American Council on Science and Health, 2011: Week 33

The presence of linked articles here are merely a way of showing what is going on, whether I agree or disagree with the positions presented. Rich Kozlovich

AUTISM

Strong evidence that autism is genetic
It has long been clear that autism runs in families; for some time, scientists have estimated that the likelihood of having a second child with autism is between 3 and 10 percent for families who already have one child with the disorder. Now, a new study appearing in the journal Pediatrics has found that risk to be significantly higher.

CANCER

Severity of prostate cancer side effects may exceed expectations
It seems that among men who undergo prostate removal, there is a disconnect between expectations and the reality of how severe the side effects of the surgery are.

Screening for lung cancer with CT scans is no scam
Findings of a study sponsored by the National Cancer Institute last year showed that screening current and former smokers with spiral CT scans can reduce lung cancer deaths by 20 percent, compared to standard chest X-rays.

Add bladder cancer to litany of smoking-related diseases
Most people are aware that smoking is associated with various cancers, including cancer of the lung and mouth, yet many may be surprised to learn that the risk of bladder cancer in current smokers is more than three times greater than it is for non-smokers.

Hot chemotherapy may not withstand the scientific heat
It seems that the latest trend in treating cancer is a combination of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (Hipec) - or, as it is more familiarly called, "hot chemotherapy."

HEART

A new way to predict risk of heart attacks and stroke
Doctors typically prescribe statin medications to treat patients with high cholesterol; however, those with normal cholesterol levels may still be at risk of heart attack and stroke if they have elevated levels of coronary artery calcium (CAC).

PHARMACUETICALS

Scarce drugs boom on the gray market
Drug shortages, as ACSH's Dr. Josh Bloom explained in a recent op-ed, are a serious and growing problem in the U.S.

Help on the way? A generic drug deal
Two distinct efforts to combat increasing U.S. drug shortages are in the works

If you live by generics, you may die by them
"People are dying because of critical shortages of hundreds of essential, commonly used drugs - the kind we take for granted," writes ACSH's Dr. Josh Bloom in his op-ed that appears in today's New York Post.

SCARES AND CONSEQUENCES

Just do(n’t) do it: Nike should ignore policy recommendations from Greenpeace
Marked by its iconic swoosh, sportswear giant Nike announced plans to eliminate the release of allegedly hazardous chemicals from the production cycle of all products in its global supply chain by 2020.

STUDIES

The problem with outsourcing clinical trials
And, from the Annals of What's Wrong with Outsourcing, a new study suggests that clinical trials conducted outside the U.S. may not be a reliable indication of a drug's efficacy for its intended American population.

Don’t fear HRT: Alternative treatments don’t work
Last week we reported on findings from a study that showed soy had no beneficial effects on reducing menopausal symptoms.

Clinical trials may lose some red tape
Federally funded clinical trials may soon become less bureaucratically bound and more efficient if changes announced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) come to pass.

THIS AND THAT

Prevent slippin’ and a slidin’ while in the bathroom
Splish splash, be careful when you take that bath!

For childbirth, patience is a virtue and health benefit
After first learning of the adverse health outcomes associated with early elective Cesarean sections, we were pleased to hear that some OBGYNS put their foot down on such procedures.

TOBACCO

E-cig testimonials
A story in yesterday's New York Post turns attention to the increasingly popular electronic cigarette.

Smokeless tobacco on the table in test cities
The FDA regulates tobacco products, but it's still determining how to categorize what are known as dissolvable tobacco products.

No money, more problems for state anti-smoking programs
States across the country are experiencing a marked decrease in their anti-smoking program budgets.

If there is a health scare today, the American Council on Science and Health will most likely have the answer by tomorrow; and for members it will appear in your e-mail. No effort on your part, except to read the answer. All that the ACSH is interested in are the facts and they are prepared to follow them wherever they lead. Who can ask for more?  Please Donate Now!

###