Substantial reduction cancer risk

A new research has revealed that having two portions of whole grains such as wholemeal bread and brown rice on a daily basis may almost halve the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

According to the research, carried out by the University of California, San Francisco, a diet rich in these ingredients and other whole grain foods could bring about a substantial reduction in the risk of developing this form of cancer.

In the study of more than 2,000 men and women, a clear link between the amount of whole grains eaten and the chance of developing pancreatic cancer was revealed.

It was found that those who ate at least two helpings of whole grains a day – the equivalent of a cup of brown rice or porridge, or two slices of wholemeal bread – were 40 per cent less likely to develop the disease than those who ate less than one portion. Read more

Simple sugars may raise pancreatic cancer risk

Eating a diet rich in whole grain and fiber may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer, a new study suggested. Whole grain and fiber-rich foods have been already known to benefit heart health.

The study led by Dr. June M. Chan of the University of California in San Francisco and colleagues found adults who ate two or more servings of whole grains each day could cut their risk of pancreatic cancer by about 40 percent compared to those who ate less than one serving.

In addition, those who ate highest amounts of fiber or 26.5 grams per day or more were less likely to have pancreatic cancer than those who ate only 15.6 grams per day or less, the study found.

The results were published in the November 15, 2007 issue of in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Read more

Group Out With Cancer Report Card

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is out with its first-ever breast cancer report card.

Researchers said that despite new medicines and surgical techniques, 40,000 women in the United States die every year from breast cancer. That’s enough to fill Fenway Park and then some.

The report provides information about advancements in diagnosis, treatment and research that have made breast cancer a survivable disease.

It also explores cultural, social, educational and financial barriers that prevent many people from getting screening and receiving life-saving breast cancer care.

One survivor who’s spreading the word about early detection is someone Read more

The new saga of stem cells

Just over three years ago we wrote an article on stem cells and cloning describing the isolation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines at the University of Wisconsin in the year 1998, from surplus embryos donated for research purposes. The purpose of developing hESC was to generate specialized tissues for treating several diseases afflicting mankind. This technology, called “therapeutic cloning”, was criticized by ethicists as harmful in that the embryos were destroyed in this process. The scientific argument was that these surplus (unused) embryos would eventually be destroyed at the request of the donors anyway and it is better to use them to develop cures for diseases currently considered incurable. The potential for misuse of the technology for “reproductive cloning” was instrumental in the US federal government’s refusal to fund research on hESC since 2001. There have been attempts since then to fund such research by various state governments and the US Congress.

Cloning is the process by which a cell duplicates itself. Identical twins are clones. In 1996 a sheep (Dolly) was cloned through the transfer of an udder cell of her donor mother into Read more

Low testosterone levels indicate increased risk of CV death in men

High endogenous levels of testosterone in men are associated with low mortality from all causes, cardiovascular causes, and cancer, a new study shows, and the authors suggest that low testosterone may be a predictive marker for those at high risk of cardiovascular disease [1].

The study, published online November 26, 2007 in Circulation, found an inverse relation between endogenous testosterone concentrations and mortality due to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all causes.

Lead author Dr Kay-Tee Khaw (University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, UK) commented to heartwire: “This is the largest study of testosterone levels ever conducted. We don’t know whether the association shown between higher levels of testosterone and lower mortality is causal or just a marker of something else, but regardless of this, it appears that low testosterone levels do identify a group at increased risk of cardiovascular death who could benefit from more aggressive treatments in terms of cholesterol and blood-pressure lowering.” Read more

Low testosterone levels indicate increased risk of CV death in men

High endogenous levels of testosterone in men are associated with low mortality from all causes, cardiovascular causes, and cancer, a new study shows, and the authors suggest that low testosterone may be a predictive marker for those at high risk of cardiovascular disease [1].

The study, published online November 26, 2007 in Circulation, found an inverse relation between endogenous testosterone concentrations and mortality due to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all causes.

Lead author Dr Kay-Tee Khaw (University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, UK) commented to heartwire: “This is the largest study of testosterone levels ever conducted. We don’t know whether the association shown between higher levels of testosterone and lower mortality is causal or just a marker of something else, but regardless of this, it appears that low testosterone levels do identify a group at increased risk of cardiovascular death who could benefit from more aggressive treatments in terms of cholesterol and blood-pressure lowering.” Read more

Health Tip: Why Get an Annual Physical?

Even though you may be feeling healthy, it’s important to get regular physical exams to help ensure that you stay that way.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says regular physicals will allow your doctor to:

1. Check regularly for signs of disease. Early detection often helps improve the chances of recovery.
2. Determine your risk of future health problems, and possibly, to prevent them.
3. Give you any needed vaccinations.
4. Talk with you about your lifestyle, and to recommend changes.
5. Get to know your history, in the event that you become seriously ill. Read more

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