http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/ Women's health news from the popular press en-us Copyright 2008 Womens Healthcare Forum http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss/ Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:27:36 EST Americans are getting heavier and heavier, and the number of cases of diabetes in this country has skyrocketed. Gastric weight-loss surgery has become an increasingly popular way to combat obesity in the US, and can reduce the incidence of diabetes. New research suggests that gastric lap-band surgery, a less drastic procedure than gastric bypass that places a band around the upper stomach, limiting the amount of food that can pass through, is also beneficial to diabetics. Substantial weight loss is required to reverse the incidence of diabetes, and lap-band surgery is generally more effective than diet and exercise alone. The study concludes that the amount of weight loss, not the method, impacts the reversal of diabetes. For overweight diabetics who have had trouble losing weight in a more traditional manner, gastric lap-band surgery shows promise as a more effective means of diabetes reversal. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm A new study on the contraceptive skin patch Ortho Evra has found that women using this form of contraception have a higher risk of blood clots than women using birth control pills. The FDA recommended adding this new finding to the drugs label. Ortho Evra releases hormones through the skin directly into the bloodstream, exposing women to approximately 60% more estrogen than women using typical birth control pills. The FDA still believes the skin patch is a safe and effective form of contraception, but advises women with other risk factors for blood clots to discuss the side effects of Ortho Evra with their healthcare provider. The patch is only available with a prescription. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm A study of breast reconstruction surgery following mastectomy found that women who use artificial implants are twice as likely to acquire an infection at the surgical site as women who use their own abdominal tissue for reconstruction. All patients studied were given prophylactic antibiotics at the time of surgery to stave off infection. Reconstructive surgery with implants entails inserting a foreign object into the body and requires multiple procedures, creating a greater chance for infections to develop. Reconstruction with abdominal tissue has its own set of risks, including a longer surgical time than implant surgery, which increases the risk of blood clots and lung embolism, and a small possibility of transplanted tissue dying. These findings do not extend to breast augmentation surgery in non-cancer patients. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm The link between caffeine and pregnancy problems has been the subject of many studies, with varied and sometimes ambiguous findings. However, a new study being published this week in The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology claims that women who consume 200 mg or more of caffeine per day (roughly 10 oz of coffee) may double their risk of miscarriage. The study was based on 1063 pregnant women, and took into consideration other risk factors, such as the mothers age and smoking habits. The researchers involved in this study say that, optimally, women should cut caffeine out of their diet completely for at least the first 3 to 4 months of pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine have not taken official positions on caffeine consumption during pregnancy, but the March of Dimes plans on advising pregnant women or those trying to conceive to restrict caffeine intake to under 200 mg a day based on the study. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by chronic widespread pain, affecting between 2% and 4% of US adults, primarily middle-aged women. Pfizer is currently airing a national television advertising campaign for Lyrica, the first drug to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Lyrica binds to receptors in the brain and spinal cord and affects the perception of pain in fibromyalgia sufferers. However, the medication comes with warnings of serious side effects including severe weight gain, dizziness, and edema. While proponents of the sydrome hail the drug as both a major step forward in dealing with chronic pain and in legitimizing fibromyalgia as a disease, the commercials for Lyrica have reopened a debate over whether the condition is real. Critics of fibromyalgia stigmatize sufferers as chronic complainers, whereas specialists in its treatment point to evidence from brain scans that people diagnosed with fibromyalgia process pain differently. Fibromyalgia is recognized as a diagnosable syndrome by the American College of Rheumatology, the Food and Drug Administration, and various insurance companies. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm A recent study conducted at the University of Auckland in New Zealand has found that calcium supplements, taken by millions of postmenopausal women to fight osteoporosis, may be contributing to an increased risk for cardiovascular trouble. In a study of 1471 postmenopausal women with an average age of 74, women taking calcium tablets were found to have a 47% higher risk of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or sudden death than the women taking a placebo. Calcium is considered an important supplement for postmenopausal women, who are at an increased risk for bone fracture, and the research has been met with mixed reactions from the medical community. Some doctors have expressed concern over the study results and are reconsidering prescribing calcium to their patients, especially as a proactive measure. Others believe the positive effects of calcium on bone strength outweigh the increased cardiovascular risk. Women should discuss the merits and drawbacks of taking calcium supplements with their individual healthcare providers. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a marketing term used to sell pills, creams, lotions, and gels to women to relieve the symptoms of menopause. These products are not approved by the FDA, but they are marketed as an all-natural alternative to FDA-approved drugs for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). While MHT drugs have been proven to combat hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone thinning, BHRT products are not regulated by the FDA and may make unfounded claims pertaining to their effectiveness. The FDA is taking action against pharmacies that make false claims about the BHRT products they sell, and advises consumers to stay informed about BHRT and MHT products. For all hormone therapy, the FDA recommends using the lowest effective dosage for the shortest time needed. