• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed banning electrical stimulation devices designed to reduce self-injurious or aggressive behavior.
• The FDA cited these devices as posing an unreasonable risk of illness or injury.
• Electrical stimulation devices administer shocks through skin-attached electrodes to deter self-harm or aggression.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Monday it has proposed a ban on electrical stimulation devices intended to reduce or stop self-injurious or aggressive behavior.

The health regulator said these devices present an unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury that cannot be corrected or eliminated through new or updated device labeling.

Electrical stimulation devices administer electrical shocks through electrodes attached to the skin to deter self-injurious or aggressive behavior.

FDA BANS ELECTRICAL SHOCK DEVICES USED FOR ‘AVERSIVE CONDITIONING’ ON MENTALLY DISABLED PATIENTS

The FDA has information to indicate that only one facility is currently using these devices in the United States, which is the Judge Rotenberg Education Center in Canton, Massachusetts.

The center did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

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This is the second time the FDA has proposed a ban of these devices. Its first ban in 2020 was challenged in court and annulled, the agency said.

A simple blood test could detect colorectal cancer (CRC) with more than 80% accuracy, according to a new study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington. 

The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, included nearly 8,000 people between the ages of 45 and 84, a press release stated. 

The results from the SHIELD blood test — which is made by Guardant, a pharmaceutical company in Palo Alto, California — were compared to the results from a colonoscopy procedure, the latter of which is considered the “gold standard for colorectal cancer screening,” the release said.

WHAT IS COLORECTAL CANCER? SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, RISKS AND MORE OF THE GLOBAL HEALTH CONCERN

Among the participants who had colorectal cancer cases that were confirmed by colonoscopy, just over 83% tested positive through the blood test and 16.9% had a negative test. 

The SHIELD test works by picking up signs of colorectal cancer from DNA that is shed by tumors, which is called circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).

The test performed the best at picking up colorectal cancers and was less effective at detecting precancerous lesions, the researchers found.

The SHIELD blood test is intended for use as a colorectal cancer screening for people who are of “average risk” and are not experiencing symptoms, noted study co-author William M. Grady, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Washington.

CANCER AND PRINCESS KATE: WHY TYPE OF DIAGNOSIS DID KATE MIDDLETON RECEIVE?

“The accuracy rate for colorectal cancer is similar to at-home stool tests used for early detection of colorectal cancer,” Grady told Fox News Digital.

The study did have some limitations, he acknowledged.

“The study was done [among] average-risk people, and that’s who the test is meant for,” he said.  

The new blood test is intended for use as a colorectal cancer screening for people who are of “average risk” — and who are not experiencing symptoms. (iStock)

The test is not currently meant to be used in high-risk people, such as those with a family history of colorectal cancer, personal history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, he clarified.

The state of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second most lethal cancer in the U.S.  

It’s expected to claim 53,010 lives in 2024, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

People who are at average risk should start regular screenings at age 45, the ACS recommends.

NEWLY APPROVED CANCER DRUG TARGETS AGGRESSIVE FORM OF ‘DEADLY DISEASE’

“Colorectal cancer is largely preventable, and there are currently available screening tests such as colonoscopy, FIT stool tests and the MT stool DNA test that can prevent it,” he said. 

The problem, Grady noted, is that some 40% to 50% of people who should be getting screened are not doing so.

“Blood-based screening tests are more acceptable to people than colonoscopy and stool tests and will likely increase screening compliance.” (iStock)

The hope is that a blood-based test would help boost screening rates.

“Blood-based screening tests are more acceptable to people than colonoscopy and stool tests and likely will increase screening compliance,” Grady said. “This could lead to fewer CRC-related deaths.”

Some doctors have voiced concerns about the effectiveness of the blood test — particularly its lower sensitivity to pre-cancerous symptoms.

COLORECTAL CANCER IS NOW LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG YOUNG ADULTS WITH CANCER: NEW REPORT

“Due to insufficient adenoma detection, these new blood-based tests will not be as effective as Cologuard [the stool sample test], even when their adherence is perfect, compared to current adherence of Cologuard,” said Dr. Mark Fendrick of the University of Michigan School of Public Health, in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

Fendrick was not involved in the NEJM study.

“Having data on a new blood-based screening test for colorectal cancer is exciting. If approved, it will help identify people who will need to undergo colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and ultimately help save lives.” (iStock)

The American Gastroenterological Association released a statement in response to the NEJM study.

