The sad passing of Elizabeth Edwards reminds us again of the sobering fact that the cost of cancer is no easy price to pay — emotionally, physically, and financially. But here's a shocking statistic: over half of cancer professionals refrain from mentioning finances when discussing the topic with their patients, according to a report released this year by the Journal of the American Medical Read more

I'm killing myself for not eating an apple a day. In recent weeks, I've spent entirely too much time at doctors' offices, which have resulted in numerous prescriptions for antibiotics. Thinking I knew my body well enough, I decided to forgo the second Rx and tried to fight my illness with my trusty OTC meds, some saline spray, and some rest. Unfortunately, playing nurse to myself didn't pay off Read more

Say you run into your psychologist at a party. Do you say hello or feign unfamiliarity? I've known psychologists who won't acknowledge patients in social situations unless the patient says hello first, so as to avoid any awkward "how do you know that person?" questions that might put patients on the spot. To me, the idea of friending a therapist on Facebook is a puzzling proposition. As a recent Read more

Got a burning question for your doctor during non-office hours? Skip the overnight answering service and just text her! Expectant mamas who find themselves wondering why their breasts are leaking in the weeks before delivery or if it is safe to take medication for a headache don't always have to wait for the phones to open at 9 a.m. to get an answer. Many doctors are opening themselves, and their Read more

Women without health insurance or those who are not familiar with the healthcare system often skip their prenatal visits, which can lead to complications for both mother and baby. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, offering expectant moms $100 to begin their prenatal doctor visits in the first trimester and continue through delivery is enough incentive to have them Read more

Mamas wait for what seems like an eternity for their babies, so when they finally arrive it's a big relief. There's another wonderful thing that comes with holding the warm bundle of joy, clearing your calendar of prenatal appointments! But, before women can pencil in other activities, they need to go in for their six week postpartum checkup. Here's what to expect during the visit: A thorough Read more