Being an Empowered Patient - How Can Using Technology Improve My Health?

Should I Be Concerned I Have Dense Breasts?

Nearly half of all women who get a mammogram for the first time will hear this from their doctor: You have dense breasts. But what does this mean? And should women who get this news be concerned? In this episode of Q&A with Dr. K, Dr. Doug Kuntzweiler and Dr. Tiffany Kniepkamp explain what it means to have dense breasts and the health implications. If you have a question for Dr. K, email QandAwithDrK@mpqhf.org. Your question will remain anonymous. Additional resources for this episode Mayo Clinic - What it means to have dense breasts: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mammogram/in-depth/dense-breast-tissue/art-20123968 [https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mammogram/in-depth/dense-breast-tissue/art-20123968] Mayo Clinic - What to know about dense breasts: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/what-is-dense-breast-tissue-what-do-you-need-to-know [https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/what-is-dense-breast-tissue-what-do-you-need-to-know] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) About Dense Breasts: https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/about/dense-breasts.html [https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/about/dense-breasts.html] American Cancer Society Breast Density and Your Mammogram Report: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/mammograms/breast-density-and-your-mammogram-report.html [https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/mammograms/breast-density-and-your-mammogram-report.html]

Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking?

Vaping is a popular trend, especially among young people. Many believe vaping is a safer alternative to smoking or using tobacco and use vaping as a way to quit smoking. But what exactly is involved when you vape? And is it really better for you than smoking? In this episode of Q&A with Dr. K, Dr. Tiffany Kniepkamp joins Dr. Doug Kuntzweiler to discuss what we know about vaping and how it compares to smoking when it comes to our health. If you have a question for Dr. K, email QandAwithDrK@mpqhf.org. Your question will remain anonymous. Additional resources for this episode Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) E-Cigarettes (Vapes): https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/index.html [https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/index.html] CDC Vaping and Quitting: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/quitting.html [https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/quitting.html] CDC Resources to Help Youth Reject or Quit Vaping: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/youth-quitting.html [https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/youth-quitting.html] American Lung Association E-Cigarettes and Vaping: https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping [https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping] American Lung Association Don't Just Switch, Quit Tobacco for Good: https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping/quit-dont-switch [https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping/quit-dont-switch]

What Exactly Is the Prostate? And What Are the Pros and Cons of Prostate Cancer Screening?

In this episode of Q&A with Dr. K, Dr. Doug Kuntzweiler takes us on his personal journey of being diagnosed with and getting treated for prostate cancer. With 1 in 8 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, and with it being the second leading cause of cancer death for men, get the benefit of both Dr. K's personal experience and expert professional knowledge about what the prostate is, what puts someone at risk for prostate cancer and the screening and treatment options. If you have a question for Dr. K, email QandAwithDrK@mpqhf.org. Your question will remain anonymous. Additional resources for this episode American Cancer Society - Information and decision-making assistance: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer.html [https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer.html] American Society of Clinical Oncology - https://society.asco.org/news-initiatives/current-initiatives/geriatric-oncology/specific-cancer-types/prostate-cancer [https://society.asco.org/news-initiatives/current-initiatives/geriatric-oncology/specific-cancer-types/prostate-cancer] National Cancer Institute - Overview, screening and treatment information: https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate [https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate]

What Should I Know About Early-Onset Cancer?

Early-onset cancer cases are on the rise. What do we need to know about this concerning trend? How are early-onset cancers different from other cancers? Who is at risk? And what are researchers saying? In this episode of Q&A with Dr. K, we get expert insights from two Dr. Ks: Dr. Doug Kuntzweiler and Dr. Tiffany Kniepkamp. If you have a question for Dr. K, email QandAwithDrK@mpqhf.org. Your question will remain anonymous. Additional resources for this episode Yale Medicine: https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/early-onset-cancer-in-younger-people-on-the-rise [https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/early-onset-cancer-in-younger-people-on-the-rise] Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/digestive-diseases/news/addressing-the-rising-incidence-of-early-onset-colorectal-cancer/mac-20541392 [https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/digestive-diseases/news/addressing-the-rising-incidence-of-early-onset-colorectal-cancer/mac-20541392] Johns Hopkins: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/2019/06/an-earlier-onset-for-colorectal-cancer [https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/2019/06/an-earlier-onset-for-colorectal-cancer] Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/colorectal/center-for-young-onset-colorectal-gastrointestinal-cancer [https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/colorectal/center-for-young-onset-colorectal-gastrointestinal-cancer]

Being an Empowered Patient - How Can Using Technology Improve My Health?

As technology becomes more and more prevalent in the way we receive and even schedule our care, what role do patients play in embracing health information technology to improve health and the health care experience? We wrap up our empowered patient series with Dr. K talking about how technology can prevent health issues or track and help you better understand your health, your care plan and communication with your providers. If you have a question for Dr. K, email QandAwithDrK@mpqhf.org. Your question will remain anonymous. Additional resources for this episode Health IT: Advancing America's Health Care: https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/health-information-technology-fact-sheet.pdf [https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/health-information-technology-fact-sheet.pdf] Mayo Clinic Personal Health Records and Patient Portals: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/personal-health-record/art-20047273 [https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/personal-health-record/art-20047273] Johns Hopkins Medicine Benefits of Telemedicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/benefits-of-telemedicine [https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/benefits-of-telemedicine] HealthIT.gov Your Health Information Security: https://www.healthit.gov/topic/your-health-information-security [https://www.healthit.gov/topic/your-health-information-security]