ALL ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER

Risk And Predictors Of Prostate Cancer In Men With Negative Repeat Saturation Biopsy
ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - These investigators sought to determine both the risk of future prostate cancer in patients that undergo negative repeat saturation biopsies and the criteria that should be used in decision making whether to do follow-up biopsy in a patient with a previous negative repeat saturation or not. They retrospectively evaluated a total of 576 patients with a repeat saturation prostate biopsy from April 2002 to March 2007.
Pros and cons of the Pill tricky for black women
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - African-American women taking a low-dose oral contraceptive may see an increase in markers of increased risk for developing heart disease or diabetes, a study shows.

From BBC Health
Prevent heart disease by upping your activity levels

Does The Training Level Of The First Assistant Have An Impact On Blood Loss In Radical Prostatectomies?
ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - Blood loss in radical prostatectomies has been an issue for a long time. New operative techniques led to an optimization regarding not only nerve sparing but also blood sparing attempts. These investigators prospectively studied the influence of the training level of the assisting doctor regarding blood loss in radical prostatectomies. 364 patients underwent radical prostatectomy (nerve-sparing operation 75.
One in 10 had “silent strokes”: study
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Routine brain scans in a group of middle-aged people showed that 10 percent of them had suffered a stroke without knowing it, raising their risk for further strokes and memory loss, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.

Smoking ban ‘to save many lives’
The smoking ban in England has dramatically increased the number of people giving up the habit, a survey suggests.
South African TB patients rampage (AP)
AP - Authorities increased security Friday at a tuberculosis hospital where patients with drug-resistant forms of the disease went on a rampage to protest prison-like conditions.

Penile Rehabilitation In The Radical Prostatectomy Patient
ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - Dr. Ira Sharlip moderated a debate on penile rehabilitation. A consequence of radical prostatectomy (RP) is ED and its prevalence is reported between 9-93%. How penile rehabilitation is given and whether it works is debated. The purpose of penile rehabilitation is to provide oxygen to the corpora cavernosa for both prevention and recovery in post-RP patients. Dr.
Fake virus could make safe new vaccines
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A “wimpy” artificial virus protected mice against polio, and the approach might be used to make a range of safer new vaccines against viruses, U.S. researchers reported on Friday.

Pregnancy timeline
A week by week guide to pregnancy taking in how the baby develops, changes to the mother and key scan dates.
US checks if tomatoes caused Salmonella outbreak (AP)

AP - As salmonella cases continue to climb, the government is checking if tainted tomatoes really are to blame for the record outbreak or if the problem is with another ingredient, or a warehouse that is contaminating newly harvested tomatoes.

Poorer Patients Have Poorer Survival After Cancer Diagnosis
Title: Poorer Patients Have Poorer Survival After Cancer Diagnosis
Category: Health News
Created: 6/24/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/24/2008

Transrectal High Intensity Focused Ultrasound In The Treatment Of Localized Prostate Cancer - The First UK Series
ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - The use of HIFU in localized prostate cancer (PCa) is an emerging minimally-invasive technology that offers the potential fewer side-effects and effective cancer control. Visually-directed HIFU for the conduct of therapy for the Sonablate 500 device allows the user to change energy levels per pulse based on real-time greyscale ultrasound feedback.
U.S. tomato-linked salmonella illnesses surpass 800
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of people sickened in a salmonella outbreak linked to certain tomatoes has topped 800 as U.S. investigators continue to try to pinpoint the source of the contamination.

Knife revolution
Surgeons pick their top medical innovations

Anxiety And Depression In Patients With Prostate Cancer And Other Urogenital Cancer: A Longitudinal Study
UroToday.com - In the online version or Urologic Oncology, Dr. Andreas Hinz and associates from Germany report on a longitudinal study to assess psychological distress in cancer patients. They sought to investigate the impact of the cancer, side effects related to treatment of the cancer and patient anxiety regarding possible cancer recurrence.
Obesity may interfere with prostate cancer screen
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The test commonly used to screen men for prostate cancer may be more likely to miss tumors in obese men, a new study suggests.

Antenatal blues ‘hit development’
Women who are depressed during pregnancy can have babies who develop more slowly than their peers, a UK study suggests.

