Medical Research & Technology

Oakland, Calif. – October 01, 2026 -- Blue Shield of California has unveiled its 2027 Medicare plan lineup, giving eligible residents new coverage choices ahead of the Annual Enrollment Period running Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026.

Plan options span Medicare Advantage to prescription-only coverage

The nonprofit insurer's portfolio includes Medicare Advantage plans, a Dual-Eligible Special Needs plan for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal, Medicare Supplement plans, and stand-alone prescription drug plans. Members seeking flexibility can opt for Medicare Supplement plans, which allow access to any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare.

Fairfield, N.J. – October 01, 2026 -- An estimated 80 to 100 million Americans have liver disease, and many don't know it because early symptoms can be subtle. The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is marking October as National Liver Awareness Month and Liver Cancer Month with a slate of free tools, including a one-minute online risk quiz.

A free quiz flags liver disease and cancer risk in under a minute.

The quiz is available in English at thinkliverthinklife.org/quiz and in Spanish at thinkliverthinklife.org/prueba. ALF notes that hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer, is one of the fastest-growing causes of cancer-related death in the U.S., with incidence rates more than tripling since 1980 and death rates doubling over the same period.

New York – October 01, 2026 -- Silk brand LILYSILK is renewing its five-year partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) through a new campaign called "A Bloom of Care," tied to a fresh sleepwear collection.

The brand has donated over $82,000 to breast cancer support since 2022.

Since the partnership began in 2022, LILYSILK has contributed $82,057.38 to NBCF through monetary and gift-in-kind donations and cause-marketing campaigns. That funding has helped provide breast health education to 32 women, support 144 hospital partners, fund 23 mammograms, assist 123 patients in navigating care, and engage 1,558 volunteers.

New York – September 30, 2026 -- Mediaplanet has launched its Future of Healthy Living Campaign, a health-awareness initiative distributed today as a magazine insert in USA TODAY and online at the campaign's digital hub, futureofpersonalhealth.com.

The campaign gathers editorial contributions from organizations including the American Society for Radiation Oncology, the American Public Health Association, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Actor Ricco Ross fronts the cover story on prostate health stigma.

Ross discusses why conversations about prostate health should be normalized and urges men not to delay talking with their healthcare providers about appropriate screening.

Oakland – September 30, 2026 -- BodySpec has opened a new storefront in downtown Oakland offering medical-grade DEXA body scans for under $60, giving East Bay residents a fast way to track muscle mass, visceral fat, and bone density as GLP-1 weight-loss drug use rises.

The 12-minute scan measures body fat, visceral fat, lean muscle mass, and bone density, paired with a digital dashboard and a conversational AI agent that explains results and suggests personalized next steps.

GLP-1 users risk losing muscle along with fat

One in 8 Americans currently uses a GLP-1 medication, and studies show 25 to 40 percent of weight lost on these treatments can be lean muscle rather than fat, according to BodySpec.

Hollywood, Fla. – September 28, 2026 -- Hard Rock International has kicked off its 27th annual PINKTOBER campaign, a monthlong fundraising push tied to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The initiative spans Hard Rock's hotels, casinos, cafes, Rock Shops and digital platforms worldwide, directing proceeds to the Hard Rock Heals Foundation for breast cancer research and patient support. Since its launch, PINKTOBER has raised more than $15 million.

American Cancer Society returns as this year's partner

The Hard Rock Heals Foundation is again teaming with the American Cancer Society to fund advocacy, research and patient support programs. Stephanie Piimauna, Senior Vice President of People & Inclusion at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming, said the campaign reflects the brand's commitment to community and compassion.

New York – September 25, 2026 -- A national awareness campaign on blood cancers and serious blood disorders launches within USA TODAY and online through Mediaplanet's Future of Personal Health digital hub. The Blood Cancers & Disorders campaign brings together clinical organizations, patient advocates and survivors to share trusted information on diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.

The editorial coverage spans adult and pediatric hematology and also addresses sickle cell disease, covering advances in care, patient education, and the experiences of families navigating a diagnosis.

Actor Evan Handler shares his leukemia survivorship story as the campaign's cover feature.

The longtime leukemia survivor offers a firsthand account of life beyond diagnosis and treatment, underscoring the need for continued awareness and support for survivors.

San Mateo – September 23, 2026 -- A nonprofit that has spent more than three decades helping people navigate life after a breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis is set to be featured on Public Television, with production planned at its San Mateo, California headquarters and aboard its Mobile Resource Center.

Bay Area Cancer Connections will appear in an upcoming episode of "All Access hosted by Andy Garcia," an educational short-form series distributed to Public Television stations nationwide. The organization was founded in 1993 by breast cancer patient Jill Freidenrich and her surgeon, Dr. Ellen Mahoney.

New York – September 20, 2026 -- Mediaplanet has launched its Women vs. Cancer campaign, published Sunday, September 20, within the Los Angeles Times, focusing on symptom awareness, earlier detection and advances in treatment for women's cancers.

Erin Andrews shares her cervical cancer story on the cover

ESPN broadcaster and cervical cancer survivor Erin Andrews serves as the campaign's cover feature, detailing her diagnosis and treatment experience. She emphasizes listening to one's body, keeping up with recommended screenings, and speaking up when something feels wrong.

Shenzhen – September 20, 2026 -- Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited has unveiled "Ping An GlobalCare," a new service designed to help foreign residents in China overcome language barriers and confusing hospital procedures when seeking medical care. The product, revealed at the Shenzhen Sci-Tech Innovation Exhibition, is now available for trial in Shenzhen.

The AI engine translates medical conversations in real time across 19 languages

Ping An GlobalCare uses an AI-powered translation system that supports two-way speech and text conversion, with specific coverage for professional medical terminology. The tool aims to remove communication gaps between international patients and Chinese physicians during consultations.

Users can log in with mobile numbers from 198 countries and regions, a feature intended to make the service accessible to a broad international user base without requiring a local Chinese phone number.