MedWire (7/29, Albert) reported that infection "with type beta or gamma human papillomavirus (HPV) increases the risk for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)," according to a study published online in the British Journal of Dermatology. Among "107 patients with a prior SCC or basal cell carcinoma (BCC)," researchers "found that patients with seropositivity to various beta or gamma HPV subtypes at baseline were significantly more likely to develop subsequent SCC's at five years than those without HPV at baseline."
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The Los Angeles Times (11/24, Stein) "Booster Shots" blog reported a paper in PLoS ONE in which researchers used "high-throughput genetic sequencing to detect bacteria on 10 different surfaces in 12 men's and women's bathrooms on a college campus." They found that "bacteria associated with the gut were common on toilet surfaces, signifying fecal contamination (and an argument for seat protectors). ... The floor had the biggest bacteria party, revealing what the authors called 'diverse bacterial communities' of organisms, including several typically found in soil. ... The authors said this emphasizes the importance of hand washing after using the facilities." The Washington Post (11/24, Huget) "The Checkup" blog reported, "Most of the bacteria found throughout the bathrooms were those typically found on human skin. That finding's important, the authors note, because those bacteria can include pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, which can easily be spread when hands come into contact with contaminated surfaces."
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In "Personal Health," the New York Times (D7, Brody, Subscription Publication) reports that some mysterious summertime rashes may "result from a photosensitivity reaction, a combination of the sun's UVA radiation and exposure to a drug, perfume or another substance." Some "commonly used drugs can cause such a reaction, including antibiotics like the tetracyclines (doxycycline is one), ciprofloxacin, and the sulfa drugs," along with "the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide; and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen and naproxen." Some sunscreens containing "benzophenones, the retinoids used to treat acne and sun-induced wrinkles, and fragrances like musk and coumarins" may also cause photosensitivity reactions.
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The Wall Street Journal (7/21, Stovall, Subscription Publication) reports, reports that for every four inches above five feet a woman is, she has a 16% increase risk of developing cancer, according to a study in The Lancet Oncology Bloomberg News (7/21, Mead) reports that the researchers "studied more than 1 million women in the UK who reported an average height of 161 centimeters to the state-run National Health Service between 1996 and 2001." They found more than "97,000 incidents of cancer by June 2008"; and every "10 centimeters of height translated to an 17-percent increase for incidents of breast cancer, which comprised more than a third of all the observed malignancies." BBC News (7/21, Gallagher) reports that the researchers found that the tallest women in the group, those "over 5ft 9in, were 37% more likely to have developed a tumour than those in the shortest group, under 5ft." They study authors linked 10 cancers to height: "colon, rectal, malignant melanoma, breast, endometrial (uterus), ovarian, kidney, lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukaemia." Although the study looked "only at women, the researchers said the height link was also present in men."
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Medscape (7/18, Kling) reported, "Among Latinos in the United States, the relationships between acculturation and sun-safe behaviors are mediated by education level, health-related social networks, and perceived health status," according to a study published in the July issue of the Archives of Dermatology. Researchers arrived at that conclusion after analyzing "data from the National Cancer Institute's 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey, focusing on 496 respondents who self-identified as Latino." Medscape also pointed out that "sun-safe behaviors are an important health factor for Latinos, who develop melanoma at a rate of 4.5 per 100,000, which represents a 28.6% increase since 1992." Reuters (7/19, Pittman) also covers the story.
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Bloomberg News (7/11, Mead) reports that a study in BMJ Open suggests that "people with adverse reactions to common metals and chemicals were less likely to get skin and breast cancers," a result that "backs up a theory known as immunosurveillance hypothesis, which says people with allergies have immune systems that are more vigilant at patrolling the body and eliminating transformed cells, reducing the risk of cancer." However, "the scientists also observed a higher incidence of bladder cancer in those with allergies, possibly because more chemical remains accumulated in their blood."
