Heart attacks and strokes are among the leading causes of death globally, with millions suffering from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) every year. There are more than seven million people in the UK alone, with about 100,000 patients experiencing heart attacks annually. However, a group of researchers at University College London (UCL) estimate that one 'polypill' taken daily day could eliminate a majority of these cases dramatically lowering death tolls.

The proposed polypill, a combination of a statin and three blood pressure-lowering drugs, has been under study for over two decades. Experts argue that introducing this pill universally for individuals aged 50 and above could be more effective than the current NHS Health Check, which assesses risk factors every five years for those aged between 40 and 74.

Studies have repeatedly proven the effectiveness of the polypill in preventing CVD. A groundbreaking 2019 study in The Lancet found that five years' use of the polypill cut the risk of heart attack and stroke by a third. In addition, previous modelling analyses have estimated that if given universally to people over 55, the polypill might be able to prevent 80% of heart attacks and strokes.

Today, the NHS Health Check follows a risk-based model in which patients are tested for CVD risk factors and treated with drugs accordingly. Yet, as per UCL's study, this system has serious flaws:

Low Uptake: Just 40% of those eligible for the NHS Health Check choose to have it, leaving a considerable number of at-risk patients undiagnosed and untreated.

Ineffective Prediction of Risk: The majority of heart attacks and strokes happen to people at average risk levels, thus making it challenging to identify the need for intervention effectively.

Limited Effectiveness: Even at maximum take-up, the NHS Health Check programme is predicted to have fewer health impacts compared to a polypill initiative applied to the whole population.

Simplicity and Affordability of the Polypill Strategy

One of the big benefits of the polypill is that it is so easy. In contrast to the existing screening-based model, the polypill scheme would not involve complicated medical tests or lengthy risk assessments. Instead, people reaching 50 would just have to fill out a few questions to determine possible side effects before they were prescribed.

Professor Aroon Hingorani of the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, one of the strongest proponents of this scheme, says:

"Finally, the time is now to do much better on prevention. A population approach would prevent a lot more heart attacks and strokes than is done today with a strategy of trying to target a smaller group only."

Aside from the possible health implications, the polypill is also an economic solution. The drugs used are off-patent, thus cheap to produce and distribute. With the vast economic cost of managing CVD-related illnesses, a preventive model could result in substantial cost-saving for the NHS in the future.

The polypill has been proven to be effective by numerous international trials. In 2019, a randomised trial in rural Iran discovered that participants who took the polypill for five years had a 34% reduced risk of having a heart attack or stroke compared to non-participants.

Likewise, modelling research has indicated that even if only 8% of people aged over 50 took up the polypill regimen, it would still be more beneficial to their health than the NHS Health Check programme.

Is This a Case of Over-Medicalisation?

One of the main objections to the polypill strategy is the suggestion that it might result in the unnecessary medicalisation of a significant proportion of the population. But, it is argued, it should be considered as a preventative measure, not as mass medication.

Professor Sir Nicholas Wald of UCL's Institute of Health Informatics explains:

"Instead of being a 'medicalisation' of a significant proportion of the population, a polypill programme is a prevention measure to prevent an individual from becoming a patient."

He compares it with public health measures like water fluoridation or compulsory seatbelts—interventions that have been shown to have a significant impact in reducing public health danger at low individual cost.

With the evidence in favour of the polypill's effectiveness and viability overwhelming, experts are calling on the NHS to act now. It is their belief that substituting the NHS Health Check with a polypill-based prevention program could be the UK government's flagship policy under its pledge to put disease prevention ahead of cure.

As Professor Hingorani points out, "The status quo is not a justifiable option." With CVD still a major cause of death globally, taking a population-wide polypill approach could be a turning point for preventative medicine, potentially saving thousands of lives annually. The question now is whether the NHS will take up this call and establish a policy with the potential to transform the prevention of cardiovascular disease on a national level.

More than a year after Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, the actor has shared a new update on how the illness has changed his outlook on life in unexpected ways. Speaking to host Craig Melvin on the December 19 episode of Today, James reflected on the moment he first heard the diagnosis.

“As soon as I found out, I remember thinking, ‘This might end up being the best thing that ever happened to me,’” he said. “There was this quiet voice in my head telling me that this diagnosis would push me to make changes I would never have made otherwise.”

