Health News
11/21/2008

Iressa as Good as Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer (HealthDay)


HealthDay - FRIDAY, Nov. 21 (HealthDay News) -- The cancer-fighting pill Iressa works as well as chemotherapy as a second-line treatment for lung cancer, researchers report.

HIV tests not yet as routine as cholesterol checks (AP)


AP - Two years after the government urged making HIV tests as common as cholesterol checks, there are small gains but still one in five people infected with the AIDS virus doesn't know it, scientists said Thursday.

Teen lives 4 months with no heart, leaves hospital (AP)


Fourteen-year-old D'Zhana Simmons (L) of South Carolina, who survived without a heart for nearly four months, walks with her mother, Twolla Anderson (R) as they enter a news conference at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center in Miami November 19, 2008. Simmons was kept alive by a custom-built artificial blood pumping device until she was able to have a heart transplant. (Joe Skipper/Reuters)AP - D'Zhana Simmons says she felt like a "fake person" for 118 days when she had no heart beating in her chest. "But I know that I really was here," the 14-year-old said, "and I did live without a heart."



Insurers make pitch for health coverage mandate (AP)


AP - The health insurance industry said Wednesday it will support a national health care overhaul that requires them to accept all customers, regardless of pre-existing medical conditions ? but in return it wants lawmakers to mandate that everyone buy coverage.

Surgeon who did first US heart transplant dies (AP)


In this photo released by L.VAD Technology Inc., Dr. Adrian Kantrowitz is shown in New York in 1968. Dr. Kantrowitz, who performed the first human heart transplant in the United States in 1967 also pioneered development of mechanical devices to prolong the life of patients with heart failure, died in Ann Arbor, Mich., Friday, Nov. 14, 2008. He was 90. (AP Photo/L.VAD Technology Inc.)AP - Dr. Adrian Kantrowitz, a cardiac surgeon who performed the nation's first human heart transplant and who also developed lifesaving medical implants, has died. He was 90. Kantrowitz died Friday in Ann Arbor of complications from heart failure, said his wife, Jean Kantrowitz.



Obese have right to 2 airline seats: Canada court (Reuters)


Reuters - Obese people have the right to two seats for the price of one on flights within Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Thursday.

Pfizer drops bid to sell Viagra over the counter in Europe (AFP)


Pfizer has dropped its bid to market its potency pill Viagra over the counter in Europe, the US pharmaceutical giant announced Thursday.(AFP/HO/File)AFP - Pfizer has dropped its bid to market its potency pill Viagra over the counter in Europe, the US pharmaceutical giant announced Thursday.



Clinical Trials Update: Nov. 20, 2008 (HealthDay)


HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of CenterWatch:

Health Tip: Signs That a Child May Be Autistic (HealthDay)


HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Autism is a childhood developmental disorder that has no cure. Autistic children have problems with social interaction, communication, and may engage in repetitive behaviors.

Retirees hit by "longevity risk" (Reuters)


Edie Stark, 84, a retiree who lives in an upscale retirement complex, said she has been hard hit by the meltdown in U.S. financial markets during an interview in Miami November 6, 2008. (Joe Skipper/Reuters)Reuters - Like many other elderly Americans, Edie Stark has been hard hit by the meltdown in U.S. financial markets. She is 84 and has been worried a lot lately about outliving her savings.



Study: Pill as good as chemo on lung cancer, but costlier (AP)


AP - Some advanced lung cancer patients already treated with chemotherapy might be able to skip some of the bad side effects of another series of chemo by taking a pill instead, a study suggests. An international study showed patients on Iressa, an expensive, newer targeted treatment, survived about as long as those on another course of chemotherapy.

Healthy Thanksgiving tips, market to table


Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a season where eating is central to the festivities. While it's also the season of indulgence, it's easy to plan a holiday meal that's delicious and healthful. Whether you're serving two or 20, these guidelines will help make sure your big dinner is a success. Follow our tips for making smart choices at the market, in the kitchen, and at the table.


How astronauts stay fit, on and off the planet


Being in space is like being Superman every day, says Clay Anderson, a NASA astronaut from Omaha, Nebraska. But floating around in zero-G can have some serious consequences for the human body, NASA's experts have learned.


Study: Ginkgo doesn't cut dementia risk


The popular herb ginkgo biloba does not reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, according to a study of more than 1,500 elderly patients who took the supplement. Often touted as a way to preserve aging memories, no large-scale, randomized clinical trial -- until now -- has thoroughly evaluated the safety and effectiveness of ginkgo biloba extract as a way to prevent dementia.


