DCIS patients overestimate breast cancer risks

Many women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) have inaccurate perceptions of their breast cancer risks, according to a study published online February 12 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. – Many women with newly diagnosed DCIS have inaccurate perceptions of the breast cancer risks that they face, and anxiety is particularly associated with these inaccurate perceptions.

Breast cancer sufferers demand answers from PHARMAC, New Zealand

Herceptin Heroines are back in the High Court today to continue their case against drug funding agency PHARMAC, New Zealand. – 8 cancer survivors are in the New Zealand High Court to fight their case against drug funding agency PHARMAC. The women are challenging PHARMAC’s decision not to fund 12 months of Herceptin treatment for NZ women with HER2 positive breast cancer.

Heart disease rising in US after 2000

Mayo Clinic analysis of two decades of autopsy results shows prevalence of coronary disease rising after the year 2000. – A Mayo Clinic analysis of two decades of autopsy results shows a long-term decline in the prevalence of coronary disease has ended and the disease may be on the upswing. The findings appear in today’s issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

IGFBP7 protein may stop melanoma skin cancer

One might call it a tale of two melanocytes. Given the same genetic mutation, why does one melanocyte shut down growth and become a relatively benign mole, while another rages out of control and develops into deadly melanoma” – Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researchers have uncovered a protein that stops the growth of melanoma, a cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells in the skin called melanocytes.

First decellularized heart valve approved in US

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared for marketing the first replacement heart valve from donated human tissue in which the cells have been removed. – CryoLife, Inc., (NYSE: CRY) a biomaterials, medical device and tissue processing company, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its CryoValve(R) SG pulmonary human heart valve processed with the Company’s proprietary SynerGraft technology.

Gain control of your heart health

February is US’ National Heart Month. And now is a great time to gain control of your heart health. – Dr. Charlotte Bai, a noted cardiologist with special expertise in cardiac imaging, has a special message for people with risk factors for heart disease: What you don’t know can hurt you. “February is National Heart Month. And now is a great time to gain control of your heart health,” said Bai, assistant professor, cardiology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine.

Research suggests why scratching is so relieving

Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have uncovered new clues about why scratching may be so relieving ? and why it can be hard to stop. – Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have uncovered new clues about why scratching may be so relieving ? and why it can be hard to stop. This is the first study to use imaging technology to see what goes on in the brain when we scratch.

Changes in X chromosome may lead to mental retardation

Various mutations of a small part of the X chromosome may lead to mental retardation, intellectual disability. – University of Adelaide geneticist Dr Jozef Gecz and a team of Belgium and UK scientists have achieved a major breakthrough in discovering the causes of intellectual disability. Dr Gecz, a senior researcher who is based at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, has collaborated with an international research team to reveal that various mutations of a small part of the X chromosome lead to mental retardation.

Defeat of California health care legislation highlights difficulties states face

Defeat of California health care legislation highlights difficulties states face in establishing universal coverage – The defeat of a $14.9 billion proposal to overhaul California’s health care system “underscores a difficulty states face in achieving universal insurance coverage” and “their inability to slow the upward trajectory of health care costs”.

Prenatal starvation may lead to addiction later in life

Babies conceived during a period of famine are at risk of developing addictions later in life, according to new research published in the international journal Addiction. – Babies conceived during a period of famine are at risk of developing addictions later in life, and a range of chronic disorders including physical conditions such as coronary heart disease, and psychiatric ones such as schizophrenia and clinical depression.

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