Health Care News

• Weight gain linked to higher breast cancer mortality
  The risk of breast cancer mortality goes up 14% for every 11 pounds a woman gains after diagnosis, according to a new study from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation. The findings also showed that breast cancer patients with a BMI classified as obese were more than twice as likely to die than those of normal weight. USA TODAY (12/7)

• Study: More kids with IBD are obese
  New research shows that 20% to 30% of children with ulcerative colitis and 9% to 10% of children with Crohn's disease have a higher-than-normal BMI. Researchers say the findings suggest all children, not just those who are underweight, should be screened if they exhibit symptoms of IBD. Medscape (free registration)/Reuters (12/7)

• Broccoli, cabbage and dark berries may reduce cancer risk
  New studies show that eating raw cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage just a few times a month can reduce the risk of bladder cancer by up to 73%, and consuming dark-colored berries daily may lower the chances that people with Barrett's esophagus will develop esophageal cancer. Yahoo!/HealthDay News (12/9)

• Study: Blood test detects protein markers linked to lung cancer
  Researchers were able to distinguish lung cancer patients from those without the disease with more than 80% accuracy using a blood test that detects four proteins that previously have been linked to the cancer. The finding suggests that the blood test may be a follow-up procedure for patients who have had lung lesions diagnosed by imaging methods, researchers said. Forbes/HealthDay News (12/7)

Pharmaceutical News

• FDA review: No increased risk of heart problems with Nexium, Prilosec
  The FDA said a review of additional studies shows AstraZeneca's Nexium and Prilosec are "not likely to be associated with an increased risk of heart problems" and should continue to be prescribed and used for gastroesophageal reflux disease. CNNMoney.com/Dow Jones Newswires (12/10)

• FDA to decide on Mevacor's OTC status
  A panel of outside medical experts on Thursday is scheduled to discuss Merck & Co.'s third application to market cholesterol-lowering statin Mevacor without a prescription. The company is set to present before the FDA panel a new study that found stronger warnings on Mevacor helped consumers decide if the over-the-counter drug would benefit them. USA TODAY (12/9)

• New anti-clotting drugs in development
  Leading pharmaceutical firms are working to provide anti-clotting alternatives in a market dominated by a decades-old pill, warfarin. At least five next-generation blood thinners are in advanced testing, and successful products could be available by 2009. Despite questions about the effectiveness, safety and financial potential of the new treatments, experts claim the international market for these oral anticoagulants could exceed $10 billion in the next five years. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/10)

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by AANP SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• NP-staffed clinics part of health care reform trend (Financial Times (free content))

• Study: Fitness, not weight, key to longevity (ClipSyndicate)

• Bedtime vinegar dose may lower waking glucose in diabetics (Medscape (free registration))

• Study: Honey can quiet children's nighttime cough (Reuters)

• Experts warn parents to delay children's exposure to peanuts (Reuters)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Emerging Trends, Products and Technologies

• More patients keep at-home health records
  Companies like Aetna and Kaiser Permanente are giving members more access to online records, helping patients compile personal files to share with their health care providers. The records can help patients manage their health, avoid unnecessary tests and identify false information. Los Angeles Times (12/10)

• Universities inspire future health care reformers
  More students are enrolling in courses on health care policy, with plans to work on reforming the nation's ailing hospital system. One student, Aaron Chang of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was inspired to become an intern with the state Legislature after a class. The Boston Globe (free registration) (12/9)

Health Policy and Legislative News

• More states reporting patient-safety data, but methods vary widely
  More than half of the 50 states have implemented patient-safety reporting systems that make adverse event data from health care facilities more readily available, which some experts believe is the first step toward a standardized, nationwide reporting system. However, the processes and methods by which states get information to patients vary significantly, and better agreement on how the data are used needs to be reached, others say. Modern Healthcare (free registration) (12/10)

AANP News

• AANP 2008 elections
  The Call for Nominations for 2008 AANP Elections has been issued. AANP members wishing to run for office in 2008 should go to the Members Only section of the AANP Web site for a listing of positions for 2008 as well as other information. Deadline for completion of the nominations form is Jan. 11, 2008. Questions may be e-mailed to elections@aanp.org.

SmartQuote

Compassion is the basis of all morality." --Arnold Schopenhauer, German philosopher