Exercise plus sleep lower cancer risk in women


Regular physical activity may lower a woman's overall risk of cancer, suggests a new government study -- but only if her workouts don't cut into a good night's sleep. Otherwise, lack of shut-eye appears to cancel out much of exercise's protective benefits.


Brush your teeth, save your life?


Oral surgeon Dr. Gary Bouloux is about to pull a diseased wisdom tooth from his patient's mouth, using forceps that look like a pair of silver pliers.


Survey: Half of primary-care docs want to quit


Nearly half the respondents in a survey of U.S. primary care physicians said that they would seriously consider getting out of the medical business within the next three years if they had an alternative.


Fertility treatments linked to some birth defects


A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that infants born as a result of assisted reproductive technology, or ART -- such as in vitro fertilization and the use of donor eggs -- are two to four times more likely to be born with certain types of birth defects than infants conceived naturally. But, the study's lead author says, the overall risk is still relatively low.


'Pregnant man' expecting a second child


The "pregnant man" who gave birth to a daughter earlier this year says he is expecting a second child.


Woman given windpipe created in laboratory


Medical experts hailed a "milestone in medicine" Wednesday as they announced the successful transplant of a human windpipe engineered with the patient's own stem cells.


Technology to eradicate malaria


Emerging technologies could boost supplies of essential plant-based drugs to combat malaria, says a report.

Lung disease diagnosis confusion


Most GPs have difficulty differentiating chronic severe lung disease from asthma, a UK survey finds.

Drug-resistant ward bug concern


Hospitals need to be vigilant against an emerging drug-resistant bacterium, warn infection control experts.

Deal reached on NHS drug prices


The government has struck a deal on the cost of drugs which should save the NHS in the UK £400m a year.

Motor neurone disease clue found


Scientists have identified a molecule which could be key to understanding the cause of motor neurone disease.

Micro needles aid bionic advances


Scientists are developing microscopic needles which could help amputees move artificial limbs with brain power.

Nurses warn over needle injuries


Nurses are calling for safer needles to be used after a poll suggested nearly half have been accidentally jabbed.

Heart disease and stroke



Cancer: The facts


The disease tends to affect older people - but can strike at any time.

Pregnancy timeline


A week by week guide to pregnancy taking in how the baby develops, changes to the mother and key scan dates.

About face! How babies in their buggies benefit from eye contact.


The direction a child is facing in their pram could affect their development and stress levels, a study suggests.

War wounds


How conflict has driven medical advance

Hidden dangers


How seagulls may contaminate your kitchen

No belly button


This model has no navel. Why the lack of tummy button?

Walking tall


Help pounding Big Apple pavements

Medical notes


A comprehensive guide to clinical conditions

From BBC Health


Avoiding the cold sore virus

Windpipe transplant breakthrough


Surgeons in Spain claim a major breakthrough by giving a woman a new windpipe with tissue grown from her own stem cells.

Rapid care 'cuts baby's HIV risk'


Rapid drug treatment of babies with HIV dramatically cuts their risk of death and debilitating disease, research shows.

Hairspray linked to birth defect


Boys born to women exposed to hairspray in the workplace may have a higher risk of being born with a genital defect.

'Superglue' brain op for toddler


The parents of a 17-month-old girl tell how surgeons used glue to seal tiny brain blood vessels that were threatening her life.

Asbestos victims win 'test case'


Asbestos-related cancer victims and their families have won an important test case over access to compensation.

Over-the-counter Viagra bid ends


The makers of the anti-impotence drug Viagra have withdrawn an application for the medicine to be available without a prescription.

Hospital bug fine plan 'unfair'


The UK government's plan to fine hospitals for not hitting Clostridium difficile targets is unfair, experts say.

Dog 'sniffs out' owner's cancer


A man from north Oxfordshire credits his pet Rottweiler with sniffing out his skin cancer.

Young drinkers offered education


Police are tackling the growing problem of drink-related crime by offering youngsters a re-education programme.

Heavy drinkers 'lie to doctors'


Almost two in five people who drink to excess lie to their doctor about how much alcohol they really consume, says a survey.

Hospital to bury unclaimed organs


Parents of children whose organs were removed at Liverpool's Alder Hey hospital have until May to reclaim their body parts.

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