September 2010 Archives

Every Fall Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California (CCFSC) invites children with cancer and their families to the Live Oak Canyon Christmas Tree Farm's Pumpkin Patch (32335 Live Oak Canyon Rd. Redlands CA 92373) for their annual Pumpkin Patch Party. The party will be held on October 9, 2010 from 10:00am - 12:00pm. CCFSC expects over 200 participants this year.

Willie and Greg Palmer, owners of the Live Oak Canyon Christmas Tree Farm, graciously give free reign to all of the children for two hours where they can enjoy free hay rides, trips to the petting zoo, the giant hay castle, wall climbing and so much more. CCFSC will be giving out costumes, pumpkins and other Halloween decorations and sweets.

The Pumpkin Patch is such a special outing for our little ones and their families. We put all these families together and give them hope. The newly diagnosed families see other kids who have made it, they're older and it gives them the hope that their kids will soon arrive to where they are. It takes away a lot of fear. We are grateful to the following sponsors who will donate items for our families for this occasion: Live Oak Canyon Christmas Tree Farm, National Charity League and George and Sharon Apker.

Receiving non-profit status in September of 1981, Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California, Inc. (CCFSC) is now more than 650 families strong committed to serving children with cancer and their families throughout Southern California emotionally, financially, educationally and with emergency assistance. CCFSC works directly with the families to identify their need for support. Communication with another family experiencing this devastating disease is very beneficial and CCFSC family events and activities provide this support.

Contact Information:
Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California
11155 Mt. View Ave. Suite 105, Loma Linda, CA 92354
(909) 558-3419
www.ccfsocal.org

It seems like more and more of us are heading in the direction of eating less red meat, if not totally embracing a vegetarian diet. Vegans, people who eat no meat or dairy, are increasing, as are raw food diets. We are all at the level that feels right for us. It is a process.

I stopped eating meat in 1968 for three reasons: I felt lighter and healthier without eating meat, I did not like the taste of meat, but mostly I have always loved farm animals and did not want to kill them.

To focus on the reasons that vegetarianism is healthy for humans, here are are few of the facts:

A low fat vegetarian diet can help promote weight loss and prevent obesity.
Mad Cow disease and Avian Influenza are sickening and killing people worldwide.
Vegetarians are more likely to avoid heart disease and high blood pressure.
Factory farms are breeding grounds for harmful pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli.
Vegetarians are less prone to developing adult-onset diabetes
Eliminating animal protein from the diet may lower one's risk of osteoporosis.
A high fiber, low fat vegetarian diet may help prevent cancer, especially colon cancer.

For more information about human health and animal health, order your free Guide to Veg Living, from www.vegforlife.org or order the book and video of the RAVE Diet, at www.RAVEdiet.com

When our nervous systems are out of balance, we feel fatigue, confusion, and experience poor performance. When proper energy flow is restored, feelings of clarity and effectiveness are regained. Yoga movements are designed to integrate the body and mind, clear the body of accumulated toxins, increase oxygen to the cells, and to strengthen, stretch, and activate muscles and tendons that may be atrophied, constricted or sore. If you are a person with special needs, before you start any exercises be sure you are comfortable with good back support and proper alignment. If there is "negative space" (an unsupported part of your body) use rolled up yoga mats or soft balls to fill space and create support. Make sure there is plenty of distance from wall, tables, and chairs.

Yoga is a Sanskrit word for union of body and mind; some people say it describes the union of the individual with the divine. For a super athlete or for an immobile person, yoga is about finding one's center. It is also about finding one's limits and playing that edge. An advanced yoga student may hold a full backbend for twenty minutes, using the breath to go deeper into the pose. For someone paralyzed from the neck down, a stretch for opening the chest and elongating the spine can be as simple as sitting in a wheelchair with soft rubber balls between the shoulder blades, leaning back, and breathing into the area.

Here are some other ideas for simple stretches that you can do seated, lying on the floor, or on a bed. Remember not to hold your breath, and imagine your breath is traveling to the areas that are being stretched to help them release.

Take your time, pay attention to how you are feeling, what works and what doesn't, and enjoy the possibly new sensations! Notice any changes in your movement, or posture throughout the day and the next days.

