By Planet Chiropractic Health
Changes in breast cancer rates, a widening gap in colon cancer death rates amongst blacks versus whites, drug companies using ghost writers, questioning the safety of asthma medication, time for 2009 Medicare decisions, and the immune system a night, those of the health topics for Monday, December 15th, 2008.
Falling Breast Cancer Rates – A new study shows that decreased use of hormone therapy has been correlated with a decline in breast cancer amongst menopausal women. The study showed that the use of menopausal hormone therapy with estrogen and progestin over a five-year period doubled a woman’s risk of breast cancer. According to the study, researchers concluded that discontinued use of E+P (estrogen plus progestin) was associated with rapid reduction in breast cancer incidence. The war on breast cancer continues.
(photo sparktography)
Colon Cancer Death Rates Racial Gap is Widening – According to a new report, the incidence of colon cancer deaths amongst blacks in the U. S., show a widening gap, when compared to death rates amongst whites. According to the study, the gap has been growing since the mid-1970s, when colon cancer deaths for the two groups were near equal. According to the study, the cancer screening rate for whites is 50% versus 40% for blacks. The screening rate is even lower for Hispanics, according to the report.
Drug Company Used Ghostwriters – Congressional investigators continue to probe the practices of a major drug company with concerns that its marketing employees helped write articles for peer-reviewed medical journals. The investigation is led by Iowa Senator Charles Grassley as part of the Senate Finance Committee’s examination of medical ghost writing and larger investigation into the influence pharmaceutical companies have on the health-care industry.
FDA Questions Safety of Asthma Medications – According to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel review, two different asthma medications are considered to pose serious risks that outweigh the benefits of treatment for adults, adolescents and children. GlaxoSmithKline PLC’s Serevent and Novartis AG’s Foradil where the two drugs ruled to pose serious health risks by the FDA panel on Thursday, December 11th. Patients are urged to discuss asthma medication risks versus benefits with their health-care providers.
2009 Medicare Options – The Medicare enrollment period for 2009 is now through New Year’s Eve, and experts are urging seniors consider their overall health needs, when selecting Medicare options. According to health experts, while Medicare decisions are important for seniors every year, this year many seniors will be faced with potentially difficult decisions due to the impact of the economic downturn. One tip offered is to consider ones physicians when choosing a Medicare plan to make sure that the health-care professionals normally seen are included. With a new president in 2009, chiropractic care and Medicare will be interesting to watch, in the upcoming years.
At Night Immune System is Hard at Work – According to a new study performed on fruit flies, the body’s immune system works its hardest at night and eases off on activities during the day. According to researchers, flies infected with bacteria at night had a better chance of surviving compared to those infected during the day. The study results fit the theory that the body uses sleep for restoration and increased energy. The findings will be presented at a American Society for Cell Biology conference this week.
That’s it for Monday health news, December 15, 2008. Have a healthy day!
planetc1.com-news @ 7:29 am | Article ID: 1229354980
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