I am approaching the 27th anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis. And while I have remained cancer-free, it’s been quite a ride. I am also approaching the 3rd anniversary of my preventative mastectomy and removal of my ovaries. Why the surgeries, might you ask, if I was cancer-free? In 1997, following a routine mammogram, I […]
Access to fresh and healthy food is a basic human need and essential for a healthy lifestyle. However, this basic need is not easily met for many residents of Altgeld Gardens and, specifically, the Phillip Murray Homes community on the far south side of Chicago. Recognized as one of the lowest-income neighborhoods in Chicago, Altgeld […]
Famous French Nobel laureate and novelist Anatole France beautifully wrote: “Toaccomplish great things; we must not only act but also dream; not only plan but also believe.” Hope and belief in a brighter future are virtues that guide us as humans. Without hope, we would not be where we are today. It is why we […]
Ovarian cancer continues to challenge doctors who are searching for ways to detect the disease earlier to help save patients’ lives. In 2021, the National Institute of Health reported an estimated 238,484 women were living with ovarian cancer. When diagnosed early, 94% of patients live longer than five years. Yet, historically, ovarian cancer evades early […]
The World Health Organization reports that more than 700,000 people die by suicide every year. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death amongst 15 to 19-year-olds, and the pandemic has only exacerbated mental health conditions — spurring a staggering 25% increase in anxiety and depression, according to a new brief by the World Health Organization. […]
DISCLAIMER: This article discusses suicide prevention and mental health efforts; readers sensitive to either topic, please note. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2022, America lost 49,476 people, and an estimated 1.6 million people attempted suicide. But, there are many working to turn this tide. Every September, we […]
The latest data about Alzheimer’s Disease has scientists and doctors strengthening their resolve and resources to find earlier diagnosis tools and interventions for patients. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s latest report, an estimated 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s, which is about 10.9% of that population. By 2050, the number is projected […]
Add one more item to your college student’s freshman to-do list this fall: Make sure they know where the campus counseling center is located, the scope of its services, and how to make an appointment. Don’t wait until a mental health crisis comes up. Do it now. The stakes are much too high. According to […]
In June 2022, the Chicago Dermatological Society (CDS) hosted the inaugural Art of Skin Gala, an ambitious initiative spearheaded by Dr. Jordan Carqueville, a board-certified dermatologist, during her tenure as CDS president. Dr. Carqueville, who was voted Chicago’s Best Cosmetic Dermatologist five straight years by Better readers, conceived of the event as a response to the significant […]
“He’s concussed … again.” I remember my mom, scared and in disbelief, uttering those sobering words to me during my junior year in college. A helmet-to-helmet hit resulted in my brother Christian’s third concussion, ending his high school football career at the ripe old age of 15. The following year, a fourth concussion from a […]
