Gene defect linked with colon cancer
Families with a certain type of hereditary colorectal cancer have a reduced risk if they don’t carry a certain gene defect.
Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is a genetic condition which dramatically increases the risk of colon cancer and other cancers. It is linked to a deficiency in the DNA repair mechanism and around 60 per cent of families with the condition have a mutation in a corresponding gene.
A team at the Mayo Clinic looked at 161 families with HNPCC and divided members into two groups according to whether or not they have these mutations. Those with the mutation had increased incidences of cancer of the colon, endometrium, stomach, small intestine and ureter. Those without the mutation had only a modest …
No obvious link between diet and pancreatic cancer
Two long-running studies shows no connection between either of two dietary patterns and pancreatic cancer.
The influence of diet on cancer risk is a complex issue. Pancreatic cancer is one of the more aggressive forms of the disease, so it’s a priority to know more about the risk factors for it. In a report from two long-running studies, the Nurses Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, researchers at Harvard Medical School find that there is no obvious link between diet and pancreatic cancer.
They identified two dietary patterns – the Western diet, with high consumption of red meat, French fries, processed grains and sugar, and the so-called prudent diet, rich in fruit, vegetables, fish, legumes and poultry. There was no …
Moderate alcohol protects against type 2 diabetes
A review shows that those who drink moderately have a lower risk of diabetes than non-drinkers or heavy drinkers.
Previous evidence has suggested that alcohol can reduce the risk of diabetes but it has not been very clear what pattern of consumption is actually beneficial. A team at the University Medical Center in Amsterdam has looked at the evidence and concluded that moderate drinking protects, while heavy drinking is harmful.
Moderate drinkers – consuming six to 48 grams a day of alcohol – were about 30 per cent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than were non-drinkers. Those consuming more than 48 grams a day of alcohol had about the same risk of diabetes as non-drinkers. This ‘U’ shaped relationship with …
Mild depression increases mortality in heart failure
There is a link between depression and a higher long-term risk of death among patients who have chronic heart failure.
Previous work has shown a link between depression and heart problems. In a study, researchers at Duke University report on how even mild depression increases the death toll in heart failure.
They followed over 1,000 patients with heart failure, using a screening test called the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Those with scores of ten are considered to be mildly depressed, while a score of 12 to 19 is said to indicate mild to moderate depression. Those with a score of ten or more had a 44 per cent greater chance of dying from heart failure, say the researchers. And if the score …
Sleep apnea treatment reduces glucose levels among diabetics
Treatment of sleep apnea by the most common form of therapy has a positive impact on blood glucose levels among diabetics.
In sleep apnea, the person stop breathing many times during the night which leads to various kinds of health problems. It is known that those with sleep apnea are nine times more likely to have diabetes than those who do not have the disorder. In a study, doctors at the University of Illinois at Chicago report how treating sleep apnea can benefit those with diabetes.
They looked at the effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) on people with sleep apnea and diabetes. This showed that four hours treatment with CPAP a day could reduce blood glucose levels, which would …
Underdiagnosis of peripheral artery disease
Many patients with circulation problems are not being identified or treated, according to a new study.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) involves poor circulation in the legs. It can make walking painful and it also raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and blood clots – because it’s a sign that the arteries are clogged with fatty plaque.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have studied 6,979 patients with a history of diabetes or smoking – both of which increase the risk of PAD. They carried out a test for PAD, called the ankle-brachial index(ABI), which assesses the circulation. It turned out that 29 per cent of the patients had PAD but over half were aware of this – they had not previously …
Herbal extract as good as antidepressant
An extract of St John’s Wort proved as good as paroxetine in treating depression.
The herb St John’s Wort contains an active compound called hypericum which has long been used to treat depression. However, there has not been a lot of hard clinical evidence of its effectiveness.
A team in Germany reports on a trail of over 300 patients with moderate to severe depression taking either hypericum extract or paroxetine for six weeks. After this time, around half in the hypericum group found an improvement in their symptoms, compared to just a third of those on paroxetine. Hypericum was also associated with fewer side effects. It may be that hypericum extract is a good treatment for depression, especially for those who prefer …
Older doctors less likely to deliver best care
Doctors who are older or have been practising for longer are less likely to follow updated guidelines.
It’s a common belief that it’s best to consult a more experienced doctor if you can and, most often, that’s an older practitioner. But the older doctor may not deliver the best care, according to a analysis from Harvard Medical School.
They have reviewed 62 studies on doctors and their performances. Three quarters of these show that a doctor’s performance declines over time. Older doctors seem to stick with what they were taught, which could be very out of date. There’s more emphasis on evidence-based medicine these days and on clinical guidelines. The older doctor is more likely to ignore these. What is more, contrary …
One third of cancer patients using complementary therapies
A survey within Europe reveals that one cancer patient in three is using some kind of complementary or alternative medicine.
We already know that many people turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) such as homeopathy or yoga to help them deal with chronic disease. A survey from the school of nursing at the University of Manchester, England, reveals how popular CAM is with cancer patients.
A study of nearly 1,000 patients in Europe shows that, on average, one patient in three uses CAM. Usage is higher in Italy and Switzerland, while only 15 per cent of Greek cancer patients use it. CAM users tend to be younger, female and to have cancer of the bone, brain, pancreas or liver – in …
Stopping aspirin increases stroke risk
Patients who stop taking aspirin increase their risk of having another stroke.
The benefit of aspirin to prevent stroke or heart attack is well known. So what would happen if you stopped taking it? Researchers at Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland have carried out the first study into this question and found that discontinuing aspirin is, indeed, risky.
They looked at patients with similar risk factors who had a stroke and were on long-term aspirin therapy. They found that patients who discontinued their aspirin therapy ran a higher risk of stroke. What is more, most of these strokes happened within a few days of stopping the medication.
In two thirds of those who discontinued, the reason was doctor’s advice – maybe because the …
Dealing with bunions
Sensible choice of footwear and simple self-help can protect from the pain of a bunion.
Years of pressure on the big toe joint – from ill-fitting shoes, low arches or flat feet – can lead to development of bunions, which are abnormal bony growths around the joint area. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic say that the sac of fluid that is produced around the joint to protect it from further damage can actually get inflamed. This can hurt and might even make you dread putting your shoes on.
So be careful in your choice of footwear – avoid fashionable pointed toes and high heels which create pressure on the toe joint. You could try getting your shoes stretched to make them more …