Longer Radiation Treatments May Be Unnecessary For Some Breast Cancer Patients
The New York Times reported on a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that two thirds of women who receive lumpectomies after a breast cancer diagnosis are receiving radiation treatments that are longer than necessary. Conventional treatments generally last 5 to 7 weeks while several other studies show that 3 to 4 weeks of radiation therapy is just as effective. Doctors and health insurers are saying that the reason most women receive the longer treatment is because it is difficult to change ideas of what treatments are effective after performing the procedure using one method for so many years.
Researchers Develop System To Assess UTI Risk In Women After Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Urinary tract infections (UTI) tend to be the most common type of bacterial infection with treatment costs exceeding $1 billion dollars per year in the United States. Women who undergo surgery for pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence are found to be highly likely to develop a UTI after surgery. Researchers at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine may have developed a way to assess risk for the development of a UTI following surgery. The study claims that certain urinary bacteria and antimicrobial peptides which normally support bladder immune system function may be the key to identifying women with the highest risk for developing a UTI.
Some Health Food Labels Trick Buyers Into Food Choices
Knowing what to eat for good health and what foods to stay away from can be a mystery to many women. The Washington Post recently published a story with Consumer Health Reports detailing popular so called “health food” labels. These are labels that the general public may deem as healthy, but may have some portion of it that may also harm your health. For example, the gluten free label is seen as healthy to almost 40% of the population. However dieticians warn that gluten free products are often filled with fat, sugar, and unhealthy amounts of rice flour that contains arsenic. Read the article for more surprising facts about “health food” labels.