Tennis balls, rubber balls (different sizes depending upon flexibility of client) behind any area of the back
Towel or exercise mats rolled up to prop up spine and stretch spinal muscles and open chest
Ties or belts as extensions for arms that can't bend or stretch very far
Balls at base of skull to massage sub-occipital muscles (for reduction of pain and tension, and headaches)
Balls or beanbag pillows under hamstrings

Large balls or beanbags under legs as ottoman for circulation and to stimulate acupressure channels

Fitness, education and civic pride will all get a boost from the set for 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17.

The ride is open to all ages, from families to the experienced bike racer in training. Courses cut across scenic roads in the Inland region and range from six miles, to a "century ride" of 100 miles for the most serious riders. There will also be a short "kiddie ride" for the very youngest riders. All rides start at the Riverside Plaza, 3545 Central Avenue, Riverside, where festivities will include food, games and goodie bags.

Entry fees range from $25 to $85, depending on the length of the ride. There is a $5 fee for very young children. The organizers are also looking for business and civic sponsors.

Funds raised by entrance fees and sponsors will benefit the Riverside Educational Enrichment Foundation (REEF) and the Alvord Education Foundation (AEF), which provide seed money for projects in the Riverside and Alvord unified school districts.

"We hope this will become one of the city's most exciting, fun and successful signature events," said Leni Zarate, a Riverside businesswoman who is leading a planning effort as part of the Leadership Riverside Class of 2010. "We are supporting these specific school related foundations because they provide critically important funding for special programs designed to improve the skills, graduation-rates and college-going rates of our middle school and high school aged students."

Zarate said she and other members of the Leadership Riverside class are convinced that raising high school graduation rates will lead to improving the long term economic well being of the Inland region. She said the ride has the endorsement of the City of Riverside, local schools and colleges, the Inland area cycling community, and a growing list of sponsors and individual supporters. The ride is limited to the first 1,000 people who register.

Leadership Riverside is a 10-month program sponsored by the Riverside Chambers of Commerce to build connections and knowledge among civic and business leaders of the city.

For more information, call Leni Zarate, (951) 787-8421 or email lzarate@psomas.com

Connect on the Web:
http://www.riversidecitrusclassic.org
Connect on twitter: http://twitter.com/citrus_classic
Connect on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117907748225719#!/citrusclassic

Courtesy LATimes.com:

The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that it will sharply limit access to the anti- diabetes drug Avandia because of concerns about an increased cardiovascular risk associated with the drug.

Patients who are now taking the drug will have to sign an informed consent statement acknowledging that they understand all the risks before they will be allowed to continue refilling prescriptions. New patients will not be able to receive the drug unless their doctor certifies that they are unable to control their blood sugar levels with other medications and that they are unable to take Avandia's primary competitor, Actos, for medical reasons.

The agency said it is also calling a halt to a major study, called TIDE, that directly compares the efficacy of Avandia and Actos in controlling blood sugar.

Read more

The American Cancer Society is encouraging women to choose to put their personal breast health first to stay well and reduce their risk of breast cancer during October's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in California, regardless of race/ethnicity and an estimated 22,385 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among Californians in 2010.

"As the Official Sponsor of Birthdays, the American Cancer Society wants women to see the real tangible benefits of choosing to put their health first," said Pat Sloman, volunteer on the American Cancer Society's Inland Empire Community Council and a breast health advocate. "Women can take action and put their personal breast health first to stay well, fight breast cancer and save lives. More than 1 million California cancer survivors will celebrate a birthday this year thanks to early detection and improved treatment."

The Society reminds women 40 and older about the importance of getting a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year to find breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage, and recommends that women ages 20 to 39 receive a clinical breast exam once every three years. Society also recommends magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for certain women at high risk. Women at moderate risk should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram.

While mammography is not perfect, getting a high-quality mammogram is currently the most effective way to detect cancer early because it can identify breast cancer before physical symptoms develop, when the disease is most treatable. Early-stage breast cancer typically produces no symptoms when the tumor is small and most treatable, so it is important that women follow recommended guidelines for finding breast cancer before symptoms develop. On average, mammography will detect about 80 to 90 percent of breast cancers in women without symptoms. Breast cancer survival rates are significantly higher when the cancer has not spread.

