Occasionally  people say that: “the cure is worse than the illness.” While that is not always true, it is important to be aware of  the side effects of treatments and have an open discussion with your doctor to adjust treatment plans as needed. However, some side effects of a treatment may not have any symptoms, so awareness is important. One such side effect is iron overload, which can occur in patients who undergo frequent blood transfusions, like those with sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease, also known as sickle cell anemia,…

It was reported this week that the Oscar-winner actor, Louis Gossett Jr., aged 74, was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  It is in an early stage and he has begun intensive treatment. He said in a statement that he wants to “set an example for the large number of African-American men who are victims of this disease because of the comparatively low emphasis in our community on preventive examinations and early treatment.”

Prostate cancer is the single most diagnosed non-skin cancer among African-American men. The chances of getting it are 1 in…