DEAR DR. ROACH: I don’t know why everybody keeps debating the accuracy of the PSA test. At least it’s a test that shows something. There’s nothing like it for ovarian cancer. Why is that? — R.R. ANSWER: There are several analogous tests to the PSA for ovarian cancer, and the most commonly used is called […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My son always has had problems with his digestive tract, and at age 17 he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. He was sometimes getting as many as 15 bouts of diarrhea a day. A succession of doctors gave him stronger and stronger drugs. He ended up on Humira. He was not happy […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had spinal stenosis surgery eight years ago, with great success. Two years ago I had an MRI because I was having terrible pain again, and could have had more surgery, but the surgeon and I decided that I should carry on with medication instead because of my age. I am now […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have heard that a baby aspirin will help delay the onset of dementia. Is there any truth to this? — B.L.P. ANSWER: Although a few studies have shown a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease among people who regularly take aspirin, the best studies have shown no appreciable benefit, and I don’t […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a 69-year-old woman friend who has been having TIAs for over a year. She averages one a week. Doctors are puzzled. They last 15 to 20 minutes, with drooling and numbness on the left side. I am very worried about what is going to happen. Is this normal for an […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband’s urologist put him on trimethoprim for a urinary tract infection. He was on this medication for 90 days and was then told to take it another 90 days. Upon reading more about this drug, we found that it should be taken for only 10 days. After going for a blood […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in my knee. I do not want an operation. I have read that physical therapy is as effective as surgery, but I don’t know what exercises to do. I had a cortisone shot, and that helped. I felt that my doctor was too quick (two […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently had a bone density test and was advised that I have osteoporosis in the wrist and hip. I am now 77 years young. My doctor has advised me to begin taking 70 mg alendronate every seven days. I am not happy about this, as the side effects I have read […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been getting regular colonoscopies every five years for the past 20 years. This past time, three years ago, four tubular adenomas were found in the cecum, with the largest being .8 cm. There also were polyps in 2008, but I don’t know how many, other than it was more than […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: It’s a new year, and many of my friends are embarking on a detox or cleanse. Is there such a thing as beneficial detoxing and cleansing? If so, how is it done properly, and what are the benefits? — D.M.H. ANSWER: The body has its own mechanisms for removing toxins. The kidneys […]