Women can reduce their risk of breast cancer by taking additional steps to stay well by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, and engaging in physical activity 45 to 60 minutes on five or more days of the week. Also, limiting alcohol consumption can reduce breast cancer risk -one or more alcoholic beverages a day may increase risk.

Another way the American Cancer Society is helping create more birthdays is to help Californians manage their breast cancer experience when and if they are diagnosed. The Society offers newly diagnosed women and those living with breast cancer a number of programs and services to help them get well. Among these is Reach to Recovery, which helps newly diagnosed patients cope with their breast cancer experience. Other programs and resources, like Look Good...Feel Better, help breast cancer patients manage the physical side effects of treatment while Society sponsored walks called Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, allow California communities to come together to raise funds for breast cancer research and breast cancer related patient programs. During October events will take place in the Bay Area, Central Valley, Sacramento, Orange County and San Diego. For information on these events go to http://makingstrides.acsevents.org .

In addition to helping women stay well and get well, the American Cancer Society has a long history of commitment to finding cures for breast cancer. In 2010 the Society awarded 31 grants worth more than $14 million to California research institutions to aid in breast cancer research. Nationally, the Society has invested more than $418.7 million in breast cancer research grants since 1971 and has been an important part of nearly every major breast cancer research breakthrough of the past century, including the funding discoveries that led to the development of Tamoxifen and Herceptin, and promoting the use of mammography to screen for breast cancer.

To find out how you can become involved in the Society's mission of creating a world with more birthdays, to access the latest cancer information or to learn more about free patient services call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Courtesy CBSnews.com:

(CBS) In the wake of the recall of certain Similac-brand baby formulas, parents are frantically searching for details and specific lot numbers to make sure their kids are safe.

Abbott, the manufacturer, said they feared the "remote possibility" that some product may have beetles or their larvae.

"While the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae, could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract," the company said in a press release. "If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, a physician should be consulted."

As of Thursday morning, Abbott's recall website was unresponsive, making it difficult for parents to figure out if they purchased recalled formula. Abbott public relations rep Melissa Brotz told CBS News that the company had expanded phone lines at their hotline to help.

Parents can call (800) 986-8850 for information.

Here's what we know.

Affected Product Lines Include

Certain Similac powder product lines offered in plastic containers.
Certain Similac powder product lines offered in sizes such as 8-ounce, 12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce cans.

Read more

The Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony concludes the events Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California (CCFSC) puts together for September, National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The ceremony took place at the "Doug-out" in Loma Linda, CA. The "Doug-Out" is a two bedroom home maintained by CCFSC for families to stay while their child receives treatment for cancer at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. The home was named in honor of Doug York, a 13-year-old boy who lost his battle to cancer in 1982.

During our Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony we welcome the entire family to come together to honor the memory of all the children we have grown to love and admire through their battle with cancer. We light four candles; one for our sadness, one for our memories, one for our love, and one for our commitment. Through knowing these children CCFSC gets the strength to continue. We conclude the evening by releasing balloons that carry messages of love, of longing, and of a hope to one day be with them again. Light refreshments are provided by National Charity League at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Receiving non-profit status in September of 1981, Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California, Inc. (CCFSC) is now more than 650 families strong committed to serving children with cancer and their families throughout Southern California emotionally, financially, educationally and with emergency assistance. CCFSC works directly with the families to identify their need for support. Communication with another family experiencing this devastating disease is very beneficial and CCFSC family events and activities provide this support.

Contact Information:
Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California
11155 Mt. View Ave. Suite 105, Loma Linda, CA 92354
(909) 558-3419
www.ccfsocal.org

Courtesy businessweek.com:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisers begin two days of hearings Monday on whether to recommend approval of genetically modified salmon for humans to eat.

If the advisers recommend approval, it would mark the first time a genetically modified animal has been approved for America's dinner plates and restaurant menus. Currently, genetically modified soybeans and corn are being sold for people to eat.

The developer of the genetically modified salmon, Waltham, Mass.-based AquaBounty Technologies, believes that, if approved, the fish could help reduce pollution, disease and other problems associated with saltwater fish farms, as well as provide an alternative source of seafood to help reduce the impact of overfishing.

But opponents of approval, including many consumer advocates, worry that the fish would pose a threat to both the health of consumers and the environment.

While the FDA isn't compelled to follow the recommendations of its advisory panels, it usually does so.

