desk is the norm for millions of American workers, but it can take a toll on the body.

As long hours spent in the same position can contribute to poor posture, stiffness and other physical issues, experts say regular movement and stretching can help prevent joint pain and muscle weakness.

"Many people sit every day for most of the day, and this can cause so many problems in the body," certified fitness and yoga instructor Hilaria Baldwin told Fox News Digital. "We've all heard of tech neck, carpal tunnel – most of that has to do with the alignment of our spine."

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Baldwin shared the following simple stretches that can be done in a desk chair, while cautioning people to "be the judge of what’s appropriate" for their workspace before trying the techniques.

Sitting in a desk chair, bring the arms up into a "goal post" position, with the elbows in alignment with the shoulders.

Pull the core in, squeeze the shoulder blades together and pull the chin back. Imagine that the back of the head is pressing up against a wall.

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Keeping the arms in position, start bringing both elbows in front, touching them together. Open again and squeeze. Repeat this about 10 times.

"This, for me, feels really good," Baldwin said. "Check in with your body during the day. I'm going to do maybe a few at 10 a.m. and then maybe again at 11:30. You can't do too many of these."

"You also develop an incredible back if you want to wear those backless dresses, but it also makes you feel better," she added.

From the previous position, take the arms down until the palms of the hands are facing the floor. Start to squeeze the shoulder and back muscles.

Bring the arms forward to cross over each other and stop once the elbows are aligned.

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As the arms cross, round the head down, bringing the forehead toward the elbows. Open the arms up and repeat about 10 times, practicing the set consistently throughout the day.

"As I'm rounding, I’m pulling the shoulder blades away from the spine as a bit of a hug, and then I open again and squeeze the shoulder blades together," Baldwin described.

"It's going to help remind you that you need to be sitting up with your shoulders back, chin back," she added.

Interlace the fingers behind the head and bring the elbows toward one another.

Slowly drop the chin to the chest, lightly pulling down through the spine.

In the opposite direction, open the elbows wide, arching the back and lifting the chin to the sky.

"Focus on your breath here as well, especially if you have a stressful job," Baldwin said. "We stop breathing and that just puts tension in our body, so try to take deep breaths. Inhale, exhale."

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"If you're about to write that email that maybe you shouldn't write, maybe just tap into your breath, do a few of these."

Although subtle, Baldwin calls this exercise "extremely important," as it focuses on engaging the core while seated.

Sit up straight and pull the belly button toward the spine, noticing if you can feel where the sit bones are pressing into the chair.

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Rock back and forth, pulling in the belly button. Think about pulling in the "seatbelt muscle," in the lower gut area, maintaining proper posture.

"This is actually a really good ab exercise," Baldwin noted.

For those who are able to stand, Baldwin encourages employees to rise from their chair and "stretch a little bit," since sitting for long periods of time can "shorten the hip flexors."

"Anything where you can stretch it out is going be really great for you," she said. "I like to mix it with a calf stretch as well."

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Stand up and step one foot out in front of the other in a slight lunge, bending the front knee. Open through the back of the leg and press the heel down.

Press forward and bring the hips to center, making sure to maintain the same posture practiced while sitting. Switch the legs and stretch on the other side.

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Cancer vaccine prevents deadly melanoma from returning or spreading in landmark trial

An experimental skin cancer vaccine significantly reduced the risk of melanoma returning or spreading in a late-stage clinical trial from Merck and Moderna.

The results mark the first positive Phase 3 trial of an mRNA-based personalized cancer therapy, according to the companies.

Known as INTerpath-001, the study evaluated 1,137 patients globally who had surgery to remove high-risk (Stage IIB through Stage IV) melanoma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either Keytruda, plus the personalized vaccine, or Keytruda, plus placebo.

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Patients who received the combination experienced significantly better "recurrence-free survival," meaning their cancer was less likely to return than in those who received Keytruda alone.

The combination also significantly improved "distant metastasis-free survival," a measure of how long patients remained alive without the cancer spreading to distant parts of the body.

