Common cancer treatment can have this painful side effect

During active cancer treatment, patients face many smaller battles on the path to remission.

One of those lesser-known struggles is a condition known as chemo mouth, a painful side effect of chemotherapy and radiation.

For some, chemo mouth can result in mouth sores and other uncomfortable symptoms, like a limited ability to eat, drink or even speak, according to experts.

‘I’M A CANCER SURVIVOR – HERE'S WHAT I'VE CUT FROM MY KITCHEN'

In an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Rajiv Saini, a dentist and periodontal specialist from Katy, Texas, discussed the seldom spoken-about condition.

As cancer rates trend high throughout the U.S. — with the National Cancer Institute projecting that 26 million people will be diagnosed by 2030 — Saini said chemo mouth is likely to be one of the most common side effects.

Among those who have had head or neck cancer, 90% will experience these symptoms. Out of all cancer survivors, around 40% will suffer from the condition.

THE CANCER PREVENTION DIET: 6 SMARTS TIPS FROM A NUTRITIONIST ON WHAT TO EAT AND WHY

Saini, a graduate of Harvard Medical School, detailed how the main symptoms of chemo mouth are red, swollen and painful sores in the mouth, also known as oral mucositis.

Patients may also experience a burning sensation that can be intensified by spicy food. They also face a higher risk of contracting fungal infections.

Chemo mouth can also cause xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth, as well as a metallic taste, which can disrupt appetite.

"Cancer treatment damages the salivary glands present in the mouth, which are responsible for producing the right amount of saliva," Saini said. "So it really deteriorates the oral condition."

BRUSH, FLOSS, MOUTHWASH: DENTISTS REVEAL WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS THE CORRECT ORDER

"When your mouth is dry, it lacks all the minerals, all the natural enzymes," he added. "There's an imbalance in the oral microbiome."

Saini shared that one of the "most overlooked challenges" of cancer recovery and chemo mouth is that it makes it "nearly impossible" for parents to speak with family members, even after beating the disease.

"As chemotherapy and radiation worsen sores, inflammation and dryness in the oral cavity, even the simplest words become agonizing," he said.

"This unspoken side effect not only affects their ability to communicate, but also takes an emotional toll, leaving them feeling isolated from their own families during an already overwhelming battle."

A weakened immune system will leave patients more susceptible to complications like chemo mouth, according to Saini.

CHILDREN EXPOSED TO HIGHER FLUORIDE LEVELS FOUND TO HAVE LOWER IQS, STUDY REVEALS

The dentist recommended that cancer patients stay consistent with routine dental exams, especially directly following a cancer diagnosis, to address any issues that might worsen during treatment.

"You have a window of opportunity where you can immediately go within the next two or three days, set up an appointment with a dentist and get your teeth cleaned," he advised.

"If there are any initial, small dental caries and cavities, they should be fixed. If you have a gum infection, a deep cleaning should be done, so that you are ready."

Saini urged cancer patients to steer clear of oral mouthwashes and rinses with alcohol and colorful additives, as these chemicals can be harmful to a compromised immune system. They can also aggravate sores and further inflame the mouth.

Saltwater rinses have been shown to be effective in treating chemo mouth and alleviating symptoms, Saini said.

Specifically, sea saltwater offers a variety of minerals that can help heal the mouth, such as sodium, calcium, zinc, chromium and silicon, which Saini described as "well-balanced in nature."

‘I’M A DENTIST – HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER KEEP YOUR TOOTHBRUSH NEAR THE TOILET'

"Sea salt usually works in a very natural way by providing all the minerals that help the healing of these cells in a much faster way as compared to any oral care product," he noted.

Saini, who is also the chief scientific officer for sea saltwater rinse company H2Ocean, referred to research that found sea salt has therapeutic impacts on the oral cavity, minimizes dental complications and accelerates the healing process.

Dr. Monique Gary, breast surgical oncologist and chief medical officer of ⁠Bexa, a breast exam provider based in California, agrees that a saltwater rinse, or salt plus baking soda in water, can be helpful.

"Typically, I recommend a saltwater rinse to my patients over an unsalted one, as it can have more of a soothing effect," she told Fox News Digital.

"Magic mouthwash" is an especially helpful rinse, Gary said. It typically contains an antihistamine and topical anesthetic, and may or may not include an antacid, antibiotic and antifungal.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Gary also recommends that patients avoid dehydration and use a soothing lip balm to prevent cracked lips.

Although dental care is crucial for cancer recovery, there aren’t dedicated dental professionals attached to cancer clinics, according to Saini, which can result in the delay of oral care intervention.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

"This is a very big piece of the pie we are missing here and that is affecting [patients’] day-to-day lives," he said.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/lIDoN65

Read More

New Mexico reports Texas measles outbreak has now crossed it's border

The Texas Department of State Health and Services (DSHS) has been tracking an ever-growing measles outbreak that has nearly doubled in the last two weeks.