On Sept. 3, a scientific panel of experts that advises the FDA paved the way for the approval of the genetically modified salmon, calling it "as safe as food from conventional Atlantic salmon."

The FDA's Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee went on to say that the fish -- AquAdvantage Salmon developed by AquaBounty Technologies -- contained the same amount of nutrients and had "no biologically relevant differences" from ordinary farmed Atlantic salmon.

That's what worries consumer advocates, who say approving the salmon is opening the door to all sorts of genetically engineered animals, such as pigs and other mammals.

The FDA is regulating genetically engineered animals as it would a new veterinary drug, which means that much of the research and information about the product is being kept confidential, said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch in Washington, D.C.

"We don't know if it's safe for humans to eat and the only research that has been done was done by the company," according to Hauter. "The FDA is an under-resourced agency that has had so much trouble with the regulatory system for foods -- we've had tainted eggs, poisonous peanuts and other contaminations -- and is now taking on something in a very non-transparent way."

Recently, Food & Water Watch was joined by 30 other animal welfare, consumer, environmental and fisheries groups, including the Sierra Club, which issued a statement citing concerns that the fish could escape and pose an environmental threat. Previously, another group of consumer advocates and others warned that "transgenic fish" could introduce new or unknown allergens into the food supply.

AquaBounty creates its salmon by taking a growth gene from the Chinook salmon and a gene "promoter" from the ocean pout, another type of fish, said John Buchanan, AquaBounty's director of research and development. The pout gene promoter simply turns on the Chinook salmon growth gene, and is not actually "expressed" [active] in the modified fish. The resulting salmon grow to market weight about twice as fast as ordinary Atlantic salmon, though they don't get larger overall.

While it typically takes about three years for salmon to grow to market weight, AquaBounty's salmon get there in about 18 months, Buchanan said.

To safeguard the environment, Buchanan said the eggs will be treated so that all fish that grow from them will be sterile females. That means they will not be able to reproduce, nor will they come into contact with males to reproduce with, said Buchanan, whose firm would sell the treated eggs.

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The Drug Enforcement Administration and government, community, public health and law enforcement partners today announced a nationwide prescription drug "Take-Back" initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. DEA will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at sites nationwide on Saturday, September 25th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

"A majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from medicine cabinets in the homes of family members and friends, not from the streets", said Sheriff Rod Hoops. "Many citizens do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away, which are both potential safety and health hazards. Our goal is to get these unused medications out of homes and disposed of properly", he added.

"Today we are launching a first-ever National Prescription Drug Take-Back campaign that will provide a safe way for Americans to dispose of their unwanted prescription drugs," said Michele M. Leonhart, Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration. "This effort symbolizes DEA's commitment to halting the disturbing rise in addiction caused by their misuse and abuse. Working together with our state and local partners, the medical community, anti-drug coalitions, and a concerned public, we will eliminate a major source of abused prescription drugs, and reduce the hazard they pose to our families and communities in a safe, legal, and environmentally sound way."

"With this National Prescription Drug Take-Back campaign, we are aggressively reaching out to individuals to encourage them to rid their households of unused prescription drugs that pose a safety hazard and can contribute to prescription drug abuse," said Acting Deputy Attorney General Gary G. Grindler. "The Department of Justice is committed to doing everything we can to make our communities safer, and this initiative represents a new front in our efforts."

"Prescription drug abuse is the Nation's fastest-growing drug problem, and take-back events like this one are an indispensable tool for reducing the threat that the diversion and abuse of these drugs pose to public health," said Director of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske. "The Federal/state/and local collaboration represented in this initiative is key in our national efforts to reduce pharmaceutical drug diversion and abuse."

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department will have nine stations participating with the collection of these unused prescription medications. They will be open on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and no appointment is necessary. The participating sites are listed below:

Central Station 909.387.3545
655 East 3rd Street, San Bernardino

Highland Police Department 909.425.9793
27215 East Baseline, Highland

Rancho Cucamonga Police Department 909.477.2800
10510 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga

Chino Hills Police Department 909.364.2000
14077 Peyton Drive, Chino Hills

Twin Peaks Sheriff's Station 909.366.0060
26010 Highway 189, Twin Peaks

Big Bear Sheriff's Station 909.866.0100
477 Summit Blvd., Big Bear Lake

Victorville Police Department 760.241.2911
14200 Amargosa Road, Victorville

Morongo Basin Station 760.366.4175
6527 White Feather Road, Joshua Tree

Barstow Sheriff's Station 760.256.4870
225 East Mt. View, Barstow

We encourage every citizen to look in their homes for any old, unused prescription medication and bring them to one of the listed collection sites for disposal. If you have any questions, contact the collection site nearest you or Sheriff's Public Affairs Division at 909. 387.3700.

