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Healthwise is a regular column written
especially for laterlife.com members and
visitors by Helen Franks, journalist and author.
Welcome to healthwise 88.
For previous articles in the
healthwise series visit
'more
healthwise'
Helen Franks
Helen has specialised in writing about health and
ageing and is a member of the Guild of Health Writers. She has
written for a variety of newspapers and magazines including the
Guardian, Times, Observer, Woman, Family Circle, Vogue and
Choice.
Helen has also written several books including
Getting Older Slowly Your Guide to Successful Ageing and
Bone Boosters
co-authored with Diana Moran of TV Green Goddess fame.
Don't forget to take a look at Helen's separate
talkback
page too.
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Gene therapy kills bowel cancer cells
An innovative type of gene therapy has for the first time succeeded in
making
bowel cancer cells commit suicide, according to a report in Cancer
Research. The therapy, developed by Cancer Research UK-funded scientists at
The Institute of Cancer Research,
combines cutting-edge techniques to target tumour cells.
Known as GDEPT (Gene-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy), the treatment uses
a virus to attack cancer cells.But the researchers have added an extra gene
to the virus. The virus is programmed to switch on the gene only if it
reaches a tumour. Because this drug is only activated in tumours, it
selectively kills only cancer cells. In normal tissue, the drug remains
inactive, so healthy cells are not affected.
This is the first time such a therapy has proved successful at killing bowel
cancer cells, albeit only in the laboratory. Cancer Research UK and The
Institute of Cancer Research are supporting the development of the therapy,
and hope to take it into early clinical trials in the future.
The Men's Health Forum.
A new report claims that men are nearly twice as likely as women to develop
and die from virtually all cancers that can affect both sexes. Despite this
shocking claim, policies aimed at preventing cancer in men are failing and
are being hampered by misconceptions and a lack of knowledge.
'Tackling the excess incidence of cancer in men', the new report from The
Men's Health Forum, Cancerbackup, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Centre
for Men's Health at Leeds Metropolitan University, documents an expert
symposium held last year to discuss why the incidence of cancer and
mortality are so much higher in men than women.
It is widely believed that one important reason for the difference in
mortality rates is that man are more likely than women to delay seeking help
once they have developed potential cancer symptoms. However, there is
limited research on this issue.
Given that the higher rates in men are so fundamental a feature of cancer
incidence and mortality, it is unsatisfactory and extremely surprising that
the knowledge base is so poor.
Its a memory saver- Alzheimer’s Society
Over 100,000 people are diagnosed with dementia each year. The Alzheimer’s
Society is hoping an idea developed using simple desktop software will
inspire IT professionals to come up with the new technology needed to
empower the thousands who live with dementia.
The idea – using Microsoft - proposes using computers as a new way of
helping people with dementia deal with their memory loss and social
isolation – by adapting the humble screen saver.
Says Dajani, website manager at the Alzheimer’s Society,
‘We would also like to investigate whether we could use the software to
connect people with dementia to each other in a secure and safe way. A
network such as this would not only help overcome feeling of isolation but
also encourage mutual support.’
Look for the competition winner on the DesignIT website. The Alzheimer’s
Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336 or visit
www.alzheimers.org.uk
Blood pressure: left arm please
Blood pressure readings are usually lower from the left arm than the right,
says a report in Archives of Internal Medicine.
The report shows that the difference can be as much as 3 mm Hg between
the left arm and the right in a healthy patient.
The blood pressure readings are higher in the morning, so go to the hospital
in the afternoon and offer your left arm.
Date of birth – the link to menopause
Date of birth could influence the menopause, say Italian researchers.
Earliest was found in women born in March, while later in the year there was
a difference of 15 months.
Dr Angelo Cagnacci and researchers from four university hospitals studied
almost 3000 post-menopausal women.
They found that those born in March reached the menopause at 48 years and 9
months, while those born in the autumn were still fertile until 15 years and
3 months.
If in any
doubt about any of the information covered in
healthwise articles and it's relevance for you, consult
your GP.
IN THE PREVIOUS EDITION
Cancer and domestic pesticide
A recent study was too small to draw any meaningful
conclusions..
Virtual-reality video game helps depression
A new tool for assessing the link between depression and
the hippocampus, the brain's memory hub
Phone-based therapy eases depression long-term
Long-term positive effects..
Why mouth-to-mouth resuscitation may be wrong for heart
attack
It dramatically increases the chances of the person
dying, The Lancet reports.
Meditation reduces blood pressure
A dramatic reduction of blood pressure levels is gained
just by meditating
Healthcare watchdog survey of patients on diabetes
check-ups
People with diabetes need to be offered more help by
local services to manage their diabetes themselves
Drug cuts hip fractures
A new drug could cut hip fractures by more than 40%
Useful websites
More useful websites
The
complete family health guide
 Essential medical reference that's a must for every home. Published
in association with the BMA, it includes comprehensive coverage of
every important aspect of health and medicine, as well as
user-friendly charts for at-a-glance information and easy reference.
Also lists the best medical websites...
 Maximise your memory
This work provides detailed instructions, illustrations and sample
exercises that show the reader how to build a system of personalized
frameworks for storing and recalling information on demand.
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