“Having data on a new blood-based screening test for colorectal cancer is exciting. If approved, it will help identify people who will need to undergo colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and ultimately help save lives,” said Barbara H. Jung, M.D., president of the American Gastroenterological Association, in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

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The association warned, however, that blood tests do not pick up precancerous polyps — which colonoscopies can detect.

“The blood test reported in the New England Journal of Medicine study is only designed to pick up cancers and not precancerous polyps,” Jung noted.

Blood tests, however, do not pick up precancerous polyps, which colonoscopies can detect.

“Blood tests are not interchangeable with colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening, but should prove to be an additional tool to help identify colorectal cancer early.”

Blood tests could be recommended for patients who decline all other recommended tests, Jung noted — “since any screening is better than no screening at all.”

One expert said that blood tests could be recommended for patients who decline all other recommended tests — “since any screening is better than no screening at all.” (iStock)

Those who are interested in the SHIELD blood test should consult with their primary care provider, Grady said.

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“This is significant given that at this time, when people are given the option of doing CRC screening with a stool-based test or with colonoscopy, currently half of people are electing to do neither,” he added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health. 

As marijuana legalization heats up the competition among vendors nationwide, some experts are warning about the sneaky side effects of smoking it.

Daily weed smoking could cause complications for heart health, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) analyzed CDC data from 434,104 respondents to examine how cannabis use was associated with cardiovascular events.

MARIJUANA USE LINKED TO INCREASED ASTHMA RISK IN YOUTH, STUDY SAYS: ‘WORRISOME’ HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

The impact of cannabis on the risks of having coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction and stroke were compared between those in the general adult population and those who had never smoked tobacco.

Of those surveyed, about 4% were daily cannabis smokers, 7.1% were non-daily users and 88.9% had not used any marijuana in the past 30 days.

Daily cannabis users had a 25% increased risk of heart attack and a 42% increased risk of stroke, the study found.

Cannabis use was associated with “adverse cardiovascular outcomes, with heavier use (more days per month) associated with higher odds of adverse outcomes,” the researchers stated.

MARIJUANA USE AMONG AMERICA’S SENIOR CITIZENS RISES AS INTEREST IN THE DRUG IS ‘REIGNITED’ TODAY

Study co-author Dr. Abra Jeffers of Massachusetts General Hospital shared her reaction to the study findings with Fox News Digital.

“People think marijuana is harmless. It is not,” she said. “We found that using marijuana (mostly by smoking) is as bad as smoking tobacco cigarettes.”

Cannabis use was associated with “adverse cardiovascular outcomes, with heavier use (more days per month) associated with higher odds of adverse outcomes,” the researchers said. (KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

“While we reported the results for daily use, any use increases risk — with more days of use per month associated with higher risk.”

Recreational cannabis use is currently permitted in 24 states, according to a UCSF press release.

As of 2019, nearly 4% of Americans reported using cannabis daily, while 18% said they use it annually. 

HEART HEALTH RISK FACTORS FOR WOMEN OVER AGE 50: ‘DON’T IGNORE NEW SYMPTOMS,’ EXPERTS WARN

Senior study author Salomeh Keyhani, M.D., professor of medicine at UCSF, wrote in the same press release that “cannabis use is increasing in both prevalence and frequency, while conventional tobacco smoking is declining.”

She added, “Cannabis use by itself might, over time, become the more important risk factor.”

“People think marijuana is harmless. It is not,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

University of Colorado School of Medicine professor Dr. Robert Page serves as the American Heart Association chair for the statement on these findings.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Page said the study is “unique” in that it looked at cannabis smokers separately from tobacco users.

“Cannabis is not an innocent bystander when it comes to cardiovascular health,” he said.

NEW JERSEY TWINS RECEIVE MATCHING HEART SURGERIES AFTER MARFAN SYNDROME DIAGNOSIS

He emphasized the importance of the “safety signals” that have emerged from the study.

This includes the need for patients to be “more transparent” about their cannabis use with their health care providers, while providers should be “nonjudgmental.”

He added, “There needs to be shared decision-making between the patient and the provider with regard to cannabis use. Patient-centered, non-judgmental conversations are what is really needed.”

Patients should be “more transparent” about their cannabis use with their health care providers, while providers should be “nonjudgmental,” one doctor (not pictured) emphasized. (iStock)

This is especially important if a patient has an underlying heart condition or has experienced a cardiovascular event while using cannabis without disclosing it.

What was “scary” about this study, Page said, is that most respondents were “fairly healthy.”

