WEEKLYWELLNESS

New study over ovarian cancer prevention

Emily Brown May 2015

 

A new study has suggested a new way for identifying ovarian cancer through a personalized method of interpreting blood tests as opposed to a general approach.

 

Instead of using a general cut-off point for high CA-125 levels, the new study “uses an algorithm to analyze several CA-125 readings to determine if there is an especially unusual increase in protein levels.” The algorithm analyzes changes in the level of specific protein in blood and proved better at predicting ovarian cancer than the traditional method.

 

"It looks like we picked up cancers in more people earlier," said Dr. Usha Menon of University College London. "Now the next question is, did we save these women’s lives by picking them up earlier?"

So far, the results from the new study look promising, though it is still too soon to tell if this is the most preventive way to screen for ovarian cancer.

 

Hopefully the study will prove to be helpful as more and more women are losing the battle to ovarian cancer. In 2011, over 20,000 U.S. women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 14,000 died from it, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

Many cancer prevention studies are focused on breast cancer, as it is the number one cancer for women. Still, there are countless women who suffer from ovarian cancer and this preventative method will give them the opportunity to better fight their battle. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three new avian flu viruses found in Midwest

Emily Brown April 2015

 

Scientists are seeking to determine the severity of three recently discovered highly pathogenic avian flu viruses found in poultry and wild birds in the U.S. Midwest. While there appears to be an unlikely threat to humans, the presence of the viruses could have a potential long-term threat.

 

One of the viruses, H5N2, has already led to the slaughter of millions of turkeys and chickens. No humans have become infected yet, although scientists say it is possible someone who comes in direct contact with sick birds could catch the virus. The USDA and the CDC are working together to determine if the viruses will be able to mutate and become human viruses.

 

"Most of the time, these viruses don't have human disease potential, but obviously you need to be very careful," said Dr. Stephen Morse, an expert in emerging infections at Columbia University. "Nowadays, you can't say anything about flu with certainty."

 

This potential threat is crucial for the Nacogdoches area where Tyson Foods has a factory. The workers who come in direct contact with the poultry have to be extremely cautious in the next few weeks as the CDC determines the severity of the viruses. It is extremely unlikely that an infected human could pass the disease on to another human.

 

The concern is if the virus becomes established in the breeding grounds in Alaska and Northern Canada, there is a potential for these viruses to become an annual burden each time the birds migrate south.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cereal Prolongs Life Expectancy

Emily Brown March 2015

 

Breakfast has already been proven to be the most important meal of the day. However, filling a plate with bad protein and high fat does no good. Choosing a fibrous cereal will increase a longer life.

 

A study done by BMC Medicine this week shows a diet rich in cereal fiber increases longer life expectancy compared to people who chose less well breakfast options in the morning. There was a 19% reduced risk of death in the participants, compared to those who ate the least amount of cereal fiber.

 

The researchers asked over 367,000 healthy people who were taking part in the study for an average of 14 years questions about their diets, exercise habits, and other lifestyle factors. The participants were also monitored for health conditions and mortality.

 

Dietitian Lori Zanini said she tells her clients this hint for picking out good fiber: "No animal product will naturally have this," Zanini said. "Plants are where you should go to find fiber. It only comes from the cell walls of plants."

 

Researchers say that in order to show a difference in risk reduction, you need to eat at least 10.22 grams of cereal fiber per day based on a 1,000 kcal daily diet.

 

There are numerous options for fibrous cereals to fulfill anyone's taste cravings. Fiber One, Mini-Wheats, and Cheerios are all great options for a healthy breakfast. Often times, cereal is inexpensive in comparison to other breakfast options so it is easy for even low-income families to receive healthy options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students create vest to help visually impaired

Emily Brown March 2015

 

Students from the Polytechnic University in Hebron have created a vest that allows the blind and severely visually impaired to walk without an aide. The Smart Assist System for Blind People (SASB) is hoped to be used in place of traditional aides, such as canes.

 

Abdel Rahman al-Barmeel, an engineering graduate student who helped design SASB, said, "the system works on directing the people by voice commands and vibration commands."

 

The system is designed to be simple and easy to use.  It provides the user with a sound alert when its battery capacity is low.

 

Dr. Ramzi al-Qawasmi, the Dean of Engineering Department and Project Supervisor, explained the importance of improving the quality of life for the visually impaired.

 

"The project constitutes of a vest worn by the visually impaired," al-Qawasmi said, "to help them to integrate into society and communicate with people through directing and coaching them through a path which is free of obstacles."

 

This vest could do wonders for the visually impaired who struggle with having to daily rely on someone else for help. It allows for people to be more independent and helps them to function more smoothly.

 

Sponsors are still needed to make the vest available on the market. This is not the first vest on the market, however. Eyeronman was released last year and is the same concept with a different design.

 

 

 

Link found between breast cancer and prostate cancer

Emily Brown March 2015

 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. It is hard to find someone today who has not been affected by breast cancer in some way. A new study shows that having a family history of prostate cancer among first-degree relatives may increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.