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm A new study has found that hormone replacement therapy raises the risk of lobular breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Lobular breast cancer grows in the areas of the breast that contain milk-producing glands and accounts for only about 15% of all cancers, compared with ductal cancer which makes up roughly 70% of all cases. Women using combined estrogen and progestin hormone therapy were found to have a nearly 300% increased risk of lobular cancer, but only a 40% increase in their risk for ductal cancer. Research showing a link between HRT and breast cancer was first published in 2003, yet roughly 57 million prescriptions for menopausal HRT are still filled each year in the US. Doctors recommend that hormone replacement therapy be used in the lowest effective dose and for the shortest period of time possible in order to combat the elevated risk of breast cancer. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Bone-loss drugs categorized as bisphosphonates may produce severe joint and muscle pain, according to a new warning from the FDA. Merck & Co.s Fosamax and Novartis AGs Reclast are two of the most popular bisphosphanates, and are used to treat osteoporosis. Roughly 10 million Americans suffer from loss of bone density, with the majority of them being postmenopausal women. The FDAs statement instructed healthcare professionals to consider discontinuing treatment with bisphosphanates in patients complaining of pain. Other drugs named by the FDA include Procter & Gambles Actonel and Didronel, Novartiss Aredia and Zometa, Sanofi-Aventis SAs Skelid, and Roche Holding AG and GlaxoSmithKline Plcs Boniva. Bisphosphantes are also currently under review for a possible link to irregular heart rhythm. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to increased risk of breast cancer, but new research estimates the risk to be much lower than previously thought. In a study sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, researchers found that women carrying mutations in one of the two genes face an estimated 40% to 51% risk of developing breast cancer by age 70, as opposed to the previous assumption of a 50% to 80% risk. Risk is affected by family history, lifestyle, and environmental factors. This news comes in the midst of a marketing campaign by Myriad Genetics Inc to encourage women with breast cancer in their family to use a test developed by the company to assess their risk level. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Researchers at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) anticipate and react to pain differently than women without IBS. The condition affects roughly 10% of adults in the United States, of whom a greater proportion of sufferers are women. There is no cure for IBS, which can cause abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. The female participants' brain activity was monitored by the researchers, as the women were anticipating and experiencing mild abdominal pain. While they were anticipating pain, the women with IBS were unable to reduce activity in the areas of the brain associated with pain and emotional arousal. During pain stimulation, the IBS sufferers showed greater brain activity in areas of the brain associated with pain arousal than their unafflicted counterparts. The study showed that IBS sufferers abdominal sensitivity lessens their ability to regulate and escape pain. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm As late as the 20th century, smoking was considered unladylike, and women were discouraged from indulging in the habit. In the 1950s, smoking became increasingly acceptable for women, and the ensuing smoking boom lasted until the 1970s. By 2005, the gap between male and female smokers in the United States had narrowed to 24% and 18% of the population, respectively. Consequently, cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have skyrocketed, and lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cancer killer of women. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Early detection is critical in effectively treating diseases, and there are many screening tests available to women that can save lives by catching cancers and other diseases before they spread. The list of recommended tests increases with a womans age. In their 20s, women should be screening for cervical cancer with yearly Pap smears, as well as testing for sexually-transmitted diseases. Annual gynecological exams should include examinations of the breasts, pelvis, and thyroid gland. Women should be getting annual mammograms beginning no later than age 40, while colon cancer screening should start at age 50. Bone density tests should be administered biannually to postmenopausal women to assess fragility of their bones and joints. Women of all ages can lower their health risks by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and keeping track of their cholesterol and blood pressure. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center report findings from a small study that indicate sleep disruptions can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. When subjects were disturbed during their deepest sleep periods, they experienced a rapid reduction in their ability to regulate blood-sugar levels. After only 3 days, study participants ability to regulate blood sugar had been reduced by 25%. These findings suggest that improvements in sleep quality may aid in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes for at-risk patients. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Every January women are inundated with advertisements for various weight loss gimmicks that promise to help them shave off the extra pounds that they put on over the holiday season. Instead of spending money on diet books and weight loss programs, women can simply cut down on calories and reduce their portion sizes. Coupled with exercise, portion control is one of the safest and most effective way to lose weight and keep it off. A healthy diet may also lower the risk of heart disease, dementia, and many types of cancer. Vitamins B6, B12, and C, fiber, folates, beta-carotene, and selenium can help keep women on track for a healthy year. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm According to researchers at UCLA, working women who are happily married have an easier physiological recovery from their workday than women in less happy marriages. In a study of 30 married couples with children, researchers used cortisol, a hormone released by the body under stress, to measure how women deal with stress when they return home. Women who reported satisfaction with their marriage saw a greater reduction in cortisol levels at the end of the day than women who reported being unhappy in their relationship, while the men showed a uniform drop in cortisol levels. The researchers suggest that the women in happy marriages are more likely to share an even balance of household responsibilities with their husbands, giving them more time to relax at home. Elevated cortisol levels over long periods of time have been associated with depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, poor social adjustment, and possibly even cancer. