Already a leading cause of vision loss among people older than 60, macular degeneration involves the breakdown of the macula, which helps provide clear vision.
As the macula deteriorates, people see a blurred spot in the center of their vision. The blurriness grows over time. Researchers report that new treatments now under study or in development could be used to treat the two forms of macular degeneration, wet and dry.
Current treatments for the wet form of the disease have proven quite successful. The wet form is more rare but can cause rapid vision loss if not caught early. Researchers have discovered a combination therapy of vitamins and antioxidants that reduces the risk of progressive vision loss by more than 20 percent, according to a report from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Other progress against the wet form of the disease has come through the use of drugs that target vascular endothelial growth factor. Caught early in the course of the disease, the chance of vision loss is less than 10 percent over a two-year period, scientists note. Cutting-edge research also may have found another way to tackle the wet form of macular degeneration.
In the June 14 issue of Nature, doctors reported that blocking the activity of a specific protein can reduce the same blood vessel growth that leads to the wet form. No effective treatments have been found for the dry form of macular degeneration.
The dry form accounts for 85 percent of all macular degeneration cases, according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. Medical experts note that a combination of antioxidants and zinc may slow the progression of the disease. Smokers should not use this treatment.
The recommended supplements contain: 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 International Units of beta-carotene, 80 milligrams of zinc and 2 milligrams of copper. On a positive note, scientists reportedly are optimistic that within three to five years a treatment for the dry form of macular degeneration will exist.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Study: PSA Test Considered Unreliable Prostate Cancer Screening
Researchers noted that the inability of the PSA test to distinguish between deadly and harmless prostate cancers makes it unusable as a population-wide screening tool. PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland. It is found in small amounts in the blood of healthy men, and is often elevated in men with prostate cancer, but also in men with benign prostate enlargement.
Some 745,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the industry trade group. Nearly 300,000 will die and prostate cancer causes about a quarter of all cancer deaths among men.
The lead author of one study, a urologist with Gavle Hospital in Gavle, Sweden, noted that in addition to PSA, further biomarkers are needed before inferring population-based screening for prostate cancer. The claim was based on a study of PSA tests of over 500 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Their PSA was measured several years before being diagnosed. Scientists compared those tests with PSA tests from over 1,000 men without prostate cancer.
Reserachers reported that in men with a prediagnostic PSA level below 1 nanogram per milliliter, only six men [1.2 percent] were later diagnosed with a high-risk prostate cancer. Hence, PSA levels below [that] almost ruled out a future high-risk prostate cancer diagnosis. They noted that the direct implication of their findings in a screening situation was that no matter which PSA cut-off you adopt for selecting men for further diagnostic work-up, you will either have too many false positives or too many false negatives.
Given the current trend in lowering the PSA cut-off to about 3 nanograms per milliliter, the medical reserachers noted that a large number of healthy men will be subject to painful, stressful and costly diagnostic procedures. Their report worried that the wide overdiagnosis of slow-growing tumors causing unnecessary medical treatment and anxiety.
Although most agencies providing recommendations on prostate cancer screening, especially those outside the United States, do not recommend routine PSA testing for the early detection of prostate cancer, it continues to be performed frequently medical experts noted.
Some 745,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the industry trade group. Nearly 300,000 will die and prostate cancer causes about a quarter of all cancer deaths among men.
The lead author of one study, a urologist with Gavle Hospital in Gavle, Sweden, noted that in addition to PSA, further biomarkers are needed before inferring population-based screening for prostate cancer. The claim was based on a study of PSA tests of over 500 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Their PSA was measured several years before being diagnosed. Scientists compared those tests with PSA tests from over 1,000 men without prostate cancer.
Reserachers reported that in men with a prediagnostic PSA level below 1 nanogram per milliliter, only six men [1.2 percent] were later diagnosed with a high-risk prostate cancer. Hence, PSA levels below [that] almost ruled out a future high-risk prostate cancer diagnosis. They noted that the direct implication of their findings in a screening situation was that no matter which PSA cut-off you adopt for selecting men for further diagnostic work-up, you will either have too many false positives or too many false negatives.
