LONDON - A study showing that men who start to go bald at 20 may be more likely to develop prostate cancer in later life suggests they might benefit from early screening or preventative therapy, scientists said on Tuesday.
French researchers compared 388 men being treated for prostate cancer with 281 healthy men and found that those with the disease were twice as likely as the healthy men to have started losing their hair when they were 20.
If the men only started going bald when they were 30 or 40, there was no difference in their risk of developing prostate cancer compared to the healthy group.
"At present there is no hard evidence to show any benefit from screening the general population for prostate cancer. We need a way of identifying those men who are at high risk," said Philippe Giraud of Paris Descartes University, who led the study.
"Balding at the age of 20 may be one of these easily identifiable risk factors and more work needs to be done now to confirm this," he said in a statement.
Giraud, whose findings were published in the cancer journal Annals of Oncology, said men identified as at higher risk of prostate cancer could be selected for earlier screening, or for chemo-prevention therapy using so-called anti-androgenic drugs like Merck's Proscar, or finasteride.
Finasteride is used to treat both prostate enlargement symptoms and baldness. It blocks the conversion of testosterone to an androgen hormone called dihydrotestosterone, which is thought to cause hair loss.
GlaxoSmithKline has a drug in the same class called Avodart, or dutasteride, and is currently seeking approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a license for use in men at higher risk of developing prostate cancer. But an FDA panel advised last month that GSK's application should be rejected.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after lung cancer and kills an estimated 255,000 men each year.
Androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, affects around 50% of men in their lifetime.
Previous studies have established a link between baldness and androgenic hormones, and androgens also play a role in the development and growth of prostate cancer.
Giraud and Michael Yassa of the University of Montreal in Canada, who also worked on the study, asked men to fill in a questionnaire about their history of prostate cancer, if any, and to indicate any hair loss they had at ages 20, 30 and 40 using pictures graded from stage I (no hair loss), to stage IV (receding hairline and balding from the top of the head).
The men's doctors also provided patients' medical histories, including any diagnosis of prostate cancer, age at diagnosis, stage of the disease and treatment. The study ran for 28 months.
"The data revealed that any balding at stages II-IV was associated with double the risk of prostate cancer later in life. This trend was lost at ages 30 and 40," said Yassa.
"Further work should be done, both at the molecular level and with larger groups of men, to find the missing link between androgens, early balding and prostate cancer." (report from Kate Kelland, Reuters)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
High-fiber diet may cut risk of premature death -- study
NEW YORK - People who eat a lot of fiber every day may be less likely to die prematurely from a range of illnesses -- including heart disease, cancer and infection, according to a US study.
The benefits of fiber in weight loss, lowering cholesterol and protecting against heart disease have been well established by previous studies, but researchers said the finding that it might also help prevent other common killers was new.
"The results from this study suggest that fiber may have broader health benefits than what has been found before," said Frank Hu, who studies nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health and wrote an editorial accompanying the study, which appeared in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
"The bottom line is that fiber should be a staple in our diet, and we should strive to eat as much fiber as possible," Hu told Reuters Health, though he added that some of the benefits found in the current study need to be examined further.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that adult women should eat about 25 grams (0.9 oz) of fiber each day and men about 38 grams. A half cup of boiled lentils contains about 8 grams of fiber, while a half cup of raw almonds has nearly 9 grams.
For the study, 400,000 members of the American Association of Retired People (AARP) were tracked by Yikyung Park of the National Cancer Institute and her colleagues.
In 1995 and 1996, when they were between 51 and 71 years old, the participants filled out a survey about eating habits, with additional information gathered about their physical activity levels, weight and smoking status.
Using national databases of death and causes of death, the team was able to determine which of the original study participants died, and from what causes, over an average follow-up period of 9 years.
Comparing people in the lowest quartile -- men who ate 13 grams and women who ate 11 grams a day -- with those in the highest, where men consumed an average of 29 grams and women 26 grams, the researchers found that people who ate the most fiber were 22% less likely to have died of any cause during the study than people who ate the least.
That pattern remained when the results were broken down by cause of death.
