Public health Archives

Healthy diet may cut risk of breast cancer recurrence

Diet loaded with fruits, vegetables and fiber may cut risk of breast cancer recurrence in women without hot flashes. – A secondary analysis of a large, multicenter clinical trial has shown that a diet loaded with fruits, vegetables and fiber and somewhat lower in fat compared to standard federal dietary recommendations cuts the risk of recurrence in a subgroup of early-stage breast cancer survivors ? women who didn’t have hot flashes ? by approximately 31 percent.

12 new genes identified for managing cholesterol, glucose, melatonin, sleep

New genes present drug targets for managing cholesterol and glucose levels – Scientists have identified 12 new genes that are somewhat strange bedfellows: Some link gallstones and blood cholesterol levels, others link melatonin and sleep patterns to small increases in glucose levels and larger jumps in the risk of diabetes.

New drug tasimelteon for jet lag

Clinical trial results on the sleep-promoting effects of Vanda Pharmaceuticals’ circadian regulator tasimelteon (VEC-162) published in the Lancet. – Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: VNDA) reports publication in The Lancet, one of the world’s leading medical journals, results of clinical trials of its novel circadian regulator, experimental compound tasimelteon (VEC-162).

Some breast cancers may regress naturally

Some breast cancers detected by repeated mammographic screening would not persist to be detectable by a single mammogram at the end of 6 years, and this raises the possibility that the natural course of some screen-detected invasive breast cancers is to spontaneously regress. – Breast cancer rates increased significantly in four Norwegian counties after women there began undergoing mammography every two years, according to a report in the November 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Hairspray use during pregnancy may cause birth defect in newborn

Hairspray is linked to common genital birth defect, says study. Hairspray during pregnancy double the risk of genital birth defect hypospadias. – Women who are exposed to hairspray in the workplace during pregnancy have more than double the risk of having a son with the genital birth defect hypospadias, according to a new study published today in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Routine HIV testing fails in US

Despite national guidelines, private insurers, ER, federal and state agencies fail to routinely test for HIV. New data at national summit show that routine testing would lower record numbers of ‘late testers,’ save lives and reduce transmission. – While the U.S. AIDS epidemic simmers largely unnoticed by most Americans, a failure to widely implement routine HIV testing continues to fuel its spread, HIV researchers and experts said.

Ginkgo biloba does not reduce dementia, Alzheimer’s disease risk

Ginkgo biloba does not reduce dementia or Alzheimer’s disease risk according to Pitt-led study in JAMA. – The medicinal herb Ginkgo biloba does not reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease development in either the healthy elderly or those with mild cognitive impairment, according to a large multicenter trial led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Vitamin C lowers heart disease biomarker

Vitamin C lowers levels of heart disease biomarker, finds study, adds to debate of health benefits – A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, adds to the evidence that vitamin C supplements can lower concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), a central biomarker of inflammation that has been shown to be a powerful predictor of heart disease and diabetes.

Australian public hospitals need $3 billion – AMA

Australia needs to spend more on its hospitals as the public health system is in danger of collapse. – Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said the public hospital system was ?flat lining’ and the COAG meeting next week may be its last hope for resuscitation.

US adults skip needed care due to costs

US has highest rates among 8 nations of patient-reported medical errors, wasteful or poorly coordinated care and high out-of-pocket costs; Dutch often fare best in affordable, accessible care, low rates of medical errors – Compared to patients in seven other countries, chronically ill adults in the United States are far more likely to forgo care because of costs; they also experience the highest rates of medical errors, coordination problems, and high out-of-pocket costs, according to a new study from The Commonwealth Fund.

Increase in waist circumference increases mortality risk

Each 5cm increase in waist circumference increases the mortality risk by 17% in men and 13% in women. – Having a large waistline can almost double your risk of dying prematurely even if your body mass index is within the ‘normal’ range, revealed by researchers in a new study.

Ultrasound helps predict heart attacks in low risk patients

Low risk for heart attack? Could an ultrasound hold the answer? Ultrasound helps predict heart attacks in “low risk” patients. – By adding the results of an imaging technique to the traditional risk factors for coronary heart disease, doctors at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found they were able to improve prediction of heart attacks in people previously considered low risk.