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Researchers from San Francisco presented the findings of their study on precancerous breast tumors and their progression to cancer at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium last week. They believe that have found a molecular profile that can distinguish between lethal and non-life-threatening cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This advancement will help doctors predict which precancerous breast tumors will progress to the more life-threatening cancer that can spread throughout the body. This research finding has the ability to save women from unnecessary treatments that are often debilitating, both mentally and emotionally. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm COPD, a disease of the airways and lungs, has long been stereotyped as a mans disease, generally associated with elderly men. However, studies show that in the last 10 years more women than men have died each year from COPD. The false assumption that men are more prone to developing COPD leads many doctors to miss COPD diagnoses of women. Although COPD is most often associated with cigarette smoking, environmental pollution can also be a cause. Researchers caution women who have difficulty breathing or a chronic cough to ask their healthcare practitioners to perform breathing tests designed to diagnose COPD. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Harvard Medical School researchers claim in a new book, The Fertility Diet, that a change in diet can impact a womans chances of getting pregnant. Recommendations include eating more fruits and vegetables and more healthy fats, while cutting back on meat and "bad" carbohydrates and eliminating trans fat. Although these recommendations are not new, the association with Harvard has created a buzz around the book. Critics point out many limitations to the study but acknowledge that improving the diet is always a good way to bolster health. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Category: Osteoporosis After the largest and longest prospective study of osteoporosis to date, researchers have announced that there is bone mineral density test that can predict a womans chance of spinal fracture for the next 15 years of her life. They also found that women who had suffered one spinal fracture had four times the risk of a repeated fracture. Study authors emphasize that women must be proactive about bone health and can minimize their chance of fracture by discussing risk factors for osteoporosis with their healthcare practitioners. A bone density test is recommended for women over the age of 50. December 18, 2007 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/18/AR2007121801350.html Category: Osteoporosis According to new research presented this week, doctors miss an average of 2 cases of breast cancer out of every 10 mammograms they read. This statistic includes both symptomatic and asymptomatic women. Although it was previously known that routine screening mammograms were not always accurate, this research concludes that radiologists are often unable to detect breast cancer in diagnostic mammograms performed on women with suspicious lumps or other symptoms. Radiologists based at academic medical centers tended to be the most accurate at reading mammograms, followed by those who devote at least 20% of their time to breast imaging. The authors of the study urge women to continue pursuing medical attention for any signs or symptoms they exhibit of breast cancer, rather than being placated by a negative (normal) mammogram. December 12, 2007 http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/health/chi-mammogram_bothdec12,0,1720449.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout Category: Breast Cancer A federal advisory committee voted that the drug Avastin, marketed by Genentech, should not be approved as a treatment option for breast cancer. Although Avastin has been shown to delay the worsening of the cancer, it does not extend the survival time of breast cancer patients. The severe side effects of Avastin, which have resulted in approximately five deaths caused by the drug itself, were found to outweigh the positive effects. The final vote of 5 to 4 has already caused the stock price of Genentech to fall by 8% in the aftermath of the committee hearing. The FDA will make a final decision on Avastin in the coming months, but the agency is expeced to follow the advice of the advistory committee. Avastin is currently approved for the treatment of lung and colon cancer in the U.S., and as a treatment for breast cancer overseas. December 6, 2007 http://www.womenshealthcareforum.com/news/index.cfm Category: Breast Cancer The use of antiretroviral drugs has reduced the AIDS mortality rate worldwide, women who have been saved by the drug therapy are now at increased risk for cervical cancer. A study conducted in Africa found 90% of women infected with HIV are harboring cervical cell abnormalities. Researchers stress the importance of cervical cancer screening for all women, but especially for those taking antiretroviral drugs. With early detection, cervical cancer cure rates are high. New screening protocols can identify precancerous cells within minutes, and patients can begin treatment immediately. December 3, 2007 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/90463.php Category: Cervical Cancer The drug rosiglitazone, marketed as Avandia, is prescribed to diabetics to improve their response to insulin. However, new research suggests that Avandia may also contribute to bone thinning, leading to an increased risk of fractures. A study by GlaxoSmithKline, the marketer of the drug, found that women taking Avandia are at risk both for heart failure and fractures. Patients who are already at a higher risk for fractures, such as women over the age of 60, should be cautious in their use of Avandia, and possibly take it in conjunction with anti-osteoporosis drugs. This research corrects a previous assumption that diabetics suffer more fractures due to a reduced ability to build bone, not because of bone loss. The Washington Post December 3, 2007 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/03/AR2007120301605.html Category: Diabetes Researchers at the University of South Carolina tracked about 2,600 people age 60 and older to determine how physical fitness and weight affected their death rates over a period of twelve years. Fitness was determined through a treadmill test, and each subject's weight was classified as normal, overweight, or underweight. The study found that physical fitness has a greater impact on mortality rates than weight, leading to the conclusion that an overweight person who is physically fit is healthier than a thin person who does not get an adequate amount of exercise. Regardless of weight, the subjects in the bottom 20% in terms of physical fitness had a death rate four times higher than the subjects in the top 20%. Researchers emphasize that obesity should not be the only factor considered in a patient's overall heath; exercise can significantly reduce mortality rates even in obese patients. Boston Globe December 5, 2007 http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2007/12/05/being_fat_and_fit_is_better_than_being_thin_and_sedentary_study_says/ Category: Health