Can Mammograms Cause Breast Cancer?

As we finish Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, a research study published in the British Medical Journal showed that mammograms might actually raise the risk if developing breast cancer in patients that have a genetic risk of the disease. Gene mutations can result from radiation exposure, especially in younger women. The American Cancer Society states that for women at risk, MRI exams might be a safer test. Unfortunately, no mention was made of thermography, which is safer yet and a good way to screen for early signs or even further predisposition to breast cancer. Thermograms are also much less expensive. See Associated Press and British Medical Journal articles in mid-October, 2012. www.healthcelebration.com

Ugly Scars Can be Treated Effectively

Hypertrophic and keloid scars can be tender and can decrease a person’s self-esteem. Intra-lesional of steroids and sometimes the anti-cancer drug, 5 FU are sometimes helpful. However, I have seen good results by injecting with a simple local anesthetic, which opens the cell membranes and promotes healing. Lasers can be helpful. I prefer the more gentle effects of cold lasers to the hot lasers, which burn the scar and can result in new keloid formation as the lesion heals. See familypracticenews.com, August, 2012, p. 43. www.healthcelebration.com

Screening EKG’s Might Do More Harm than Good

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that baseline and screening EKG’s cause harm by leading to risky, expensive further tests that usually lead to nowhere. At the top of the risk list are high-dose radiation that can lead to cancer and kidney damage, especially in patients that do not have multiple risk factors for heart disease. They recommend a good history and physical as the best, safest, and cost-effective screening tool. See the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force 2012. www.healthcelebration.com

Muscle Disorders when Taking Statin Drugs Might have Another Cause

There are several mechanisms for muscle pain, weakness and neuropathies when patients take statin drugs to control their cholesterol levels, some minor and others life-threatening if the drug is continued. Sometimes the cause might be niacin or other drugs given with the statin. But perhaps the most common underlying cause is hypothyroidism. Low thyroid function is perhaps the most common missed diagnosis in middle-aged and older adults, and it can be unmasked by the initiation of a statin. See Myopathy at Statin Start May Have Another Cause at familypracticenews.com, August, 2012, p. 39. www.healthcelebration.com

Exercise is at Least as Good as Drugs for Depression in Patients with Heart Disease

A four-month study of patients with coronary heart disease who also had significant depression showed the patients on a regular exercise program of only 90 minutes per week improved significantly more than those taking anti-depressant drugs. The drugs also had more side effects, especially fatigue. Drugs work for some people but there are other options to try that can be very effective and safer, including lifestyle changes, herbs, nutrients, and homeopathics. From the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, August 1, 2012. www.healthcelebration.com

Food Poisoning Increases Heart Attack Rise

An Ontario study examined the long-term effects of 2300 people who suffered from a food-bearing outbreak of E.Coli. Those who developed several days of diarrhea had a 340% increased risk of kidney problems, a 210% increased risk of heart attack and a 33% increased risk of hypertension. Many of the subjects had only minor symptoms of the acute illness. So if you have ever had food poisoning, be on the alert for these problems down the road. No therapy was suggested by the study, but I would think that milk thistle to detox and chelation to preserve heart and kidney function should be considered. See the Walkerton Health Study reported in the April 2012 issue of Scientific American. www.healthcelebration.com

The Hazards of Dense Breasts

Four states now require that women who have dense breasts be told that mammograms are not good enough to detect early cancers. Another study at least showed that women with dense breasts are not more or less likely to develop cancer. Radiologists do not know what to do, but the answer is simple. Screen with thermograms, which are just as accurate whether the breasts are dense or not. See Associated Press article in The Toledo Blade, August 21, 2012. www.healthcelebration.com

Morton’s Neuroma-a safe solution

Often when Morton’s Neuroma is found causing pain between the toes, surgery is performed. Scar tissue can lead to persistent pain, even after an operation. Injections of dextrose (prolotherapy) has been shown to get rid of the pain without surgery. Other foot problems, such as bunions, fasciitis and ankle injuries also can respond to prolotherapy. See: getprolo.com Sept. 14, 2012 Healthcelebration.com

What to do About Heart Attacks

Atherosclerosis, which causes heart attacks and strokes, is associated with living in a modern, industrialized country. It is responsible for 29% of all deaths in the U.S. and the price tag for treatment approaches $250 billion per year with associated costs like loss of work adding another $400 billion. Yes we need lifestyle control, but we also need to accept chelation therapy in order to get an effective way to control this epidemic. See A Few Unpleasant Facts About Arteriosclerotic Arterial Disease in the USA and the World. American Journal of Medicine. Sept. 2012, p 839-40. Healthcelebration.com