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New 23andMe Cancer Screening Test Approved
The FDA has just given its approval to the company’s genetic testing kitIn a move that’s already stirring controversy, the FDA has given its approval to a home testing kit that lets users screen themselves for certain breast cancer genes without a doctor’s prescription. The test is marketed by the genetic testing firm 23andMe, which offers DNA testing on saliva samples that customers collect at home. The company…
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“Suppose”
E.E. Cummings, a prolific and pioneering poet from the early 20th century, is a master of image, and his lyric, witty style paints thoughtful, compelling landscapes. He is known for his unusual and sometimes bizarre way of handling language and punctuation. He uses cadence and unique structure combined with beautiful metaphors to evoke powerful emotional responses.…
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Evgenia Medvedeva Confronts Grief and Loss in Her “Clinical Death” Figure Skating Routine
The Russian skater uses choreography and music to express complex emotionsOlympic figure skater Evgenia Medvedeva is no stranger to controversy. In the world of competitive figure skating, many performers choose crowd-pleasing routines that are beautiful, delicate and lighthearted in mood. But Medvedeva often takes a slightly different approach to her routines. She isn’t afraid to confront uncomfortable or dark subjects in her work. This has…
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What Is The Role of A Patient Advocate? (Interview)
An interview with patient advocate Linda Garvin, Part TwoToday SevenPonds speaks with Linda Garvin, R.N., M.S.N., a patient advocate with 35 years experience working in healthcare. Linda is the principal of Patient Advocate Bay Area, Inc, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through her private health advocacy practice, she assists individuals in managing their illness and navigating the complexities of the healthcare…
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“I’ll See Myself Out, Thank You”
A collection of short essays in support of medically assisted rational suicideWhen I first started reading “I’ll See Myself Out, Thank You” I thought to myself, “I’m really going to enjoy this book.” A collection of short essays in support of medically assisted rational suicide (the editors’ term to describe physician-assisted death), the book begins with an introduction by co-editor Colin Brewer, in which he walks…
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Long-Lost WWII Shipwreck Where The Five Sullivan Brothers Died Finally Located
The brothers’ subterranean grave was discovered on St. Patrick’s DaySometimes a bit of closure can arrive late. But, as the saying goes, it’s usually better than never. Such is the case for the Sullivan family. On Nov. 13, 1942, five brothers — George, Francis, Joseph, Madison and Albert Sullivan — died together aboard the USS Juneau during the Battle of Guadalcanal. The wreck had…
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Funeral Clowns Making a Comeback
A funeral service that sends in the clowns may soften the sadnessAs incongruous as it sounds, funeral clowns were once a long-standing tradition in Europe. During the classical period of the Greeks and Romans a funeral clown dressed up as the person who died, wore a mask of his face, and danced about, imitating him. As the funeral procession made way, the well-paid merrymaker would run around the coffin together with…
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Unnecessary Surgeries Prevalent Among Patients Nearing End of Life
The reasons and risks for unnecessary surgeriesSurgeries near the end of life are extremely common. According to The Lancet, among those who died aged 65 or older in the United States in 2008, nearly one third underwent surgery in the last year of life, and almost one-fifth had surgery in the final three months of life. While surgery seems a normal procedure…
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