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Cancer Overview What is cancer? Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells. The whole body is made of cells that act and grow in controlled ways as the body needs them. Cells are controlled by genes. The genes in any cell in the body can be damaged. Then the cell can grow out of

Introduction to Menopause What is menopause? When a person permanently stops having menstrual periods, this is called menopause. This means they can no longer get pregnant. Many healthcare providers use the term menopause to refer to the period of time when hormone levels start

Disorders of Sex Development When a child's gender is not clear at birth, the child has atypical genitalia (ambiguous genitalia). This means that the genitals don't seem to be clearly male or female. Atypical genitalia can be a difficult experience for families. How do the

Preventing Eye Strain at the Computer If you spend hours each day working at a computer screen or other devices with screens, you may suffer from symptoms of eye strain. Eye strain is a common problem, but you can take steps to reduce your discomfort. What is eye strain? Eye

Frequently Asked Questions: Mammograms What are the benefits of screening mammography? Today's high-quality screening mammogram is the best tool available to detect breast cancer before lumps can be felt or symptoms appear. You have a better chance of surviving breast cancer if

Risks of Pregnancy Over Age 30 Many women wait until later in life to have children. In the U.S., birth rates for women in their 30s are at the highest levels in four decades. But an older mother may be at increased risk for things such as: Miscarriage Birth defects Twins High

Puncture Wounds in Children What is a puncture wound? A puncture wound is a deep wound made by a sharp object, such as a nail or a jagged piece of metal or wood. Puncture wounds may be small and not seem serious. But they do need to be treated by a healthcare provider. Puncture

Talking to Your Child About Gun Violence at School A child’s safety is the top priority for every caregiver. The news of a school shooting can trigger strong feelings in both adults and children. Even if your child hasn’t heard about gun violence on the news or through people

Cholesterol in the Blood Facts about cholesterol Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance that can be found in all parts of your body. It helps your body make cell membranes, many hormones, and vitamin D. The cholesterol in your blood comes from 2 sources: the foods you eat and

Safer Sex Guidelines What is safe sex? Having sex with only one partner who only has sex with you when neither of you has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is believed to be safe. But many health care professionals believe that the only way to be truly safe is not to have