When first reported on Feb. 5 in Gaines County, officials warned there would be additional cases.

"Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities," the alert said.

The outbreak is the worst outbreak in decades and now the highly contagious disease has spread into New Mexico.

MEASLES OUTBREAK CONTINUES TO WORSEN AMONG KIDS IN THIS US STATE

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is testing residents and has confirmed three cases just last week, bringing their total to eight.

The cases meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s outbreak criteria due to the three unrelated cases in Lea County, bordering Gaines County.

Although the New Mexico outbreak is close in proximity, a connection remains unconfirmed. 

"We are investigating every suspected case, and we encourage sick individuals with symptoms consistent with measles to seek medical care," said Dr. Chad Smelser, NMDOH Deputy State Epidemiologist. 

TEXAS CONFIRMS GROWING MEASLES OUTBREAK AFFECTING SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

Like with many other cases, six of the eight infected were not vaccinated. There are four adults and four minors. Two of the adults say they believe they were vaccinated as children.

NMDOH has notified potentially exposed individuals and is providing prevention guidance. They have released a statement containing a list of locations warning people that if they visited during specified times they may have been exposed.

Lea County is offering free no-appointment-needed vaccinations at five public health vaccination clinics over the next two weeks.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/HBziSoa

Read More

Experimental vaccine for common cancer shows potential in clinical trial

A vaccine for pancreatic cancer could serve as a promising new therapy.

At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in New York, an experimental approach to treating the cancer with a messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapeutic vaccine "continues to show potential" in reducing the risk of the disease returning after surgery, according to a press release.

Results from the phase 1 clinical trial, published in the journal Nature, revealed that the vaccine triggered an immune response in a small patient group.

CANCER VACCINE SHOWS PROMISING RESULTS FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS

This immune-cell activation persisted for nearly four years after treatment, the release stated.

Patients who received the vaccine and showed an immune system response were more likely to remain cancer-free by their three-year follow-up.

Vinod Balachandran, MD, principal investigator of the trial and senior study author at MSK, stated his optimism about the efficacy of this treatment.

"We find that with RNA vaccine technology, we can teach the immune system to recognize pancreatic cancer, and this immune response could potentially last for many years," he said. 

"The ability to trigger a robust, long-lasting immune response is a requisite feature for any cancer vaccine."

PROSTATE CANCER CASES SPIKE IN THIS US STATE AS DOCTORS SHARE LIKELY REASON

As pancreatic cancer is "difficult to treat," Balachandran shared his surprise that the immune system responded in some patients.

"We are encouraged to see that our approach can teach the immune system to recognize pancreatic cancer, that the immune response is potent and that it may potentially impact patients," he said.

"Although the findings are promising, these vaccines are still in the early stages of testing," Balachandran said.

The team is planning a larger study "to further test these therapeutic cancer vaccines in patients with surgically removable pancreatic cancer."

Of the 16 participants, the vaccine stimulated an immune response in half of them. The cancer vaccine was personalized for each participant to target specific proteins found in their form of the disease.

The patients also received an immunotherapy drug (atezolizumab) and standard-of-care chemotherapy after receiving surgery.

Therapeutic cancer vaccines like this one, referred to as autogene cevumeran, are meant to treat the cancer instead of preventing it, by training the immune system to "recognize cancer cells as foreign," according to the researchers.

The vaccine is meant to target early stages of cancer that have not spread, where tumors can be surgically removed, to "help delay or prevent recurrence."

Balachandran noted that this approach could potentially be applied to other forms of cancer as well.

"For patients with pancreatic cancer, our latest results continue to support the approach of using personalized mRNA vaccines to target neoantigens in each patient’s tumor," he said.

"If you can do this in pancreatic cancer, theoretically you may be able to develop therapeutic vaccines for other cancer types."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers, as only about 13% of patients are alive five years following diagnosis, according to MSK and the American Cancer Society.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Common therapies like chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapies are "largely ineffective" against pancreatic cancer, MSK stated, which makes new therapies "urgently needed."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/bQkuJ6K

Read More

To eat eggs safely, do these two things, says food science expert

As bird flu outbreaks affect poultry farms in multiple states, and with several recent cases emerging in humans, experts are weighing in on best practices for egg preparation.

Professor Tim Spector, a genetic epidemiology expert at King's College London, took to Instagram to tell his audience that eggs are safe to eat when taking proper precautions. 

Eggs provide nearly every essential vitamin and mineral, including vitamin A, B12 and selenium, along with high-quality protein, according to the doctor. 

MINNESOTA DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AS DISEASES CRIPPLE MIDWESTERN FARMS

"The yolk is especially rich in choline, a crucial nutrient for brain health, and eggs are one of the few natural sources of vitamin D," he wrote in the Instagram post.

