Cadmium in diet raises breast cancer risk

Houston: Women whose diet contain higher levels of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, are at greater risk of developing breast cancer, a new study has claimed. the study which is published by the American Association for Cancer Research found that among 55,987 post-menopausal women, the one-third with the highest cadmium intakes were 21 per cent more likely to develop breast cancer.

Cadmium, which is identified as a carcinogen, leaches into crops from fertilizers. Whole grains, potatoes, other vegetables and shellfish are key dietary sources of cadmium, which also becomes airborne as a pollutant when fossil fuels are burned, and is inhaled as well as ingested.

Circumcision may lower prostate cancer risk

Houston: Men who have been circumcised are at lower risk of developing prostate cancer, a study published in the journal Cancer has suggested. the study, conducted by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, has found that men circumcised before their first sexual encounter have a 15 per cent lower incidence of prostate cancer. Researchers say that because circumcised men are slightly less likely to contract herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV), which previous studies have linked to a higher incidence of prostate cancer, circumcision might offer protection.

?The problem with prostate cancer studies is that a large number of cases will stay confined to the prostate, causing few, if any symptoms,? said Ron Gray, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University?s Bloomberg School of Public Health. ?Trying to find an underlying cause for that type of cancer is difficult and often pointless,? he added.

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Mon 2:36 pm by Olivia D'Orazio

Novartis Pharma’s (NYSE:NVS) SMC021 drug, intended for the treatment of post-menopause osteoporosis, failed to meet the endpoints of phase three study, Study 2303, according to its development partner, Unigene Laboratories (OTCBB:UGNE).

The placebo-controlled study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the drug, an oral formulation of calcitonin, which used Emisphere Technologies’ (OTCBB:EMIS) proprietary oral delivery technology, Unigene said.

The results of the study showed that the drug failed to demonstrate a significant difference between treatment groups at the end of the three-year study. Novartis said the only statistically significant result was an increase in the lumbar spine bone mineral density in the group treated with SMC021, compared to the placebo arm.

However, the data did show a positive safety profile for the drug, Novartis said.

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become brittle, making them more likely to break. it is common in men and women over the age of 50, and, since it has no outwardly signs or symptoms, is usually only diagnosed following a bone fracture.

The prevalence of the condition among post-menopausal women is growing, and osteoporosis now accounts for more days spent in the hospital than many other diseases, including diabetes, heart attack and breast cancer, in women over 45 years of age.

Calcitonin is a natural hormone that has been used to treat bone diseases including osteoporosis for over 25 years. Oral calcitonin might replace injections, and challenge nasal delivery of calcitonin.

Unigene president and CEO, Ashleigh Palmer, commented: “While we would have preferred positive results from this Phase 3 trial, the outcome has very limited impact on Unigene’s successful turnaround strategy.

“Unigene’s own oral formulation of salmon calcitonin reached Phase 3 statistical significance for its primary endpoint as presented in detail at the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research in September.

“Although today’s news reduces the likelihood of near-term royalties under our manufacturing license with Novartis, it ironically now places Unigene in an exceptionally strong leadership position with respect to our oral peptide drug delivery platform.”

Under the terms of Novartis’ agreement with Unigene, signed in April 2004, Unigene would receive a total of $18.7 million, before royalties, in exchange for the worldwide licensing rights to manufacture calcitonin using Unigene’s patented peptide production process. Unigene is also entitled to receive single-digit royalties on net sales of any existing or future Novartis product that uses this technology.

To date, Novartis has paid $13.7 million in milestone payments to Unigene under this agreement.

In new York, Novartis shares fell 0.77 percent to $55.22, while Unigene shares on the OTC Bulletin Board sank nine percent to $0.91, as of 1:43 pm EDT.

Meanwhile, Emisphere shares, also on the OTC Bulletin Board, plunged 76.1 percent, or $1.21 per share, to $0.38 as of 1:31 pm EDT.

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of menopausal women who are sexually more useful, or rather the small number of being grumpy?I women older than I am rich, famous, married and unmarried, to enjoy now been there for menopause or. one can see what I can, I think that those who sexually …

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‘Fighting the menopause’: a survey suggests acupuncture can curb the severity of hot flushes and also relieve mood swings

Acupuncture can help women suffering from the most common symptoms of the menopause, it is claimed.