Courtesy businessweek.com:

More Americans than ever wash their hands after using public restrooms, but men remain far less conscientious than women about this important hygienic habit, finds a new study.

Researchers observed 6,028 adults in public restrooms across the country in August 2010 and found that 85 percent of them washed their hands, compared with 77 percent in 2007.

The new figure is the highest level seen since these studies began in 1996, said the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and the American Cleaning Institute.

About 77 percent of men washed their hands after using public restrooms, compared with 66 percent in 2007. Among women, the rate improved from 88 percent in 2007 to 93 percent in 2010.

Read more

An infant under two months of age has died from pertussis (whooping cough) in San Bernardino County. This is the County's second infant death from pertussis in 2010.

"This sad case reminds us that the best way to prevent pertussis is to get vaccinated," said Dr. Maxwell Ohikhuare, San Bernardino County Health Officer. He emphasized that the adolescent-adult pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap), is recommended for the following individuals:

Anyone 7 years and older who is not fully immunized, including those who are more than 64 years old, women of childbearing age, before, during or immediately after pregnancy, and other people who have close contact with pregnant women or infants.

"Immunity from pertussis vaccine or disease wears off, so most adults are susceptible to pertussis and should get immunized to protect themselves and their families," said Ohikhaure. Infants are especially vulnerable if they are not immunized or incompletely immunized. Infants under the age of 12 months have more serious illness from pertussis, and they are more likely to have complications and be hospitalized than persons in other age groups.

The pertussis vaccine is safe for children and adults. Infants can get the first pertussis vaccination at 2 months of age, but they aren't adequately protected until the series of three shots is complete at 6 months of age. It's preferable for pregnant women to be vaccinated after the first 12 weeks gestation.

Parents can also help protect very young infants by reducing contact with persons who have cold symptoms or cough illness. Pertussis is a bacterial illness spread through the air from person-to-person, through close contact with droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes. The illness starts with cold-like symptoms that get more severe after one-to-two weeks. Rapid coughing fits follow, that may have a whooping sound, lasting 6 to 10 weeks.

Adults are urged to contact their health care provider for information about the booster vaccine that is best for them, and to get immunized. Immunizations are a routine benefit covered by most health insurance plans.

Dr. Ohikhuare recommends that all health care providers continue heightened surveillance for pertussis and promptly treat symptoms of the disease.

The current epidemic levels of whooping cough in California are the highest reported in 52 years. To date, there have been 3,834 confirmed, probable and suspect cases of pertussis reported in 2010. This is a seven-fold increase from the number of reported cases during the same time period in 2009 when 530 cases were reported.

In San Bernardino County, 40 cases of pertussis have been confirmed to date. Last year at this time, there were 7 cases reported in the County.

San Bernardino County Department of Public Health provides pertussis vaccine in all its clinics. For clinic locations and schedules call 1 (800) 782-4264, or visit the website at www.sbcounty.gov/dph.

For more facts about pertussis and vaccine guidance, visit the California Department of Public Health website at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Pertussis.aspx, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm.

Courtesy USNews.com:

In 2000, the U.S. government set modest goals for the amount of fruit and vegetables people should eat, but a decade later the majority of Americans are not even close to reaching those thresholds, health officials said Thursday.

In fact, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2009, 67.5 percent of adults ate fruit less than two times daily and 73.7 percent ate vegetables less than three times per day. The goals of Healthy People 2010 were for 75 percent of people to eat at least two servings of fruit and 50 percent to eat at least three servings of vegetables every day.

"Over the last decade we have looked at behavioral intervention, like counseling to get people to include their fruits and vegetables," said report co-author Dr. Jennifer Foltz, a researcher in the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. "But it's not so easy."

"In the next decade, we are going to work on making the healthy choice the easy choice," she said.