Given the current trend in lowering the PSA cut-off to about 3 nanograms per milliliter, the medical reserachers noted that a large number of healthy men will be subject to painful, stressful and costly diagnostic procedures. Their report worried that the wide overdiagnosis of slow-growing tumors causing unnecessary medical treatment and anxiety.
Although most agencies providing recommendations on prostate cancer screening, especially those outside the United States, do not recommend routine PSA testing for the early detection of prostate cancer, it continues to be performed frequently medical experts noted.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Exercise May Prevent Protate Cancer
September 28, 2009. Regular exercise may help protect men from prostate cancer.
According to a new study released today by Duke University Medical Center men who were moderately active were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Moderately active was defined as anything equivalent to walking at a moderate pace for several hours a week.
The researchers looked at men who had a prostate biopsy and found that exercise was associated with less aggressive disease in men who did develop prostate cancer. As the amount of exercise increased, the risk of cancer decreased, the study's lead author said in a news release.
The majority (58 percent) of the men in this study were sedentary, which means they exercised less than the equivalent of one hour per week of easy walking.
Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance . Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 40.
Men at higher risk include African-America men older than 60, farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men exposed to cadmium. The lowest number of cases occurs in Japanese men and those who do not eat meat (vegetarians).
Prostate cancers are grouped according to tumor size, any spreading outside the prostate (and how far), and how different tumor cells are from normal tissue. This is called staging. Identifying the correct stage may help the doctor determine which treatment is best.
According to a new study released today by Duke University Medical Center men who were moderately active were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Moderately active was defined as anything equivalent to walking at a moderate pace for several hours a week.
The researchers looked at men who had a prostate biopsy and found that exercise was associated with less aggressive disease in men who did develop prostate cancer. As the amount of exercise increased, the risk of cancer decreased, the study's lead author said in a news release.
The majority (58 percent) of the men in this study were sedentary, which means they exercised less than the equivalent of one hour per week of easy walking.
Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance . Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 40.
Men at higher risk include African-America men older than 60, farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men exposed to cadmium. The lowest number of cases occurs in Japanese men and those who do not eat meat (vegetarians).
Prostate cancers are grouped according to tumor size, any spreading outside the prostate (and how far), and how different tumor cells are from normal tissue. This is called staging. Identifying the correct stage may help the doctor determine which treatment is best.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Excess Body Weight Causes 124,000 New Cancers
Based on estimates from a new modeling study, the proportion of cases of new cancers attributable to body mass index were highest among women and in central European countries such as the Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovenia and Bulgaria.
The lead author of the study noted that as more people stop smoking and fewer women take hormone replacement therapy, it is possible that obesity may become the biggest attributable cause of cancer in women within the next decade.
Researchers created a sophisticated model to estimate the proportion of cancers that could be attributed to excess body weight in 30 European countries. Using data from a number of sources including the World Health Organization they estimated that in 2002 (the most recent year for which there are reliable statistics on cancer incidence in Europe) there had been over 70,000 new cases of cancer attributable to excess BMI out of a total of nearly 2.2 million new diagnoses across the 30 European countries.
The percentage of obesity-related cancers varied widely between countries, from 2.1% in women and 2.4% in men in Denmark, to 8.2% in women and 3.5% in men in the Czech Republic. In Germany it was 4.8% in women and 3.3% in men, and in the UK it was 4% in women and 3.4% in men.
They found that the number of cancers that could be attributed to excess body weight increased to 124,050 in 2008. In men, 3.2% of new cancers could be attributed to being overweight or obese and in women it was 8.6%. The largest number of obesity-related new cancers was for endometrial cancer (33,421), post-menopausal breast cancer (27,770) and colorectal cancer (23,730). These three accounted for 65% of all cancers attributable to excess body mass index.
Cancer is one of the leading critical illnesses afflicting Americans according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. There were 1.4 million Americans diagnosed with cancer in 2008.
