June 1, 2008 1:02 AM
BY: LEIGH ANN STUART
- A recent study by the National Cancer Institute indicates a possible correlation between alcohol consumption and breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
The study, comprised of data from more than 184,000 females, found that two small,alcoholic drinks per day raised breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women by 32 percent. Three or more drinks a day increased likelihood by 51 percent.
Jasmine Lew, lead investigator for the NCI study, believes this data may support an existing theory that alcohol, because it interferes with the metabolism of estrogen, raises breast cancer risk. Lew recommends talking with your doctor to assess personal risk factors, including lifestyle choices.
- East Jefferson General Hospital has expanded care for cancer patients with a recent affiliation with The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Physicians Network. This means patients will now have access to EJGH Physicians Network-credentialed physicians, EJGH doctors will be able to video-conference with Houston colleagues, and patient treatment will now utilize M. D. Anderson Cancer Center disease treatment and management techniques.
Dr. Mark J. Peters, EJGH president and CEO, said this (quoted from a recent press release): “For EJGH, it is an endorsement of the excellence we have already demonstrated and it sets the standard even higher as we move forward.”
*Note: The Corporate Angel Network provides free flights for cancer patients. For information, call (914) 328-1313.
- A team of American, Canadian and British scientists recently published in weekly science journal Nature, a study wherein the team was successfully able to grow three types of cardiac cells, each with a different organ function, from embryonic stem cell cultures.
Dr. Gordon Keller, of the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine in Toronto, was quoted recently by the BBC, saying: “The immediate impact of this is significant as we now have an unlimited supply of these cells to study how they develop, how they function and how they respond to different drugs.”
Keller goes on to say this development is a step toward finding new strategies for combating heart health problems in the future.
- The American College of Emergency Physicians has recognized local physician Peter DeBlieux, MD FACEP, as a “Hero of Emergency Medicine.”
ACEP presents honors to “emergency physicians who have made significant contributions to emergency medicine, their communities and their patients,” according to their Web site
Amongst many reasons, DeBlieux was honored for his work during Hurricane Katrina and his work with LSUHSC emergency medical services.