Briefs: raising a glass of cheer raises cancer risk among women

In Print: Thursday, February 26, 2009

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raising a glass raises cancer risk for women

A new study involving nearly 1.3 million middle-age British women — the largest ever to examine alcohol and cancer in women — found that just one serving of any alcoholic drink per day significantly increases the risk of a variety of cancers, including breast cancer. The Oxford University study suggests in any group of 1,000 women up to age 75 who consumed an average of one drink a day, there would be 15 extra cancers, according to the study being published March 4 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Other studies have indicated moderate drinking could cut heart disease risk. Among possible reasons alcohol increases cancer risk: It may enable carcinogens to do their damage, may increase inflammation or, in breast cancer, estrogen levels.

Mere thoughts can affect heart health

Negative emotions like hostility and depression have long been considered risks for developing heart disease. But research released this week uncovered a telltale pattern in the EKGs of certain heart patients when they merely recall a maddening event. In already vulnerable people, "anger causes electrical changes in the heart," said Dr. Rachel Lampert, a Yale University cardiologist who led the work, reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. When that happens even in the doctor's office, "that means they're more likely to have arrhythmias when they go out in real life."

Pill cuts risk of prostate cancer

For the first time, leading medical groups are advising millions of healthy men to consider taking a drug to prevent prostate cancer if they regularly get tested for signs of the disease. Finasteride, sold in generic form and as Proscar, can cut the odds of being diagnosed with prostate cancer by about 25 percent, according to reports by doctors with the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Urological Association. But finasteride, which must be taken daily, costs $2 to $3 a pill and insurers may not cover it for cancer prevention. Also, to prevent one additional case of cancer, 71 men would have to take the drug for seven years.

Compiled from Times wires

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Briefs: raising a glass of cheer raises cancer risk among women

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