A study suggests the ancient Chinese needle therapy can curb the severity of hot flushes and also relieve mood swings among women receiving it regularly.

Hot flushes can suddenly produce an uncomfortable feeling of intense heat, while frequent flushes at night can disrupt sleep. 

The symptoms are caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the skin and are linked to hormone imbalances, but they are still not fully understood.

Medication proven to combat flushes includes Hormone Replacement Therapy and some antidepressants, which appear to damp down the body’s blood vessel system.

In the study, which was published in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine, Turkish researchers looked at 53 menopausal women.

Twenty seven received acupuncture twice a week for ten weeks. this involved placing needles at certain points on the body to boost energy and release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.

The remaining volunteers were given ‘dummy’ acupuncture with blunted needles.

At the end of the trial, those receiving genuine treatment had lower scores for the intensity of the hot flushes and mood swings they experienced – which progressively improved over the treatment period – compared with those given dummy needles.

The researchers said the effect on endorphins might curb flushes by stabilising the body’s temperature controls, but they were unable to say how long the effect lasted after treatment finished.

The researchers admit the trial was small but claim the complementary therapy could be worth trying for menopausal women unable or unwilling to use HRT.

In a different study, from Norway, women reported a reduction in frequency and intensity of hot flushes both by night and by day having used acupuncture for 12 weeks.

However David Sturdee, president of the International Menopause Society, said: ‘the evidence is not strong from previous studies and this a small trial.

‘we need to have much bigger numbers to prove this really can help women going through the menopause.’

Bone loss drugs in the class of bisphosphonates have, again, been linked to bone fractures of the femur (thigh bone). Web MD said that a recent, large review of over 200,000 post-menopausal women found that those taking bisphosphonates—drugs sold under the names Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D, Actonel, Actonel with Calcium, Boniva, Atelvia, and Reclast, as well as generics—for over five years experienced a two-fold likelihood of suffering fractures, versus women taking these drugs for briefer periods.

Fractures occurred in about one of every 1,000 women who took bisphosphonates for five years or more, one of the researchers told WebMD. The study appears in the February 23rd issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.According to recent studies, about half of all women over the age of 50 will suffer a bone loss-related fracture, and about one in every five of these women will die within a year, noted WebMD, noting that bisphosphonates are taking by millions of patients in the U.S. In addition to their use in preventing osteoporosis fractures, bisphosphonates also help to reduce hip, spine, and other fractures related to weakened bones.

Despite this, reports began emerging in recent years about long-term bisphosphonate use and femur fractures, prompting the FDA to mandate a label change on the medication to include a warning of “possible risk of atypical thigh bone fracture” in long-term users, said WebMD. “While it is not clear whether bisphosphonates are the cause, atypical femur fractures … have been predominantly reported in patients taking bisphosphonates,” FDA officials noted in a news release issued at the time, quoted WebMD. According to the FDA warning, the severe musculoskeletal pain associated with bisphosphonates may occur within days, months, or years after starting treatment. some patients have reported complete relief of symptoms after discontinuing the bisphosphonate; others have reported slow or incomplete resolution.

In the emerging study, the researchers identified 205,466 women at least in their late 60s who began taking an oral bisphosphonate between 2002 and 2008; the group was studied until the spring of 2009, said WebMD. at that time, 716 women required hospitalization for femur fractures. The 716 cases were matched to the nearly 3,600 women who did not suffer a femur fracture, said WebMD.

Women taking the bone drugs for the five-year period or more experienced a 2.7-fold increased likelihood for fractures versus women taking them under 100 days. A secondary review found that women taking the drugs for three years or more experienced a 24 percent risk of osteoporosis-linked breaks than the under-100 day group, added WebMD.

Bisphosphonates are also approved for a variety of other indications, including other bone diseases such as Paget’s disease, and are given to cancer patients for the prevention of fractures due to bone metastases.

Over the past several years, bisphosphonates have been associated with a number of side effects, including Osteonecrosis of the Jaw/Dead Jaw Syndrome, Esophageal Cancer, Fractures, Atrial Fibrillation, and Severe Musculoskeletal Pain. Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), or dead jaw syndrome is a condition in which the bone tissue in the jaw fails to heal after minor trauma such as a tooth extraction, causing the bone to be exposed. The exposure can eventually lead to infection and fracture and may require long-term antibiotic therapy or surgery to remove the dying bone tissue. In 2005, the FDA ordered that the label for Fosamax and other bisphosphonates be updated to include warnings about ONJ.

