Harvard Health Content API

Researchers have long studied the benefits of physical activity. Now they’re also focusing on the risks of sitting still. A study published last year found that more time spent sitting translated to a higher risk of death, regardless of whether people exercised. A recent editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine says that four hours of sitting can lead to harm. Americans spend more than half their waking hours sitting: in cars, at desks and on couches. Experts recommend frequent breaks, and exercising for brief periods throughout the day.

Melanoma, the worst form of skin cancer, is rising rapidly in young women. That conclusion comes from a study using U.S. cancer data. Researchers looked at data from 1973 through 2004. They focused on people ages 15 through 39. Melanoma rates for young men and women both rose until 1980. Then the rate for men stopped rising. But among women it rose another 50% by 2004. That adds up to 13.9 cases per 100,000 young women each year. Researchers said young women may be spending more time in the sun or in tanning salons. The study was in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. The Washington Post reported on it July 11.

Despite their large size, pro football players may have just an average risk of heart disease, a study suggests. Researchers examined 504 National Football League players. Their average body mass index was 31. Above 30 is considered obese. But the weight was mostly muscle. The typical NFL player had only 14% body fat. The players were compared with a larger group of young men. They had lower blood sugar and similar cholesterol. But the football players had almost three times the rate of high blood pressure as the other young men. They also were more than 2½ times as likely to have prehypertension. This means that pressure is above normal but still below the high blood pressure range. The study appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The Associated Press wrote about it May 27.

Any fracture in older adults can be a signal of more trouble ahead, including early death, a study finds. The study included more than 4,000 people over age 60. It focused on 1,295 fractures in this group. All occurred after a low impact, such as a short fall. People who had such a fall were more likely to die than others in the next five years. After a broken hip, the extra risk lasted 10 years. But even breaks in bones such as the wrist increased the death risk. The study appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association. HealthDay News wrote about it February 3.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg has pancreatic cancer, the court announced February 5. She had surgery to remove the cancer, which is in an early stage, the court said. Few people with cancer of the pancreas are able to have surgery, the Associated Press (AP) reported. That’s because it usually has spread by the time it’s discovered. Ginsburg had colon cancer a decade ago. The small cancer in her pancreas was found by a CT scan during a recent checkup. About 5% of people with pancreatic cancer live at least 5 years, AP said. But survival is 20% to 25% if the cancer is caught early enough for surgery.

Many people who think they can’t digest dairy products may be able to do so, an expert panel says. The panel was formed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The panel looked at research done on lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in milk. People who are lactose intolerant don’t have enough of the enzyme lactase in their bodies to digest lactose. But some people who think they are lactose-intolerant actually can digest milk, studies show. People who think they are lactose-intolerant should see a doctor, the expert panel said. They may have a different condition. Even if they are lactose-intolerant, the experts said, they may be able to have up to a cup of milk products along with other foods. They also should make sure they get enough calcium, the panel said. The Associated Press wrote about the panel’s report February 25.

A new type of drug may help people whose high blood pressure is hard to treat, a study suggests. The new drug is darusentan. It is called an endothelin-receptor antagonist. It lowers blood pressure in a new way. The study included 379 people. Their blood pressure was still high despite taking three drugs for it. They were randomly divided into four groups. One group received fake pills (placebo). The others were given darusentan. Each group got a different dose. The study lasted 14 weeks. The darusentan groups had an average 17 to 18 point drop in systolic blood pressure. This is the higher number in a blood pressure reading. Diastolic pressure (the lower number) dropped 10 to 11 points. Blood pressure dropped 9 points systolic and 5 points diastolic for the placebo group. The journal Lancet published the article online September 13.

Obesity surgery may sharply decrease cancer risk, a study suggests. The study included 1,035 people who had had the surgery between 1986 and 2002. They were compared with 5,746 obese people who did not have surgery. About 4 out of 5 surgery patients had a gastric bypass to reduce stomach size. The others had a band put around the stomach. In the 5 years after the study began, 2% of the surgery patients were diagnosed with cancer. The rate was 8.5% in the other group. Breast cancer rates were 85% lower in the surgery group. Colon cancer was 70% lower. The Los Angeles Times wrote about the study June 18. It was presented at a meeting of obesity surgeons.

Taking a common antidepressant may help to repair thinking and memory functions after a stroke, a small study suggests. The 129 people in the study did not have depression. They were part of another study on prevention of depression after a stroke. Within three months after a stroke, they were randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group took escitalopram (Lexapro), an antidepressant drug. Another group took placebo (fake) pills. The third group took part in a depression therapy program. After 12 weeks, the group taking Lexapro scored better than the others on tests of learning, thinking and memory. Researchers said the reason is unclear. They said the drug may promote changes in the brain, such as production of new cells. The study appeared February 2 in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry. HealthDay and Reuters news services wrote about it.