Melanie Haiken

Caring.com senior editor

About

Senior Editor Melanie Haiken, who is responsible for Caring.com's coverage of cancer, general health, and family finance, discovered how important it is to provide accurate, targeted, usable health information to people facing difficult decisions when she was health editor of Parenting magazine. She has written about health and family-related issues for magazines such as Health , Real Simple , Woman's Day , Yoga Journal , and websites such as BabyCenter.com, WebMD, and the Blue Cross/Blue Shield websites (aHealthyMe.com, aHealthyAdvantage.com) managed by Consumer Health Interactive. Melanie has held positions as Executive Editor at the Industry Standard and BabyCenter.com , and Managing Editor at San Francisco magazine. She has also worked for San Francisco's renowned Center for Investigative Reporting. She has a master's degree in Journalism and a B.A. in English, both from the University of California at Berkeley.

Melanie cared for her father while he battled esophageal cancer, which ended his life much too soon. She currently cares for her mother, who has multiple health problems including low vision. Melanie is a single mother of two daughters, so she understands the complicated pressures on the so-called "sandwich generation."

Melanie can be reached at mhaiken@caring.com.

Recently Published on Caring.com

  1. Wednesday January 18, 2012

    1. Pain Medicines: Pros and Cons of the 5 Main Options

      Article - There are five main options when it comes to pain medications, and each has its pros and cons. Learn the benefits and risks of pain medications. 2 Comments

  2. Tuesday January 17, 2012

    1. 6 Best Ways to Beat Chronic Pain

      Article - Chronic pain is discouraging and interferes with every aspect of life. Why chronic pain is so tough to deal with, and 6 best ways to conquer it. 9 Comments

  3. Thursday December 01, 2011

    1. 10 Simple Tricks That Help Smokers Quit

      Article - Though it's hard to stop smoking, there are tips and tricks that actually help. Learn ten tricks anyone can try that can help you stop smoking.

  4. Tuesday November 22, 2011

    1. 7 Ways to Avoid Getting Sick When You Fly

      Article - It's no myth that traveling on an airplane makes you susceptible to colds and flu. Learn why -- and how to avoid getting sick when you fly. 2 Comments

  5. Monday November 21, 2011

    1. How to Prevent COPD

      Article - COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a leading killer in the U.S. Learn the top 7 ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from COPD.

    2. 10 Preboarding Secrets to Staying Healthy When You Fly

      Article - It's all too common to get off a plane flight and immediately come down with a cold or flu. Here, learn 10 ways to stay healthy when you fly. 10 Comments

  6. Saturday November 19, 2011

    1. Top 10 Signs of COPD

      Article - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, can develop so subtly that people don't even know they have it. Learn the top 10 signs of COPD. 1 Comment

  7. Tuesday October 25, 2011

    1. 5 Most Surprising Reasons to Quit Smoking

      Article - There are well-known reasons to quit smoking -- but do you know some of the less familiar but equally scary ways smoking sabotages your health? 6 Comments

  8. Monday October 24, 2011

    1. The Quiet Epidemic: A Killer Lung Disease Strikes Nearly 1 in 4 Adults

      Article - COPD, a chronic lung disease, is under-recognized but scarily common among Americans. Learn the risks of COPD and what you can do to try to avoid it. 54 Comments

  9. Thursday October 20, 2011

    1. 10 Best Cities to Retire on the Cheap

      Article - If you want to cut your living costs and enjoy an active retirement but you don't know where to go, consider these 10 affordable, appealing cities. 8 Comments

  10. Monday October 17, 2011

    1. Back Pain? 5 Signs It's Arthritis

      Article - Backaches, common among Americans, may be caused by osteoarthritis more often than many people think. Learn when back pain signals osteoarthritis. 26 Comments

    2. Arthritis Pain: 3 New Treatments to Try Before Surgery

      Article - Arthritis pain is common and debilitating, and surgery isn't for everyone. Know about 3 new, nonsurgical treatments for arthritis pain. 4 Comments

  11. Friday October 07, 2011

    1. Cancer Symptoms You're Most Likely to Ignore

      Article - Routine tests and checkups, like pap smears and colonoscopies, are important -- but don't rely on tests alone to protect you from cancer. It's just as important to listen to your body and notice anything that's different, odd, or unexplainable...

    2. What Is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

      Article - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) progresses in stages and demands increasing caregiving. Learn COPD risks, symptoms, treatment, and more. 1 Comment

  12. Thursday October 06, 2011

    1. 10 Early Warning Signs of Pancreatic Cancer

      Article - The average general health article on pancreatic cancer states flatly that there are no early symptoms of pancreatic cancer. People diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are typically already in the advanced stage of the disease by the time it's caught, and the typical prognosis is death within five years... 35 Comments

  13. Monday September 26, 2011

    1. Cancer Survivors: 8 Lessons We Wish We'd Known

      Article - Most people who have or care for someone with cancer learn hard lessons only by experience. Here, eight lessons about cancer you can learn early now. 5 Comments

  14. Tuesday September 20, 2011

    1. 10 Biggest Retirement Mistakes -- and How to Fix Them

      Article - Surprising numbers of people don't plan well for retirement, even those who try. Learn the 10 biggest retirement mistakes, and how to fix them. 9 Comments

  15. Monday September 19, 2011

    1. The 5-Sentence Secret to Slashing Your Cable Bill

      Article - Everyone wants to keep unnecessary cable costs down. When you call your cable company, know the five sentences to use to slash your cable bill. 112 Comments

  16. Thursday September 15, 2011

    1. 7 Secrets to Getting a Job After 50

      Article - It's never easy to get a new job if you're over 50. Read smart tips on how to find success in the employment search even if you're an older adult. 15 Comments

  17. Thursday August 25, 2011

    1. 5 Foods That Can Trigger a Stroke

      Article - Strokes affect thousands yearly. Know five common types of foods whose ingredients cause physical damage that directly increase the risk of stroke. 74 Comments

  18. Tuesday August 23, 2011

    1. 5 Surprising Signs of Breast Cancer

      Article - Most women know to check for breast lumps that may signal cancer. But other signs may be even earlier clues to breast cancer. Know what to look for. 17 Comments

  19. Tuesday August 16, 2011

    1. The Stages of Heart Failure

      Article - Heart failure is a progressive disease. Know the different stages of heart failure, what to expect from them, and what to discuss with the doctor.

  20. Wednesday July 20, 2011

    1. 5 New Breath Tests That Could Save Your Life

      Article - Find out about the chemistry of breath and what it could tell you about your health 6 Comments

  21. Thursday June 16, 2011

    1. 5 Surprising Signs of an Unhealthy Heart

      Article - Many people experience clues to heart trouble -- but don't recognize what they mean. Learn five physical hints that you may need a heart checkup. 162 Comments

  22. Tuesday June 14, 2011

    1. 7 Things Your Hands Say About Your Health

      Article - The state of your hands and fingernails can tell you surprising things about your overall health. Here, seven clues your hands reveal about health. 82 Comments