Early Hormone Use May Increase Cancer

Taking hormones even for a short time in early menopause may increase the risk of breast cancer, a large study finds. Many women used to take estrogen plus progesterone to treat menopause symptoms. Previous research showed that this increased breast cancer risk. But most women in those studies were well past menopause or took the hormones for five years or more. Doctors now advise women to take no more than a small dose for a short time. The new study included 1 million British women as they went through menopause. Researchers looked at breast cancer rates in those who were 50 to 59 years old. Of those who had never taken hormones, 0.3% a year developed breast cancer. The rate was 0.46% a year in women who started taking hormones at least 5 years after menopause began.

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Study: CRP May Not Show Need for Statin

A test for a blood protein may not help predict who needs to take statin drugs, a new study suggests. The test looks for C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. High levels of CRP indicate more inflammation in the body. Statin drugs lower LDL cholesterol and inflammation. Some people with normal LDL end up having heart attacks and strokes. Earlier research suggests that a CRP test could show which ones have the highest risk. The study included 20,536 adults. All of them were at high risk of having a heart attack or stroke. They were randomly assigned to receive a statin or placebo pills. After 5 years, people who took the statin were 24% less likely to die or have a heart attack, stroke or procedure than those who got the placebo. Risk was lower for those who took the statin regardless of whether they had low or high CRP or LDL cholesterol.

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Study May Explain Older Drivers’ Distraction

Older drivers may have problems seeing cars, cyclists and walkers near them because they are so aware of movement farther away, a study suggests. The study focused on the medial temporal (MT) visual area of the brain. It found that this area helps people to ignore background motion. This allows them to focus on things near them. The study discovered this effect with tests on six young adults. Researchers used electric stimulation on the MT area to shut off its function for a short time. After this, people were more able to notice background motion in vision tests. Older adults are known to notice background motion better than younger people. Researchers said perhaps the MT area of the brain works less well as people age. The study appeared in the Journal of Neuroscience. HealthDay News wrote about it January 24.

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