The largest segment of daily weed smokers ranged from ages 18 to 34.

“Cannabis is not an innocent bystander when it comes to cardiovascular health.”

“Those are the individuals who typically don’t go to their primary care doctor because they’re young and they think they’re invincible,” he said. “And that’s what alarms me.”

Many of Page’s patients, who have the ability to smoke weed freely in the state of Colorado, assume that because it’s a natural substance, it “has to be safe,” he said.

DR. DREW WARNS OVER MARIJUANA STUDIES REVEALING ‘EXTREMELY WORRISOME’ DATA’

“That is the farthest from the truth,” he told Fox News Digital. “Cannabinoids have what we call psychotropic effects that affect your perception … and mental status. And like prescription medications that are psychotropic, they carry side effects.”

Page added, “We do need to get out to the public the fact that there is a potential for these types of cardiovascular events and people need to make an informed decision.”

The doctor said he’s concerned that smoking weed will repeat the history of smoking cigarettes — the dangers of which took a “really long time to cement into public health.”

Various types of marijuana are displayed in Los Angeles, California. (David McNew/Getty Images)

Other cannabis consumption methods, such as edibles, were not a focus in this study, Page noted, adding that there is “not a lot of data” on the safety of those products.

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For people who use medical marijuana under the supervision of a physician, Page reiterated the importance of weighing the risks and benefits with the medical provider.

“Adult consumers in states with modern cannabis laws have the option to legally choose the safer substance.”

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, the National Cannabis Industry Association pointed out that another study published by the American Heart Association in January 2024 found “no significant correlation between cannabis use and cardiovascular disease-related deaths over the last two decades, while alcohol was linked to 65% of deaths.”

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The organization said, “This report, along with many others, shows that while cannabis use is not entirely benign, it is clearly safer than alcohol.”

It added, “Adult consumers in states with modern cannabis laws have the option to legally choose the safer substance, and it’s time for federal law to catch up to those state laws.”

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Fox News Digital publishes an array of health pieces all week long to keep you in the know on wellness topics, cancer risk factors, innovative surgeries, nutrition tips, mental health trends and much more — plus, personal stories of people and families overcoming great obstacles.

As your Sunday winds down and you look ahead to the coming week, check out some of the top recent stories in Health that you may have missed, or have been meaning to check out. 

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These are just a few of what’s new, of course. 

There are many more to see at http://www.foxnews/health. 

Princess Kate announces shocking diagnosis

Two months after having abdominal surgery, the Princess of Wales released a video on Friday announcing her cancer diagnosis. Doctors are now speculating about exactly what type of cancer she may have — which she has not yet disclosed. Click here to get the story. 

Six high-school students make strides against cancer

Half a dozen high-school students in the U.S. were finalists in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search for their progress toward improving the diagnostics and treatment of cancer. The teens shared their motivations, goals and hopes with Fox News Digital. Click here to get the story.

Four of the six U.S. students who were finalists in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search are shown here. Click on the link above to get the full story and learn more about them and their work! (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography)

Elon Musk reveals the drug that helps him fight depression

Elon Musk uses ketamine to boost his mental health, the billionaire said in a video interview. When asked about drug use, Musk — CEO of Tesla and SpaceX — answered, “There are times when I have sort of … a negative chemical state in my brain, like depression, I guess.” Musk also shared how ketamine helps him. Click here to get the story.

Elon Musk said in a recent video interview that he’s used ketamine to help boost his mental state. (Getty Images/iStock)

Genetically modified pig kidney saves man’s life

A Massachusetts man, 62, was suffering from end-stage kidney disease when he received a successful pig kidney transplant at Mass General Hospital. Experts hope the successful surgery could open a “new frontier” in organ transplantation. Click here to get the story.

Experts hope the recent successful surgery involving a pig’s kidney could open a “new frontier” in organ transplantation for humans. (iStock)

Missed cancer cases result from COVID pandemic

The COVID pandemic led to many thousands of missed prostate cancer diagnoses in the U.K., a recent study found. Doctors weighed in on what needs to happen to ensure the affected men receive the care they need. Click here to get the story.

A recent study has determined that the COVID pandemic led to many thousands of missed prostate cancer diagnoses in the U.K. (iStock)

Medications don’t mix with driving

Certain medications cause side effects that may impair your ability to operate a vehicle, according to the FDA. If you’re taking these drugs, it’s best to consult a doctor before getting behind the wheel. Click here to get the story.

