Study: HPV Tests Better at Predicting Cervical Cancer Than Pap Tests

No Significant Gain From Combining the Tests, Study ShowsBy Brenda Goodman
WebMD Health News

Aug. 22, 2011 -- DNA tests that detect the most virulent strains of human papillomavirus, or HPV, may find more advanced precancerous cells that can lead to cervical cancer than traditional Pap smears, a new study shows.

The study, which is published in The Lancet Oncology, suggests that testing for HPV strains 16 and 18, which cause about 70% of all cervical cancer, could replace Pap tests as the primary screening tool for the disease.

“We’re not there yet, but this trial gives us more data that shows that it is reasonable to consider HPV as a standalone test,” says Therese Bevers, MD, medical director of the Cancer Prevention Center at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. 

The study of more than 40,000 healthy women over age 25 found that HPV testing correctly detected nearly 40% more advanced precancers than Pap smears did.

“There are still points to be worked out, but clearly this study is providing more data to say that this may be a strategy that’s reasonable to consider,” says Bevers, who was not involved in the research.

Importantly, the study also found that combining HPV and Pap testing, as many doctors do, only found about 5% more advanced precancers and cancers, but it increased the number of women who falsely tested positive by more than one-third.

“You get a 5% gain for a 35% over-referral,” says study researcher Mark H. Stoler, MD, professor of pathology and clinical gynecology at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, Va.

Those false-positive tests lead to more frequent or invasive testing to rule out cancer, more anxiety for patients, and more expense for individuals and insurance companies.

“The study suggests that if you’re really concerned about efficiency with very little penalty, then HPV testing should be the first test,” Stoler tells WebMD.

Read more »

Posted in: Better,Cancer,Cervical,Predicting,Study,Tests

Drink Wine To Beat Dementia Risk, But Find The Balance Study Reports

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 19 Aug 2011 - 2:00 PDT window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId: 'aa16a4bf93f23f07eb33109d5f1134d3', status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true, channelUrl: 'http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/scripts/facebooklike.html'}); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

For over thirty years research has been done and much debate has carried on about the benefits or risks associated with drinking alcohol and wine in particular. After an analysis of research since 1977, it has been determined that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, especially wine, may lower the risk of dementia which often leads to severe Alzheimer's Disease. Too much increases the risk so balance is necessary.

As a matter of fact, the association between moderate drinking and reduced risk of dementia and cognitive impairment was statistically significant in 14 of 19 countries, including the United States.

Resveratrol, found in wine at fairly high levels, is a naturally occurring antioxidant too that decreases the stickiness of blood platelets and helps blood vessels remain open and flexible. It is also known that it inhibits the enzymes that can stimulate cancer cell growth and suppress immune response.

Wine is the primary dietary source of resveratrol, and red wine contains much greater amounts of resveratrol than does white wine, since resveratrol is concentrated in the grape skin and the manufacturing process of red wine includes prolonged contact with grape skins.

Edward J. Neafsey, a professor in the department of molecular pharmacology and therapeutics at Loyola University Medical Center said:

"We don't recommend that nondrinkers start drinking. But moderate drinking, if it is truly moderate, can be beneficial."

Moderate drinkers were 23% less likely to develop dementia, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive impairment, but don't get it twisted or see this fact as a reprieve to drink heavily. More than three to five drinks per day was associated with a higher risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.

Dr. Sam Gandy, chair in Alzheimer's disease Research and professor of neurology at the Mount Sinai Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City continues:

"This study was well-designed and well-executed but falls in the category of epidemiology [population wide, observational studies]. There are at least a dozen reports such as this, touting the beneficial neurological effects of alcohol. Each report brings calls and visits from patients, interested in what advice they can take away and apply to their own lives. Until there are some randomized clinical trial data, no patient guidance is warranted."

It is true however that it isn't clear why moderate drinking may reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, but one school of thought suggests that alcohol might improve blood flow in the brain and thus brain metabolism which keeps the brain sharp. Learning multiple languages has the same effect.

Dr. James Galvin, director of the Pearl Barlow Center for Memory Evaluation and Treatment at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City points out many things one can do to stave off the onset of dementia:

"The Mediterranean diet with whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil and moderate red wine also reduces the risk of dementia, as does exercise, social engagement, mental activities and an optimistic outlook on life. It is clear that heart healthy behaviors are also brain healthy behaviors."

Written by Sy Kraft
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Article Reference:
"Moderate alcohol consumption and cognitive risk"
The Journal of Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
Edward J Neafsey, Michael A Collins Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions

MediLexicon International Ltd
Bexhill-on-Sea, UK
MediLexicon International Ltd © 2004-2011 All rights reserved.

Read more »

Posted in: Balance,Dementia,Drink,Reports,Study

Nut Allergies; Public Often Wary And Prejudice Study Finds

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Allergy
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 17 Aug 2011 - 11:00 PDT window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId: 'aa16a4bf93f23f07eb33109d5f1134d3', status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true, channelUrl: 'http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/scripts/facebooklike.html'}); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Nut allergies can be scary enough. Those with them, especially when young, don't even know they can't eat the fruits, and symptoms include a rapid progression to anaphylaxis and plain fear. However, now it is being reported that to add more strife in children, they are getting bullied over it. According to a new study conducted in the United Kingdom, families with children who are living with this potentially life-threatening condition often feel isolated, stigmatized, or unfairly excluded from activities, due to the allergies.