"Fiber intake also lowered the risk of death from cardiovascular, infectious and respiratory diseases by 24 to 56% in men and by 34 to 59% in women," the authors wrote.
For men only, eating more fiber was also linked to a lower risk of cancer mortality.
Overall, fiber had a greater protective effect when it came from grains rather than fruits, vegetables or beans, perhaps because whole grains contain vitamins and minerals that have been shown to prevent disease, Hu said.
But the study did not prove that fiber directly prevents premature death, the researchers said, noting that they had to trust that participants had accurately described their diets and that further study is needed.
Also, while the researchers factored in things such as exercise and body weight, "people who eat high-fiber (diets) in general tend to have a healthier lifestyle," Park said. (report from Reuters)
The benefits of fiber in weight loss, lowering cholesterol and protecting against heart disease have been well established by previous studies, but researchers said the finding that it might also help prevent other common killers was new.
"The results from this study suggest that fiber may have broader health benefits than what has been found before," said Frank Hu, who studies nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health and wrote an editorial accompanying the study, which appeared in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
"The bottom line is that fiber should be a staple in our diet, and we should strive to eat as much fiber as possible," Hu told Reuters Health, though he added that some of the benefits found in the current study need to be examined further.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that adult women should eat about 25 grams (0.9 oz) of fiber each day and men about 38 grams. A half cup of boiled lentils contains about 8 grams of fiber, while a half cup of raw almonds has nearly 9 grams.
For the study, 400,000 members of the American Association of Retired People (AARP) were tracked by Yikyung Park of the National Cancer Institute and her colleagues.
In 1995 and 1996, when they were between 51 and 71 years old, the participants filled out a survey about eating habits, with additional information gathered about their physical activity levels, weight and smoking status.
Using national databases of death and causes of death, the team was able to determine which of the original study participants died, and from what causes, over an average follow-up period of 9 years.
Comparing people in the lowest quartile -- men who ate 13 grams and women who ate 11 grams a day -- with those in the highest, where men consumed an average of 29 grams and women 26 grams, the researchers found that people who ate the most fiber were 22% less likely to have died of any cause during the study than people who ate the least.
That pattern remained when the results were broken down by cause of death.
"Fiber intake also lowered the risk of death from cardiovascular, infectious and respiratory diseases by 24 to 56% in men and by 34 to 59% in women," the authors wrote.
For men only, eating more fiber was also linked to a lower risk of cancer mortality.
Overall, fiber had a greater protective effect when it came from grains rather than fruits, vegetables or beans, perhaps because whole grains contain vitamins and minerals that have been shown to prevent disease, Hu said.
But the study did not prove that fiber directly prevents premature death, the researchers said, noting that they had to trust that participants had accurately described their diets and that further study is needed.
Also, while the researchers factored in things such as exercise and body weight, "people who eat high-fiber (diets) in general tend to have a healthier lifestyle," Park said. (report from Reuters)
Melai Cantiveros says she feels sad about having to leave ‘Banana Split’
Aside from working on I Dare You and her upcoming Precious Hearts Romances series Mana Po, Melai Cantiveros is also part of ABS-CBN’s new noontime variety show Happy Yipee Yehey!
The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate admitted that she feels both lucky and overwhelmed to be given such opportunities this early in her career.
“Excited ako kasi first time ko mapasama sa noontime show. Kinakabahan ako pero kakayanin ko kasi kasa-kasama ko rin yung ibang comedian. Magulo ako eh tapos magulo din si Bianca Manalo, si Kuya Jobert at Kuya Bentong. I’m sure na o-over kami dun. Manggugulo kami (laughs). Kami ang panggulo dun. Basta marami kaming gagawin dito. Kakayanin ko na maging enjoy sila sa panunuod sa aming variety show,” she shared during the Happy Yipee Yehey! pictorial last February 4 at a photo studio in Quezon City.
With all her new projects, Melai said she had to give up Banana Split because her schedule was becoming too full.
“Umalis na ako sa Banana Split kasi kailangan ko din naman matulog, alangan naman mamatay na ako sa kakatrabaho kasi diri-diretso na (laughs),” she said.
