Cancer

New Study: Meditation Helps Women with Breast Cancer

by: Jeanne Ball

Fear, anxiety and confusion often accompany the diagnosis of cancer or any life threatening disease. Being able to take control of one's emotions and navigate through treatment options and life style changes is essential for a speedy recovery. For managing stress and finding the inner strength to deal with a serious illness, many women find that learning Transcendental Meditation is a key factor. Not only does effective meditation provide deep relaxation and calm, but also better intuition and clarity of mind to face the challenges of fighting for one's life. A recent study gives encouragement for women with breast cancer for improving their ability to manage stress and find solace from within.
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A study published in the� peer-reviewed Integrative Cancer Therapies (Vol. 8, No. 3: September 2009), "The Effects of Transcendental Meditation on�Women with Breast Cancer" found reduced stress and improved mental health and emotional well being through their practice of the technique.� The study was�a collaboration between the Center for Healthy Aging at Saint Joseph Hospital; the Institute for Health Services, Research and Policy Studies at Northwestern University; the Department of Psychology at Indiana State University; and the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management.

"It is wonderful that physicians now have a range of interventions to use, including Transcendental Meditation, to benefit their patients with cancer," said Rhoda Pomerantz, M.D., study co-author and chief of gerontology, Saint Joseph Hospital. "I believe this approach should be appreciated and utilized more widely."

The one-hundred-and-thirty women with breast cancer, 55 years and older, who participated in the two-year study at Saint Joseph Hospital were randomly assigned either the Transcendental Meditation technique or to a usual care control group. Patients were administered quality of life measures, including the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast, every six months for two years. The average intervention period was 18 months.

Since emotional and psychosocial stress contribute to the onset and progression of breast cancer and cancer mortality, the Transcendental Meditation technique provides an effective technique to reduces stress and improves emotional well-being and mental health in breast cancer patients, the study found. Having a technique to experience inner silence and timelessness can alleviate the sense of helplessness women often feel in the face of a life threatening disease.�Transcendental Meditation is�an effortless technique�and doesn't require any�belief system or ability to concentrate or focus.�

"The women in the study found their meditation practice easy to do at home and reported significant benefits in their overall quality of life. Decades of research have shown that stress contributes to the cause and complications of cancer," said Robert Schneider, M.D., F.A.C.C., co-author and director of Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management. "The data from this well-designed clinical trial and related studies suggest that effective stress reduction with the Transcendental Meditation program may be useful in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and its deleterious consequences."

Facts on Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women�and remains a leading cause of death. Breast cancer incidence in the United States is 1 in 8 (about 13%).
In 2008, an estimated 250,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in women in the U.S. Women above the age of 50 have nearly four times the incidence compared to women under 50. Newly diagnosed and long-term survivors are affected by impairment in quality of life, including emotional, physical, functional, social, and spiritual domains. Psychosocial stress contributes to the onset, progression, and mortality from this disease.

Clinical diagnosis of breast cancer increases psychological distress, with sustained distress occurring during cancer treatment and continuing long-term.

There have been an increasing number of women using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for female-specific cancers. In terms of breast cancer, recent studies indicate that CAM use among women may be as high as 90 percent.
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As more and more women search for natural remedies for treatment of breast cancer, the Transcendental Meditation technique offers a foundation of inner peace and�healing�to aid�faster recovery from disease.�Since it is taught in a professional setting with one-on-one guidance and follow up, women suffering from a serious illness can be sure they are learning an authentic meditation�whose benefits have�been validated by scientific research. Families may also benefit from the practice as they feel the impact of stress and worry almost as much or more than the cancer patient. Dealing with a crisis requires a level head and patience that�stress and tension can undermine. The introduction of Transcendental Meditation as an adjunct therapy in treating cancer is an encouraging sign, indicating the rise of integrative medicine�the medicine of the future.

Jeanne Ball, teacher of Transcendental Meditation for over 35 years specializing in ADHD, ADD, addiction recovery, anxiety, depression, hypertension and other stress related disorders.

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Alert

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 7, 2009

Media Inquiries: Karen Riley, 301-796-4674, karen.riley@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA Makes Interim Recommendations to Address Concern of Excess Radiation Exposure during CT Perfusion Imaging

As part of an ongoing investigation into cases of excess radiation during CT perfusion imaging of the brain, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today provided imaging facilities and practitioners with interim recommendations to help prevent additional problems.

The FDA issued an initial safety notification in October after learning of 206 patients who had been exposed to excess radiation at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles over an 18-month period.

Since then, the FDA, working with state and local health authorities, has identified at least 50 additional patients who were exposed to excess radiation of up to eight times the expected level during their CT perfusion scans. These cases so far involve more than one manufacturer of CT scanners. The FDA has also received reports of possible excess radiation from other states. Some of these patients reported hair loss or skin redness following their scans. High doses of radiation can cause cataracts and increase the risk of some forms of cancer.

On the basis of its investigation to date, the FDA is providing interim recommendations for imaging facilities, radiologists, and radiologic technologists to help prevent additional cases of excess exposure. These recommendations apply to all CT perfusion images, including brain and heart, because they use similar procedures and protocols.

