Harvard Health Content API

Researchers have announced progress in detecting colon cancer or pre-cancers using a stool or blood test. If proven effective, they could be an alternative to the more invasive tests thought to be best now. And that could encourage more people to get tested. Colonoscopy, the most recommended test now, involves threading a tube with an attached camera into the colon. The new stool test comes from Exact Sciences, of Madison, Wis. It looks for hidden blood, a chemical change and differences (mutations) in specific genes. The blood test looks for changes in a single gene. It comes from the German company Epigenomics AG. Results of both tests were reported at conferences. The stool test was tried on samples from people who also had colonoscopies. It detected 64% of the polyps that can grow into cancer and 85% of the cancers.

More U.S. adults know that they have high blood pressure and are taking medicine for it, a new report says. But the overall rate of the condition among U.S. adults is steady. It’s been about 30% for the last decade. The report comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s based on government health surveys from 1999 through 2008. In all, more than 24,000 people were surveyed. They also got blood pressure checks. In early surveys, 70% who had high blood pressure were aware of it. That increased to nearly 81% by the last survey. Also, nearly 74% who had high blood pressure were taking medicine for it, up from about 60%. The Associated Press wrote about the report October 27.

The blood thinner clopidogrel (Plavix) may work poorly in people with a difference in a single gene, new research has found. Researchers combined results from 9 studies, with a total of 9,685 people. The studies focused on a gene that affects how the body uses clopidogrel. The drug is less effective in people who have a different form of this gene. About 26% of U.S. whites have 1 copy of this form of the gene. About 2% have 2 copies — 1 from each parent. During the 9 studies, 863 people died or had a heart attack or stroke. The risk of these events was 55% higher for people with 1 copy of the different gene. The risk was 76% higher for those with 2 copies. Also, 84 people developed blood clots in a tube called a stent. These devices are placed in arteries to keep them open after blockages are cleared.

When a mother is depressed, it can harm her child as well. So the nation’s largest group of children’s doctors is urging its members to screen new mothers for depression. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published the report in the journal Pediatrics. Depressed mothers may be less able to bond with their babies and more likely to neglect them, the AAP said. This can affect early brain development. Research shows that development delays are more likely in babies with depressed mothers. The AAP is asking pediatricians to use a brief questionnaire to screen for depression. If their answers showed they may be depressed, women would be referred to other services. The Associated Press wrote about the report October 25.

Barbers can help get black men with high blood pressure to get treatment, a study finds. The study focused on 17 black-owned barbershops. Customers received blood pressure checks before the study began. Eight shops got pamphlets about high blood pressure to give to customers. In the other nine shops, barbers were trained to provide blood pressure checks. If pressure was high, they urged the customer to visit a doctor. They also shared stories about customers who got treatment. Barbers were paid for all of this. Customers got a free haircut if they sought treatment and brought a card signed by the doctor back to the shop. The barber got $50 for each customer who did this. The study lasted 10 months. Blood pressure control increased in both groups of shops. But results were better where barbers tested blood pressure.

The U.S. diabetes rate could double or even triple in the next 40 years, health officials say. If trends continue, as many as 1 out of 3 adults could have the disease by 2050. So says a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report’s lower-end estimate was 1 out of 5, still double the current rate. These are much higher than previous numbers. That’s partly because they include people who have diabetes but don’t know it, one author told the Associated Press. Researchers also used new population growth estimates for some groups. Finally, the numbers reflect some good news — the fact that people with diabetes are living longer. Diabetes growth has been closely tied to population aging and obesity. Risk of type 2 diabetes is higher among people who are older or overweight. The journal Population Health Metrics published the report online October 22.

An expert panel has recommended that U.S. drug officials not approve Qnexa, a new weight loss drug. The vote was 10-6 against the drug. Panel members expressed concern about side effects. They also noted the lack of long-term data on use. Patients in studies were followed for only a year. Qnexa is made by Vivus Inc. It combines two drugs already on the market. Phentermine is a stimulant. It helps to suppress appetite. Topiramate is an anti-seizure drug. In Qnexa, it helps people feel full faster. Members of the panel agreed that Qnexa helps people lose weight. In studies, people lost about 10% of their body weight on average. But some people had serious side effects. They included memory problems, suicidal thoughts, heart palpitations and birth defects. The panel provides advice to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A study released this week has left further questions about how to deal with menopause symptoms, The Providence Journal reported October 21. The new study appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It included long-term statistics on women who took hormone replacement therapy. They were part of a large study called the Women’s Health Initiative. That study reported in 2002 that taking hormone replacement therapy for more than five years increased the risk of breast cancer and heart disease. The new study kept track of the women for an average of 11 years. It confirmed the women’s higher risk of breast cancer. And it found the cancers were also more likely to be advanced and deadly. Experts interviewed by the Journal disagreed on whether women should take hormones for menopause symptoms. One said hormones in a different form may be safe.