Conditions Expert Archive
DR. OTIS BRAWLEY
Otis Webb Brawley, M.D., is the chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, which means he's responsible for promoting the goals of cancer prevention, early detection, and high-quality treatment through cancer research and education. A world-renowned cancer expert and practicing oncologist, Brawley also has been a professor of hematology, oncology, and epidemiology at Emory University, medical director of the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, and deputy director for cancer control at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University. He has also held other roles with the cancer society, co-chaired the Surgeon General's Task Force on Cancer Health Disparities and filled a variety of capacities at the National Cancer Institute.
Brawley, a self-described "science nerd," says he gravitated toward research as a way of mixing the clinical practice of medicine with pure science. He traces his passion to his teenage years, when he volunteered in the lab of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Detroit, near his hometown. The scientists there taught him to use sophisticated equipment and how to help them with their work. "That's where I got the research bug," the doctor says.
He's a graduate of University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He interned at University Hospital of Cleveland, Case-Western Reserve University and completed his residency at University Hospital of Cleveland and his fellowship at the National Cancer Institute.
In his work with the cancer society, he champions efforts to decrease smoking, improve diet, detect cancer at the earliest stage and provide the critical support cancer patients need. He also guides efforts to enhance and focus the research program, upgrade the society's advocacy capacity, and concentrate community cancer control efforts in areas where they will be most effective. Brawley is also a key leader in the society's work to eliminate disparities in access to high-quality cancer care.
I'm a 29-year-old male who recently went to the doctor for a routine physical and was told my liver enzymes (AST specifically) were very high. My doctor immediately diagnosed it as a drinking problem and told me to cut back. The problem is, I don't really drink a whole lot. I do admit to the weekly happy hours at the end of the week where I sometimes drink more than I should, but it certainly is not a daily habit. (I don't even have any beer or liquor in my house.) I had happened to be out drinking a few nights before my blood test, and I read that strenuous exercise can also cause this. (I've run two marathons, and I am currently training for another.) Should I get another opinion or just simply cut back on the drinking?
I've heard that probiotics can help with diverticulitis. What is the strain of probiotics that would work best? Is there a brand name you can recommend? Should it be taken with antibiotics or after the 10-day prescribed course of antibiotics? I realize there is no cure for diverticulosis; I'm trying to be proactive.
My husband had a kidney transplant a year ago. He's on potent drugs like CellCept and Prograf. Would these drugs be excreted in semen? Can it be harmful to my cervix?
If breast cancer is caught in a very early stage, and a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy show no metastasis, can an HER-2 positive type of breast cancer appear later in the lungs, bones, liver, etc.? That is, spread to other parts of the body without any metastasis from the breast tissue itself?
Where are tapeworms most likely to be found?
What are the best diets and supplements to prevent and treat prostate cancer? What about tomatoes? Or vitamin E? Or antioxidants?
My daughter-in-law has had a diagnosis of follicular lymphoma. She has had several blood transfusions and chemo. What is available for this young woman? We are very concerned for the future.
I have high blood pressure. I was just told that my creatinine was at 1.8, an indicator of chronic kidney disease.
Is it true that obese people who have had gastric bypass surgery have experienced a reversal of diabetes condition?
Is it necessary to have a colonoscopy when you're over age 50?
Do you believe it would help cancer patients to have lots of human growth hormone, which seems to be so beneficial for athletes?
I have had painful periods for the past couple of years and have also had ovarian cysts. I had a couple of larger cysts removed about five years ago and was told I had endometriosis at that time. I continue to have pain and now have been told I have a 7 cm cyst on the right ovary. My doctor recommends removing both ovaries and the uterus. I'm just researching the pros and cons. Was wondering if there are any major issues I should be concerned about if I had the uterus and both ovaries removed. I am 42 and do not plan to have children. Given the history of pain and previous cysts, is it a good idea to go ahead and remove everything? Thanks for your time. Melissa
I quit smoking two months ago with the help of Chantix. However, I seem to cough more now than than when I was smoking. Is this normal for people who have smoked for 20 years? I feel much better overall, but I am a little concerned that maybe emphysema might be setting in.