"These phase 3 findings represent a pivotal moment for the field of cancer research," Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, said in the press release. "For many years, the idea of creating an mRNA treatment designed specifically for an individual patient's cancer was aspirational. We are now helping turn that vision into a reality."

Unlike traditional vaccines that protect against external viruses, the custom-tailored mRNA vaccine (intismeran autogene) is a therapeutic vaccine given after surgery to train the body to hunt leftover cancer cells.

After a patient undergoes surgery to remove a tumor, doctors sample both the cancerous tissue and healthy cells. Then, advanced algorithms analyze the tumor's genetic sequence to select up to 34 tumor-specific neoantigens to encode in the personalized treatment.

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Dr. Murad Alam, chief of dermatology at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, noted that not all melanomas are the same.

"They're slightly different in every patient, which is why traditional chemotherapies often stop working or don't work in a particular patient," he told Fox News Digital. "This is almost individualized immunotherapy, where you're finding specific issues in a particular patient."

The individualized approach is designed to direct the immune system toward tumor-specific targets, Alam noted. 

"It doesn't hit normal cells, and it hits the cancer cells very effectively because it's not just a generic vaccine. It's one that specifically knows the signs of your cancer and can find it," he said.

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The goal of this particular vaccine, according to the doctor, is to extend the lives of people who "already have a bad case of the disease."

It is not intended to prevent melanoma in people who do not have the disease, even if they have a family history that may put them at greater risk, nor is it intended for those with a very small melanoma.

"This is designed for people where the melanoma has grown to the point where it's threatening not just the local area of the skin, but their whole lives," Alam said.

Alam also spoke about the role of artificial intelligence in determining which antigens to include in the vaccine so that it is most effective.

"These things are difficult, and, historically, [they] took a lot of time, and it just wouldn't be feasible to do this for every individual patient without the power of AI," he said. "And I'm sure that will become better and better in the future.

"Here, AI is a tool that allows you in a reasonable amount of time, with a reasonable amount of resources ... to come up with a vaccine for that individual person."

After the successful Phase 3 outcome, Merck and Moderna announced plans to engage with regulatory authorities worldwide, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, about potential regulatory filings.

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Plans are in the works to test the vaccine technology against other hard-to-treat cancers, including lung, bladder and kidney cancers.

"I think the underlying concept of targeting a particular tumor with the specific markers on that tumor is generalizable, meaning you could do this with different kinds of skin cancer or different kinds of cancer in general," Alam agreed. "It's very exciting."

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Although the companies said the results were significant and meaningful, the findings are still early and did not reveal how long patients remained cancer-free. 

The Phase 3 announcement also did not establish whether the treatment ultimately helps patients live longer.

The recurrence-free survival results were also based on investigator assessments rather than an independent central review, the release noted.

The study only looked at people with specific stages of skin melanoma who had surgery and no prior drug treatments, so the results may not apply to other types or stages of cancer.

Merck said the treatments’ side effects were similar to those seen in earlier studies, with no new safety concerns identified.

Alam reiterated that the vaccine seems to have both a "tremendous benefit [and] good side effect profile."

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"When you're getting very strong cancer medications, even when they work, the toll on the patient is often terrible," he said. "It alters their life during the course of treatment where there's tremendous suffering.

"The nice thing about this, because it's so targeted, it doesn't damage many of your normal cells ... so the side effects are really mild — a little fatigue, a little chills, some injection side pain."

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Cancer doctor reveals 5 habits that may reduce disease risk and improve outcomes

Even as new data shows cancer’s continuing toll in the U.S., a surgical oncologist says some simple lifestyle measures could help lower the likelihood of developing the disease.

An estimated 2,114,850 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026 — about 5,800 per day, according to the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Loren Rourke, a Texas-based breast surgical oncologist and author of "Real Talk, Real Hope: Breast Cancer Your Way," emphasized that while no lifestyle choice can guarantee cancer prevention, healthy habits can help reduce certain risk factors.

