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Jul 17, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- IBUPROFEN MIGHT CUT CANCER RISK
Taking ibuprofen regularly could cut a woman's risk of developing breast cancer in half, say Ohio State University researchers. Their study finds using the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug daily for more than 10 years could decrease a woman's breast cancer risk by nearly 50 percent. Another NSAID medication, aspirin, reduced breast cancer risk by about 22 percent, say researchers who used data from a survey that followed nearly 81,000 women for four years. Women who regularly took NSAIDs for five to nine years had a 21-percent reduction in the incidence of breast cancer.
MOM'S RIGHT -- EAT YOUR VEGGIES
Laboratory testing shows antioxidants in supplemental or vitamin form are not as good as those that come from eating fresh vegetables and fruit. The study by the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology also says eating combinations of these foods -- combining different antioxidants -- increases their benefits as they work harder to prevent cardiovascular disease. Professor Michael Aviram says in supplement form antioxidants "provide only limited benefits since they usually contain only one specific, isolated antioxidant."
THE VIDEO DOCTOR IS IN
Researchers say the Video Doctor could be a useful new tool to help patients reduce smoking and alcohol use. "The most promising advantage of video doctor technology is that there is no human fallibility, time pressure or inconsistency in delivery or style," says Barbara J. Gerbert, a professor at the University of California San Francisco. The computer-based multimedia program asks patients about their health and gives personalized advice based on responses. In testing, patients said they liked the program, found it easy to use, and were comfortable discussing personal health information with the video doctor. Still, even with this positive response, 72 percent said they would prefer having a consultation with a real doctor.
PEOPLE IGNORE COLORECTAL CANCER WARNING SIGNS
A study shows even when people suspect they have symptoms of colorectal cancer they delay seeing a doctor or do not see one at all. Jill Cockburn, of the Cancer Council NSW in Australia says this "ostrich approach to health and illness management" can reduce the chances of successful early treatment for colon cancer. A telephone survey of 1,332 people in New South Wales, Australia, found that about two out of three respondents could name at least one symptom of cancer of the colon or rectum but among those who found they had symptoms, only 46 percent saw a doctor within a week, 14 percent waited a month and 32 percent did not seek medical advice at all.
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(EDITORS: For more information on IBUPROFEN, contact Randall Harris at (614) 293-3903 or e-mail Harris.44@osu.edu. For ANTIOXIDANTS, Kevin Hattori, (212) 407-6319 or kevin@ats.org, for VIDEO DOCTOR, Barbara J. Gerbert, (415) 502-7283 or gerbert@itsa.ucsf.edu, and for COLON CANCER, Caroline O'Brien, 011-61-2-9334 or carolineo@nswcc.org.au)
Copyright 2003 by United Press International.
