Category: news-perspectives

Even light drinking of alcohol slightly increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer, new research finds. The study found a 15% higher risk for women who had 3 to 6 drinks a week, compared with non-drinkers. Previous studies have shown a higher risk for women who drink more than this. Researchers used data from the Nurses’ Health Study. The study included more than 100,000 women. They regularly filled out questionnaires about their health and habits. The study began in 1980 and continued through 2008. Breast cancer risk increased by 10% for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed daily. That’s about one standard drink of alcohol. It could be a 12-ounce bottle of beer, a 4-ounce glass of wine or a shot of whiskey. The type of alcohol did not matter. The Journal of the American Medical Association published the study. The Associated Press wrote about it November 2.

A do-it-yourself home test may help to detect cervical cancer for women with little access to medical care, a new study finds. The study included nearly 20,000 women in Mexico. They were randomly divided into two groups. One group got test kits for human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer. At home, each woman used a special brush to collect cells inside the vagina. A lab checked the sample for HPV. Women in the other group got Pap smears in a clinic. This test looks at cells scraped from the cervix. Both groups had follow-up tests if needed. Compared with the Pap test, the HPV test helped to find more than 3 times as many pre-cancers and 4 times as many cancers. The HPV test also led to far more “false positive” results than the Pap smear. These women needed more tests but did not have cancer or pre-cancer.

Yoga may help people with long-term back pain to move and do common tasks more easily, a new study finds. But yoga didn’t improve pain much. The study included 313 adults with back pain. Their pain had lasted, or kept coming back, for an average of 10 years. People were randomly divided into 2 groups. Both groups got their usual care. This included treatments such as medicines and physical therapy. Everyone also received a booklet on ways to ease back pain. People in 1 of the 2 groups also were offered a series of yoga classes. They took 1 class a week for 12 weeks. People filled out questionnaires about pain and how well they could move and do daily tasks. Those in the yoga group reported better back function right after the 12 weeks ended. They also had better function 3 and 6 months later. The other group had no change. Both groups reported only small improvements in pain.

People who get regular exercise for many years may have a lower risk of glaucoma, a new study suggests. The study focused on a group of 5,650 middle-aged and older adults. They provided information about their physical activity, at work and during free time. Researchers also kept track of their eye pressure levels for 15 years. People who were moderately active at the start of the study were 25% less likely to have low ocular perfusion pressure 15 years later. People with this condition are more likely to develop glaucoma. The study is in the October issue of the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. HealthDay News wrote about it October 30.

If you lose a lot of weight, hormones in your body will increase your appetite for at least the next year, a new study finds. The study included 50 overweight or obese adults. Researchers put them on a strict diet. They could have no more than 550 calories a day. They used a meal replacement plan and also ate vegetables. This lasted 8 weeks. For the next 2 weeks, they gradually began eating normal foods again. The goal was to lose at least 10% of body weight. In all, 34 people managed to do that and stuck with the study through a year of follow-up. On average, they lost 30 pounds. People got advice on how to maintain their new weight. But a year later, they had gained back an average of 12 pounds. They also had changes in blood hormones that affect appetite. All of these changes were likely to increase hunger.

Boys should get shots to prevent a virus that causes cervical and several other kinds of cancer, an expert panel says. The vaccine Gardasil is approved for both girls and boys. It protects against the human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes genital warts. Some types of HPV also cause nearly all cases of cervical cancer. HPV can cause cancers of the anus, penis, vulva, vagina, head and neck as well. It is spread by skin-to-skin contact during sex. An expert committee said October 25 that boys should get the Gardasil vaccine at age 11 or 12. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention usually follows the group’s advice. Current guidelines recommend that all girls get the vaccine, or another version called Cervarix, to protect against cervical cancer. Cervarix is not approved for use in boys.

Some doctors are using an extra blood test to help assess who needs treatment for cholesterol problems. The Associated Press (AP) wrote about the test October 25. The test counts the particles that carry LDL — the so-called bad cholesterol — in the blood. LDL can be contained in many small particles or fewer large ones. The small ones are more likely to build up inside artery walls. The National Lipid Association, a group of doctors who treat cholesterol problems, has looked at use of the particle tests. This month, a committee of this group said the tests would be reasonable to use for some patients. They could help doctors to decide who should start drug treatment or increase it to lower LDL. But some experts say current tests are enough, AP said. They say that particle levels usually reflect overall LDL levels. Doctors also can look at non-HDL cholesterol.

Taking blood pressure drugs at night might improve people’s health, new research suggests. The study included 661 people with kidney disease and high blood pressure. They were randomly divided into two groups. One group took blood pressure medicines in the morning. The other group took at least one of the medicines at night. Researchers then kept track of them for an average of 5½ years. In that time, people who took medicine at night had better blood pressure control. They also were about one-third as likely to have a heart attack or stroke, or to develop heart failure, as those who took morning pills. Researchers noted that these results occurred with no extra cost. The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology published the study online. HealthDay News wrote about it October 24.

Exposure to BPA before birth could affect young girls’ behavior, a new study suggests. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical found in some plastics and many other products. The study included 244 pregnant women. Researchers measured BPA levels during pregnancy. They also measured it in the children. When the children were 3 years old, the mothers evaluated their behavior using a standard questionnaire. Girls whose mothers had high BPA levels during pregnancy scored lower. They were more likely to be anxious or depressed than other girls. They also had more problems with control of feelings or behavior. All of these measures were in normal ranges, however. No effect was seen in boys. Researchers said they were not sure why only girls seemed to be affected. But some research suggests that BPA mimics the effects of the female hormone estrogen.

Food products in U.S. stores should have ratings similar to the Energy Star tag for appliances, an expert panel says. The rating symbol would be on the front of the package, along with the calories and serving size. That’s the new proposal from the Institutes of Medicine. This independent group provides advice to the government. The report, released October 20, urges the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require the new food labels. They would not replace current labels with nutrition facts. Rather, they would put the most important facts in a more prominent spot. Products would receive zero to three stars or other symbols based on a point system. The most points would be given to products that were low in saturated and trans fats, sodium and added sugars. The FDA already is working on changes to the food labeling system.