The lead author of the study noted that as more people stop smoking and fewer women take hormone replacement therapy, it is possible that obesity may become the biggest attributable cause of cancer in women within the next decade.
Researchers created a sophisticated model to estimate the proportion of cancers that could be attributed to excess body weight in 30 European countries. Using data from a number of sources including the World Health Organization they estimated that in 2002 (the most recent year for which there are reliable statistics on cancer incidence in Europe) there had been over 70,000 new cases of cancer attributable to excess BMI out of a total of nearly 2.2 million new diagnoses across the 30 European countries.
The percentage of obesity-related cancers varied widely between countries, from 2.1% in women and 2.4% in men in Denmark, to 8.2% in women and 3.5% in men in the Czech Republic. In Germany it was 4.8% in women and 3.3% in men, and in the UK it was 4% in women and 3.4% in men.
They found that the number of cancers that could be attributed to excess body weight increased to 124,050 in 2008. In men, 3.2% of new cancers could be attributed to being overweight or obese and in women it was 8.6%. The largest number of obesity-related new cancers was for endometrial cancer (33,421), post-menopausal breast cancer (27,770) and colorectal cancer (23,730). These three accounted for 65% of all cancers attributable to excess body mass index.
Cancer is one of the leading critical illnesses afflicting Americans according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. There were 1.4 million Americans diagnosed with cancer in 2008.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Flu Can Increase Heart Attack Risk
British researchers report.that both seasonal and the pandemic H1N1 swine flu will put more people at risk for heart attacks. They urged those most prone, especially those with heart disease and diabetes, to get a seasonal flu shot and an H1N1 flu shot which may reduce the chance of getting the flu and thereby lower the risk for a heart attack.
In the United States someone has a heart attack every 34 seconds and 785,000 individuals will have a new coronary attack this year according to data published by the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, an industry trade group.
Medical experts note that influenza - or the flu - is most concerning because of its secondary complications. They note that death or hospitalization isn't because of the influenza but rather it's because influenza puts you in a weakened state and is a stress on the system.
The British researchers noted that the flu virus may have a negative effect directly on the heart. To determine the risk of heart attack among those with flu, researchers at the UCL Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology in London, reviewed nearly 40 studies conducted between 1932 and 2008.
The studies showed an increase in deaths from heart disease and more heart attacks during flu season. Excess deaths because of heart disease averaged 35 percent to 50 percent, according to the report in the October issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
The studies also showed that getting a flu shot reduced the risk of dying from heart disease or suffering a heart attack. Guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology strongly recommend that all individuals with cardiovascular disease receive annual influenza vaccination.
In the United States someone has a heart attack every 34 seconds and 785,000 individuals will have a new coronary attack this year according to data published by the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, an industry trade group.
Medical experts note that influenza - or the flu - is most concerning because of its secondary complications. They note that death or hospitalization isn't because of the influenza but rather it's because influenza puts you in a weakened state and is a stress on the system.
The British researchers noted that the flu virus may have a negative effect directly on the heart. To determine the risk of heart attack among those with flu, researchers at the UCL Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology in London, reviewed nearly 40 studies conducted between 1932 and 2008.
The studies showed an increase in deaths from heart disease and more heart attacks during flu season. Excess deaths because of heart disease averaged 35 percent to 50 percent, according to the report in the October issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
The studies also showed that getting a flu shot reduced the risk of dying from heart disease or suffering a heart attack. Guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology strongly recommend that all individuals with cardiovascular disease receive annual influenza vaccination.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Aspirin Protects Against Colon Cancer
An aspirin a day can prevent colon cancer in people with a genetic disorder that increases their risk of developing the disease.
Colorectal is the second biggest cause of cancer death in the United States and Europe, where a total of 560,000 people develop the disease each year, and 250,000 die from it according to the American Association for Critical Illness insurance, the national trade organization.
Scientists at the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University in Britain said the benefits of aspirin were only seen after several years. The researchers noted that they uncovered a simple way of controlling stems cells that make tumors grow.
The researchers tested over 1,000 people with Lynch syndrome -- an inherited condition that predisposes a person to a range of cancers, particularly of the colon. Some were given aspirins and some a placebo.