If you’re taking certain drugs, it’s best to consult with a doctor before getting behind the wheel, according to the FDA. (iStock)

‘Do I need to wash my face every night?’

It may be tempting to skip the nighttime task, but two dermatologists discuss the reasons why going to bed with a clean face is so important. Click here to get the story.

There are important reasons to make sure you wash your face every single night. Two dermatologists shared their insights. 

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Can AI predict seniors’ long-term care needs?

After facing her own personal caregiver struggles, a former NASA scientist created an artificial intelligence-powered app that predicts when seniors may need long-term care — and how much it will cost. Find out how the app is helping families get the information they need sooner rather than later. Click here to get the story.

An artificial intelligence-driven app can now help families get key information regarding their older loved ones sooner rather than later.  (iStock)

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health. 

Kate Middleton’s Friday video announcement of her cancer diagnosis may have shed some light on why she’s been out of the public eye lately — and there’s been an outpouring of support for her and the royal family ever since she spoke to the world via video. 

In her video message on Friday, Middleton revealed that after her recent abdominal surgery, doctors initially believed her “condition was non-cancerous” — but further testing proved otherwise.

“My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” she shared.

PRINCESS KATE MIDDLETON UNDERGOING ‘PREVENTATIVE CHEMOTHERAPY’ AFTER CANCER DIAGNOSIS: ‘STRONGER EVERY DAY’

Said Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, “The good news is that the word ‘preventative’ was used.”

Experts agree that Middleton is under no obligation to reveal the details of her condition.

Siegel also emphasized Middleton’s right to privacy.

“We need to respect her privacy and show compassion and empathy, especially given her young age and young children,” he told Fox News Digital.

KATE MIDDLETON ANNOUNCES SHE HAS CANCER, UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT

“[Medical] records should be sacrosanct,” he also said. 

Amid these discussions, he and other doctors are also sharing insights about the importance of cancer screenings. 

Middleton announced in a video message on Friday that she’s undergoing “preventative chemotherapy.” (Ian Vogler/Getty Images)

“When should women be screen[ed] for cancers — and what sort of tests should they be asking for?” Fox News’ Carley Shimkus asked on Monday during a “Fox & Friends” medical segment with Dr. Siegel. 

The doctor noted, to start, the importance of public service awareness of cancer screenings. 

WASHINGTON PASTOR REVEALS WORDS OF HOPE, FAITH AND STRENGTH FOR KATE MIDDLETON: ‘GOD IS WITH YOU’

It’s a “very big public service” on Middleton’s part that she came forward to share her story, he said.

“Women should start with cervical cancer screening at the age of 30 or earlier,” he also said. 

That means “Pap tests every two or three years.” (During Pap tests, gynecologists swab cells near the patient’s cervix and send the sample to the lab to test for any abnormal or precancerous changes to the cells.) 

“Patients need to be their own advocates.”

Siegel said women should also make sure they don’t have HPV, or human papillomavirus.

“You want to get vaccinated against that when you’re in your teens,” he said. “That’s hugely important.”

IN POTENTIAL CANCER BREAKTHROUGH, NEWLY FOUND ‘KILL SWITCH’ TRIGGERS DEATH OF CANCER CELLS: ‘ONE-TWO PUNCH

He added, “But the no. 1 cancer for women is breast cancer.” 

And “while people might say, well, Kate Middleton is 42 years old — well, we’re starting to see cancers in younger and younger women,” he said.

Since Kate Middleton’s cancer announcement — which she made by video on Friday — she’s received an outpouring of public sympathy and concern.  (The Prince and Princess of Wales Twitter)

He noted, “Our own Dr. Nicole Saphier, one of the top breast radiologists in the country, insists on screening women for breast cancer at [age] 40 and above. I completely agree with that. You use mammograms, ultrasounds,” he added.

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And while doctors know about all the important screenings for women as well as men, he said that “patients need to be their own advocates,” too.  

There may be other important factors to consider as well when it comes to testing and screening, he said, including patients’ genetic history and personal background. (SEE the video at the top of this article for more details.)

For example, said Siegel, “Did your mother or father have something very young?” 

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In that case, he might then send patients for screenings or tests earlier than usual, again depending on each patient’s personal background. 

Angelica Stabile and Caroline Thayer of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. 

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health. 

Kate Middleton’s Friday video announcement of her cancer diagnosis may have shed some light on why she’s been out of the public eye lately — and there has been an outpouring of support for her and the royal family ever since — but it left another looming question in its wake.

What kind of cancer does the Princess of Wales have?

