Doctor Column

Tumor Biomarkers and Angellina Jolie

“I choose not to keep my story private, because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer. It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options,” said Jolie.

Biomarkers Are Essential Medical Tools

A biomarker, in medicine, is anything that can be used to measure the health status of a person. A wide range of biomarkers is available to determine whether a person is healthy or sick. For instance, some are as simple as taking your pulse, body temperature, or measuring your blood pressure. Other biomarkers can be more complex, such as biological molecules used to identify genetic changes in cancer cells.

“Snapshot” Medicare’s $35 Out-Of-Pocket Insulin

Over 3.3 million Americans on Medicare use insulin. In August 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act which included caps on out-of-pocket insulin costs to $35 per month for each insulin product covered by a person’s Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, or Medicare Advantage plan. The law took effect on January 1, 2023. For Medicare patients who use an insulin pump, the law goes into effect on July1, 2023.

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) — The “Chickenpox Sequel”

Shingles is a common viral infection that targets the skin, and nerve fibers. It causes a painful rash-blister due to the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus). After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus usually remains dormant or inactive in the body for the rest of his life; but for an unknown reason it can become reactivated later in life causing shingles. The rash typically involves one side of the body, and takes the shape of a band-like pattern.