Sunday, July 18, 2010

Cancer Studies: News Releases


According to a 7/13/10 news release in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a study called Indiana Cancer Pain and Depression (NCPAD) shed more insight into cancer pain and depression. Included were 405 patients in 16 community-based urban and rural cancer practices.

Half were part of the intervention group, some experiencing depression or pain only and some experiencing both. They were assessed at the beginning, one month, three month, six month and 12 months. The patients in this group received automated home-based symptom monitoring by interactive voice recording or the Internet and centralized telecare management by a doctor-nurse specialist team.

This group of 202 patients reported significants improvements in both pain and depression, suggesting that collaborative care intervention (human and automated) is an effective way to treat both the physical and psychological conditions often associated with cancer.

On 7/14/10 the American College of Cardiology reported that an increase in HDL or the good cholesterol lowers your chances of getting cancer. In the study, participants who increased their HDL by 10 mg had a 36% greater chance of not contracting the disease.

Ways for us to increase our HDL include:

Losing excess weight

Getting plenty of exercise

Certain medications


3 comments:

Unknown said...

HDL can be raised by reducing triglycerides, increasing intake of Omega-3 from fish oil, eliminating foods that reduce HDL like trans fats, hydrogenated fats, and foods made with wheat or cornstarch. Elimination of junk food is important in raising HDL. Eating 70% dark chocolate, drinking green tea, red wine, taking Vit D and exercise are also ways to raise HDL. Good topic!

Diane J Standiford said...

My HDL increased significantly in the last year. The biggest change I made, that I can think of, is I started using a mini-exercise bike and lifting weights. I do think I get more sleep now too. This is good news. I had cancer once and would prefer not to have it again!

Ms. 50something said...

Wonderful ideas. Thanks!