Today's Health News | St. Vincent's Medical Center

Today's Health News

Vitamin D may help curb breast cancer, study finds (AP)
AP - Breast cancer patients with low levels of vitamin D were much more likely to die of the disease or have it spread than patients getting enough of the nutrient, a study found adding to evidence the "sunshine vitamin" has anti-cancer benefits. The results are sure to renew arguments about whether a little more sunshine is a good thing.

Tips on getting vitamin D for cancer prevention (AP)
AP - Evidence is growing that vitamin D, which the skin makes from sunshine, is linked to lower risk of breast cancer and other cancers. But that doesn't mean it's good to get a golden tan and certainly not a sunburn.

More cancer patients having whole breast removed (AP)
AP - A growing number of women with early stage breast cancer seem to be choosing to have the whole breast removed instead of just the cancerous lump, doctors are reporting.

Study finds heart risks in young cancer survivors (AP)
AP - Children who survive cancer face a much greater risk of heart problems later in life than their brothers and sisters who did not have cancer, new research shows.

People over 60 urged to get one-time shingles shot (AP)
AP - People 60 and older should get a one-time shingles shot that can help prevent the painful rash, U.S. health officials are recommending. There's a 50-50 chance the shot will prevent shingles for those 60 and up, though the odds get worse the older you get. But shingles can be severe for some people, and the government believes it's worth the $160-per-dose cost.

Obesity contributes to global warming: study (Reuters)
Reuters - Obesity contributes to global warming, too.

Malaysia considers teaching sex to graduates (AP)
AP - Malaysia's government is worried that high school graduates may not know enough about sex.

Clinical Trials Update: May 15, 2008 (HealthDay)
HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of Thomson CenterWatch:

Health Tip: Traveling During Pregnancy (HealthDay)
HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- If you're planning to take a trip while pregnant, you should check with your doctor to be sure it's safe for you to travel. Unless you have complications with your pregnancy, most women can travel safely.

Drug ad effects on people need more study: FDA (Reuters)
Reuters - Ads for prescription drugs need to be clear and direct and government needs to study the effects these ads have on consumer behavior, particularly among the elderly and minorities, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel of outside experts said on Thursday.

Lowering Dietary Fat May Help Prevent Prostate Cancer (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, May 15 (HealthDay News) -- Eating less polyunsaturated fat, the kind often found in baked and fried goods, helps prevent prostate cancer in mice, according to researchers.

PLEASE NOTE: The articles and information contained in Today's Health News are offered through a 3rd party resource and do not necessarily reflect the ethical perspective and policies of St. Vincent's Health Services and Ascension Health. Some information may not be consistent with Catholic moral teaching and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.

For further information on how we, as a Catholic health care organization, approach these issues, please see the following website link to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. For additional commentary on the Catholic perspective on health care issues, please consult the Ascension Health website on Ethics