SOMERSET, N.J. /eNewsChannels/ — from the blogosphere to mainstream media, there’s been a recent-and disturbing-buzz on a connection between hormone replacement therapy and a higher risk for advanced-stage breast cancer in post-menopausal women. The recent media focus stems from a study published in the October 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Practitioners from Belvidere Pharmacy and Balancing Health, both experts in women’s health, examine the issue.

Hormone Therapy, or HT, is often used to treat women suffering from the effects of menopause. As a woman ages, her body produces less estrogen, progesterone and testosterone – creating an imbalance in hormones that often results in hot flashes, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness and fatigue, to name just a few symptoms.

The recent publication is part of follow-up evaluation from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study which began in 1991. Researchers collected data from more than 12,000 women, and found that there was an increase in breast cancer: 385 women on HT developed the disease, as opposed to 293 who took a placebo. The WHI follow-up shows marginally higher breast cancer death rates in the women who took combination synthetic HT.

Breast cancer is the most commonly feared disease in women, so a study of this type makes for a very newsworthy story. But in the wake of public concern, experts warn that the media has told only part of the story. for many patients, the amount of information available about HT is overwhelming, and this recent study in JAMA only adds to anxiety.

To understand the WHI study fully, it is important to understand the design and several key factors that temper the conclusions. A critical factor of the study was the TYPE and DOSAGE of hormones used – specifically, a fixed, oral dose of horse estrogens (Premarin®) and chemically altered progesterone (Provera®) was taken by all the participants in the group randomized to test the designated medications.

“Many times, when a study such as this is released, the media reports only the highlights, without presenting the limitations of those findings,” said Mary K. Powderly, MD, a board-certified gynecologist and hormone replacement specialist who practices functional medicine with Balancing Health in Somerset, NJ. “With treatment as important as HT, it is critical to have all the facts as well as the knowledge to interpret the studies. it is also important to put these findings in perspective so as not to cause alarm. in terms of absolute rates, the risk of cancer is low.”

“To be clear, there is a definite link between long-term use of synthetic and equine hormones and a small but significant increase in breast cancer risk,” said Powderly. “this study demonstrates that the detection of breast cancer in those taking the drug was similar in cell type and grade compared to breast cancer in the no drug group but the drug group was more likely to have lymph node involvement. it is important to question why that was. for example, did increased breast density, a common side effect of excessive or unbalanced HT, factor in preventing early cancer detection. Also there is some evidence that synthetic progestins may stimulate growth of new blood vessels which could facilitate tumor growth and metastasis.”

“These hormones are not bio-identical to humans,” said Shara Rudner, president of Belvidere Pharmacy in North Plainfield. Rudner is a compounding pharmacist-a highly trained specialist who formulates custom medications for patients. she is an expert in hormone therapies for both women and men.

“Equine estrogens are extracted from the urine of pregnant mares, and medroxyprogesterone is a synthetic hormone-like drug,” said Rudner. “they don’t have the same chemical or molecular structure as the estrogens and progesterone made by the human body.”

Rudner also pointed out that the equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone in the study are given to patients orally, which has been shown to increase a patient’s risk for blood clots, in addition to other health problems. An alternative, she said, is to give patients transdermal hormones – gels and creams applied easily to the wrist, where low-doses of hormones are absorbed through the skin.

According to Rudner, measuring the patient’s hormonal level and replacing with transdermal, bio-identical hormone therapy (BHT), as needed, is the application of choice among many hormone specialists.

Powderly emphasized that the WHI study fell short on another very important fact. “Since a requirement of the study was for women to be at least 10 years post menopause, the average age of women in the study was 63. Thus, the study population was about a decade or two older than the average age of 45-55 when menopause begins. Since the primary risk factor for breast cancer is age, the older women were at higher risk. in women aged 50-59, the overall mortality rates with hormone therapy appeared to be slightly reduced.”

Powderly also stressed that women need to conduct regular breast self-exams, have scheduled mammograms, follow up testing as directed, and to visit their physicians on a regular basis to monitor breast health.