While experts agree that Middleton is entitled to medical privacy and is under no obligation to reveal the details of her condition — and that few people know her specific medical details — some doctors have shared ideas and theories about the potential origins of the disease based on their own expertise.

KATE MIDDLETON ANNOUNCES SHE HAS CANCER, UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, said he’s spoken with multiple cancer doctors about the possible origins of the princess’ cancer diagnosis based on earlier available information. 

“One of the heads of medical oncology at NYU Langone Cancer Institute believes it may be colon cancer, and that the major abdominal surgery she had may have been a bowel resection for Crohn’s disease,” Siegel told Fox News Digital. (Neither Siegel nor the doctors he spoke with have personally evaluated Middleton.)

It has been reported in previous years that Middleton has Crohn’s disease, which is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the lining of the digestive tract.

“Inflammatory bowel disease greatly increases the risk for colon or bowel cancer,” Siegel added.

PRINCESS KATE MIDDLETON UNDERGOING ‘PREVENTATIVE CHEMOTHERAPY’ AFTER CANCER DIAGNOSIS: ‘STRONGER EVERY DAY’

It’s been widely reported that Middleton had major abdominal surgery in January.

A large share of Crohn’s patients — up to half — will need surgery at some point to alleviate symptoms, according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

“She could have been having bowel surgery for the Crohn’s and they later found it on pathology,” Siegel hypothesized, once again stressing a professional guess based on years of experience. 

It’s been widely reported that Middleton had major abdominal surgery in January of this year. Now, she’s announced that she’s battling cancer.  (Ian Vogler/Getty Images)

That kind of surgery would also explain the more extensive recovery time, he added.

Chemotherapy for colon or bowel cancer would include Oxiplatin (intravenous) and Xeloda (oral) for several weeks, according to Siegel.

WASHINGTON PASTOR REVEALS WORDS OF HOPE, FAITH AND STRENGTH FOR KATE MIDDLETON: ‘GOD IS WITH YOU’

It is also possible that gynecological cancer could have been detected, experts say.

“[The surgery] could have been a hysterectomy, and she may have been found to have ovarian, uterine or cancer of the cervix, which was local and removed,” Siegel surmised. 

“But going against this [idea] is that there is no sign of hair loss, which is caused by Taxol, the predominant intravenous treatment for these gynecological cancers.”

Ovarian cysts may be seen on routine imaging and can be removed laparoscopically — and the diagnosis of cancer is often found later, the doctor said.

IN POTENTIAL CANCER BREAKTHROUGH, NEWLY FOUND ‘KILL SWITCH’ TRIGGERS DEATH OF CANCER CELLS: ‘ONE-TWO PUNCH’

The chemo that is administered for early-stage colon cancer doesn’t routinely cause hair loss, Siegel noted.

“I have now spoken to several experts — both top oncologists and colorectal surgeons — and they all say the same thing,” he added. 

“She likely has either early colon or bowel cancer that was removed and cured surgically, or ovarian or uterine cancer.”

In her video message, Middleton said she has begun a treatment regimen of “preventative chemotheraphy.” 

Whatever type of cancer the princess has or had — Siegel said he has hope that her prognosis could be good.

“I have diagnosed a lot of cancer [cases], unfortunately, but more and more, it’s early enough to be cured,” he said.

A close friend of Kate Middleton’s told The Sunday Times that the princess “wrote every word” of her cancer announcement — which she made by video on Friday. Since then, she’s received an outpouring of public sympathy and concern.  (The Prince and Princess of Wales Twitter)

“Whatever type of cancer it is, they appear to have gotten it out.”

In her video message, Middleton said she has begun a treatment regimen of “preventative chemotherapy.”

“We need to respect her privacy and show compassion and empathy.”

“The good news is that the word ‘preventative’ was used, which would mean that the cancer was removed in its entirety, presumably by bowel resection, and that the chemo is being given to increase the chances of no recurrence,” Siegel said.

The chances of a recurrence are much lower with chemotherapy, the doctor added.

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Above all, Siegel emphasized Middleton’s right to privacy.

“We need to respect her privacy and show compassion and empathy, especially given her young age and young children,” he told Fox News Digital.

“These records should be sacrosanct,” he also said about her personal medical details. 

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On Friday in her video message, Middleton revealed that after her abdominal surgery, doctors initially believed her “condition was non-cancerous,” but further testing proved otherwise.

“My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” she shared.

Angelica Stabile and Caroline Thayer, both of Fox News Digital, contributed reporting. 

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.