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From maintaining a healthy weight to staying active, Rourke shared the following five everyday strategies that support the body and improve overall health.

Being obese or overweight is associated with an increased risk of at least 13 types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Rourke estimates that excess body weight is likely the third-biggest risk factor for breast cancer, after female gender and aging.

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Growing research suggests glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications — including Ozempic and Wegovy — may be associated with a lower risk of cancer diagnoses and recurrence.

Rourke said one possible reason GLP-1s could prove beneficial for cancer risk is that the drugs promote weight loss and reduce chronic inflammation.

"We know that a lower BMI equals a better prognosis with breast cancer," she told Fox News Digital. "So if the secondary effect of taking a GLP-1 means that you’re going to lose weight, that’s a benefit, because we know you’re going to do better with breast cancer."

GLP-1 drugs are not yet approved to prevent cancer, and more research is needed to determine whether they independently reduce disease risk.

The American Cancer Society states that physical activity is linked to a lower risk of several cancers.

The official guideline recommend 150–300 minutes of moderate activity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity per week for adults.

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"I think people underestimate overall fitness," Rourke said. "We tend to think about it for heart health, but it’s not just heart health — it’s mental health and reducing your risk of having lots of chronic medical problems that span from one end to the other, in addition to other cancers."

Even if staying physically fit doesn’t keep cancer at bay, it may help improve outcomes if the disease develops, she noted.

"One in eight women get breast cancer. So if it comes knocking, you want to be ready," she said.

"Women come to me and say, ‘I’ve done everything. I’ve exercised every day. I’ve eaten a healthy diet, and here I am sitting in your office.’ And I say, ‘Well, that healthy body is now ready for this fight.’"

"If you can bring a healthy body and a healthy mind to the disease, you are going to do better."

To lower the risk of cancer and premature death, the American Cancer Society recommends sticking to a diet rich in vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains and legumes, while limiting red/processed meats, sugary drinks and highly processed foods.

Rourke agrees with these guidelines, but noted that even people who follow healthy eating patterns can face cancer diagnoses.

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"I have vegans sitting in my office. I have people who don’t eat any sugar in my office. They’re all getting breast cancer," she said.

"What I say is, [eat] a healthy, balanced diet, limited processed foods, as close to farm-to-table as you can get," the doctor advised. "Just healthy eating, reasonable portions … nothing in excess."

"If you practice that, that’s going to suit you for so many things in your future."

The doctor added that it’s not necessary to take an extreme approach to dietary choices: "Do you need to give up all sugar? No. Do you need to go to the extreme? No."

Cigarette smoking is responsible for about 20% of all cancers and about 30% of cancer deaths in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. The habit can cause cancer in numerous parts of the body, and quitting can reduce cancer risk at any age, experts say.

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Meanwhile, alcohol consumption has been linked to an estimated 5% of U.S. cancer cases and 4% of cancer deaths in 2019, according to the National Cancer Institute.

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The U.S. surgeon general issued guidance last year following research that linked alcohol to at least seven types of cancer, naming it as the "third leading preventable cause of cancer" in the country, after tobacco and obesity.

Rourke advised that alcohol should only be consumed in moderation, although even light drinking has been shown to raise the risk of certain cancers.

"Too many Americans are living with an outdated assumption that some amount of alcohol is not only harmless, but also good for you," Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel previously told Fox News Digital. "Increasing evidence shows that isn't true."

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"Even though traditional advice has been up to one drink a day for women and two drinks per day for men, in fact, no amount of alcohol is healthy," he added.

Early detection programs have enabled doctors and patients to detect disease earlier than ever before, which increases survival rates, Rourke noted.

"I think now there’s more awareness," she said. "People know if they have someone in their family and what kind of cancer they had."

"I think people are much more educated in general, and that is promoting wellness, health, early detection and screening."

Rourke also expressed concern about relying too heavily on artificial intelligence when investigating possible symptoms.

