On today’s episode of The Confluence:
Sen. Bob Casey is expecting a swift recovery from prostate cancer
(0:00 - 14:34)
Last week, Pennsylvania’s senior U.S. Senator Bob Casey announced that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Casey says although the news was a shock, it came with the reassurance of treatment.
“This diagnosis I got came with some good news in the sense that I was able to get it early and I'll have good care. And thirdly, it didn't spread,” says Casey. He’s preparing to undergo surgery, but says the recovery should only take a few weeks.
Casey began his time as one of Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senators in 2007, and is now serving with Democrat John Fetterman, the first time since 1849 that Pennsylvania has two elected Democratic senators simultaneously.
“We haven't really sat down yet to kind of walk through a list of issues,” says Casey. “Both of us have a great concern for and have strong records of advocacy. Advocacy surrounding workers and in policies that lift up workers and their families.”
One of Casey’s immediate priorities is reintroducing the Better Care Better Jobs Act, which aims to improve access to quality home care services for seniors and people with disabilities.
Rates of congenital syphilis among newborns were higher than they’ve been in years
(14:40 - 22:30)
Last year in 2022, Pennsylvania had the highest number of congenital syphilis cases among babies since 1990.
There were 38 total cases, but the State Department of Health says this is part of a rising trend of congenital syphilis cases over the last five years.
“I'd say the most common thing we actually see are babies who are asymptomatic at birth, who aren’t having any signs or symptoms of syphilis,” says Dr. Kathleen Schwabenbauer, medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit at UPMC Magee-Womens hospital. “We know based on the maternal lab results that there is a high risk for the baby to potentially contract syphilis or to manifest in them later on.”
Schwabenbauer says doctors recommend pregnant parents get tested for syphilis at three intervals during pregnancy, as it’s a very treatable disease. Syphilis during pregnancy can cause complications to the pregnancy, and can also lead to stillbirth or other complications for newborns.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in Monday to Thursday at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