The 22-year-old former teacher from Gensan admitted that she went through a rollercoaster of emotions after finding out the news.
During her last taping day with Banana Split, Melai found it so hard to hold back tears.
“Nalungkot nga ako, pero masaya naman dahil andito na ako sa noontime show. Family ko din yung Banana Split, nag-iyakan kami kahapon pero magkapitbahay lang naman yung studio namin so puwede naman ako dumaan dun. Nag-iyak iyak pa ako,” she added.
Now that she has more TV exposure, Melai said she is concentrating on improving her way of speaking, after being advised by ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio that she should enunciate her words and speak more slowly.
“Ang skills na kailangan ko gawin is magdahan-dahan ako sa salita ko paramaintindihan naman ako ng mga tao. Nag-pra-practice na naman ako. Marami ng nag-a-advise na bagalan ko. Nag-practice nga ako ngayon. Sabi ni Ma’am Charo bagalan ko daw ang aking pagsasalita kasi kumbaga papunta na ako Malabon, kayo nasa Quezon City pa kayo (laughs) kaya babagalan ko na pagsasalita ko,” she admitted.
When it comes to hosting, Melai shared that she really looks up to the Happy Yipee Yehey! hosts when it comes to delivering spiels.
“Kasi napaka-spontaneous talaga ni Ate Toni (Gonzaga). Ang galing niya sa ganun. Magaling din sila John (Estrada) at Randy (Santiago), nakakatawa sila. Napapanuod ko na sila before pa sa Magandang Tanghali Bayan. Siyempre may TV din kami dun sa probinsya (laughs),” she said. (report from Rhea Manila P. Santos, Push.com.ph)
Meet the Faces of KaJoyfulness Episode 8
Episode 8 of "Meet the Faces of KaJoyfulness" featuring Kchairon Mae "Princess Zaik" Rollon Alforque as a PC Realize Dancer at Personal Collection Direct Selling Inc.-Matina Branch.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Kris Aquino did not invite James Yap on her 40th birthday celebration
Sa ginanap na 40th birthday celebration kamakailan ni Kris Aquino ay dumagsa ang naglalakihang mga pulitiko, Kapamilya artists at gayundin ang mga ABS-CBN executives sa kanyang party.
Gayunpaman ang nakatawag pansin sa kanyang mga naging bisita ay si Makati Mayor Junjun Binay na minsan nang naiugnay sa controversial game show host.
Pero noong Sabado ng umaga pa lamang ay sinabi na ni Kris na huwag na silang intrigahin.
“Walang meaning. Inuunahan ko na kung sino po mapapanood ninyo na makikidasal, gusto lang pong makadasal ang pamilya ko at inuulit ko po please, huwag n’yo pong bigyan ng malisya at baka ‘yung mag-attend do’n baka hindi na ulit makidasal sa ‘kin,” nangingiting pahayag ni Kris sa kanyang gift-giving at medical mission sa hometown niya ng Tarlac noong February 12, Sabado.
Kapansin-pansin naman na wala ang estranged husband niyang si James Yap sa celebration niya at inamin ni Kris na hindi na niya inimbita ito.
“Hindi ko na in-invite si James kasi magkaka-awkward situation. Iwi-wish ko na lang ang sarili ko at ipagdarasal ko na lang siya kasi nga ‘yun ang bago kong adhikain, ang magdasal nang magdasal.”
Ibinahagi rin ng Queen of Talk na binigyan siya ng gift ni Ted Failon na na-link din sa kanya at inilahad pa niya ang mensahe sa birthday card nito na ‘life begins at 40 so live, laugh and love.’
“Kaya ia-attempt kong gawin, live life to the fullest, laugh as much as I can and love after annulment,” natutuwang kuwento ni Kris.
Kalayaan naman ang birthday wish ni Kris para sa kanyang birthday na tumatama rin ng Valentine’s day.
“I want freedom, gusto ko na legally matapos na lahat para maging malaya na kami ni James (at) pareho at makahanap kami ng kaligayahan na hindi namin naibigay sa isa’t isa.” (report from Bernie Franco, Push.com.ph)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)