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, Jun 18 1992 Date: Thu, 18 Jun 92 05:09:16 EDT Message-ID: 06-18 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update June 18, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network IMPLANT, CANCER LINK REFUTED: Breast cancer probably isn't among the problems of breast implants, says Dr. Hans Berkel of the Alberta Cancer Board, Edmonton. His study of 11,676 Canadian implant recipients, in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine, found half as many cases of breast cancer as expected. More cancers will appear in time, says Public Citizen Health Research Group's Dr. Sidney Wolfe. RECIPIENTS AT LOWER RISK: Women with breast implants don't have an increased breast cancer risk, reports a study in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. The implants wouldn't reduce risk, say experts. Although the study's author, Dr. Hans Berkel of the Alberta Cancer Board, Edmonton, speculates that thin, small-breasted women may get fewer breast cancers. HOSPITAL CAPITAL IN CRISIS: Many public hospitals, faced with more uncompensated care, are ignoring capital improvements, Larry S. Gage, president of the National Association of Public Hospitals, told Congress Wednesday. About 1,500 of the nation's 5,500 hospitals are public, subsidized to serve the poor. But charity care and bad debt accounted for about 43% of all care in 1989 versus 32% in 1985. VEGETARIAN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED: The Second International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition will be held in Arlington, Va., from June 28 through July 1. Nutritionists, researchers, academic personnel and producers of vegetarian foods will join the four-day congress. Among the presentations will be research on diet and cancer. N.Y. EATING HABITS CRITICIZED: Approximately 32% of New York City residents aged five to twelve are overweight, according to a survey by Cornell University nutritionists released Wednesday. Nineteen percent of low-income infants and pre-school children were overweight, while 19% of adults under 65 reported being overweight. Of the elderly, 26% were overweight. STUDY SUPPRESSED, GROUP SAYS: A 1990 study by the Institute for Injury Reduction showed a dramatic rise in the number of children killed in car accidents was never revealed to the public, a consumer group charged Wednesday. The study was withheld to prevent further safety regulations from being enacted, the group said. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spokesman said the study was to those who wanted it. TREATMENT LESSENS SINUS WOES: People with recurrent sinus infections will no longer have to suffer through uncomfortable surgery, according to doctors at the University of Michigan. A procedure using a tiny telescope and surgical tools can open blocked sinuses without incisions. The procedure, called endoscopic sinus surgery, will allow patients to recover within a week, says Dr. Gregory T. Wolf. STROKE CLUE FOUND: A nutrient in milk and eggs could stop brain tissue from dying following a stroke. The chemical, called pyrroloquinoline quinone, was found to block events that lead to death of nerve cells when it was placed in tissue cultures simulating stroke. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School are testing PQQ in animals. N.Y COMMITTEE SUGGESTS AD CUT: A New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority committee, responding to complaints from health advocates and schoolchildren, Tuesday recommended a 50% cut in the number of cigarette ads on subways and buses. The committee also suggested that advertisers fund one anti-smoking ad for every two tobacco ads. VA. SUPPORTS ABORTION RIGHTS: More than 70% of Virginians support a woman's right to have an abortion, according to survey conducted by Virginia Tech survey. Of the 542 Virginians participating in the survey, 52% strongly agreed and 19% somewhat agreed with keeping abortion rights. WISC. SEES PROSTATE CANCER RISE: Wisconsin saw a 21% increase in the number of prostate cancer in 1990, officials say. Cases in 1990 totaled 2,699, up from 2,207 in 1989. Officials say better tests are responsible for the increase. The state also reported a 9% rise in the number of men dying from the disease, up to 756 in 1990 from 690 in 1989. ASTHMATICS SUFFER RARE ALLERGY: Artificial flavoring in toothpaste can trigger allergic reactions in some asthma sufferers, warns the Academy of General Dentistry. Dentists are reporting that asthmatics have episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath and a dry cough after brushing their teeth. Such allergies are rare, but those with symptoms should see their doctors and switch to an unflavored toothpaste. 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