Category: news-perspectives

Switching diets may make a big difference in African Americans’ risk of colon cancer, a small study suggests. African Americans have a higher risk of colorectal cancer than whites. But rural African blacks have an extremely low risk. The new study included 20 African Americans and 20 blacks from rural South Africa. Researchers gave everyone colonoscopies. They removed polyps that could develop into cancers from 9 Americans. None of the Africans had polyps. Researchers also looked at inflammation, chemical activity and bacteria in the colon. What they found was different between the 2 groups. The Americans’ results have been linked in other research with a higher risk of colon cancer. The Africans showed lower risk. Researchers had the groups switch diets for 2 weeks. The African Americans ate the Africans’ normal high-fiber, low-fat diet.

Short people may be more likely to have heart disease, and that could be linked to their genes, a new study finds. The study looked at genetic data and height for more than 18,000 adults. Researchers found that those who were shorter and had genes related to shorter height were more likely to have heart (coronary artery) disease. Heart-disease risk increased about 13.5% for every 2½ inches of height difference. People who were shorter also were more likely to have high levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Both of these blood fats are linked with a higher risk of heart disease. But researchers found that having higher levels of blood fats could explain only about one-third of the greater risk in shorter people. One detailed analysis suggested that the higher risk with shorter height may exist in men only.

Blue Bell Creameries has removed all of its frozen dessert products from the market because of possible listeria contamination. The Texas-based company made the announcement April 20. Blue Bell also reported results of recent tests. They found Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in some cartons of chocolate-chip cookie dough ice cream made on two dates in March. This means that listeria has been found in products made by several different plants. That’s why Blue Bell decided to pull all frozen desserts. People should return any products they have for a full refund. Ten cases of listeria infection dating back to 2011 have been linked to Blue Bell ice cream products. The most recent were this year. Three people have died. Listeria symptoms include nausea, vomiting and stomachache. Symptoms can start 3 to 70 days after exposure. Severe cases are rare.

Two popular food brands have recalled products contaminated by listeria. Blue Bell brand ice cream has been linked with 8 illnesses and 3 deaths. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the outbreaks April 9. Also last week, Sabra said it had recalled 30,000 cases of classic hummus. The bacteria were found in several tubs of hummus in Michigan. No infections have been linked to hummus, state health officials said. The CDC said 3 people in Texas became ill after eating Blue Bell ice cream between 2011 and 2014. Five cases in Kansas occurred from January 2014 to January 2015. Three of the Kansas patients died. Blue Bell Creameries has closed a plant and recalled several products. An expert interviewed by HealthDay News said people can get sick 3 to 70 days after being exposed to listeria.

Teens who have seen a lot of alcohol drinking in movies may be more likely to drink themselves, a new study concludes. Researchers used information from a long-term study of British children. When they were 15, about 5,000 of them were asked about how often and how much alcohol they drank. They also were asked about which of 50 popular movies they had seen. Teens were put into groups based on how much alcohol drinking they had seen in these movies. Overall, drinking was common. About 86% of the teens said they had tried alcohol. Nearly half had participated in binge drinking. About 40% said they had had some sort of problem with school, work, friends or police that was related to alcohol. Researchers adjusted their numbers to account for factors other than movie exposure that might make teens more likely to drink.

Measuring a type of DNA found in tumors can help detect whether the most common type of lymphoma has returned after treatment, a study finds. The study focused on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, known as DLBCL. It often can be cured. But people need to come back for CT or PET scans to look for a return of the cancer. The new study looked at another possible test. The study enrolled 126 people with DLBCL. They had been treated with chemotherapy between 1993 and 2013. Researchers took blood samples before and after treatment and during follow-up. They tested the samples for a type of DNA comes from the tumor. People also received follow-up CT scans. In all, 107 people had all signs of their cancer disappear with treatment. Those who had detectable tumor DNA in their blood during follow-up were 200 times more likely to have a return of the cancer than those with no detectable levels.

Three expert groups have released blood-pressure treatment guidelines for people who already have heart problems. The guidelines focus on people with coronary artery disease. This is a narrowing of arteries to the heart because of plaque buildup. The guidelines say most people in this group should aim for a blood-pressure level of less than 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The goal is 130/80 mmHg for those who already have had a heart attack, stroke or mini-stroke. This lower goal also applies to those who have had a narrowing of leg arteries or an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The guidelines come from a committee of experts. They represent many groups involved with the treatment of heart disease. In an interview with HealthDay News, the committee chairman said the guidelines are intended to be flexible.

U.S. cancer deaths continue to decline, a new report says. The overall cancer death rate dropped an average of 1.5% a year between 2002 and 2011. New cancer cases fell more slowly, an average of 0.5% per year, the report says. The declines in cancer deaths each year were 1.8% for men, 1.4% for women and 2% for children. The report was written by experts from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. National Cancer Institute. The authors said the declines reflect earlier detection, prevention and improved treatments. Lung cancer rates are falling because fewer people smoke. Declines in breast and colon cancer deaths also are related to screening and prevention efforts. Prostate cancer deaths also are down, but experts are not sure why.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will increase its efforts to reduce excess use of antibiotics and the spread of bacteria that resist these drugs. The White House announced the effort March 27. The goal is to reduce infections with some of the most dangerous drug-resistant bacteria by 50% to 60% by 2020. The Medicare and Medicaid programs already have told hospitals to reduce excess use of antibiotics. They must develop these programs within 3 years or lose funding. The CDC will provide funds to help more states collect data on antibiotic-resistant infections. It also will encourage hospitals and health systems to send data on patterns of antibiotic use. The CDC now is supporting hospital pilot programs to improve prevention of infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A program in Chicago cut one type of infection in half.

The longer you live past 90, the greater the odds that your genes are a big reason, researchers say in a new study. The study looked at thousands of groups of siblings in New England. In all of the groups, at least one person reached age 90. For people who lived to be 90, the odds that a sibling also reached 90 were about 70% higher than for an average person born around the same time. People who lived to age 95 were 3½ times as likely as the average person to have a sibling who reached that age. And those who made it to 100 had 9 times the normal chance of having a sibling who also reached 100. The genetic connection was even stronger for those who reached 105. Their odds of having a sibling who reached that age were 35 times normal. The Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it March 26.