Clearing the Air on E-cigarettes, Nicotine and Tobacco

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsID3DD6N7c

Recall: ALDI Chocolate Bars For Nut Risk

The bars were discovered to have pieces of almond that weren't disclosed on the packaging.

From: https://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20171208/recall-aldi-chocolate-bars-for-nut-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Staring at Solar Eclipse Burned Holes in Woman's Retinas

A New York woman suffered severe vision damage after looking at the sun for 21 seconds during the eclipse without protective eyewear.

From: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/news/20171208/staring-at-eclipse-burned-holes-in-womans-retinas?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Repeat Infection Likely for Men With HPV

Men infected with genital human papillomavirus (HPV) are at high risk for reinfection with the same type of HPV, researchers say.

From: https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/news/20171208/repeat-infection-likely-for-men-with-hpv?src=RSS_PUBLIC

At a recent conference, companies showed off ways they're leveraging technology to improve diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.

At a recent conference, companies showed off ways they're leveraging technology to improve diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.

From: https://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20171208/firms-race-to-find-new-ways-to-scan-brain-health?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Join the Tooth Team for National Children’s Dental Health Month

Are you on the Tooth Team?
Everyone is invited to join the oral health-promoting squad in February for National Children’s Dental Health Month.
The annual, month-long campaign invites dental and other health care professionals and educators to come together and promote the benefits of good oral health care to children and their caregivers. This year, the theme is Tooth Team, based on the poster and activity sheets concept created by Jade Rector, an art student at Columbia College Chicago.


From: By Michelle Manchir http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/december/join-the-tooth-team-for-national-childrens-dental-health-month

WebMDs 2011 Health Heroes: Meet the Honorees

WebMD's annual celebration of extraordinary Americans who met a health challenge and went on to help others in truly inspiring ways.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2011-honorees?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WebMD's 2012 Health Heroes: Meet the Honorees

WebMD's annual celebration of extraordinary Americans who met a health challenge and went on to help others in truly inspiring ways.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2012-honorees?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WebMD's 2010 Health Heroes: Meet the Honorees

WebMD’s annual celebration of extraordinary Americans who met a health challenge and went on to help others in truly inspiring ways.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2010-honorees?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WebMD's 2009 Health Heroes: Meet the Honorees

WebMD honors four everyday Americans who faced daunting challenges, persevered, and are now giving back to others in truly extraordinary ways. Meet our 2009 honorees and nominate a Health Hero for 2010.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2009-honorees?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WebMD's 2008 Health Heroes: Meet the Honorees

WebMD honors four everyday Americans who faced daunting challenges, persevered, and are now giving back to others in truly extraordinary ways. Meet our 2008 honorees and nominate a Health Hero for 2009.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2008-honorees?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WebMD's 2007 Health Heroes: Meet the Honorees

WebMD honors five everyday Americans who faced daunting challenges, persevered, and are now giving back to others in truly extraordinary ways. Meet our 2007 Health Heroes: Dr. Craig Lambrecht, Heidi Adams, Carol Levine, and Kyle and Pattie Petty

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2007-honorees?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WebMD's 2013 Health Heroes: Meet the Honorees

WebMD's annual celebration of extraordinary Americans who met a health challenge and gave back to others in an inspiring way.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2013-honorees?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WebMD's 2006 Health Heroes: Meet the Honorees

WebMD honors five everyday Americans who faced daunting challenges, persevered, and are now giving back to others in truly extraordinary ways. Meet our 2006 Health Heroes: Eric Gibson, Clare Rosenfeld, Paul Villien and Nohr Beck

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2006-honorees?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Blood test may predict which breast cancers will recur

A new study suggest tests someday may help reveal which women need longer preventive therapy and which ones can be spared it

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blood-test-may-predict-which-breast-cancers-will-recur/

WebMD Health Heroes Celebrity Finalists

WebMD honors celebrities who are changing the American health landscape.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2014-finalists?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Harold S. Koplewicz, MD: Health Hero

WebMD honors Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, as one of its 2014 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2014-activist-harold-s-koplewicz-md?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Michael J. Fox: Health Hero

WebMD honors Michael J. Fox as one of its 2014 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2014-hall-of-fame-michael-j-fox?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Martha Stewart: Health Hero

WebMD honors Martha Stewart as its 2014 People's Choice Health Hero.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2014-peoples-choice-martha-stewart?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Carson Daly: Health Hero

WebMD honors Carson Daly as one of its 2014 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2014-philanthropist-carson-daly?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Zarin Ibnat Rahman: Health Hero

WebMD honors Zarin Ibnat Rahman as one of its 2014 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2014-prodigy-zarin-ibnat-rahman?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Frank Papay, MD: Health Hero

WebMD honors Frank Papay, MD, as one of its 2014 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2014-scientist-frank-a-papay-md?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WebMD Health Heroes 2015 Celebrity Finalists

WebMD honors celebrities who are changing the American health landscape.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2015-finalists?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Ronald “Jake” Clark: 2015 Health Hero

WebMD honors Ronald “Jake” Clark as one of its 2015 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2015-advocate-jake-clark?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Bennet Omalu, MD: 2015 Health Hero

WebMD honors Bennet Omalu, MD, as one of its 2015 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2015-scientist-bennet-omalu-md?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Kenneth Shinozuka: 2015 Health Hero

WebMD honors Kenneth Shinozuka as one of its 2015 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2015-prodigy-kenneth-shinozuka?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Glenn Close: 2015 Health Hero

WebMD honors Glenn Close as one of its 2015 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2015-peoples-choice-glenn-close?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WebMD Health Heroes 2016 Celebrity Finalists

WebMD honors celebrities who are changing the American health landscape.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2016-finalists?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Trisha Prabhu: 2016 Health Hero