Ejaculatory Duct Epithelium On Prostate Biopsies Predicts Deterioration Of Semen Parameters After Biopsy
ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - These authors previously reported that transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate may have a negative impact on semen parameters. Possible mechanisms for the observed semen changes include: 1. direct injury to the ejaculatory duct or 2. peri-ejaculatory duct fibrosis. Of 12 men that underwent prostate biopsy, 5 subjects had evidence of ejaculatory duct within the specimen. All 5 subjects had short term a decrease in ejaculate volume and sperm count.

Current Applications For Prostate-Specific Antigen Doubling Time
UroToday.com - In the online version of European Urology, Dr. Michelle Ramirez and colleagues from UC Davis discuss present applications of PSA doubling time (PSADT). Where PSADT is most applicable in managing patients with prostate cancer is emphasized.
Low-fat diet as heart-healthy as Mediterranean
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - After a heart attack, adopting either a low-fat or Mediterranean-style diet similarly and significantly benefits overall and cardiovascular health, research suggests.

Drug watchdog ’set for new money’
The chairman of the NHS drug watchdog has signalled his organisation is about to get a significant amount of government money to expand its work.
New study pinpoints HIV risk within existing African couples (AFP)

AFP - HIV infections among heterosexual Africans could be slashed by more than a third if safe-sex counselling was directed at married or cohabiting couples, a new study says.

Poorer Patients Have Poorer Survival After Cancer Diagnosis
Title: Poorer Patients Have Poorer Survival After Cancer Diagnosis
Category: Health News
Created: 6/24/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/24/2008

GreenLight Laser Vaporization Of The Prostate: Single-Center Experience And Long-Term Results After 500 Procedures
UroToday.com - In the online issue of European Urology, Dr. Robin Ruszat and associates report a single institution experience of GreenLight laser vaporization of the prostate. The investigators used the technique of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with the 80-W GreenLight laser system. Beginning in 2002, 500 consecutive men with BPH underwent standard evaluation and treatment with PVP.
Low-fat diet as heart-healthy as Mediterranean
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - After a heart attack, adopting either a low-fat or Mediterranean-style diet similarly and significantly benefits overall and cardiovascular health, research suggests.

Lawyers urge ’sofa rash’ action
The Health and Safety Executive is looking into claims that people have been burned by fungicide inside leather sofas.
ER visits increasing for elderly patients: study (Reuters)
Reuters - The number of emergency department visits by elderly individuals is increasing and is probably going to continue to increase as the population ages, according to a report published in the latest issue of the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Racial Variation In The Matrix Metalloproteinase: E-Cadherin Ratio In Localized Prostate Cancer: Contemporary Matched Comparative Study
ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - The ratio of Matrix metalloproteinase to E-cadherin (M/E ratio) characterizes the “invasive profile” of prostate cancer. In the present study a group of researchers from Houston performed a comparative analysis of the M/E ratio among Caucasian (CAU) and African- American (AA) patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP).
Study shows 150 percent jump in statin use
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Use of cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins rose by 156 percent between 2000 and 2005, with spending jumping from $7.7 billion to $19.7 billion, the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported on Wednesday.

Brain’s adventure centre located
Scientists have located a region of the brain that encourages humans to indulge in adventurous behaviour.
Gene Variant May Contribute to Alzheimer’s Disease (HealthDay)
HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, June 25 (HealthDay News) — Researchers say they’ve discovered a gene that may make it easier for people to develop Alzheimer’s disease, and it could become a target for drug treatments.
Early Prostate Cancer
Title: Early Prostate Cancer
Category: Government Second Source
Created: 6/10/2008
Last Editorial Review: 6/10/2008

Racial Variation In The Matrix Metalloproteinase: E-Cadherin Ratio In Localized Prostate Cancer: Contemporary Matched Comparative Study
ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - The ratio of Matrix metalloproteinase to E-cadherin (M/E ratio) characterizes the “invasive profile” of prostate cancer. In the present study a group of researchers from Houston performed a comparative analysis of the M/E ratio among Caucasian (CAU) and African- American (AA) patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP).

Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Presents Three Studies On Trofex? Program For Prostate Cancer Diagnosis And Staging
Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIPI) announced three presentations at the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) 55th Annual Meeting on preclinical data supporting its Trofex program for the detection, staging and monitoring of prostate cancer. The presentations described the synthesis, production and preclinical profile of two lead candidate compounds, MIP-1072 and MIP-1095.
More study of heart imaging agent risks urged
SILVER SPRING, Maryland (Reuters) - Makers of contrast agents used to enhance echocardiogram images need to conduct larger studies to better evaluate the heart risks seen in some patients, a U.S. panel of medical experts said on Tuesday.

Sickness bug found in tap water
About 250,000 people in Northamptonshire are told to boil water after the cryptosporidium bug is found.

Transcription Factors Stat5 Promotes Growth Of Human Prostate Cancer Cells In Vivo
ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - Stat5a/b is the key mediator of prolactin (Prl) effects in prostate cancer cells via activation of Jak2. Prl is a locally produced growth factor in human prostate cancer. Prl protein expression and constitutive activation of Stat5a/b are associated with high histological grade of clinical prostate cancer. Moreover, activation of Stat5a/b in primary prostate cancer predicts early disease recurrence.
New estimates show diabetes affects 24 million
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New government estimates show that nearly 24 million people in the United States have diabetes, an increase of more than 3 million in two years.

Conservative NHS
Do Tory plans for new targets herald big change?
Wireless hospitals systems can disrupt med devices (AP)
AP - Wireless systems used by many hospitals to keep track of medical equipment can cause potentially deadly breakdowns in lifesaving devices such as breathing and dialysis machines, researchers reported Tuesday in a study that warned hospitals to conduct safety tests.
Hormone Replacement for Men: Pros, Cons
Title: Hormone Replacement for Men: Pros, Cons
Category: Health News
Created: 6/19/2008
Last Editorial Review: 6/19/2008

Phosphodiesterase Inhibition As A Chemotherapeutic Adjuvant For Prostate Cancer
ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - Low tumor oxygenation (hypoxia) correlates with resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. A group of Canadian investigators have recently demonstrated that in vitro and in vivo hypoxia-inducedresistance to various anti-cancer drugs can be attenuated by manipulating nitric oxide (NO) signaling through cGMP mediated pathways. The aim of this study was to determine whether PDE inhibitors are able to inhibit hypoxia-induced chemoresistance in prostate carcinoma cells.
Leukemia pill may improve stroke treatment: study
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A highly effective leukemia pill may reduce complications and boost the effectiveness of a treatment for the most common type of stroke, an international team of researchers said on Sunday.

Androgen Suppression & Radiation Vs. Radiation For Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Trial & Analysis Of The Prognostic Significance Of Comorbidity
ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - These investigators conducted a prospective randomized trial to assess whether survival was prolonged following 6 months of androgen suppression therapy (AST) and radiation therapy (RT) as compared to RT. Between December, 1995 and April, 2001, 206 men with localized prostate cancer and at least one unfavorable prognostic factor were randomized to receive RT alone or in combination with 6 months of AST.
Chest pain common a year after heart attack: study
CHICAGO (Reuters) - People who are depressed or who continue smoking after a heart attack often have chest pain a year later and are more likely to have another heart attack or die, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

From BBC Health
Do you have time for your baby between meetings?
Medical pot ineffective as acute pain treatment (HealthDay)
HealthDay - MONDAY, June 23 (HealthDay News) — Oral cannabis (a form of medical marijuana) was ineffective in treating certain types of acute pain and actually increased sensitivity to some other kinds of discomfort, say researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

Seven Biomarkers That May Help Pinpoint Prostate Cancer Recurrence Identified By UT Southwestern Urologists
A simple blood test may help doctors better predict whether prostate cancer will recur or spread in patients who have undergone surgery for the disease, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found.In a study published in Clinical Cancer Research, UT Southwestern scientists identified a panel of seven biomarkers that can predict with 86 percent accuracy which prostate cancer patients will experience a recurrence and progression of the disease.
Hormone may help dieters keep weight off: U.S. study
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Falling levels of a hormone called leptin that helps the brain resist tempting foods may explain why people who lose weight often have a hard time keeping it off, U.S. researchers said on Friday.

