Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health,americast.usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Wed, Oct 14 1992 Date: Wed, 14 Oct 92 04:48:25 EDT Message-ID: 10-14 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update Oct. 14, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network WOMEN'S ALCOHOLISM IS IN GENES: Genetics play a major role in determining whether a woman becomes an alcoholic, suggests the largest study ever done on females and alcoholism. "Genes do not dictate alcoholism," but they do account for 50% to 61% of a woman's risk of becoming an alcoholic, Dr. Kenneth Kendler of Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, says. (For more, see special Alcoholism package below.) VEGGIES CAN PREVENT CANCER: Now there's one more reason to eat your vegetables. A Department of Agriculture report suggests beta carotene - found in dark green, leafy vegetables and yellow and orange fruits and vegetables - may have more anti-cancer benefits than previously thought. Research suggests beta carotene also may be stored by the body to prevent tumor growth. AIDS CLAIMS ARE IN BILLIONS: U.S. life and health insurers paid an estimated $1.3 billion in AIDS-related claims in 1991, according to a survey. Conducted by the American Council of Life Insurance and the Health Insurance Association of American, the survey of 387 insurers brings the industry's total in AIDS-related claims to nearly $4.9 billion since 1986. AIDS TRADING CARDS ARE COMING: Get ready for AIDS trading cards. Eclipse Enterprises of Forestville, Calif., is coming out with a 110-card set on AIDS next year. They'll be sold 12 to a pack - plus a condom - for $1. Well-known AIDS victims will be featured on the card, along with celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor who've helped AIDS sufferers, and information about the disease and how to prevent it. USE OF LASERS IS SPREADING: Medical use of the laser's high-intensity light beam has rapidly spread across the country and across most specialties. There are more than 20,000 lasers, accounting for at least 5% of all surgical procedures. But with that growth has come unfounded claims, feeding on the public's desire for high-tech, "Star Wars" medicine. The false underlying message: A laser is always better. PROSTATE, BREAST CANCER LINKED: Breast cancer in a male relative may double a woman's risk for the disease, says a recent study. Published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the study also found a possible link between prostate cancer and breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer was four times higher among women whose father or other male relative had developed prostate cancer. UPDATED MEDICAL BIBLE IS OUT: An updated version of the world's best-selling medical reference book is now available. The 16th edition of the Merck Manual, in bookstores this month, replaces the 15th edition published in 1987. The book, which costs $26, contains new information on various medical topics and is also available on floppy disk, CD-ROM and online from BRS Colleague. INSURER INFO CAN BE SENT BY FAX: People can get detailed financial information on every life insurance company with assets of more than $5 million by fax. Call USA TODAY ON DEMAND at 1-800-441-5494 to find out what companies information is available on. A 900 number will be given to call from any touchtone telephone. The 900 call will cost $3 and will be charged automatically to the phone bill. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON ALCOHOLISM: OTHER FACTORS PLAY A PART: Genes play a major role in determining if a women becomse a alcoholic. Dr. Kenneth Kendler of Medical College of Virginia told the American Medical Association Tuesday the part of alcoholism risk (up to 50%) can be explained by environment factors not shared with siblings. Likely influences: Adolescent peer groups, college social or armed service experience and one's spouse. RESULTS SHOULD WAKE UP DOCS: The new findings, in The Journal of the American Medical Association, echo results for men, says Kendler. His team interviewed 1,030 pairs of female twins, including 590 identicals, who share all genes. The strong heredity link should sound a wake-up call for many doctors, who are widely aware of genetic studies on men, he says. DOCTORS TREAT SEXES DIFFERENTLY: When there are early signs of uncontrolled drinking, doctors often ask men if they have a family history of alcohol problems and counsel them about their higher risk, Kendler reports. But if women show early-stage alcohol problems, "Doctors are more likely to ask about their marital relationship, family dynamics and loneliness. They deserve the same kinds of counseling as men," he says. (End of package.) Health Editor: Michele Coleman. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM