The American Council on Science and Health, 2011: Week 38

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

ASTHMA

Gasping for common sense
If you're someone who relies on an over-the-counter inhaler to cope with asthma, you should be sure that you have a doctor's prescription for an albuterol inhaler by the end of this year.

CANCER

For women with BRCA mutation, diagnosis comes earlier in the younger generation
In a new study comparing the difference in the age at breast cancer diagnosis between older and younger generations of women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer gene mutations, researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that breast cancer is diagnosed about eight years earlier in the younger women.

American Cancer Society goes after the wrong target
Just last week we reported that the smoking rate in New York City dropped to an all-time low of 14 percent - down from 22 percent in 2002.

Men need to know the facts of life — post-prostate cancer
A study just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found it possible to approximate men's level of sexual function after treatment for prostate cancer.

Surprising uptick in mortality for premature babies when they grow up
It's been shown previously that infants born prematurely suffer an increased risk of adverse health effects, but does this effect continue into adulthood?

BPA is adult- and kid-friendly
Last year, ACSH released a report highlighting breast cancer organizations that relied on flawed science and chemophobia to support the alleged link between environmental chemicals and breast cancer.

DIABETES

BPA not linked to type 2 diabetes: Who said it was, anyway?
As we have often noted,independent and government-sponsored studies worldwide have repeatedly found that normal exposure to the plastic hardener bisphenol-A (BPA) poses no risk to human health.

Diabetes and dementia: Linked through insulin
Systemic insulin resistance is the hallmark of type 2 ("adult onset") diabetes. Studies done over the past several years have also found that a similar mechanism applies in the brain cells of Alzheimer's patients. Now, a study of over 1,000 people in Japan has found that diabetics may be at an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

DIALYSIS

Dialing up the dialysis
Patients suffering from kidney disease rely on dialysis in order to stay alive. Without functioning kidneys to remove the waste and fluids that accumulate in the body, the majority of the 400,000 Americans with this condition have their blood purified by a dialysis machine three days a week. Yet a major study suggests that thrice-weekly treatment may not be frequent enough...

ORGANIC

Soy disappointing: Supplements don’t prevent post-menopausal artery-hardening
The case for soy as a cure-all continues to be called into question.

PESTICIDES

Bedbugged about insecticides? Just use as advised
In a number of U.S. cities (New York, for instance), bedbugs have become a relatively common concern. Do> you also need to be worried about the insecticides used to combat them? Well…yes and no.

PHARMA

Possible problems with Zofran could be bad news for chemo patients
Nausea and vomiting, possibly the most unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy, have been treated for the past twenty years with a drug called ondansetron (Zofran).

Cheaper might not be better
It was just ten years ago when in the face of the AIDS pandemic, wealthier nations and big pharma agreed to give up patent rights and profits in order to provide developing nations with vital treatments.

The problem with big government pharma
What will be the upshot if the federal government sets up its own drug development and commercialization program?

HEART

No support for routine ECG screening
When it comes to deciding whether to screen asymptomatic adults for coronary artery disease (CAD) with either a resting or exercise ECG, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has not changed its guidelines since its recommendation in 2004 against such routine screening.

STUDIES, TRUE, FALSE AND MISLEADING

Little white lies in stroke research?
Does the proverbial apple a day really prevent stroke, as a Dutch study now in the journal Stroke suggests?

TOBACCO

Results of a new snus survey led to misleading conclusions
Upon initially reading the results of new research that found that nearly 30 percent of U.S. male smokers between the ages of 18 and 24 who were living in snus test market areas had tried the product, Dr. Ross thought the study was going to finally reveal the truth about snus and other smokeless tobacco products - that they can help smokers get off deadly cigarettes.

VACCINATIONS

Double dose on vaccine news
We've been saying it for nearly a decade now: Vaccinating infants and schoolchildren against the flu will result in major health benefits.

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!

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