Cancer

A recent study on women who were diagnosed with breast cancer found that those with low Vitamin D levels were more likely to suffer a recurrence of breast cancer or die from the disease. Though the study does not offer conclusive evidence of a causal link, doctors are recommending that newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients have their Vitamin D levels checked.

A couple of years ago, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescribed as premarin and progestin was the wonder treatment that promised to alleviate the serious side effects of menopause: everything from insomnia to hot flashes to lack of sex drive. But in 2002, a study to determine if the therapy could reduce risk for heart disease was discontinued when women began experiencing blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks. The women were also at a higher risk – 26% - of developing breast cancer.

From a recent study out of Poland, there is evidence for a direct relationship between several lifestyle factors and breast cancer risk. In a case-control study involving data from 858 women with breast cancer and 1,085 controls (free of cancer), various diet and lifestyle factors were found to be associated with risk of breast cancer.

The results of a recent study add to the significant body of existing evidence linking overweight and obesity to increased health risks. A recent study confirmed the association between being overweight and cancer. Among postmenopausal women in the UK, 5% of all cancers (about 6000 annually) are attributable to being overweight or obese.