Getting a mammogram every other year, rather than every year, did not increase the risk of advanced breast cancer in women ages 50 to 74, says a study. The study looked at data from more than 900,000 women. Data were collected between 1994 and 2008. Women who got less frequent mammograms were not more likely to be diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. This was true even for women taking estrogen replacement therapy, and for women with dense breasts. In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said that women should have mammograms every other year starting at age 50. The American Cancer Society still recommends annual mammograms starting at age 40. The study was published in the online version of JAMA Internal Medicine. Reuters wrote about it March 18.
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Can tanning beds be used to ward off seasonal depression and illness in the winter? I live in a far-northern state and have SAD and frequent colds. How much tanning bed use is safe?
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Fatty blockages in the leg arteries can cause pain in the thigh or calf muscle that occurs when walking and disappears with rest.
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Glucosamine and chondroitin are dietary supplements advertised to ease osteoarthritis pain and maintain cartilage. Large trials show that they offer little benefit for treating osteoarthritis, except perhaps in people with moderate to severe pain.
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The latest research shows that acupuncture, a traditional Chinese healing practice, is worth a try for chronic pain. Acupuncture is safe and painless if performed by a trained practitioner, but insurance usually does not cover it.
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Serelaxin, a new drug derived from hormones that cause muscle relaxation, appears to reduce the symptoms of heart failure, organ damage from poor blood flow, and heart failure deaths.
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People with vision loss, particularly women, are more likely to restrict their social activities out of a fear of falling.
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Testosterone therapy is not currently FDA-approved to treat low libido in women. Experts say there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend this therapy for women.
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Diabetes increases the risk of developing heart disease. Among people with diabetes, a variety of imaging tests can be used to estimate the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
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Researchers continue to try new ways to prevent stents from clogging with cells from the artery wall or from attracting blood clots. Their goal is to develop a stent that can be used in any person to prevent a heart attack.
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