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. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

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. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

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.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

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?” 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

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.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

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. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

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. 

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

We’ve all experienced the irritability that comes with a lack of shuteye — but an extended period of poor sleep health could lead to far more serious effects than that.

Some experts warn that people who have chronic sleep struggles are more likely to experience suicidal ideations.

SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS ARE MISSED BY MOST AMERICANS, NEW SURVEY FINDS: IT’S ‘ALARMING’

Fox News Digital spoke with Taft Parsons III, M.D., vice president and chief psychiatric officer at CVS Health in Birmingham, Michigan, about this concerning link.

‘No single cause’

Research shows that 42% of Americans have shared concerns about their mental health, and 18% say they were plagued with suicidal thoughts at some point during this past year, according to Parsons.

Suicide is very complex with several intersecting risk factors, he noted. 

“There is no single cause of suicide — it is a convergence of health factors, along with other psychosocial and environmental variables that can increase the chances someone may take their own life,” he told Fox News Digital. 

These can include social and environmental factors, such as prolonged stress and legal and financial issues, he noted.

SUICIDE RATES REACH ALL-TIME HIGH IN US, PER CDC DATA

Past trauma and psychological health issues — like depression, substance use disorder and sleep — can also be factors. 

“Some of these factors can be more challenging than others to address, but seeking help for sleep issues or disorders can be a step toward addressing one potential risk factor,” said Parsons.

Why do sleep issues increase the risk?

Inadequate sleep can negatively impact critical functions like decision-making, impulse control, problem-solving abilities, emotion regulation and resilience, Parsons noted. 

“When a person is struggling with sleep deprivation, it can increase various adverse health outcomes, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes,” he said.

Inadequate sleep can negatively impact critical functions like decision-making, impulse control, problem-solving abilities, emotion regulation and resilience, an expert said.  (iStock)

“It can also lead to increased depression and anxiety, both of which can play a significant role in suicide.”

Well-rested people are better equipped to face life’s challenges, effectively manage stress and maintain a positive mindset, according to the expert. 

“Improved sleep can also reduce impulsivity and emotional dysregulation, both of which can be associated with suicidality,” he said.

Signs of sleep-induced suicidal tendencies

People who have suicidal ideations will often exhibit sudden changes in behavior, said Parsons. 

Those can include new sleep issues such as insomnia or sleeping too much. 

IMPROVE YOUR SLEEP BY OPTIMIZING 6 BIOMARKERS: ‘INTEGRAL TO HEALTH’

“Similarly, we view withdrawal from friends and family, reckless actions or increased use of substances as warning signs,” he told Fox News Digital. 

“So, focusing on the sudden or uncharacteristic change in sleep is the critical factor, not necessarily the number of nights.”

People who have suicidal ideations will often exhibit sudden changes in behavior, said one expert. Those can include new sleep issues such as insomnia or sleeping too much.  (iStock)

Recognizing common signs of sleep deficiency is crucial to stopping it from interfering with a person’s mental health, according to Parsons.

When people are sleep-deprived, they will often experience problems with concentration, memory, decision-making, problem-solving, and regulation of emotions and behavior, he pointed out.  

“Focusing on the sudden or uncharacteristic change in sleep is the critical factor.”

“Individuals who are not well-rested, and may also have difficulty regulating their emotions, are at increased risk of poor decision-making and have a negative ability to cope effectively when faced with overwhelming stresses,” Parsons warned.  

UNTREATED SLEEP APNEA PRESENTS ‘DISRUPTIVE’ DANGERS TO PEOPLE’S LIVES, INCLUDING HEART ISSUES, SAYS EXPERT

“If these problems come on suddenly, escalate or become recurring, they may indicate more serious or underlying issues and indicate a mental health issue.”

Experts recommend that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night.

“Individuals who are not well-rested, and may also have difficulty regulating their emotions, are at increased risk of poor decision-making and have a negative ability to cope effectively when faced with overwhelming stresses.” (iStock)

Children and teens generally need more sleep than adults. 

When to seek support  

For those struggling with sleep challenges, experts recommend seeking treatment when they’re not able to manage the issue themselves.

“Many people unwittingly have habits that are detrimental to a good night’s sleep, and thus should start with a sleep hygiene program for several weeks,” Parsons suggested.

SLEEP DEPRIVATION DANGERS: HOW PULLING AN ALL-NIGHTER AFFECTS YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

“If you notice someone is displaying warning signs of suicide, including sudden sleep issues, or other signs including mood changes or verbal cues, it is important to reach out, have an honest conversation, express concern, and help connect them to support,” he said.

“There are resources available to help prioritize well-being, no matter where on the spectrum of mental health someone may fall.”

Even if suicide turns out to not be a concern, the person may still feel comforted, supported and relieved by someone taking the time to connect and listen, Parsons noted.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

It’s not necessary for people to wait until they’re in crisis to reach out for support, he emphasized. 

“There are resources available to help prioritize well-being, no matter where on the spectrum of mental health someone may fall,” he said. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“The earlier someone connects to support and resources, the sooner they can feel better and increase their overall resilience.”

If someone is exhibiting signs of suicide ideation, it is crucial the person gets help immediately by calling or texting 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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