Chief Medical Officer at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Dr. Kevin Most joins the Steve Cochran Show to discuss the likelihood of a combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine being available next year, the effectiveness of weight loss medications, and the importance of annual mammograms.

Dr. Kevin Most's Steve Cochran Show Notes:

Combo shot for Covid and Flu- 2024? 2025?

1. Moderna is currently testing a single combo shot for Covid and Flu
2. This is something we have talked about and it is now being tested with good results.
3. The current study is showing strong immune response against both influenza and Covid.
4. The final Phase 3 trial will be done this season with individuals over the age of 50
5. The immune response for those getting the combo shot is being compared to those receiving the individual shots.
6. The safety and side effect profile is also very promising
7. Pfizer, BioNTech and Novavax are also working on a combo shot as well, Moderna was just the first to share data
8. Expect to see more results from other companies shortly
9. There are benefits to this from logistics of supply delivery to less confusion from patients on timing and delivery
10. Concerns are that some individuals may wish to only get a flu shot and this may be difficult to distribute
11. The current studies will focus on immune responses as well as side effects and local reactions.

Weight Loss Drug Risk- published in JAMA

1. We have talked about the diabetes drugs- Wegovy and Ozempic for the impact they make with weight loss.
2. New study outlines the risk some people may have while taking these including, stomach paralysis, pancreatitis, gallbladder inflammation  and bowel obstructions
3. Risks appear to be rare, but the use has exploded with tens of millions of people taking them worldwide so the number of patients with the side effects is substantial
4. The study showed a 3x more likely chance of stomach paralysis, 4x higher chance of bowel obstruction and 9x higher chance of pancreatitis, when compared to patients taking other weight loss drugs.
5. The risks noted above can be serious medical emergencies, the more common side effects include nausea and vomiting
6. The study was observational off of insurance claims, so it can show associations not causal, as the patients taking this medication have a higher chance of many of these problems, due to their diabetes
7. This is the first study to put numbers to the risk for patients taking the drug for weight loss.
8. The drugs are gaining in popularity as the weight loss is substantial
9. Highlights the importance of the physicians having the informed consent discussion with the patient so they understand the risks of these side effects and the possibility of that occurring

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

1. Breast cancer is the 2nd most common cause of Cancer among women, second only to skin cancer
2. It makes up 30% of all new female cancers
3. Annual cases in the US are approaching 400,000 a year.
4. 43,000 women will die from breast cancer in the US this year
5. Median age for breast cancer detection is 62 years old, this means that 50% of new cases of breast cancer occur in women under 62 years old.
6. Women have a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer at some time in their lives
7. Incidence has increased slightly each year, better diagnosis? More awareness? Or environmental
8. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women)
9. Breast cancer death rates have declined since 1989- results of finding cancer earlier, better treatments, screening awareness
10. Risk factors include- alcohol consumption, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, women who have not had children, not breast feeding, hormonal therapy post menopause
11. In May of 2023- recommendations changed to recommend that annual mammograms start at age 40
12. Mammogram timing at Covid and Flu shots – because of the immune response and the possible swelling of lymph nodes with the shots, many are recommending completing a screening mammogram 4-6 weeks following the vaccine
13. The reason for this is the inflamed lymph nodes may lead to a false positive reading on a mammogram and lead to additional testing that in reality is not needed
14. The best option is get the mammogram and then follow up with the annual vaccines, the timing should work