Chemotherapy and radiation are the standard of care for small-cell lung cancer that hasn’t spread to other parts of the body. But many patients don’t receive these treatments, a new study indicates. This less-than-optimal care is reducing survival rates, according to researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “In order to improve… read on >
High doses of vitamin D seem to keep arteries more flexible and pliable, potentially warding off future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes, preliminary research suggests. In just four months, vitamin D supplements reduced arterial stiffness in a group of 70 young black men and women, according to results from a small-scale clinical trial. The… read on >
Working smoke alarms lower a person’s chances of dying in a home fire by half, according to the National Safety Council. These alarms should be tested monthly. In addition, you should have a fire safety plan for your family, the organization stresses, offering these additional suggestions: Practice home fire drills at least twice a year.… read on >
In a potential advance for medical research, scientists say they’ve created the first functioning human muscle from skin cells. The breakthrough could lead to better genetic or cell-based therapies, as well as furthering investigations into the causes and treatment of muscular disorders, the Duke University team said. “The prospect of studying rare diseases is especially… read on >
Want to make a difference right now? Consider donating some blood. That’s the suggestion of experts from Penn State Health’s Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Blood bank supplies tend to be low in January because the holidays and the season’s typically inclement weather often keep people from going to a donation site. But, donating blood… read on >
Where you live could influence how likely you are to develop heart failure, a new U.S. study suggests. In addition to people’s income and education level, the neighborhood in which they lived helped predict their risk, according to the researchers. People living in the poorest areas were at highest risk for heart failure, the researchers… read on >
The current flu season is shaping up to be a nasty one, but there’s good news for American seniors who’ve gotten their flu shot. New research shows that for older adults, faithfully getting the vaccine each year greatly reduces the odds of catching a flu so severe that it lands you in the hospital. Researchers… read on >
In a finding that will surprise few, new research shows that minorities and the poor suffer more stress than their wealthy, white peers. That additional psychic burden may translate into poorer mental and physical well-being, and longevity is ultimately affected, the American Psychological Association report suggests. “Good health is not equally distributed. Socio-economic status, race… read on >
Severely obese teens who undergo bariatric surgery to lose weight end up lowering their heart disease risk down the road, new research indicates. For the study, researchers tracked 242 adolescents for three years after they had weight-loss surgery. “This is the first large-scale analysis of predictors of change in cardiovascular disease risk factors among adolescents… read on >
Quitting smoking is never easy, but it’s possible with the proper mindset and, possibly, with nicotine therapy. Almost 70 percent of adult smokers want to quit, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Over-the-counter smoking cessation products include skin patches, lozenges and gum. There’s also prescription medication. Tobacco users are used to having nicotine in… read on >
