U.S. children grow bigger bellies
American children and teens are growing ever-fatter tummies, a bad sign that means they are at even more risk of heart disease and diabetes, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.
They found that the belly fat of children and teenagers had increased by more than 65 percent since the 1990s—directly in line with rising obesity rates.
Belly fat is more dangerous than general weight gain, because abdominal and visceral fat—found surrounding the internal organs—is more clearly and strongly linked with disease than general body fat.
Men with prostate cancer avoid radiation due to misconceptions
Negative perceptions about radiation therapy can strongly influence a prostate cancer patient’s choice to avoid external beam radiation therapy, even though studies have proven the treatment to be as safe and effective as other treatments for the disease, including surgery, according to a study presented November 5, 2006, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 48th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.
“The study shows that patients base their treatment choice not only on technical information, but also on cultural and personal prejudices,” said Riccardo Valdagni, M.D., an author of the study and head of the Prostate Programme at the Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, Italy. “It’s important for patients to express their fears about radiation treatment to their doctors and for doctors to consider these worries and address any misconceptions about this therapy so that patients can make the best, most informed decision about their treatment.”
Tight belts not a factor in esophageal cancer rise
A new study from Sweden debunks the theory that men’s switch from suspenders to belts is behind the sharp rise in throat cancer seen over the past several decades.
While known risk factors for esophageal cancer include male gender, being overweight, and having gastric acid reflux, Drs. Jesper Lagergren and Catarina Jansson of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm note, the reasons remain unclear why the disease is becoming more common.
More than 6 months of hormone therapy doesn’t help prostate cancer patients live longer
Prostate cancer patients treated with either radiation or surgery who use hormone therapy for longer than six months do not survive any longer than patients who use the treatment for a shorter amount of time, according to a study presented November 5, 2006, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 48th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.
“Many patients with high risk prostate cancer are treated with two or more years of hormone therapy based on studies performed over a decade ago,” said Cliff Robinson, M.D., lead author of the study and a radiation oncologist at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. “Our study’s findings suggest that treating current patients with shorter-term hormone therapy may not only be equally effective, but also improve their quality of life, due to a lesser degree of treatment side effects.”
Park Your Car and Walk to Store, School, Work
A new comprehensive study by Saint Louis University researchers that flags the top 10 features of activity-friendly communities is a blueprint for improving public health, the author of the research says.
“We wrote the book on identifying the range of different influences that gets people engaging in physical activity not just for recreation but as part of their everyday life activities,” says Laura Brennan Ramirez, Ph.D., adjunct assistant professor of community health at Saint Louis University School of Public Health.