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The Los Angeles Times (6/9, Maugh) "Booster Shots" blog reported, "A shingles outbreak can nearly quadruple the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in the following year," according to research published online June 7 in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. After studying 315,550 adults with herpes zoster and 946,650 matched healthy controls, then following them for a year and adjusting for confounding factors, Chinese "researchers found that the group with herpes zoster outbreaks was 3.96 times more likely to develop MS than the control group," with MS developing on average approximately 100 days following the shingles outbreak. An accompanying editorial "argued that the research should be corroborated in other regions of the world."
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WebMD (7/14, Goodman) reported, "People who say they vigilantly apply sunscreen are more likely to experience painful, damaging sunburns," according to a study published in the journal Cancer Causes & Control. After analyzing "information on more than 3,000 white adults that was collected through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey," then adjusting for confounding factors, researchers found that "people who said they frequently used sunscreen...had 23% greater risk of multiple sunburns in the past year, compared to people who said they seldom used the stuff." The study authors theorized that people are not using enough sunscreen to protect themselves properly.
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USA Today (5/31, Kennedy) reports, "In 2007, about 4.5 million people had high-deductible plans, but by 2010, 10 million people had signed up for the plans, according to an America's Health Insurance Plans survey of its members. In exchange for a high deductible -- a maximum $3,000 deductible for individuals and a $6,000 deductible for families, for instance -- people can save about $85 to $100 a month on premiums. 'People are choosing higher deductibles for lower premiums,' said Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans." A Rand Corporation study "found that even as health care costs continued to rise, people on high-deductible plans paid substantially less than did those on traditional plans."
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http://www.bobbybukamd.com/Tea, Coffee May Reduce Risk Of MRSA.Bloomberg News (7/12, Lopatto) reports, "People who consumed tea and coffee carried methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, in their noses half as often as those who didn't, according to a study released today in the Annals of Family Medicine." Researchers do not know the mechanism behind reduced MRSA colonization, but suggest it may be due to the steam from hot beverages entering people's noses. According to the CDC, MRSA kills about 15,000 people a year. The researchers say that "if the findings hold true in further studies, coffee and tea may prove inexpensive ways to keep MRSA to a minimum in the population." WebMD (7/11, Mann) reported that scientists acknowledge more research is needed. NYU Langone Medical Center director Philip Tierno remains skeptical, pointing out that "tea and coffee do have antimicrobial properties, but antibiotics, which have massive microbial properties, don't work at eliminating MRSA." http://www.drbobby.com/ http://www.wbderm.com/ http://www.williamsburgderm.com/
The New York Times (5/20, A13, McNeil, Harris, Subscription Publication) reports that a CDC public health blog was recently updated with "instructions on coping with a zombie apocalypse." The agency recommends preparing for zombies invasions, hurricanes or pandemics by having an emergency kit, which "includes things like water, food, and other supplies to get you through the first couple of days before you can locate a zombie-free refugee camp." This "idea, said David Daigle, a CDC spokesman whose portfolio includes disaster response, came up as they were discussing how to make the agency's annual 'It's Hurricane Season Again' press release a little sexier." The Los Angeles Times (5/20, Khan) "Booster Shots" blog reports, "Preparing for disasters has always been part of the mission of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from hurricanes to flu pandemics." In order to attract public attention to disaster preparedness advice, Dr. Ali S. Khan, an assistant surgeon general with the CDC and head of its office of Public Health Preparedness, along with other agency staff, decided to include recommendations for surviving a "zombie apocalypse." The Washington Post (5/20, Bell) says in a blog posting, "The CDC has decided that if you're prepared for a Zombie Apocalypse, you're prepared for any emergency." The agency's blog posting on the subject "includes a series of badges and recommendations on what to do in case flesh-eating zombies take over the world. The steps are pretty simple: prepare an emergency kit, make a plan for evacuation routes and family meeting spots, and be prepared by following CDC alerts on Twitter." The USA Today (5/20) "Science Fair" blog quips, "Never let it be said that the doctors at the Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention lack a sense of humor -- or the sense to find a fun way to teach Americans about emergency preparedness. Hence today's most excellent CDC offering: Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse." Also covering the story are Reuters (5/20, Marsh), the Chicago Tribune (5/20, Dizikes), NPR (5/20, Hensley) "Shots" blog, CBS (5/20, Freeman) on its website, the Forbes (5/20, Gibbs) "Technobabble" blog, New York Daily News (5/20, Mandell), Chicago Sun-Times (5/20, Thomas), and Deseret Morning News (UT) (5/20, Collins).
