Study finds promise in estrogen treatment for breast cancer

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

Study finds promise in estrogen treatment for breast cancer Posted: 19 August 2009 1345 hrs

WASHINGTON – Low doses of estrogen could help treat some forms of breast cancer, according to a clinical study published on Tuesday. The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, could lead to a partial reversal in how metastatic breast cancer is currently treated using medicines to lower estrogen levels. "When estrogen-lowering drugs no longer control metastatic breast cancer, the opposite strategy might work," said a statement from the Washington University School of Medicine, which carried out the tests. Matthew Ellis, an oncologist who was the lead author of the study, said around a third of the women who did not respond to standard treatment reacted well to the new regimen. "Raising estrogen levels benefited 30 percent of women whose metastatic breast cancer no longer responded to standard anti-estrogen treatment," he said. Side effects from raising estrogen levels could include headaches, bloating, breast tenderness, fluid retention, nausea and vomiting, but Ellis said side effects were limited in comparison to other treatments. "We found that estrogen treatment stopped disease progression in many patients and was much better tolerated than chemotherapy would have been." "Overall, we demonstrated clearly that the low dose was better tolerated than the high dose and was just as effective for controlling metastatic disease." - AFP/sh

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Maintain healthy lifestyles

Source: Straits Times Aug 16, 2009

PM'S NATIONAL DAY RALLY SPEECH

Maintain healthy lifestyles

By Judith Tan Community-based programmes such as brisk-walking clubs, or qigong, could influence large segments of the population, especially older people, to take charge of their health. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong has given this simple prescription for Singaporeans to keep health costs down: Keep well and maintain healthy lifestyles.

And this means eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, keeping weight down and not smoking.

'Such a change in attitude and lifestyle requires discipline and perseverance,' said PM Lee in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday night when addressing healthcare issues confronting Singapore.

He said lectures and speeches will not work.

'The best way is to harness social links and interests to help individuals stick to good habits,' said Mr Lee.

Community-based programmes which combine fitness and social elements, such as brisk-walking clubs, or qigong, could influence large segments of the population, especially older people, to take charge of their health.

He cited Minister Lim Boon Heng's Wellness Programme, which comprises three components - medical check-ups, regular exercise and social networking - as an innovative scheme,

The popular Wellness Programme is available at 12 constituencies.

Mr Lee said he visited the one at Jurong and was most struck by cheerful and happy senior citizens.

'We will progressively expand this to cover the whole island,' he said

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Health inequalities rising

Source: Straits Times Aug 14, 2009

Health inequalities rising

WHO representative in China Hans Troedsson (left) said 'Inequalities in health outcomes and access to care are much greater today than they were in 1978.' --PHOTO: DAILYLIFE.COM

BEIJING - THE world is facing bigger inequalities in health and access to medical care than 30 years ago, the World Health Organisation said in two global reports launched in China on Friday.

A child born in a suburb of Glasgow, Scotland, can expect to live 28 years less than another living just 13 kilometres away, while a girl in Lesotho is likely to live 42 years less than one in Japan, the WHO said at the launch of the reports in Beijing.

This year's World Health Report focused on the way primary health care is organised, financed and delivered in rich and poor countries around the world.

A second report, 'Closing the Gap in a Generation,' documents the results of a three-year investigation into health inequalities between and within countries, the WHO said in a statement.

'Inequalities in health outcomes and access to care are much greater today than they were in 1978,' WHO representative in China Hans Troedsson said.

'Genes do not explain any of this,' the doctor added.'Instead, the differences between - and within - countries result from the social environment where people are born, live, grow, work and age. It also depends on health systems that are put in place to manage illnesses.'

Giving an example, the WHO pointed out that in Sweden, the risk of a woman dying during pregnancy and childbirth is one in 17,400 while for mothers in Afghanistan, the odds are one in eight.

The WHO reports call for better understanding of the root causes of health inequalities and for action to improve daily living conditions. They also urged policy makers to return to basics and focus on prevention.

'Instead of relying on specialist care or biomedical interventions, we should focus more on prevention and strengthen primary level care,' Mr Troedsson said. 'Better use of existing preventive and primary care measures could reduce the global burden of disease significantly.'

China recently announced an ambitious reform plan, drawn up with WHO help, that aims to provide basic medical care for all by 2020. An initial three-year programme will see 850 billion yuan (S$179 billion) invested from 2009 to 2011 to reform the unpopular current system which is seen as costly, badly funded and providing shoddy treatment.

'Everyone - male or female, young or old, rich or poor - should have access to health care that is fair, people-centred, affordable and efficient. 'But health systems will not naturally gravitate towards fairness and efficiency. Deliberate policy actions are needed,' Mr Troedsson said. -- AFP

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