More than 23 million egg-laying chickens in the U.S. have been lost due to bird flu outbreaks since the start of 2025, according to USDA market analysis — but that doesn't mean eggs are unsafe to eat, Spector said.

While the outbreaks affect poultry farms, "the actual risk from eggs remains minimal," he wrote. "Infected hens don't lay eggs, and commercial farms cull these affected flocks before the eggs ever reach stores."

Even so, there are ways to ensure that eggs are prepared as safely as possible.

"Even in the unlikely event that a contaminated egg made it to your kitchen, cooking it thoroughly to 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills the virus completely," said the professor in the video. (See the video at the top of the article.)

Registered dietitian and food blogger Lauren Harris-Pincus, based in New York, agreed that eggs are safe to eat without concern when they are cooked through and the white and yolk are fully set.

"For casseroles with eggs and meat or poultry, cook to 165 degrees Fahrenheit," she recommended to Fox News Digital.

SNACK PRODUCT RECALLED DUE TO 'UNDECLARED ALMONDS' DETECTED IN PACKAGING

When it comes to egg-based dishes, such as a quiche or a frittata, the dietitian said the internal cooking temperature should be 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another common question Spector hears is whether it's necessary to wash eggs when they look dirty, he said in his video.

"The answer is no," said the professor. Washing them further with water damages a protective layer, which makes it more likely that any viruses or bacteria will enter the actual egg.

Harris-Pincus also cautioned that bacteria could enter through the pores of the shell itself. 

"Washing eggs isn't recommended because it compromises the integrity of the shell, potentially allowing bacteria into the pores," she said.

When a chicken lays an egg, it already has a protective coating on the outside, according to the USDA website. Further washing can actually increase the risk of contamination.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

"Government regulations require that egg processors carefully wash and sanitize USDA-graded eggs using only compounds meeting FDA regulations for processing foods, and at temperatures that prevent wash water from being ‘sucked’ into the egg," the site reads.

If there is still dirt on an egg, the best way to clean the outer shell is to simply wipe it with a cloth before cooking, according to Spector.

"If you’re using good food-handling practices [and] cooking eggs properly, then the risk is extremely low," he said in the video.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The bigger issue, he added, is the impact of outbreaks on food supply, prices and farming.

"But when it comes to food safety, the science is clear: Eggs remain a safe and nutritious choice."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/VnpuaDQ

Read More

Two Alzheimer’s drugs help patients live independently at home for longer periods

Two widely touted Alzheimer’s drugs have been shown to enable patients to remain in their homes, living independently, for longer periods of time.

Those medications, while effective, are not without their risks and side effects, however.

That’s according to a recent study published last week in the Alzheimer’s Association journal.

RED MEAT COULD RAISE DEMENTIA RISK, RESEARCHERS CLAIM, YET SOME DOCTORS HAVE QUESTIONS

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis analyzed how long 282 Alzheimer’s patients were able to continue living independently after taking two specific treatments: lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla).

Both FDA-approved medications are designed to remove amyloid beta plaques from the brains of people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, potentially slowing the rate of cognitive decline.

Patients who took lecanemab extended their time at home for an additional 10 months, while donanemab enabled them to live independently for eight more months, according to a WashU press release.

MEMORY LOSS ISN’T ALWAYS ALZHEIMER’S: EXPERTS WARN OF COMMON BUT LITTLE-KNOWN DEMENTIA

On average, a patient with mild symptoms could expect to live independently for another 29 months without treatment, 39 months with lecanemab and 37 months with donanemab, according to the release.

These results were based on patients who began treatment with "very mild symptoms."

"Using the data from the clinical trials, we calculated that, for an average patient with very mild symptoms due to Alzheimer disease dementia, treatment with either lecanemab or donanemab would be expected to extend independent living for around one year," senior author Sarah Hartz, MD, PhD, a professor of psychiatry at WashU Medicine, told Fox News Digital. 

"If you think of the cost and consequences of not being able to live independently, this may be significant to many older adults."

This study gives patients and their families a way to translate clinical trial findings into meaningful outcomes, according to Hartz.

"For example, if a patient is considering taking lecanemab or donanemab to treat their AD, part of the discussion with their doctor can be how long they would expect the drug to prolong their independence, both in terms of being able to live independently and being able to independently care for their own bodies."

3 SIGNS YOUR AGING LOVED ONE MAY BE READY FOR ASSISTED LIVING

The purpose of the study is not to advocate for or against these medications, Hartz noted in a press release. "The purpose … is to put the impact of these medications into context in ways that can help people make the decisions that are best for themselves and their family members."

Christopher Weber, Ph.D., senior director of global science initiatives at the Alzheimer's Association, was not involved in the study but shared his input with Fox News Digital.

