Simple Genetic Test Could Determine If Cancer Will Return, But Many Survivors Aren’t Taking It
Dr. Christopher Childers, the lead author of the UCLA study, says that both providers and patients need to work to close the gap on why the women are getting tested.
KPCC:
Many Breast, Ovarian Cancer Survivors Should Take This Genetic Test
More than 1 million American women who have had breast or ovarian cancer are not getting a simple genetic test that will determine whether they carry a mutation that puts them at higher risk of a recurrence, according to a UCLA study published Friday. Up to 10 percent of women who have, or have had, breast cancer, and up to 15 percent of those with a history of ovarian cancer, carry inheritable mutations that put them at higher risk of the cancer returning, says the study, which was published Friday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. (Plevin, 8/18)
In other public health news —
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Top UCSD Researchers Pitch Yoga, Massage And Integrative Medicine For Healing
[Serena Silberman's] feast was to commemorate the debut of UC San Diego’s Centers for Integrative Health, an initiative throughout the university and health network to unify current research, education and clinical programs ranging from nutrition and acupuncture to meditation and yoga. Saturday’s all-day conference rang in the new collaborative health effort at UC San Diego by discussing how western science can be better wedded to traditional folk cures and alternative medicine to offer better outcomes for patients. (Prine, 8/19)
Capital Public Radio:
Cal EPA Moves Toward Tighter Pesticide Restrictions
The state Department of Pesticide Regulations Friday released their newest risk assessment for a commonly used pesticide called chlorpyrifos. The report found elevated health risks for children and women of childbearing age who inhale the chemical or get it on their skin. (Caiola, 8/18)