Amanda Santos from Massachusetts explains what happened to her daughter:

"They (the school) knew going in that she had an allergy; they said it was no problem. But until we sat down and had a meeting about the precautions they'd have to take, such as kids washing their hands, asking parents not to send nuts to school, that kind of thing, they didn't realize how severe it was. I just think they didn't want her there, didn't want to deal with all of that."

Parents interviewed for the study frequently encountered skepticism or hostility when they tried to explain their children's allergies to others. Birthday parties became "nightmares," and even just sending kids to school or leaving them with friends or family was terrifying.

In the lunchroom at school, children might feel bullied. "She was teased and things like that, people saying...'I've got nuts and I'm gonna come and touch you,'" said one participant.

At a social gathering, the hosts thought the family was overdramatizing the problem. "We got invited up for a party...gave them a list of what he could eat," said one study participant. "[We] walked in there and I couldn't believe my eyes, big bowls of peanuts in between all the food."

Forgetful or disbelieving relatives aren't uncommon either. In one family, a grandparent gave a child candy with nuts. "Now whether it was deliberate or not, I don't know, but I blew a fuse," said one participant. "I suppose in my heart of hearts I felt that he'd given it deliberately; my husband doesn't want to believe that his father would do that."

If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly avoiding nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts like cashews and walnuts, and food containing nuts is the only way to prevent a reaction. But, it is not always easy to avoid these foods since many unsuspecting products contain nuts.

Peanuts are the most common food trigger of life-threatening anaphylactic shock, accounting for more than half of all fatal food-induced allergic reactions. Peanut allergies are on the rise, doubling in children between 1997 and 2002. About 1% of children in the U.S. have peanut allergies.

Along with the rise in nut allergies have come more restrictions on schools and other public places, including nut-free classrooms and airplanes, as well as better labeling for products. In recent years, there has been a bit of backlash against the greater focus on nut allergies.

Brian P. Vickery, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine, in Durham says:

"Generally speaking, the public awareness of food allergy in the U.S. has increased, and this has resulted in some real benefits to families. For example, manufacturers are now required to put clearer labels on food items, many restaurants can provide better experiences, and schools are often more prepared to handle children with allergies."

Written by Sy Kraft
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions

MediLexicon International Ltd
Bexhill-on-Sea, UK
MediLexicon International Ltd © 2004-2011 All rights reserved.

Read more »

Posted in: Allergies,Finds,Often,Prejudice,Public,Study

Nut Allergies; Public Often Wary And Prejudice Study Finds

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Allergy
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 17 Aug 2011 - 11:00 PDT window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId: 'aa16a4bf93f23f07eb33109d5f1134d3', status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true, channelUrl: 'http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/scripts/facebooklike.html'}); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Nut allergies can be scary enough. Those with them, especially when young, don't even know they can't eat the fruits, and symptoms include a rapid progression to anaphylaxis and plain fear. However, now it is being reported that to add more strife in children, they are getting bullied over it. According to a new study conducted in the United Kingdom, families with children who are living with this potentially life-threatening condition often feel isolated, stigmatized, or unfairly excluded from activities, due to the allergies.

Amanda Santos from Massachusetts explains what happened to her daughter:

"They (the school) knew going in that she had an allergy; they said it was no problem. But until we sat down and had a meeting about the precautions they'd have to take, such as kids washing their hands, asking parents not to send nuts to school, that kind of thing, they didn't realize how severe it was. I just think they didn't want her there, didn't want to deal with all of that."

Parents interviewed for the study frequently encountered skepticism or hostility when they tried to explain their children's allergies to others. Birthday parties became "nightmares," and even just sending kids to school or leaving them with friends or family was terrifying.

In the lunchroom at school, children might feel bullied. "She was teased and things like that, people saying...'I've got nuts and I'm gonna come and touch you,'" said one participant.

At a social gathering, the hosts thought the family was overdramatizing the problem. "We got invited up for a party...gave them a list of what he could eat," said one study participant. "[We] walked in there and I couldn't believe my eyes, big bowls of peanuts in between all the food."

Forgetful or disbelieving relatives aren't uncommon either. In one family, a grandparent gave a child candy with nuts. "Now whether it was deliberate or not, I don't know, but I blew a fuse," said one participant. "I suppose in my heart of hearts I felt that he'd given it deliberately; my husband doesn't want to believe that his father would do that."

If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly avoiding nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts like cashews and walnuts, and food containing nuts is the only way to prevent a reaction. But, it is not always easy to avoid these foods since many unsuspecting products contain nuts.

Peanuts are the most common food trigger of life-threatening anaphylactic shock, accounting for more than half of all fatal food-induced allergic reactions. Peanut allergies are on the rise, doubling in children between 1997 and 2002. About 1% of children in the U.S. have peanut allergies.

Along with the rise in nut allergies have come more restrictions on schools and other public places, including nut-free classrooms and airplanes, as well as better labeling for products. In recent years, there has been a bit of backlash against the greater focus on nut allergies.

Brian P. Vickery, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine, in Durham says:

"Generally speaking, the public awareness of food allergy in the U.S. has increased, and this has resulted in some real benefits to families. For example, manufacturers are now required to put clearer labels on food items, many restaurants can provide better experiences, and schools are often more prepared to handle children with allergies."

Written by Sy Kraft
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions

MediLexicon International Ltd
Bexhill-on-Sea, UK
MediLexicon International Ltd © 2004-2011 All rights reserved.

Read more »

Posted in: Allergies,Finds,Often,Prejudice,Public,Study