Dr. Patient

Heather Johnston

A podcast that examines how today’s healthcare system affects the doctor-patient relationship and impacts how doctors and patients experience it. 

  1. Ep 32 Last Call: Alcohol, Breast Cancer and the Advice Gap

    23H AGO

    Ep 32 Last Call: Alcohol, Breast Cancer and the Advice Gap

    Date: 5/19/26 Name of podcast: Dr. Patient Episode title and number: 32 Last Call: Alcohol, Breast Cancer and the Advice Gap Episode summary:  In this episode of the Dr. Paitnet Podcast, I’m going to be exploring the growing disconnect between what decades of breast cancer research shows and what women are told in the exam room when it comes to alcohol. Some women are told an occasional drink is fine. Others are told to avoid alcohol entirely. Many are never counseled on the topic at all. As both a physician and a breast cancer survivor, I found myself increasingly unsettled by how inconsistent these conversations remain despite years of established research linking alcohol to breast cancer risk. But let me just say that this episode is not about shame, judgment or fear-based messaging. I want you to understand how research moves, or sometimes fails to move, from medical journals into the conversation that you have with your doctor. References:  Bagnardi meta-analysis from 2015: https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534%2819%2936858-9/fulltext Article on alcohol affecting young womens' breast tissue: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19409844/ Study looking at what % of US adults know alcohol is a risk for cancer:  https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2834641?utm_source=openevidence&utm_medium=referral#google_vignette What % of US doctors ask patients about alcohol use:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32163383/ News article links: Sorry, some of these will have paywalls you'll have to get through: WaPo 2022 https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/09/19/alcohol-cancer-risk-labels/ WHO statement that no amount of alcohol is safe https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health NYTimes 2023 Even a little alcohol can harm your health https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/13/well/mind/alcohol-health-effects.html Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com Podcast email, become a guest: drpatientpodcast@gmail.com

    24 min
  2. Ep 30 Prevent Illness in the First Place

    APR 14

    Ep 30 Prevent Illness in the First Place

    Date: 4/15/26 Name of podcast: Dr. Patient Episode title and number: 30 Prevent Illness in the First Place Episode summary:  Preventive healthcare involves trying to keep illness from occurring, and trying to catch diseases early on in their process. It has a long history of success as an overall health approach, but less and less adults in the US are utilizing it and seeing a primary care provider. This episode reviews what preventive healthcare entails and addresses some of the more common reasons why people don't seek it out. References:  Current screening recommendations: Cancers:  - Colorectal cancer screening (variety of methods including colonoscopy) at 45-75 - Breast cancer screening (mammogram, ultrasound most common) at 40-74 - Cervical cancer screening (PAP smear) at 21-65 - Lung cancer screening (low dose CT scan) at 50-80 IF you have a 20 pack-year smoking history, or if you quit within the last 15 years Heart and metabolic conditions: - Hypertension/high blood pressure screening  - every 2 years if blood pressure is 25) - every 3 years if normal BMI - High cholesterol screening (blood test) - lots of caveats on this one - generally, a lipid panel at 40-75  - some sources say every 4-6 years starting at 20 - American Heart Associaion says waist circumference and BMI and lipid panel every 3 years for adults 40-75 with one risk factor Infectious Diseases - Hepatitis C (blood test) once between 18-79 - HIV (blood test) once 15-65 or for anyone pregnant, then regularly only if high risk  Bone health - Osteoporosis screening (bone scan) all women over 65, all post menopausal women even if less than 65 years old if increased risk Other - Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (ultrasound) for men 65-75 who have ever smoked - Depression screening (questionnaire) for everyone over 19 including pregnant/postpartum - Beyond these, your healthcare provider might also/should ask you questions about safety at home, seat belt use, your diet and exercise Links: USPSTF/US Preventive Services Task Force: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/ ACIP/Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: https://www.cdc.gov/acip/index.html American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/heart-health-screenings American Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org/newsroom/latest-ada-annual-standards-of-care-includes-changes-to-diabetes-screening-first-line-therapy-pregnancy-technology American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com Podcast email, become a guest: drpatientpodcast@gmail.com

    20 min

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4.9
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

A podcast that examines how today’s healthcare system affects the doctor-patient relationship and impacts how doctors and patients experience it. 

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