Women refuse follow-up tests for breast cancer
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In a study of women with breast cancer, Kaiser Permanente researchers and others examined characteristics of women who refused recommended follow-up testing after a positive breast cancer screening test, or a visit to a medical provider for breast cancer symptoms.
Those refusing were more likely to be 75 or older and have six or more children. The study appears in the Nov. 8, 2005 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
More dead birds in Malaysia raises bird flu alarm
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Concern has been raised in Malaysia after a second flock of pigeons was found dead in the country’s northwest.
According to reports health officials are worried following the deaths of more than 11 wild pigeons in Sungai Petani, and they are carrying out tests for bird flu.
Colon cancer screening unlikely to save money
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While preventing thousands of deaths annually, recommended colorectal cancer screening could increase health expenditures in the US by nearly $3 billion annually, according to a new report.
“Screening can decrease colorectal cancer mortality,” Dr. Uri Ladabaum from University of California, San Francisco, California told Reuters Health. “Physicians should encourage patients to consider being screened.”
One in five Americans has or is at serious risk for developing diabetes
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At least one in five Americans has or is at serious risk for developing diabetes, meaning millions are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, key health organizations are warning.
New figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have caused serious concern among leading health groups, including the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC), and the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP). The groups are collaborating during November—American Diabetes Month—to emphasize the link between diabetes and related cardiovascular complications.
Vitamin strategy may curb risk of second stroke
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A high-dose vitamin supplement may help reduce the risk of a second stroke, as well as death and cardiac events, according to a study published in the journal Stroke this month. The supplement consisted of vitamins B9 (folate), B6, and B12, which are known to reduce blood levels of homocysteine—an amino acid linked to heart disease.
In a previous report from the Vitamin Intervention for Stroke Prevention (VISP) study group, the combined vitamin therapy did not reduce recurrent stroke and cardiac events, but it turned out that the trial included patients who were not likely to benefit from the treatment.
Roche restricts Tamiflu sales in China
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Swiss drug maker Roche Holding AG has stopped selling its bird flu drug Tamiflu in China and is instead sending all supplies to the health ministry.
The move follows similar temporary suspensions by Roche of Tamiflu supplies to pharmacies in the United States, Canada and Hong Kong to head off hoarding by consumers worried about the spread of bird flu as the world heads into the start of the influenza season.
UK mother challenges child abortion rules
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A British mother launched a legal test case on Tuesday to challenge the “horrifying” practice of young girls having abortions without their parents’ knowledge.
Susan Axon, 50, from Manchester, is contesting a law that allows girls under 16 to receive advice on abortion and sexual health in confidence.
Lose Weight Prevent Diabetes
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A few months ago (March 2005), the American Diabetes Association announced the findings of the comprehensive Diabetes Prevention Program. The DPP was conducted at over 25 medical centers nationwide and involved thousands of participants who volunteered to have their habits monitored and to follow dietary and exercise recommendations. All participants had been diagnosed with ‘pre-diabetes’, a condition where the blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet in diabetic ranges. Untreated, more than half of those people diagnosed with pre-diabetes will develop full-blown type 2 diabetes within a decade.
For the study, the participants were divided into two groups. One half were given dietary recommendations. The other half got the same dietary recommendations, plus the recommendation to exercise at least 30 minutes daily, five times a week.
Ritalin May Ease Hyperactivity In Autism-Related Disorders
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Ritalin (methylphenidate), long an approach to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, may be effective for treating hyperactivity in autism and related pervasive developmental disorders, according to investigators here.
Nearly 50% of children with pervasive developmental disorders and hyperactivity responded to the drug, but the magnitude of the response was less than that seen with children with ADHD, reported investigator David J. Posey, M.D., of the Indiana University School of Medicine here, and colleagues in the November issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
Women and Men Get to the Joke Differently
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Men and women process Blondie and Dagwood differently, just as they do with Charlie Brown and Lucy. Beetle Bailey too.
MRI scanning of men and women shows that their brains process cartoons slightly differently—especially when the joke is funny. But the differences don’t show up in behavior. Both sexes find pretty much the same things funny and, for a given joke, tend to give it an equivalent humor rating.
Sound vs. Silence May Divide Those With Hearing Loss
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No two adolescents with a significant hearing loss in the same class at the Maria H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf here face the very same challenges in coping with the hearing world. This has always been so, but the advent of the cochlear implant has changed the equation.
Kathryn Cleary, who teaches U.S. history and government to high school students, has a mix of students that includes those who are profoundly deaf as well as students who have varying stages of hearing loss. Some students use hearing aids and some students have cochlear implants, but all students are fluent in American Sign Language, or ASL. It is the lingua Franca of the deaf world.
Viagra reverses symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon
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Viagra (sildenafil) relieves the symptoms and improves the circulation of patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon that does no response to conventional therapy, German investigators report. In patients with ulcers on their fingers or toes, the treatment leads to healing.
Viagra, developed to treat of male erectile dysfunction, is a phosphodiesterase (PDE)-5 inhibitor that affects very small blood vessels. Studies have shown it improves circulation in other conditions, such as coronary artery disease.
Experts warn of human, financial bird flu cost
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A flu pandemic lasting a year could cost the global economy up to $800 billion, the World Bank said on Monday, as China asked for international help to double check whether bird flu had killed a 12-year-old girl.
The World Bank set out the possible financial cost at a three-day meeting in Geneva at which hundreds of experts are drawing up a strategy to prevent bird flu from developing into a pandemic in which millions could die.
Hyperactivity drug may help autism
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A drug commonly given to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can help some autistic children with similar symptoms, researchers said on Monday.
Methylphenidate, sold as Ritalin by Novartis AG, dominates the $2.2 billion market for drugs treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, such as an inability to concentrate and impulsive behavior.
ABC launches anti-smoking ad campaign
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It isn’t just ABC News that’s being enlisted in the battle against smoking and lung cancer in the Quit to Live series, which began airing this month on “World News Tonight.”
A public service campaign launched late last week features President Bush, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., former Secretary of State Colin Powell, actress Geena Davis, Microsoft mogul Bill Gates and sports stars Lance Armstrong and Tom Brady.