New programs will involve promoting gardening, farmer's markets and bringing more fruits and vegetables into schools and workplaces, Foltz said.

In addition, Foltz said there could be programs to help retailers increase the availability of fruits and vegetables through incentives like tax breaks as well as making it easier for low-income people to afford fresh fruit and vegetables.

Foltz noted that low-income Americans are more likely not to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices, which is why programs specifically targeted at this population are needed.

The report is published in the Sept. 10 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Read more:

Courtesy cbc.ca:

High doses of selected B vitamins may significantly slow the rate of brain shrinkage in elderly people suffering from mild mental decline, say British researchers.

Roughly one in six people over the age of 70 has a mild cognitive impairment, but not so that it interferes with daily life. However, about half of those with mild cognitive impairment do go on to develop dementia -- mainly Alzheimer's disease -- within five years of diagnosis.

Results of a randomized two-year clinical trial released Thursday suggest taking a treatment of folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12 can halve the rate of brain shrinkage.

"It is our hope that this simple and safe treatment will delay the development of Alzheimer's disease in many people who suffer from mild memory problems," David Smith of the department of pharmacology at Oxford University and co-leader of the trial, said in a release.

The study, published in journal PLoS ONE, followed168 volunteers aged 70 or over with mild memory problems. Half the participants took high dose B vitamin tablets for two years while the other half took placebos.

Researchers have known for some time that certain B vitamins -- folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 -- control levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood, and that high levels of homocysteine are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's.

The Oxford researchers wanted to know whether supplements of the B vitamins that lower homocysteine could also slow the higher rate of brain shrinkage seen in those with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers found that, on average, the brains of those taking the B vitamin treatment shrank at a rate of 0.76 per cent a year. Those taking a placebo experienced brain shrinkage at a rate of 1.08 per cent.

People with the highest levels of homocysteine to start with benefited most, showing brain shrinkage rates that were half of those on placebo.

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September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in almost all racial/ethnic groups in California with more than 20,000 new cases expected in 2010. The American Cancer Society provides information to make informed decisions about screening options, while the Society's Man to Man personal support program gives facts, statistics, and advice that can help men to cope with prostate cancer and its treatment.

The Society recommends that beginning at age 50, men with no symptoms of prostate cancer who are in relatively good health and can expect to live at least 10 more years, have the chance to make an informed decision with their doctor about screening. Men should understand the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits associated with prostate cancer screening. For those who choose to be screened after discussion with their doctor, the Society recommends that health care providers offer the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test with or without a digital rectal examination (DRE).

The Society also encourages men at high risk--African-American men and men who have a father, brother, or son diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65--begin those conversations earlier, at age 45. Men at higher risk--those with multiple family members affected by the disease before age 65--should start even earlier, at age 40.

For more information on prostate cancer and other forms of cancer, visit the American Cancer Society at cancer.org, or call 1.800.227.2345.

Courtesy LATimes.com:

A disturbing theme has emerged in an analysis of all eight cases of California infants who died from whooping cough this year: Despite the patients' multiple visits to clinics and hospitals, doctors typically failed to make a swift, accurate diagnosis.

"In several cases ... the infants were treated only for nasal congestion or mild upper respiratory infection," Dr. John Talarico, an immunization official with the California Department of Public Health, wrote in a recent letter to healthcare providers statewide. "By the time these infants developed severe respiratory distress, it was usually too late for any intervention to prevent their tragic deaths."

Because whooping cough, also known as pertussis, can be hard to diagnose, health officials urged physicians to suspect the bacterial disease in any infant under 6 months of age who is having trouble breathing.

"Infants presenting with a history of respiratory difficulty should be evaluated and treated for pertussis until proven otherwise during the pertussis epidemic," Talarico warned. Initial symptoms of the bacterial disease in infants are deceptively mild and can lull physicians into a false sense of security.

"It's a tough diagnosis because the babies, they don't look very sick. They don't have a fever. And they have a runny nose and a little cough," said Dr. James D. Cherry, a UCLA pediatrics professor and an expert on pertussis who has reviewed the eight infant deaths.

"All of those should've been diagnosed earlier. And a couple of them, even after they were diagnosed, the [healthcare providers] didn't take it as serious enough, quick enough," Cherry said. Delayed hospitalization contributed to fatal outcomes, he said.

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