Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Thu, May 14 1992 Date: Thu, 14 May 92 05:42:12 EDT Message-ID: 05-14 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update May 14, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network BREAST CANCER RISKS REASSESSED: The breast cancer risk may be greater than once believed for women with a family history of breast cancer and other factors, says Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. Having a fatter tummy than hips, being older when a first child is born and having fewer children are a greater risk with family history of breast cancer, says University of Minnesota researcher Thomas Sellers. WEIGHT TRAINING ENCOURAGED: Weight training is an integral part of fitness, experts said Wednesday at the International Conference on Physical Activity, Fitness and Health in Toronto. A Japanese study of 32 men, ages 18-26, finds those who lifted weights twice a week decreased body fat, increased heart efficiency, decreased total cholesterol and improved the balance between bad and good cholesterol. LAW SPURS SKEPTICISM: The Bush administration said Tuesday Congress lacks the constitutional authority to pass a law guaranteeing abortion rights. The Freedom of Choice Act is being considered in case the Supreme Court overturns the 1973 decision allowing abortion. Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Harrison told a Senate committee the proposed law is based on a "doubtful" interpretation. HHS REPORTS ON DENIED COVERAGE: Only a small portion of the uninsured are denied coverage because of their medical condition, says a new report by the Department of Health and Human Services. In 1987, 2.5% of the uninsured - some 889,000 individuals - said they could not get coverage because of the state of their health. ADDITIONAL CHOLERA CASES CITED: At least 102 passengers on an Aerolineas Argentinas flight February 14 from Buenos Aires to Los Angeles contracted cholera, authorities said Wednesday. Previously, 76 cases were reported. One person died. Cold seafood salad put aboard in Lima, Peru, is suspected to have caused the cases. CONN. REPORTS HIV INCREASE: The number of AIDS cases in Connecticut has risen 25% in the past year, health officials said Wednesday. The Highest risk groups are blacks and Hispanics, with one in every 26 blacks and one in every 40 Hispanics believed to have HIV, officials estimate. Overall, one of every 125 residents probably has HIV, they say. CAUSE OF PEPTIC ULCERS FOUND: Researchers have found the cause and cure for peptic ulcers, reports the May 1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Peptic ulcers, which affect more than one in 10 Americans at some time, are caused by a bacterial infection. The cure, involving a new "triple therapy" aimed at clearing the bacterium, consists of two antibiotics plus Pepto-Bismol. IMMUNIZATION BROCHURES OFFERED: Parents can get advice about childhood immunizations with two free brochures from Lederle-Praxis Biologicals: "Parents Guide to Childhood Immunizations" and "Important Facts Every Parent Should Know About Immunizing Their Children Against Pertussis." Call 800-472-5437. MAY IS ALS MONTH: President Bush and Congress have declared May 1992 National ALS Awareness Month. ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Lou Gehrig's disease - is a terminal neuromuscular disease that eventually leaves the body paralyzed while leaving the brain clear and alert. A cause and cure are yet undiscovered. Currently at least 13 new cases of ALS are diagnosed each day in the USA. KIDNEY CANCER DRUG APPROVED: A genetically engineered version of a molecule that causes white blood cells to attack tumors has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The drug, Aldesleukin, made by Chiron Corp. of Emeryville, Calif., is for use on kidney cancer that has spread to other organs. The drug will be available this month to patients in advanced stages of the disease. Side effects are still a concern. BREAKFAST TIPS OFFERED: If you are on a diet, do not skip breakfast, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. No evidence suggests that skipping meals helps in weight loss, says the USDA. In fact, most people who skip breakfast end up eating more later in the day. For those who don't have time, the USDA recommends ready-to-eat foods. For those who are not hungry, the USDA recommends juice, then eating later. HIV TESTING DISPUTED: A Lee County, Florida, HIV testing program, the first in the USA to be held in a school, will be run only by county health officials after objections were raised to questions that the state proposed be asked as a part of testing. Florida's Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services suggested that explaining condom use and questions about sexual activity be a routine part of HIV testing. Health Editor: Christopher Goldthwaite. (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