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American Health News and
Wellness Report Newsletter
Prevention is a Cure (c)
JUNE 2012- Vol 13 Issue 69 |
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| Greetings! | |
Calendar of events
Saturday,June 30th 2012 9:00 a.m.
You're Never Alone: A Senior Discussion Group
now in its 14th year
Heritage Park West Library
5859 Via Flora, Delray Beach
561 361 9091 $1 Donation
Senior Achievement Award
All nominees must have demonstrated service beyond the call of normal duty contributing to both the ideals of their respectful agency or organization, the spirit of community service and dedication to a particular program, project or event of said charity.
Details to the program, nomination, rules and submission, click here |
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| Sun exposure & pancreatic cancer |
Sun Exposure & Pancreatic Cancer
(American Health Newswire) - Sun exposure is usually associated with being the cause of cancer, but a new study shows its protective function: it can actually decrease your risk of pancreatic cancer.
"Several ecological studies, including one conducted in Australia, have suggested that people living in areas with high sun exposure have lower risk for pancreatic cancer," Rachel Neale, Ph.D., principal investigator at Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Queensland, Australia, was quoted as saying. "However, some studies of circulating vitamin D indicate that people with high vitamin D are at increased risk, and one study of vitamin D intake supports this increased risk."
The results of this study back up existing ecological data indicating that sun exposure has a protective effect against pancreatic cancer.
Between 2007 and 2011, 714 people in Queensland, Australia were recruited for the study and matched by age and sex to 709 control participants. All of them were interviewed about sociodemographic information and medical history; they were also asked about their birth location, skin cancer history, and skin type defined by color, tanning ability and propensity to sunburn.
They used NASA's Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer to assign a level of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to each birth location and split them into thirds based on how much radiation was present. They found that participants born in areas with the highest levels of UV radiation had a 24 percent lower risk for developing pancreatic cancer compared with those born in low UV radiation areas.
Additionally, although all skin types had some association with pancreatic cancer risk, those who were classified as having the most sun-sensitive skin had a 49 percent decreased risk for pancreatic cancer compared to those who were classified as having the least sun-sensitive skin. Finally, participants who had a history of skin cancer or other sun-related skin lesions had a 40 percent lower risk for pancreatic cancer than those without skin lesions.
"There is increasing interest in the role of sun exposure, which has been largely attributed to the effect of vitamin D, on cancer incidence and mortality," Dr. Neale was quoted as saying. "It is important that we understand the risks and benefits of sun exposure because it has implications for public health messages about sun exposure, and possibly about policy related to vitamin D supplementation or food fortification."
Dr. Neale suggested that researchers conduct large cohort studies that evaluate sun exposure comprehensively, and serum vitamin D.
"There are several trials of vitamin D that are either under way or planned, and pooling data from these might give some clue about vitamin D and pancreatic cancer," Dr. Neale was quoted as saying.
Source: American Association for Cancer Research's Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges conference, June 2012
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| Arthritis: Alternatives to surgery |
Arthritis: Alternatives To Surgery
DURHAM, N.C. (IAmerican Health Newswire) --It causes pain, stiffness and immobility. When you have osteoarthritis, every single step can be a struggle. There are invasive surgeries and drugs with a long list of side effects that most patients try to avoid. Now we'll show you arthritis alternative therapies that really work.
As a youth orchestra conductor, Dorothy Kitchen was used to being on her feet all day. But
then knee arthritis struck.
"I sit now, instead of stand, when I conduct," Dorothy Kitchen, a woman who suffers arthritis told American Health.
Kitchen is determined not to have surgery and only takes meds if she's really in pain.
"I'm not a pill-taker," Kitchen said.
But one thing that has helped is massage.
"I feel more alive, my legs feel mobile," Kitchen said.
Dr. Adam Perlman of Duke University launched a pilot study on massage for knee osteoarthritis. Patients who had massages twice a week for a month and then once a week for another month, had less pain, better range of motion and faster walking speeds.
"And that improvement actually persisted eight weeks after massage was finished," Adam Perlman, M.D., MPH, executive director, Duke Integrated Medicine told American Health.
Another alternative is acupuncture.
"There is very interesting data suggesting that acupuncture can be effective particularly for arthritis of the knee," Dr. Perlman said.
In one study, 25 percent of arthritis patients who were scheduled for knee surgery cancelled their procedures after acupuncture. Then there's glucosamine.
"The studies are conflicting about glucosamine," Dr. Perlman said.
Most studies show glucosamine sulfate at 1,500 milligrams a day can help but glucosamine hydrochloride is most commonly sold in the U.S does not.
Finally fight pain by losing weight. Every pound you lose means four pounds less pressure on your knees. That's what works for Kitchen, taking daily walks and massage.
"This will be wonderful! I'll feel good all afternoon," Kitchen concluded.
Dr. Perlman is now enrolling patients in the massage study, which will take place at three centers: one at Duke, one at Yale and one in New Jersey.
(Sources: Archives of Internal Medicine, Ease Arthritis Pain Naturally, MSN Health; Put Those Shoes On: Running Won't Kill Your Knees, NPR,Acufinder.com) |
| Catching colon cancer at home |
CatchingColon CancerAt Home
ELKRIDGE, MD ( American Health Newswire) -- Colon cancer touches the lives of 150 thousand people in the U.S each year, and is the second leading cancer killer. While one of the deadliest, it's also one of the most preventable, if caught early. Now a new test could help save thousands from it.
Nothing makes Reba Streaker happier than surrounding herself with flowers, and just like her precious plants, she knows she has to take care of herself and that means screening for colon cancer.
"I had a friend who did not have a colonoscopy or any of the screenings or anything and then it became so obvious that it was too late and she lost her life to it," Reba Streaker told American Health.
That's why Reba enrolled in a study for a new DNA test to detect colon cancer. All colon cancers start as polyps. As those polyps develop, they shed cells into the stool stream. Some of these cells contain altered DNA. The new investigational test detects the abnormality in the patient's stool.
"It's a huge breakthrough. If it works as well as it seems to, then it will be a much easier way of screening for colon cancer then having them go through the colonoscopy," Steven geller, M.D., DeeP-C Study
The in-home test could catch cancerous and precancerous tumors early, before they turn deadly.
"You can cut it out before it ever becomes cancerous and so nobody has to die from colon cancer," Dr. Geller said.
In another recent study, researchers found the test detected 87 percent of colorectal cancer in curable stages. Once detected, you still need to have a colonoscopy to find the cells and remove them, but the new non-invasive test could help persuade those who'd ordinarily shy away from a colonoscopy.
"It tells you if this test is positive, you definitely need a colonoscopy," Dr. Geller said.
A test Reba is positive about too.
"I hope this works for other people and other generations so we can save lives," Rena said.
The so-called DeeP-C Study is currently recruiting participants in more than 80 locations across the U.S. and Canada. For information on how you can participate, log onto www.exactsciences.com. If approved by the FDA, the test could be available to patients in 2014. principal investigator and medical director at the Centennial Medical Group in Elkridge, MD, explained. |
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100% of every dollar goes to service the charities programs and services here in Palm Beach County and around the globe Not one cent in 8 years has ever gone to salaries, of any kind, to anyone. We are, from top to bottom all volunteers in service to the community. |
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MISSION STATEMENT
The American Health Society is a distinguished 13 year old multi-award winning preventative public health & wellness 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is in preventative healthcare, mental wellness, health education, literacy and advocacy aimed at preventing lifestyle based illnesses, diseases and the frailties of aging.
We have a strong "Social Green Philosophy" of Humanitarian Service through our American Volunteer Corps which has a global outreach in 46 countries with members in 37 US States.
J. Robert Gordon - CEO and Founder American Health Association
561-361-9091 |
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