WebMD’s prodigy winner, Trisha Prabhu, created the app ReThink to fix an issue technology fuels: cyberbullying. With 120,000 downloads, it gives teens a second chance before they send mean messages.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2016-prodigy-trisha-prabhu?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Betty Ferrell, RN, PhD: 2016 Health Hero

WebMD honors Betty Ferrell, RN, PhD, as one of its 2016 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2016-advocate-betty-ferrell?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Ed Damiano: 2016 Health Hero

WebMD honors Ed Damiano, PhD, as one of its 2016 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/video/2016-scientist-ed-damiano?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Chloe Fernandez, 10: 2017 WebMD Health Hero, Advocate

WebMD honors Chloe Fernandez of Huntington Beach, CA, as one of its 2017 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2017-advocate-chloe-fernandez?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Kavya Kopparapu, 16: 2017 WebMD Health Hero, Inventor

WebMD honors Kavya Kopparapu of Alexandria, VA as one of its 2017 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2017-inventor-kavya-kopparapu?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Lauren Singer, 18: 2017 WebMD Health Hero, Investigator

WebMD honors Lauren Singer as one of its 2017 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2017-investigator-lauren-singer?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Donna Magid: 2017 WebMD Health Hero, Medscape Mentor

WebMD honors Donna Magid, MD, M.Ed, as one of its 2017 Health Heroes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/2017-mentor-donna-magid?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WHO: Mental Health QualityRights – Why are human rights in mental health so important?

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrCFSYfuCcw

WHO: Mental Health QualityRights – Changing attitudes in mental health services, Gujarat, India

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP3KPEXLdU4

WHO: Mental Health QualityRights – Promoting quality and human rights in mental health services

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGHyJL5w9wk

Fewer Hormonal Meds for Breast Cancer Patients?

Women with earlier-stage breast cancer may be able to spend less time on hormonal therapy without dimming their prognosis, a new study suggests.

From: https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20171207/for-breast-cancer-patients-less-time-on-hormonal-meds?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Is there a link between alcohol and skin cancer?

Patients are always elated when you can recommend an enjoyable, health-improving, recreational activity. As a runner, my favorite “prescription” while pregnant was exercise! However, more often than not, pleasurable activities are not what’s best for one’s health. But as a dermatologist who specializes in skin cancer, I am generally the bearer of bad news when I tell patients to never get another tan.

This November, alcohol came into the spotlight. The Cancer Prevention Committee of the American Society of Clinical Oncology recommended minimizing drinking alcohol, as it is thought to be a “modifiable risk factor for cancer.” Alcohol is estimated to be responsible for 3.5% of all cancer deaths in the United States.

Does alcohol influence skin cancer risk?

The short answer is that alcohol may be associated with skin cancer.

Several studies have tried to answer this very question with varying results. However, two meta-analyses, which combine results from a number of other studies, found that alcohol intake was associated with the development of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (the two most common types of skin cancer) and melanoma. One of the studies found that the risk of basal cell carcinoma increased by 7% and squamous cell carcinoma increased by 11% for every 10-gram increase in intake of alcohol in distilled spirit form (or one standard beer or small glass of wine) each day. Another study found a 20% increase in melanoma in drinkers (compared to those who don’t drink alcohol or only drink occasionally) and an increased risk based the amount of alcohol intake, with a 55% increase in risk for those who drink 50-grams of alcohol (or five beers!) per day.

How could alcohol cause skin cancer?

Ultraviolet light causes mutations in DNA and typically our body repairs these alterations. However, one of the byproducts produced when the body metabolizes alcohol can interfere with DNA repair, which can eventually lead to cancer. Alcohol also causes formation of something called reactive oxygen species, which also has the ability to damage DNA. There are other proposed mechanisms, including increasing one’s susceptibility to damage from ultraviolet light and suppressing one’s immune system. Some studies have shown that white wine consumption had a stronger association with skin cancer formation, which may be due to lower levels of antioxidants in white wine.

But before you completely alter your social practices, it is important to recognize a few limitations to these studies. The first is that ultraviolet light is the main factor that increases basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and alcohol consumption has been associated with behaviors that increase one’s risk of getting a sunburn. So, it is not clear whether alcohol is the cause of the skin cancer or a bystander. In addition, there are other unmeasurable factors that were not accounted for in these studies.

What should you do?

The American Cancer Society recommends limiting alcohol consumption to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. But it is important to consider your underlying risk for developing skin cancer, and to understand how your lifestyle modifications are impacting your health through factors such as sun exposure habits and even ethnicity (a Caucasian’s lifetime risk for melanoma is 1 in 44, whereas an African American’s lifetime risk is only 1 in 1,100).

The post Is there a link between alcohol and skin cancer? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Emily S. Ruiz, MD, MPH https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/loose-link-alcohol-skin-cancer-2017120812861

Uganda ends Marburg virus disease outbreak

Uganda has successfully controlled an outbreak of Marburg virus disease and prevented its spread only weeks after it was first detected, the World Health Organization said on Friday (December 8).

“Uganda has led an exemplary response. Health authorities and partners, with the support of WHO, were able to detect and control the spread of Marburg virus disease within a matter of weeks,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2008/pr02/uganda-marburg-virus-disease/en/index.html

Uganda ends Marburg virus disease outbreak

Uganda has successfully controlled an outbreak of Marburg virus disease and prevented its spread only weeks after it was first detected, the World Health Organization said on Friday (December 8).

“Uganda has led an exemplary response. Health authorities and partners, with the support of WHO, were able to detect and control the spread of Marburg virus disease within a matter of weeks,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/uganda-marburg-virus-disease/en/index.html