I tend to get low blood sugar at times throughout the day. I work out on a regular basis and have difficulty knowing when to eat, what to eat, how much to eat before a workout. So, information on that would be helpful.
For the past two months, each morning I have had a series of sneezes and a runny nose. The episodes last for about 30 minutes. I had a flu shot in November 2008. I exercise daily, riding the bike for about 14 miles each day. I average one hour and approximately 15 mph. When I am exercising, the sniffles go away! I do not like to take over-the-counter pills. What could be wrong?
I am an MS [multiple sclerosis] patient and I have just about had it with my Rebif injections. I've heard about a new leukemia drug used to treat the beginning stages of MS. I think it's called Campath 1H. Are there any other medications you would recommend for early stage MS? Thank you.
I was wondering whether endometriosis can return. Mine was diagnosed while I was trying to get pregnant about seven years ago. I had surgery to remove the scar tissue, was on different drugs and took time off from work to treat it and was finally blessed with two sons. But since the birth of my second son almost four years ago, I've been trying to get pregnant again, with no luck. My age (39) may be a factor, but I'm starting to have some of the endo symptoms as well.
I have a not so rare but rarely talked about condition, hidradenitis suppurativa (a chronic abscess of a type of sweat gland). I cannot find a dermatologist with enough experience with this disease in my area to help me. My outbreaks are contained to my groin area. I am young (25), about 20 pounds overweight, but I am dieting and exercising to lose that. I have had the condition since I was 18, and it just gets worse. I have tried laser hair removal, multiple antibiotic, birth control and ibuprofen therapies. They are all a temporary fix; then it comes back full force. I am meeting with a dermatologist who practices with a plastic surgeon to look at possible surgery to remove the glands. What questions do I need to ask, and what should I be prepared for? I had one doctor tell me it is possible this surgery can affect my fertility. Is that true? I thank you so much for your time and consideration.
Is CoQ10 beneficial for people taking statins?
What is fibromyalgia? What causes fibromyalgia? Can it effectively be treated without prescription drugs? What is the difference between gabapentin and Cymbalta?
I am seven months post Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery. I am regularly having bloody stools. No pain. The blood is bright red, and I do eat nuts daily. The blood is contained throughout the stool. No diarrhea. I have an appointment with my bariatrician in early January. Can I wait until then to talk to him about it, or should I get in touch with him sooner?
Are cardiac tests such as the stress echo as effective at diagnosing blockages and arrhythmia in women as they are in men?
If you're having heart attack, which medicine should you take first : nitroglycerin or 325 mg aspirin?
What can I do to help the pain in my back? I can't stand or walk for more than 15 minutes without sitting or squating down.My right leg has a numb spot that starts burning and stinging very badly.The pain seems to come from my lower back or my butt muscle on the right side.
I am a 28-year-old male, about 5 feet 9 and 235 pounds. Most of the extra weight is in the midsection. I do exercise three to four times weekly, but I love to eat. My question is, I have had elevated liver enzymes on and off (usually on) for about three years. During my four years of college, I drank A LOT of alcohol. I would say about 12 drinks a day, every day for four years. I still drink a day or two a month (and yes to the point of intoxication). I know this is not a good behavior and has its dangers. But I would like to know how likely it would be that I have already started liver cirrhosis from my drinking. Any advice on anything above would help. Thank you all very much.
I have metastatic breast cancer, so far in bones only. Whenever I go to see doctors other than my oncologist, they want to know about when and how often additional testing and/or scans are performed. Generally speaking, are additional testing and/or scans done in the absence of new symptoms?
I have heard that a hiatal hernia can mimic more serious medical conditions, such as a heart attack or make it difficult to breathe. What symptoms could a hiatal hernia produce that would seem to come from more serious other medical conditions?
Could a burning pain in your pelvic area be a sign of uterine cancer?
My name is Otis W. Brawley, M.D. I am an oncologist or cancer doctor.
When you have a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and your kidney ultrasound is normal, how do you prevent the kidney disease from worsening to the point of dialysis and/or need for a transplant?
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