Ask the Mayo Mom: The eyes of a child

Approximately 1.5 % of adults will be diagnosed with leukemia at some point during their lives, according to the National Cancer Institute (https://www.cancer.gov/) data. Leukemia (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/leukemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20374373) is cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system, and it usually involves the white blood cells. Your white blood cells are potent infection fighters. They normally grow and divide in an orderly way, as your body needs them. But in people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells, which don't function properly. Some forms of leukemia are more common in children. Other forms of leukemia occur mostly in adults. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr.  James Foran (https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/foran-james-m-m-d/bio-20055400), chair of the Acute Leukemia and Myeloid Neoplasms Disease Group at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center (https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/mayo-clinic-cancer-center), discusses the different types of leukemia, signs and symptoms, treatment strategies, future research, and Mayo Clinic efforts to address health care disparities for some patients battling leukemia. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

25 Jan 202124min

Transforming health care and health care delivery are priorities for the Mayo Clinic Platform (https://mayomagazine.mayoclinic.org/2020/06/at-the-edge-of-possible/), according to Dr. John Halamka (https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dr-john-halamka-named-president-of-mayo-clinic-platform/), president of the Mayo Clinic Platform. "If we are going to deliver advice, let's make sure it's customized to the person, their geography, the time of year, all those other variables," says Dr. Halamka. He adds that the COVID-19 (https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19) pandemic has revealed how well that can work. "COVID-19 has taught us, culturally, that it's actually OK to do things at a distance," says Dr. Halamka. "We've been able to do remote infusions of things like remdesivir. We've been able to enhance the patient's experience of getting COVID-19 treatment without them having to leave their homes." In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Halamka explains artificial intelligence, talks about new devices generating new kinds of data, and how to make sure those data are used ethically. He also offers predictions about what health care will look like in the future. For more information, visit the Mayo Clinic News Network (https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org). Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

22 Jan 202120min

The distribution kinks for COVID-19 vaccines (https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine) are getting ironed out, says Dr. Gregory Poland (https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/poland-gregory-a-m-d/bio-20053165), an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group (https://www.mayo.edu/research/labs/vaccine-research-group/overview). "It's a logistics nightmare, but now you're seeing a plan to administer 1 million doses a day and I think that's very achievable," says Dr. Poland. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/poland-gregory-a-m-d/bio-20053165?utm_source=newsnetwork&utm_medium=l&utm_content=content&utm_campaign=mayoclinic&geo=national&placementsite=enterprise&cauid=100721&_ga=2.136537328.1903245515.1583502589-382127956.1576426874) "And the production of the vaccine is just going to accelerate." Dr. Poland also repeats the reminders about preventing transmission of COVID-19 (https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19): * Wear a mask. * Wash your hands. * Keep your social distance. "The current estimates are that in the next four weeks, we'll probably have about another 100,000 deaths," adds Dr. Poland. "It's stunning when you think about 1 out of every 860 Americans has now died of this." In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland talks more about the rollout, transmission and herd immunity (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/herd-immunity-and-coronavirus/art-20486808), as well as fertility issues related to COVID-19, survivor brain fog and more. Learn more on the Mayo Clinic News Network (https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org).   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

20 Jan 202132min

Naloxone is a potentially lifesaving medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid medicine. It can be easily administered to those who overdose. Many who are battling the opioid epidemic would like to see naloxone made more readily available. Dr. Halena Gazelka, host of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, is also chair of Mayo Clinic's Opioid Stewardship Program Subcommittee. She is a strong advocate for breaking the stigma of opioid use disorder. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gazelka talks with Dr. Bonnie Milas, an anesthesiologist and critical care physician from the University of Pennsylvania. They discuss naloxone, the opioid epidemic and the tragic loss of Dr. Milas' two sons to opioid overdoses. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

18 Jan 202142min

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed medical research and patient care to new levels. High-volume testing for COVID-19, researching convalescent plasma and monitoring patients at home are just a few of the challenges met by Mayo Clinic in Florida in 2020. Dr. Kent Thielen, CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida, says they also are looking ahead as the campus continues to grow. He highlights the Lung Restoration Center, the Discovery and Innovation Center, the BioBusiness Incubator and the integrated oncology facility as examples of accelerated programs. In the this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Thielen expands on the culture of innovation on the Florida campus and what the future holds for the practice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

15 Jan 202119min

The U.S. rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is reportedly ramping up with news that nearly all available doses will soon be released to the American public. "The new COVID-19 variants are traveling quickly, and this is a warning that we need to take precautions," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. Dr. Poland says these new variants are a consequence of an RNA virus being transmitted from human to human. "Even after we get our vaccines, we still need to wear masks out in public. We still need to maintain physical distancing. And we still need to wash our hands until about 80% of people get their COVID-19 vaccines," Dr. Poland emphasizes. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland goes into detail about the COVID-19 vaccines, including "sterilizing immunity," testing for antibodies after receiving the vaccine, the possibility of booster doses in the future and much more.   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

13 Jan 202130min

HPV is the most common cause of cervical cancer. And during January, Cervical Health Awareness Month, women are encouraged to receive the HPV vaccine. They also are encouraged to schedule a screening that can find precancerous conditions of the cervix. HPV infection and early cervical cancer don't cause noticeable symptoms, so regular screenings can detect changes in the cervix that might lead to cancer. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Kristina Butler, a gynecologic oncologist and co-chair of the Gynecologic Disease Group at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, talks about good cervical health and the importance of the HPV vaccine for protection. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

11 Jan 202112min

Around the world, COVID-19 vaccinations are underway, but only in adults. Pfizer's vaccine has been authorized for ages 16 and up, while Moderna's vaccine is currently authorized for ages 18 and up. Vaccines are generally tested in adults first to ensure they are safe for pediatric trials. Both Pfizer and Moderna now have clinical trials underway to study the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in children. This edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast features an #AskMayoMom episode hosted by Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Children's Center. Joining Dr. Mattke to discuss COVID-19, vaccines and children are Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic pediatric infectious diseases physician, and  Dr. Emily Levy, a Mayo Clinic pediatric critical care and infectious diseases expert. Dr. Levy also discusses multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, also known as MIS-C. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

8 Jan 202144min