"This study suggests that these drugs have a clinically meaningful impact for early Alzheimer’s patients and their families by providing more time in the early stages of the disease, when patients have more functional independence," he said.

The study findings highlight the importance of starting treatment early to maximize the potential benefits, according to Weber, as starting at a more advanced point resulted in fewer months of independence.

"The advances we're seeing in Alzheimer's treatments build upon decades of research, and underscore the importance of continued innovation and investment in this field in order to better understand the underlying biology and trajectory of the disease, detect it earlier, and effectively treat and prevent it," he added.

The biggest limitation of the study, according to Hartz, is that the participants were very dedicated to Alzheimer's research and were typically highly educated. 

"We don’t know how well our findings translate to the rest of the population," she acknowledged.

Dr. Chris Vercammen, a board-certified internal medicine physician who specializes in geriatrics and palliative care, emphasized that while the two drugs can extend periods of independence for people with Alzheimer's, "lecanemab and donanemab do not stop or reverse Alzheimer’s disease."

"It's also important to understand that these new drugs are only beneficial for individuals in the early stages of the disease," the doctor, who is also medical director at Remo Health in California, told Fox News Digital. (Vercammen was not involved in the new study.)

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Anyone considering these treatments should have an "in-depth conversation" with a doctor about the potential benefits and weigh them against the "significant risks" involved, according to Vercammen.

"These risks include the possibility of serious side effects, such as brain swelling and bleeding, as well as the substantial financial costs associated with treatment, even if you have insurance coverage," he cautioned.

For people that may benefit from these treatments, Hartz recommend that they talk to their doctors and review the potential risks and benefits.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

"This information could help contextualize how the medications may benefit them in terms of independence," she added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the makers of Leqembi and Kisunla to request comment.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/jDmxLlK

Read More

Flu cases by state and measles outbreak, plus concerning cancer trends

MAKE WOMEN HEALTHY AGAIN – A functional doctor calls out 4 key women's health issues that he hopes MAHA will target. Continue reading…

FARM FLU - Three strains of disease are crippling farmers in one Midwestern state. Here's what to know. Continue reading…

SKIN SAVERS - These 10 winter beauty products can help you combat dry skin. Continue reading…

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Fox News First

Fox News Opinion

Fox News Lifestyle

Fox News Health

Fox News Autos

Fox News Entertainment (FOX411)

Fox Business

Fox Weather

Fox Sports

Tubi

Fox News Go

Fox Nation

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/ekcuZSg

Read More

Pope Francis’ medical condition: What to know about bilateral pneumonia

Following Pope Francis’ diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia, doctors are speaking about the condition.

The Vatican announced the Catholic leader’s diagnosis — which was reportedly confirmed via laboratory tests and chest X-rays — in a statement on Tuesday.

"The polymicrobial infection, which arose on a picture of bronchiectasis and asmatiform bronchitis, and which required the use of antibiotic cortisone therapy, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex," the statement said.

POPE FRANCIS DIAGNOSED WITH BILATERAL PNEUMONIA, VATICAN SAYS

"The chest CT scan that the Holy Father underwent this afternoon … demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy."

Pope Francis, 88, was recently hospitalized to treat bronchitis, a condition that can lead to pneumonia.

Pneumonia is defined by Cleveland Clinic as an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.

This can cause the lung tissue to swell and create a buildup of fluid or pus in the lungs.

SURGE IN WALKING PNEUMONIA AFFECTS THESE HIGH-RISK GROUPS, SAYS DR. MARC SIEGEL

Bilaterial pneumonia, also known as double pneumonia, occurs in both lungs at the same time.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, said the risk of bilateral pneumonia depends on the underlying health conditions of the patient and the strength of their immune system. 

"It also depends on the bacteria — is it a resistant, aggressive form like pseudomonas, or strep or pneumococcus?" he told Fox News Digital.

"There are many causes — but in this case, I would suspect strep or pneumococcus," Siegel said. "[The pope] is not a smoker or immunocompromised, so I doubt it is staph aureus or gram-negative bacteria."

Most cases of community-acquired pneumonia are bacterial or viral.

Bacterial pneumonia is normally more severe than viral pneumonia, according to Cleveland Clinic. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

It can be caused by an infection of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, also called pneumococcal disease. Other bacteria that can cause the respiratory condition include mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella (Legionnaires’ disease), per the above source.

Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics.

Viral pneumonia can sometimes stem from viruses that include the flu, common cold, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to Cleveland Clinic.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

This type of pneumonia typically improves on its own.

In less common cases, some fungi (molds) or protozoa can cause pneumonia.

"The biggest concern is that it could spread into the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which is definitely life-threatening," Siegel cautioned. 

The condition is also more dangerous for the elderly, the doctor added.

"[The pope] is also missing part of his lung due to prior pneumonia, and the scarring can cause recurrence and make healing more difficult," he said.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/E3epUlZ

Read More