Hidden menace
Cancer of the foot can be a serious problem
New clue to Alzheimer’s found (AP)

AP - Researchers have uncovered a new clue to the cause of Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers ID Traits of Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Title: Researchers ID Traits of Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Category: Health News
Created: 6/14/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/16/2008

Androgen Suppression & Radiation Vs. Radiation For Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Trial & Analysis Of The Prognostic Significance Of Comorbidity
ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - These investigators conducted a prospective randomized trial to assess whether survival was prolonged following 6 months of androgen suppression therapy (AST) and radiation therapy (RT) as compared to RT. Between December, 1995 and April, 2001, 206 men with localized prostate cancer and at least one unfavorable prognostic factor were randomized to receive RT alone or in combination with 6 months of AST.
Leukemia pill may improve stroke treatment: study
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A highly effective leukemia pill may reduce complications and boost the effectiveness of a treatment for the most common type of stroke, an international team of researchers said on Sunday.

Parents ‘ignorant’ on five-a-day
One in three parents say their children know more about healthy eating campaigns than they do, according to a poll.

Increased Survival Rates If Radiation Treatment Is Administered After Prostate Removal
Men who underwent radiation treatment after a radical prostatectomyfollowed by prostate cancer recurrence had improved cancer-relatedsurvival rates, according to new research published in the June 18issue if JAMA.Researcher Bruce J. Trock, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins University School ofMedicine, Baltimore) and colleagues note that, “Nearly 60,000 men (27percent of newly diagnosed cases) will haveundergone radical prostatectomy in 2007.
Investigation of Glaxo’s Paxil widens: paper
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. Department of Justice investigation into whether GlaxoSmithKline PLC withheld data about the suicide risks of the antidepressant drug Paxil is widening, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

Smokers offered money to give up
Smokers in disadvantaged areas of Dundee will be offered money for groceries in return for giving up tobacco.

Harvard Health Letter Editors Examine Racial Disparities In Breast, Prostate Cancer
In Newsweek, Peter Wehrwein, editor, and Anthony Komaroff, editor-in-chief of the Harvard Health Letter, examine racial disparities in breast and prostate cancer outcomes. Black men in the U.S. have the highest prostate cancer rate in the world and are twice as likely as white men to die from the disease.

Positive Phase III Data Unveiled For New GnRH Blocker Degarelix - Degarelix Suppressed Testosterone Within Three Days In 96% Of Patients
Data from a Phase III study which demonstrated that the investigational GnRH blocker, degarelix, produced a significant reduction in levels of testosterone , within three days in more than 96% of study patients2 was discussed during the Late Breaking Science Forum at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA).
Salmonella outbreak illnesses climb to 552
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. food safety inspectors will head to Florida and Mexico this weekend to examine tomato farms and distribution chains, hoping to pinpoint the source of a widening Salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 550 people, officials said on Friday.

Ageing muscle ‘given new vigour’
Sciences have found a way to give old, tired muscles a new lease of life.
FDA inspectors head to Fla., Mexico in salmonella probe (AP)

AP - There may be a break in the salmonella case: Food and Drug Administration inspectors headed for farms in Florida and Mexico on Friday, as new clues emerge to the possible source of salmonella-tainted tomatoes that have now sickened 552 people.

Increased Survival Rates If Radiation Treatment Is Administered After Prostate Removal
Men who underwent radiation treatment after a radical prostatectomyfollowed by prostate cancer recurrence had improved cancer-relatedsurvival rates, according to new research published in the June 18issue if JAMA.Researcher Bruce J. Trock, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins University School ofMedicine, Baltimore) and colleagues note that, “Nearly 60,000 men (27percent of newly diagnosed cases) will haveundergone radical prostatectomy in 2007.
Mediterranean diet in pregnancy may curb allergies
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who eat a Mediterranean diet while pregnant could help stave off asthma and allergies in their children, a new study suggests.

Clone cell cancer ‘cure’ hailed
Scientists claim they have cured advanced skin cancer for the first time using the patient’s own cells cloned outside the body.
Study: Treating herpes doesn’t prevent HIV (AP)

AP - Doctors have long suspected that people with herpes are more likely to catch HIV. So they thought that by treating herpes, they could also cut a person’s HIV risk. But a new study that tested this strategy found the assumption may have been wrong.

Androgen Production Continues in Prostate Cancer Tumors
Title: Androgen Production Continues in Prostate Cancer Tumors
Category: Health News
Created: 6/4/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/4/2008