For women in menopause, HT can help relieve or lessen symptoms such as night sweats, moodiness, sleeping issues, foggy thinking and more. Estrogen has been shown to improve cholesterol ratios as well as protect women from osteoporosis and colorectal cancer. “Estrogen must be balanced by progesterone,” said Powderly. “The key is balance.”

Powderly explained that hormone replacement is a specialty and, when conducted properly, relies on a highly individual approach to each patient. before a patient is given a dose of any hormone, her own hormonal levels should be measured. no one would think about supplementing thyroid hormones without first measuring levels and following up with monitoring after the hormone was given. Why, Powderly observed, would ovarian hormones be any different?

For patients who want to explore the benefits of HT, it is important for them to find a board-certified gynecologist who is trained in integrative medicine. According to both Powderly and Rudner, proper HT care should include a complete evaluation of signs and symptoms, medical history, assessment of current hormone levels, development of a personalized plan to replace deficient hormones, and follow-up hormonal monitoring. Together, the physician and compounding pharmacist can monitor and tweak the patient’s therapy, establishing and maintaining hormonal balance.

“Low-dose, transdermal, biologically identical HT can have tremendous benefits for many patients,” said Powderly. “There is no reason why a woman shouldn’t explore its advantages with a qualified physician.”

About Belvidere Pharmacy:

Belvidere Pharmacy is a registered pharmacy in new York, new Jersey, and Connecticut and has been serving its community since 1959. Shara Rudner – a fellow of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists, a fellow and regional director of the American College of Apothecaries, a fellow of the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists and secretary of the new Jersey Academy of Compounding Pharmacists-has been owner and president of Belvidere since 1996. under her leadership, Belvidere became an exclusive compounding pharmacy more than a decade ago. for more information about Belvidere Pharmacy, visit belviderepharmacy.com .

Belvidere Pharmacy has been a PCAB accredited™ compounding pharmacy since 2007. for more information about PCAB accreditation visit pcab.org .

About Balancing Health:

Balancing Health provides individually tailored, integrative health management. Areas of specialty include gynecology, endocrinology, anti-aging, primary preventative care, health education, pain relief and weight loss management. Medical director, Mary K. Powderly, MD, is a board-certified gynecologist and hormone replacement specialist. for contact information, visit balancinghealthnj.com .

Copyright © 2010 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

Copr. © 2010 eNewsChannels™ and Aria Munro.Related Topics: Business, News: Pharma, Newsdesk, State: new Jersey. Tags: Belvidere Pharmacy, Opinion and Commentary, PCAB accredited, Shara Rudner, Somerset, Women’s InterestsPermalink for this story: enewschannels.com/2010/12/09/enc12565_070010.phpImportant Note: for questions or clarification about any information in the above news item or article, contact the company mentioned in the story and NOT this website. this online publication, eNewsChannels™, cannot assist you with information regarding any person, product, company or opinion expressed or mentioned in the above news story.

RONI CARYN RABIN Published: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 3:15 a.m. Last Modified: Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 5:20 a.m.

More bad news about post-menopausal hormone therapy: a new European study reports that women who take hormones are at significantly increased risk for ovarian cancer, which is rare but often fatal.

Findings from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, which included some 126,920 post-menopausal women, were presented at a conference of the American Association for Cancer Research this week in Philadelphia.

After nine years of follow-up, 424 ovarian cancers had been diagnosed. Even after controlling for body mass index, smoking, and several other risk factors, researchers found that women taking post-menopausal hormone therapy had a 29 percent greater risk of ovarian cancer, compared with women who did not use hormones.

Women who used estrogen-only hormone therapy, typically taken after a hysterectomy, faced an increased risk of 63 percent compared with non-users, while the increased risk of ovarian cancer among women taking a combination of estrogen and progestin did not reach statistical significance.

Still, the study’s author, Konstantinos K. Tsilidis, a cancer epidemiologist at the University of Oxford’s Cancer Epidemiology Unit in England, said there was a clear increase in risk for current users of all hormones, though only if they had been using hormones for at least five years.

“It’s important to get the message out to women,” Dr. Tsilidis said. “this is a very lethal cancer.”

The number of women taking hormone therapy plummeted after a large trial, financed by the National Institutes of Health, found that hormones increased the risks of stroke and blood clots, and that combination therapy also increased the risk of breast cancer and heart attacks. still, many women continue to use hormones to treat menopausal symptoms, though they are advised to take the lowest dose for as brief a period a time as possible.