While colorectal cancer rates have dropped in recent decades due to increased screening and better awareness about lifestyle-related risk factors, that downward trend has generally been seen in older adults. In people under age 55, colorectal cancer rates have been on the rise since the mid-2000s, increasing by 1% annually.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to shine a light on the disease and the importance of regular screening in its prevention. While once the most common cause of cancer death for women, cervical cancer death rates have decreased significantly with greater use of the Pap test, which can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops or detect it early when it is easier to treat.

Respiratory virus season is on the way and illnesses like influenza, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and pneumonia will be widely circulating again. Todd Ellerin, MD, South Shore Health's Director of Infectious Disease provides updated vaccine guidance and shares other preventative steps you can take to stay well this season.