"If you are worried about something, call your primary care doctor [or] gynecologist," she advised. "If you feel like something’s wrong, follow through with it and get it checked out. Never ignore your inner voice."

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Morning coffee could interfere with popular weight-loss pill, doctors warn

Those who take oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications, such as Wegovy tablets, are advised not to take the medication with morning coffee or tea.

According to FDA prescribing information, Wegovy tablets should be taken on an empty stomach with up to 4 ounces of water — and no other liquids. Patients should wait at least 30 minutes before consuming food, other beverages or oral medications.

As the first FDA-approved oral medication for chronic weight management, the pill has different guidelines than the original injectable options, particularly because absorption through the digestive system can be affected by food and drink.

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Dr. Michael Hall, a board-certified physician, longevity specialist and author of "Infinite Youth," confirmed that oral Wegovy should be taken on an empty stomach, only with water.

"Coffee, tea, juice or other drinks should not be taken with the pill because they can interfere with how the medicine is absorbed," the Miami Beach, Florida-based doctor told Fox News Digital.

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For oral GLP-1 users, Hall recommends the following morning routine.

"Food and beverages other than water, and other oral medicines, can affect absorption if taken too soon," Hall said. "The safest rule is 30 minutes of nothing by mouth except water after the tablet."

The expert added that GLP-1 medications can also slow stomach emptying, which can impact how other oral medications are absorbed.

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Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel agreed that a GLP-1 pill should not be taken with caffeine, but only on an empty stomach with water.

While drinking tea throughout the day generally does not interfere with oral GLP-1s or block their absorption, patients should consult their physicians, Siegel told Fox News Digital.

The doctor added that certain teas, like green, black and white teas, can help support digestion, while ginger and peppermint tea can help alleviate nausea.

Fox News Digital reached out to Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk for comment.

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Popular daily drinking habit could nearly triple risk of deadly cancer, major study finds

Consuming a sugary drink a day may significantly raise the risk of developing stomach cancer, according to new research from Mass General Brigham.

After accounting for other risk factors, the researchers found that one or more sugary drinks per day was linked to nearly triple the risk of gastric cancer compared with fewer than one serving per month.

Roughly two-thirds (63%) of U.S. adults report consuming sugar-sweetened beverages at least once a day, CDC data states.

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While earlier studies linked sugary drinks to higher rates of liver, breast and colorectal malignancies, their specific impact on gastric tissue remained unclear until now.

The new study analyzed data from more than 100,000 participants in the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.

The long-term prospective cohort studies, which were managed by Harvard-affiliated researchers, analyzed links between lifestyle, diet and chronic disease among healthcare workers.

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"It's definitely a concern because we are seeing an increase in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in young people [under] 50," senior author Andrew T. Chan, a gastroenterologist and epidemiologist with the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute in Boston, told Fox News Digital.

"Our increasing consumption of sugary drinks and also ultraprocessed foods is likely to be contributing to some of these cancer trends," he added.

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Gastric cancer is heavily linked to Helicobacter pylori bacteria, a type of bacteria that lives in the stomach lining. 

In a subset of study participants, there was no connection found between sugary drink intake and H. pylori, strengthening the hypothesis that sugar (fructose) plays a role.

The researchers defined sugar-sweetened drinks as regular sodas, fruit punches, lemonade and sports beverages, in which fructose is the main sweetener. Higher fructose consumption was associated with greater stomach cancer risk.

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Artificially sweetened drinks, including diet sodas and other low-calorie carbonated drinks, were not linked to an increased risk of gastric cancer among more than 100,000 subjects.

The research was observational, which means it could only show correlation and not direct causation.

The participants were predominantly White healthcare professionals, meaning the findings need to be confirmed across diverse populations, the team acknowledged.

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"The study is unable to really prove cause and effect," Chan said. "What we did see was an association. We certainly need to do more research to understand whether this association between sugary sweetened beverages and stomach cancer is truly causal."

The study was published in the journal Gastro Hep Advances.

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