Health News of the Week with Dr. Darria

Each week, Dr. Darria goes over the Health News you need to know to keep you and your loved ones well.

In this week's segment, Dr. Darria the following topics...

Melanoma on the Rise

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer, and rates of this type of cancer have doubled over the past 30 years. It is responsible for approximately 9,000 skin cancer deaths in the U.S. every year.

In children and young adults, melanoma has increased by 250 percent since the 1970s.

Survival rates are on the rise, due to advances in science and medicine; but, the rising rate of occurrence is still troublesome. 

Prevention is key. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30-50, and reapply every 1 1/2-2 hours. Wear protective clothing (hats, materials with UPF). And, avoid sunburns. Just one blistering sunburn as a child can double your risk for cancer later in life. Finally, stay away from tanning beds.

Breastfed Children & Leukemia Risk

A recent study found that children who were breastfed at least six months had a 19 percent lower risk for developing leukemia than those not breastfed at all or those who were breastfed for shorter periods of time.

There are many other benefits of breastfeeding as well, including lower incidences of allergies and asthma, as well as fewer ear infections and bouts of diarrhea.

Antibiotic Use & Resistance

The overuse of antibiotics in the U.S. has led to many cases of antibiotic resistance. One such bacteria that is becoming increasingly resistant is Clostridium difficile (also known as C. difficile or C. diff), which is to blame for approximately 30,000 deaths per year. There is a time and place for antibiotic use, but make sure you're talking to your doctor about the risks, as well as the option of taking a probiotic to help preserve the "good bacteria" in your gut.

Maternal Obesity Risks

Maternal obesity is on the rise and is resulting in complications for both mom and baby. 

In mothers, it has been linked to gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, more c-sections and increased risk of infection if you do have a c-section. In babies, maternal obesity can cause pre-term birth, fetal defects, and even death.