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Medscape (5/16, Barclay) reported, "Among suspicious skin lesions referred to dermatologists, only one-fifth are cancerous, but dermatologists have identified other incidental lesions, approximately half of which are malignant, according to the results of a" study published in the May issue of the Archives of Dermatology. In a retrospective study involving 400 patients, the investigators concluded, "The use of teledermatology to assess a specific lesion of concern may be associated with underdiagnosis of clinically significant lesions that are not appreciated by the referring physician." They added, "Therefore, teledermatology must not be used as a substitute for a total body skin examination." HealthDay (5/16, Salamon) also covered the story.
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MedWire (5/13, Albert) reported that, according to a study published in the June issue of the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, "recently developed sunscreens containing nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles are likely to have better efficacy than older creams containing micron-sized TiO2 particles, with no increase in toxicity." Researchers from the Food and Drug Administration came to this conclusion after evaluating "the effects of the two types of TiO2 particles in sunscreen in terms of ultraviolet (UV) light attenuation, product stability, and possible skin barrier damage." Specifically, "they tested uncoated TiO2 with a primary particle size of 21 nm (nanoscale), coated TiO2 with a primary particle size of 50 nm (nanoscale), and submicron, coated TiO2 with a primary particle size of 250 nm (microscale)."
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In "Vital Signs," the New York Times (5/10, D6, Rabin, Subscription Publication) reports, "Nearly one in 10 babies are given supplements or plant-based teas to soothe colic or help with teething during the first year of life, even though the products are unproven and may contain contaminants or spur allergies," according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. To reach these conclusions, "the researchers drew data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, a survey of women in late pregnancy and through their babies' first year of life. Conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2005 to 2007, the study included a nationwide sample of 2,653 healthy mothers and newborns." Rhinitis, Eczema In Childhood Associated With Adult Asthma. MedWire (5/9, Cowen) reports that, according to a study published online in the Journal of Allergy and Immunology, "a combination of eczema and rhinitis in childhood is associated with a significantly increased risk for new-onset atopic asthma in middle age and persistence of childhood asthma to adult atopic asthma." After examining "data on 1,383 individuals who were recruited at the age of 6-7 years in 1968 as part of the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study, and who were followed up at the age of 44 years," researchers estimated that "29.7% of persistent atopic asthma cases and 18.1% of new-onset atopic asthma cases in their study could be attributed to childhood eczema and rhinitis."
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Medscape (5/4, Mulcahy) reported, "In the past year, sunscreen was shown -- for the first time -- to prevent melanoma in one of the only randomized controlled trials ever conducted on this subject." However, "there is a caveat about the results that has important public health implications and was not highlighted in the original study, according to a letter published online April 4 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology." People who participated in the trial were middle-aged Australians whose sun exposure occurred during the course of their daily activities. In other words, their sun exposure was incidental, not intentional, as would be the sun exposure of dedicated beachgoers. Therefore, the authors of the letter say that "white people in other parts of the world should not interpret the study results as a 'green light' to tan on the beach."