As James Van Der Beek opens up about his health journey, many are asking: what kind of cancer was he diagnosed with?

James Van Der Beek Cancer: What Kind Of Cancer Has He Been Diagnosed With?

James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer after he began noticing changes in his bowel habits in the summer of 2023. At first, he brushed off the symptoms, assuming they were linked to his coffee intake. However, when the changes did not go away, he decided to consult a doctor.

A colonoscopy later confirmed the cancer diagnosis. The news came as a shock, especially since Van Der Beek had no known family history of colorectal cancer and believed he was in excellent health due to his active lifestyle and balanced diet.

What Is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum and often begins as small, non-cancerous growths known as polyps. Over time, some of these polyps can become cancerous, interfering with digestion and the body’s ability to process waste.

It is one of the more common forms of cancer and can be difficult to detect early because symptoms may not appear right away. When they do, they often include blood in the stool, persistent changes in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, and unexplained weight loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, early screening plays a critical role in detecting the disease when it is most treatable, and lifestyle choices can significantly influence risk and outcomes.

James Van Der Beek Cancer: Regular Screenings and Colonoscopies

As colorectal cancer often shows no symptoms in its early stages, routine screening is essential. Colonoscopies allow doctors to spot and remove precancerous polyps and detect cancer before it spreads. Early intervention has been shown to lower both the number of cases and deaths associated with the disease.

Data from the CDC highlights the importance of early detection, with survival rates varying widely by stage. While stage I colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of about 91 percent, that number drops sharply to around 14 percent for stage IV cases, according to the American Cancer Society. Health experts recommend beginning regular screening at age 45, or earlier for people with higher risk factors. Colonoscopy remains the most effective screening tool, as it examines the entire colon and allows for immediate removal of suspicious growths.

James Van Der Beek Cancer: What Was The Prognosis?

James Van Der Beek’s outlook following his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis has been described as cautiously hopeful. His cancer was identified while still localized, a category associated with a significantly higher survival rate. According to the American Cancer Society, localized colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of approximately 91 percent.

James Van Der Beek Cancer: What Treatments Did James Undergo?

James Van Der Beek has chosen not to share detailed information about the specific treatments he has received for his stage 3 colorectal cancer. In general, treatment for this stage of the disease typically involves surgery followed by chemotherapy, and in some cases, radiation therapy.

Nutritional support also plays an important role, particularly because colorectal cancer and its treatments can affect digestion. While Van Der Beek has kept the details private, he has emphasized that he is actively addressing his diagnosis and prioritizing his overall health as part of his recovery.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order aimed at speeding up the reclassification of cannabis, a move that would allow the Food and Drug Administration to more closely examine its potential medical uses. The order states that the administration’s policy is to expand research on medical marijuana and CBD so patients and doctors have clearer, evidence-based guidance.

It also stresses the need to narrow the gap between widespread use and limited scientific understanding of possible benefits and risks, according to NBC News. Under the proposed change, cannabis would be moved to Schedule III, placing it in the same category as certain commonly prescribed pain medicines, including Tylenol with codeine.

Trump Signs Order to Ease Restrictions on Marijuana

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that marks one of the most notable shifts in U.S. marijuana policy in decades. On December 18, he instructed federal agencies to stop treating marijuana as a Schedule I substance, a category reserved for drugs considered highly dangerous, such as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.

The Drug Enforcement Administration defines Schedule I drugs as having no accepted medical use and a high likelihood of abuse. Trump directed that marijuana instead be placed under Schedule III, which the DEA describes as substances with recognized medical uses and a moderate to low risk of physical or psychological dependence. If implemented, this change would move marijuana away from the same legal framework as heroin and LSD and align it more closely with medicines that have established therapeutic value, such as certain acetaminophen and codeine combinations.

What Is A Schedule 3 Drug?

Schedule III drugs are regulated substances that are permitted for specific medical purposes under federal law. While their manufacture, distribution, and use are tightly controlled, they can be prescribed by licensed healthcare professionals. These rules also spell out penalties for illegal trafficking. Examples of Schedule III drugs include ketamine, anabolic steroids, and some acetaminophen-codeine medications.