 

Over 78,000 women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study between 1993 and 1998 and were free of breast cancer at the start of the study. In a follow up study conducted in 2009, 3506 cases of breast cancer had occurred.

 

More than 11 percent of women who developed breast cancer reported a first-degree relative with prostate cancer, compared to about 10 percent of women without the disease. Having a father, brother or son with prostate cancer increased the risk of breast cancer by about 14 percent.

 

“Both of these cancers are relatively common, so that it is possible when cancers are diagnosed in multiple family members it may be due to chance,” lead author Jennifer L. Beebe-Dimmer of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit said. “It may also be an exposure to something in the environment.”

 

In separate analyses that looked into the joint impact of both cancers, a family history of both breast and prostate cancer was linked with a 78 percent increase in breast cancer risk. While this statistic is alarming, it does help researchers who are developing a cure; understanding the cause of cancer can lead to a solution along the way.

 

 

 

 

 

Personal audio players have permanent effect on hearing

Emily Brown February 2015

 

People who use personal audio players should limit their use to an hour per day as well as turn the volume down in order to prevent permanent hearing damage according the World Health Organization.

 

Specifically young people are at a high risk for hearing loss because they have had longer instant access to personal MP3 players and they tend to listen to their music at a higher volume.

 

Dr. Shelly Chadha, a WHO expert on hearing loss, said, "Where you cannot understand conversation around you, you know that this is too loud."

 

Walking across any college campus, Stephen F. Austin included, it is evident that students listen to their personal audio devices throughout the day. Some students are rarely ever seen without their headphones in their ears. Young people often listen to music in order to avoid conversations with strangers or to avoid people they have no desire to talk to.

 

"Teenagers and young people can better protect their hearing by keeping the volume down on personal audio devices, wearing earplugs when visiting noisy venues, and using carefully fitted, and, if possible, noise-cancelling earphones or headphones," WHO said, urging them take short listening breaks and restrict the daily use of personal audio devices to less than one hour.

 

While students argue that listening to music helps calm them down and relax, it is evident that an over exposure of it can lead to long lasting effects. Some 360 million people worldwide live with disabling hearing loss caused by a variety of factors, including chronic infection, rubella and exposure to noise, according to WHO.

 

 

 

 

One Third of Americans Turn to Alternative Medicine

Emily Brown February 2015

 

 

According to new studies from the National Institutes of Health, about 33 percent of Americans look for help outside of a doctor's office for help. Alternative medicines are used for additional help to relieve stress, to improve general health, to get rid of pain from long-lasting conditions, and to help with many other symptoms.

 

CNN states that "fish oil, probiotics, melatonin, deep breathing, chiropractors and yoga" were some of the more commonly reported alternatives Americans use in place of their doctor's help. Overall, natural products, such as dietary supplements other than vitamins, remain the most common unconventional medicine.

 

“People turn to complementary and alternative medicine for pain,” Dr. Josephine Briggs, who heads the NCCIH, told a news conference. “They are not used as alternatives to standard, proven therapies but as a complement to standard care.”

 

While the majority of Americans use alternative medicine alongside traditional care, around 5% of Americans use alternative medicine exclusively.

 

There is concern about if these therapies work and their safety. They are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration differently from the way that prescriptions, food and drinks are.

 

Because of this, patients are heavily encouraged to tell their doctors what they are taking. “It is important for primary care physicians to ask patients about their use, particularly dietary supplements,” Briggs says.

 

 

 

 

Vaccinations More Important Than Ever

Emily Brown February 2015

 

Southern California has recently become the epicenter of a national measles outbreak. The outbreak started shortly before Christmas at Disneyland and spread quickly. At least 99 measles cases since December were in California, state health officials say.

 

According to USA Today, scientists believe the growth of the disease is partially due to the large population of anti-vaxxers in southern California. Many parents refuse to vaccinate their children for various reasons, including believing the myth that vaccinations leading to autism. Although, evidence has proven this is false.

 

"Over the last two decades, extensive research has asked whether there is any link between childhood vaccinations and autism," Rob Ring, a spokesperson for Autism Speaks, said. "The results of this research are clear: Vaccines do not cause autism. We urge that all children be fully vaccinated."

 

Now, schools have decided to fight against anti-vaxxers. Forbes reports that schools have begun to send students home and are unable to return for two to three weeks if they have not received their measles immunization shot. Many parents who choose not to vaccinate are upset but are not going to budge.

 

“There is absolutely no reason to get the shot,” said Crystal McDonald, whose 16-year-old daughter was one of 66 students sent home from school for two weeks because they did not have full measles immunizations. When her daughter, who was concerned her classes, asked if she could return after getting the vaccination, her mother refused. “I said, ‘I’d rather you miss an entire semester than you get the shot.’ “

 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 644 cases from 14 different states were reported in 2014, and 2015 is not looking like it’s going to be any better. In January alone, more than 100 measles cases were reported.