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The CNN (5/24, Caruso) "The Chart" blog reported that, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), "sunscreens alone cannot prevent cancer," a message the group drives home in its latest sunscreen report, encouraging people to stay in the shade, don clothing protective of the sun, avoid being out in the sun from 10 am to 4 pm, in addition to the use of sunscreens. This coming Friday, May 27, has been designated by the National Council on Skin Cancer, one member of which is the American Academy of Dermatology, as "Don't Fry Friday." The council recommends that people who want to prevent sun-related skin damage wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses designed for UVA and UVA protection, and choose sunscreen "products with UVA filters like avobenzone and octocrylene, as well as protection against UVB rays." WebMD (5/23, Doheny) focused on the EWG's "annual guide to sunscreen products," noting that "just one in five of more than 600 beach and sport sunscreens made the cut," while 11 products were consigned to the Hall of Shame. The EWG advised consumers to avoid using sunscreen sprays because they might be accidentally inhaled. Report co-author Sonya Lunder, MPH, of EWG, explained that "sunscreens with a form of vitamin A known as retinyl palminate -- in about 30% of sunscreens -- should also be avoided because of concerns about it producing skin lesions." In addition, "oxybenzone, which EWG calls a "hormone disrupter,' is another ingredient to be avoided, she says." AAD's Moy Addresses Health Concerns About Sunscreen Ingredients. In a press release (5/23), AAD president Ronald L. Moy, MD, FAAD, stated, "Contrary to recent reports, available scientific literature and decades of public use does not support a link between oxybenzone in sunscreen and hormonal alterations, or other significant health issues in humans." With regard to retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, "there is no evidence to suggest that use of sunscreen with" the chemical poses a risk for skin cancer. Finally, addressing the fear that nanoparticles found in sunscreens also pose a health risk, Dr. Moy said, "Considerable research on the use of nanoparticles on healthy, undamaged skin has shown that the stratum corneum -- the outermost layer of the skin -- is an effective barrier to preventing the entry of nanoparticles into the deeper layers of the skin."
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The Boston Globe (5/2, Lazar) noted that a primary ingredient in many over-the-counter anti-aging face care products is "retinol, a vitamin A compound that is less potent than another vitamin A derivative, tretinoin, which has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of wrinkles" but is available "only by a prescription." Dermatologists say some OTC creams with "retinol may lessen the appearance of fine lines." But it is hard to determine whether the OTC "products live up to their promises." Although most OTC anti-aging products "are not scrutinized by regulators for effectiveness," approximately "eight dozen companies" are listed on the Food and Drug Administration's "most recent 'Yellow List'" for imported skin care products that "may have 'exaggerated anti aging claims,'" including some "well-known names" such as "Chanel, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, and Revlon."
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The Los Angeles Times (4/17, Delude) discussed the efficacy of various creams sold over the counter to reduce the appearance of scars. Unfortunately, "there's little evidence that they work any better than inexpensive petroleum jelly." In fact, "a 2009 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology...found a huge gap between the advertised benefits of over-the-counter scar products and the clinical evidence that they actually work." What's more, "several articles in a March supplement of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology show that antibiotic ointments do not aid in healing or reduce the risk of infection -- but they do raise the risk of antibiotic resistance." Dermatologists recommend that a good way to minimize scars from forming is to keep a wound covered and moist, the article explained.
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In a lengthy article, Gary Taubes, a Robert Woods Johnson Foundation independent investigator, discusses in the New York Times (4/17, MM47, Taubes, Subscription Publication) claims made by pediatric hormone disorder specialist and childhood obesity expert Robert Lustig, MD, of the University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine, who makes a "persuasive case...that sugar is a 'toxin' or a 'poison,'" including high-fructose corn syrup. Should Lustig prove to be right, then Americans' "excessive consumption of sugar is the primary reason that the numbers of obese and diabetic Americans have skyrocketed in the past 30 years," and the sweet substance "is also the likely dietary cause of several other chronic ailments widely considered to be diseases of Western lifestyles -- heart disease, hypertension, and many common cancers among them."
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Few, that was a close one...!
Reuters (4/13, Grens) reports that, according to a survey published in the April issue of the Archives of Dermatology, only about 20% of 176 new adult patients attending a dermatology clinic and the moms and dads of some 248 children attending a pediatric dermatology clinic said they wanted their male doctors to wear a tie. However, more than 50% of those same adults survey believed their dermatologist should wear a white coat. Interestingly, only a quarter of the parents of the pediatric dermatology patients wanted the dermatologist to wear a white coat.
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