Marijuana has long been listed as a Schedule I drug, a classification that assumes it is highly dangerous, addictive, and lacking medical value. Reclassifying it would shift cannabis into a category that allows lawful medical prescribing.

Marijuana has remained a Schedule I substance since the passage of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, according to CBS News.

What All Medicines Are Included In Schedule 3 Drug?

In the United States, Schedule III drugs are recognized for medical use and are considered less likely to be abused than Schedule I or II substances, though they may still cause moderate physical or high psychological dependence. This group includes anabolic steroids, ketamine, certain opioid combinations containing codeine or hydrocodone, such as Tylenol with Codeine, and barbiturates like pentobarbital. These medications are subject to strict rules around prescribing, dispensing, and storage to balance their medical benefits with the risk of misuse.

FDA To Study Marijuana's Medicinal Properties

Once the reclassification is finalized, it is expected to make research easier by reducing funding and regulatory barriers for clinical trials. Pharmaceutical companies would also find it simpler to seek FDA approval for cannabis-based medicines. Because marijuana has been listed as Schedule I, many drug makers have avoided pursuing trials due to heavy bureaucracy and high costs. Moving it to Schedule III would lower these hurdles and allow the FDA to properly study its medical potential. This could eventually expand access to cannabis-based treatments for groups such as seniors and veterans, regardless of differing state laws.

Although the change would not legalize marijuana outright, it could bring meaningful practical effects, including clearer medical access and fewer legal uncertainties for consumers and businesses. Trump also made clear that he does not support recreational legalization. He warned that using powerful controlled substances for non-medical reasons is unsafe and said that unless a doctor recommends a drug for medical purposes, people should avoid using it, according to NBC News.

A team of researchers developed a novel blood test that could detect and monitor lung cancer in real time. They used the technique Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) micro spectroscopy to detect a single lung cancer cell in a patient's blood. This technique combines advanced infrared scanning technology with computer analysis and focuses on the unique chemical fingerprint of cancer cells. The research has been lead by the team from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust or UHNM, Keele University, and Loughborough University.

Study's lead author Professor Josep Sulé-Suso, Associate Specialist in Oncology at UHNM, says, "This approach has the potential to help patients receive earlier diagnoses, personalized treatments, and fewer invasive procedures, and it could eventually be applied to many types of cancer beyond lung cancer."

How Does This New Blood Test Work?

Circulating tumor cells or CTCs are a type of cancer cell that can break away from a tumor and travel in bloodstream. They can also provide information on how the disease progresses and how well does a treatment work. CTCs are also the cells that leads to spread of cancer or what is known as metastases.

How is it novel and differ to the current methods in use? Current methods detect CTCs, but use a very complicated, expensive and time-consuming procedure. The current methods could also sometimes miss cancer cells altogether, as the cells often change their characteristics while circulating in the blood.

The researchers identify circulating tumor cells, or CTCs, in blood samples by directing a powerful infrared beam at them, similar in principle to the light used in a TV remote but much stronger.

Because different chemicals absorb infrared light in unique ways, CTCs produce a distinctive absorption signature, often described as a chemical fingerprint. Advanced computer analysis of this data can quickly determine whether tumor cells are present in the bloodstream.

Published in the journal Applied Spectroscopy, the method is both simpler and more cost-effective than current techniques. It uses standard glass slides already common in pathology laboratories, which could make it easier to incorporate into routine clinical use.

The team plans to test the approach in larger patient populations, with the goal of developing a fast, automated blood test that can be seamlessly added to cancer care pathways.

How Common Is Lung Cancer?

As per the World Cancer Research Fund, there were 2,480,675 new cases of lung cancer in 2022. The numbers have projected to rise significantly by 2050. Key drivers of lung cancer include tobacco usage, air pollution, and occupational exposure. There has also been a rise in lung cancer rates in women and seen disparities across regions.

What happens in lung cancer? The National Health Institute (NIH) notes that lung cancer refers to tumors originating in the lung parenchyma or within the bronchi. This is the third most common cancer in the US. Your cells divide and make more copies of themselves as a part of their normal function, however, they get mutations that cause them to keep making more of themselves when they should not. This is how damaged cells divide at an uncontrollable rate and create masses or tumor that keep your organs from working properly.