Skin Cancer -- Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., but it can be prevented by avoiding over exposure to harmful ultraviolet light. (text)

April 29

Exercise is Medicine -- Physical inactivity is causing serious health problems for many Americans, but some of those problems can be prevented or improved through regular exercise. (text)

Head and Neck Cancer -- Approximately 55,000 Americans are diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck area each year. (text)

Sleep -- About 50 million people in the U.S. are affected by chronic sleep problems, which can affect their careers, their safety and their health. (text)

Middle Age Suicide -- The suicide rate for middle-aged Americans is at an all time high. (text)

Pre-diabetes -- Pre-diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects millions of people, but it can be prevented. (text)

Match -- Senior medical students graduating from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine have matched with competitive residency training programs again this year. (text)

Bladder problems -- Urinary incontinence is a common health problem for women of all ages. (text)

Colorectal cancer -- Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer, yet it can be prevented. (text)

Children’s Flu Vaccinations -- A federal advisory committee recommends all children get flu vaccinations starting next fall to help decrease the incidences of flu in all age groups. (text)

Cancer Screenings -- Deaths from the major types of cancer have declined in recent years, primarily because more people are being screened. (text)

Kids Ear Infections -- Chronic middle ear infection is a very common medical condition affecting young children. (text)

Cold Weather Tips -- Cold outdoor temperatures can cause dangerous frostbite if precautions are not taken. (text)

Women’s Heart Health -- Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death of women of all ages. (text)

Winter Skin Care -- Cold winter weather can cause a person’s skin to become dry, but taking some precautions can make a difference. (text)

Seasonal Affective Disorder -- If this winter you are feeling blue, gaining weight and waking up tired, even though you might be sleeping more, you may have seasonal affective disorder. (text)

Weight Loss Resolution -- Losing weight is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions for many Americans who might have indulged in too much holiday food. (text)

Keeping New Year’s Resolutions -- January is the time for making New Year’s resolutions, but many of them are not successfully followed. (text)

Drunk driving -- Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs kills about 17,000 people in the United States annually. (text)

Helping Kids Through the Holidays -- All the excitement and interruption of a child’s routine during the holidays can bring added stress for children and sometimes cause behavioral problems. (text)

Holiday Blues -- The holiday season can be a stressful and even sad time for some people, which may be caused by unrealistic expectations or stress. (text)

Weak Bones in Children -- Unhealthy lifestyles that are lacking in exercise and sunshine may put children at risk for bone fractures and bone diseases. (text)

GERD -- Many people suffer from heartburn or indigestion on a regular basis, and some do not seek treatment. (text)

Alzheimer’s Disease --About 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. (text)

Diabetes -- Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States, but it can be managed with diet, exercise and medication. (text)

Lung Cancer -- Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer and the leading cancer killer in the United States. (text)

Prostate Cancer -- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, but it can be successfully treated if caught early. (text)

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome -- Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause much discomfort, and if not treated it may become so painful that it prevents people from performing even simple tasks at work or home. (text)

Integrative Medicine -- A new integrative medicine program combines both scientific-based and complementary medicine to heal the body, mind and spirit (text).

Lupus -- More than 1.5 million Americans struggle with the often debilitating health effects of lupus. (text)

Breast Cancer -- Breast cancer is the leading cancer for both white and African-American women, but early detection is the key to overcoming the disease. (text)

High blood pressure -- High blood pressure in children has increased in recent years and medical experts say the rise is linked to obesity and lack of exercise. (text)

Childhood Cancer -- Because of improved treatment methods, outcomes for childhood cancer patients have improved over the past 30 years. (text)

Cholesterol Education -- High blood cholesterol can increase a person’s risk for coronary heart disease, but a few lifestyle changes can lower the cholesterol reading and improve health. (text)

Asthma, New Guidelines -- Recently the National Institutes of Health issued new guidelines for diagnosing and managing this chronic condition. (text)

Healthy Aging--Americans are now living longer. (text)

Psoriasis -- Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that can be viewed with concern because some people believe it is contagious.  But it is NOT contagious. (text)

Stress and Anxiety in Women -- About 40 million people in the U.S. suffer from anxiety disorders. (text)

Baby Formula and Probiotics -- The best nutrition for babies comes from breast feeding, but if babies are formula fed, mothers must make sure it meets safety standards. (text)

Childhood Obesity -- Childhood obesity is a growing concern and it can bring on other serious health issues. (text)

Seniors and Hot Weather -- Senior citizens need to take special precautions to avoid overheating in hot weather. (text)

Meningitis Vaccine -- A Center for Disease Control panel recommends that all teenagers be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. (text)

Foodborne Illness -- Summer is the time for outdoor picnics and barbeques, but unless precautions are taken foodborne illness can occur. (text)

Bullying -- Bullying can have harmful social effects for children that could last a lifetime. (text)

Fireworks Injuries -- Thousands of people go to hospital emergency rooms with injuries from fireworks each year.  Most of these injuries occur around the Fourth of July. (text)

Children’s Headaches -- Headaches are one of the top three reasons why children miss school, but can be prevented with correct diagnosis and therapy.  (text)

L. Stewart Massad, M.D., Obstetrics/ Gynecology

Osteoporosis -- Osteoporosis is a crippling bone disease that affects 10 million Americans who are age 50 years and over. (text)

XDR-TB -- A rare strain of tuberculosis in the U.S. puts an individual in quarantine and causes much public concern.(text)