Category: news-perspectives

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.

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.

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.

Although women have a lower risk of heart disease compared with men, lowering blood pressure could save women’s lives, says a study. It included 9,357 people with an average age of about 53. Their blood pressure readings were monitored, sometimes 24 hours a day. After about 11 years, 1,245 of them had died. Of those, 472 died of cardiovascular disease. The women in the study had two-thirds the risk of cardiovascular problems or of death, compared with the men. But 36% of heart-related problems, including heart-related deaths, were preventable in women. Only 24% were preventable in men. The study appears in the March issue of the journal Hypertension. HealthDay News wrote about it January 25.

A breast cancer drug might also reduce the risk of dying from lung cancer, a small study suggests. Researchers looked at records for 6,655 women with breast cancer. Just under half of them took the drug tamoxifen. This drug blocks the effects of the hormone estrogen. It fights breast tumors that grow in response to estrogen. Of the total group of women, 40 also developed lung cancer. Those who took tamoxifen were 87% less likely to die of lung cancer than those who did not take it. Because of the study’s design and small size, researchers could not say if tamoxifen caused the lower death rate. The journal Cancer published the study online. HealthDay News and Reuters Health news service wrote about the research January 24.

Fever-related seizures seem to be on the rise among young children after they receive a flu shot. U.S. health officials are trying to find out why. There have been 36 reports of such seizures this flu season. The Associated Press wrote about them January 20. All occurred within a day of when the children received the FluZone flu shot. The children were 6 months to 2 years old. All recovered, but 10 of them did have a stay in the hospital. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it is trying to find out if the shot caused the seizures. They could have been caused by something else. This type of seizure is also called a febrile seizure. The child shakes and loses consciousness. Usually, the seizure lasts a minute or two. Children often recover quickly. The FDA has not changed its advice on using the vaccine.

A drug prescribed for depression also may decrease hot flashes, a study suggests. The study included 205 women. All were beginning menopause or had completed it in the last year. They were randomly divided into two groups. One group took escitalopram (Lexapro), a depression medicine. The other took identical placebo (fake) pills. After 8 weeks, 55% of the women in the escitalopram group said their hot flashes were reduced by at least half. About 36% of those in the placebo group had such a decrease. Women who got the real drug were also more likely to say their hot flashes were less severe or bothersome than before. Researchers said the drug could be an option for women who don’t want to take hormones for hot flashes. Hormones are effective but have risks. The Journal of the American Medical Association published the study.

A new test shows when people have a protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease in their brains, researchers say. The protein is called beta-amyloid. The current test is to look for it in a brain autopsy after death. The new test uses a chemical called florbetapir. It binds to beta-amyloid in the brain. This allows the protein to show up on a PET scan. Researchers gave the test to 29 elderly people thought to be near the end of their lives. After they died, autopsies were done. The new test found that 15 of the 29 had Alzheimer’s. The test and autopsy results agreed for 28 out of 29 people. Researchers also gave the test to 74 younger adults. As expected, it showed no beta-amyloid in their brains. Avid Radiopharmaceuticals is seeking approval to market the test. A group of experts was scheduled to evaluate the test January 20. They will advise U.S.

A doctors’ group says that a plasma treatment can help some cases of multiple sclerosis (MS). The treatment is known as plasma exchange. It’s also called plasmapheresis. It involves removing plasma from the blood and replacing it with plasma from a donor. Plasma exchange requires a hospital stay. Problems can occur, such as infections. Old guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology said it was “promising” as a treatment for MS. The new guidelines say it is “probably effective” if MS symptoms flare up and steroid drugs don’t help. Most people with MS start out having flare-ups. At other times, they have no symptoms. This is called relapsing-remitting MS. Most people end up having progressive MS. This form just gets worse. People have symptoms most or all of the time. Plasma exchange does not help progressive MS, the guidelines say.

As Congress debates changes to the health care reform bill this week, Americans remain divided on the bill, a poll finds. The Associated Press-GfK poll was done January 5 through 10. It found that support for the bill increased from 38% after the November election to 40% now. Opposition has dropped from 47% to 41%. Still, fewer than 20% want the law to stay the same. About 43% want it to do more to change the health care system. About 25% want to repeal it. About 60% oppose the requirement for people to buy health insurance. The Associated Press wrote about the poll January 17. A New York Times article on January 15 outlined the debate about effects of the law on jobs. Experts interviewed by the Times disagreed. Some said the new requirement for larger employers to provide health insurance will lead to less job growth. Others said the effect will be small.