Follow-up tests after 10 years showed that although there was no difference in cancer rates after 29 months, a significant difference was detected after four years. Fewer people in the aspirin group developing colon cancer, the study's leader noted.
To date, there have been only six colon cancers in the aspirin group as opposed to 16 who took placebo, the study notes. There is also a reduction in endometrial cancer.
People with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of many cancers including stomach, colon, brain, skin, and prostate. Women carriers also have a high risk of developing endometrial and ovarian cancers.
In low daily doses aspirin has been found to stave off the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as chase away occasional aches and pains. Other scientists have previously found it can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and suggested it does so by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase2, or COX-2, which promotes inflammation and cell division and is found in high levels in tumors.
Colorectal is the second biggest cause of cancer death in the United States and Europe, where a total of 560,000 people develop the disease each year, and 250,000 die from it according to the American Association for Critical Illness insurance, the national trade organization.
Scientists at the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University in Britain said the benefits of aspirin were only seen after several years. The researchers noted that they uncovered a simple way of controlling stems cells that make tumors grow.
The researchers tested over 1,000 people with Lynch syndrome -- an inherited condition that predisposes a person to a range of cancers, particularly of the colon. Some were given aspirins and some a placebo.
Follow-up tests after 10 years showed that although there was no difference in cancer rates after 29 months, a significant difference was detected after four years. Fewer people in the aspirin group developing colon cancer, the study's leader noted.
To date, there have been only six colon cancers in the aspirin group as opposed to 16 who took placebo, the study notes. There is also a reduction in endometrial cancer.
People with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of many cancers including stomach, colon, brain, skin, and prostate. Women carriers also have a high risk of developing endometrial and ovarian cancers.
In low daily doses aspirin has been found to stave off the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as chase away occasional aches and pains. Other scientists have previously found it can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and suggested it does so by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase2, or COX-2, which promotes inflammation and cell division and is found in high levels in tumors.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Prostate Cancer Treatment May Spark Heart Problems
The findings from new research conducted at King's College in London could make doctors think twice before prescribing the standard hormone treatment to men with prostate cancer, particularly if they are at risk of heart disease.
More than 670,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer globally every year, making it the second-most common cancer in men, after lung cancer. In the U.S., over 185,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the national trade organization. About 600,000 men are being treated with endocrine therapies for prostate cancer worldwide.
Researchers studied 30,000 men in Sweden with prostate cancer who received hormone therapy between 1997 and 2006. They compared the rate of heart problems in those patients to the rate in the general Swedish population. Prostate cancer patients had a 28 percent higher relative chance of having a fatal heart attack and a 21 percent increased chance of dying from heart disease.
While these risks were still low in absolute terms, the researchers estimated that the hormone therapies would cause heart problems including a heart attack at the rate of about 10 persons for every 1,000 prostate cancer patients.
Previous studies have found hormone therapy given to prostate cancer patients with a history of heart disease increases their chances of dying. Scientists believe that male-produced testosterone has some protective effect on the heart. Thus, hormones that interfere with testosterone could be deadly.
More than 670,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer globally every year, making it the second-most common cancer in men, after lung cancer. In the U.S., over 185,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the national trade organization. About 600,000 men are being treated with endocrine therapies for prostate cancer worldwide.
Researchers studied 30,000 men in Sweden with prostate cancer who received hormone therapy between 1997 and 2006. They compared the rate of heart problems in those patients to the rate in the general Swedish population. Prostate cancer patients had a 28 percent higher relative chance of having a fatal heart attack and a 21 percent increased chance of dying from heart disease.
While these risks were still low in absolute terms, the researchers estimated that the hormone therapies would cause heart problems including a heart attack at the rate of about 10 persons for every 1,000 prostate cancer patients.
Previous studies have found hormone therapy given to prostate cancer patients with a history of heart disease increases their chances of dying. Scientists believe that male-produced testosterone has some protective effect on the heart. Thus, hormones that interfere with testosterone could be deadly.
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