These recommendations include:

1. Facilities assess whether patients who underwent CT perfusion scans received excess radiation.
2. Facilities review their radiation dosing protocols for all CT perfusion studies to ensure that the correct dosing is planned for each study.
3. Facilities implement quality control procedures to ensure that dosing protocols are followed every time and the planned amount of radiation is administered.
4. Radiologic technologists check the CT scanner display panel before performing a study to make sure the amount of radiation to be delivered is at the appropriate level for the individual patient.
5. If more than one study is performed on a patient during one imaging session, practitioners should adjust the dose of radiation so it is appropriate for each study.

The FDA continues to work with manufacturers, professional organizations, and state and local public health authorities to investigate the scope and causes of these excess exposures.

The agency is also advising manufacturers to review their training for users, reassess information provided to health care facilities, and put into place new surveillance systems to identify problems quickly.

"The FDA is making progress in the investigation of this problem," said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., acting director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “While we do not know yet the full scope of the concern, facilities should take reasonable steps to double-check their approach to CT perfusion studies and take special care with these imaging tests."

CT or CAT scanning refers to computed tomography, a form of medical imaging that uses X-rays to produce 3-dimensional images to help physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. CT perfusion scans evaluate blood flow in various organs such as the brain and the heart.

Patients should follow their doctor’s recommendations for receiving CT scans. Medically necessary CT scans, administered properly, can provide important health information to guide diagnosis and treatment. Patients who have undergone a CT perfusion scan and have questions regarding radiation exposure should speak with their doctor.

The FDA requires hospitals and other user facilities to report deaths and serious injuries associated with the use of medical devices. If an adverse event is identified, health care professionals should follow the reporting procedures at their facility. Report these directly to the device manufacturer or to MedWatch, the FDA’s voluntary reporting program. This can be done on-line by filing a voluntary report, by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, or by obtaining the fillable form online, print it and fax to 1-800-FDA-0178 or mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787.

CT Brain Perfusion Scans Safety Investigation: Initial Notification
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm186105.htm

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Alert

College Inn Initiates Voluntary Recall of Select Canned Chicken Broth Products due to Mislabeling

Contact:
800-552-7684

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 4, 2009 - PITTSBURGH – As a precautionary measure, due to mislabeling, College Inn is initiating a voluntary recall of College Inn^® No MSG Chicken Broth sold in individual 14 ½ oz cans.

All other sizes and varieties of College Inn^® Chicken Broth are correctly labeled and therefore are not affected by this voluntary recall.

College Inn is voluntarily recalling College Inn^® No MSG Chicken Broth in individual 14 ½ oz cans due to the presence of wheat (an allergen) which was not declared in the ingredient statement. Also, the label incorrectly states that the product does not contain Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). The following product is subject to the voluntary recall:

Product Name	Best By Dates
College Inn® No MSG Chicken Broth Individual 14 ½ oz cans	All Dates (Only products labeled "No MSG")

People who are allergic to wheat may run a risk of serious adverse health consequences by consuming this product. To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this mislabeling.

Individuals without an allergy to wheat and without a sensitivity to Monosodium Glutamate may continue to enjoy this product.

College Inn products are 100% guaranteed. Consumers can visit www.CollegeInn.com, or contact its Consumer Hotline at (800) 552-7684 for further information about the voluntary recall and for instructions on obtaining replacement product. College Inn values the health and well-being of its consumers, and regrets this situation.

About College Inn

College Inn is a subsidiary of Del Monte Foods Company. For more than 80 years College Inn^® brand has been cooking up quality, great-tasting chicken, beef and vegetable broths and stocks to give consumers that great homemade taste they grew up with.

The College Inn^® family of products also includes low sodium and organic options. Visit www.CollegeInn.com for more information.

MEDIA CONTACT: Chrissy Stengel, Del Monte Foods (415) 247-3268

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Alert

Announcement: Clinical Vaccinology Course --- March 12--14, 2010

A clinical vaccinology course for health-care professionals will be held March 12--14, 2010, at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley in San Diego, California. Through lectures and interactive case presentations, the course will focus on new developments and concerns related to the use of vaccines in pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. Leading infectious disease experts, including pediatricians, internists, and family physicians, will present the latest information on newly available vaccines, vaccines in development, and vaccines whose continued administration is essential to improving disease prevention efforts.

This course is designed specifically for physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, vaccine program administrators, and other health professionals involved with or interested in the clinical use of vaccines. It also will interest federal, state, and local health-care professionals involved in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Course participants should have a knowledge of or interest in vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases.

CDC and four national organizations are collaborating with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), the Emory University School of Medicine, and the Emory Vaccine Center to sponsor this course. Continuing medical education, continuing nursing education, and continuing pharmacy education credits will be offered. Information regarding the preliminary program, registration, and hotel accommodations is available at http://www.nfid.org, or by e-mail (idcourse@nfid.org), fax (301-907-0878), telephone (301-656-0003, ext. 19), or mail (NFID, 4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 750, Bethesda, MD 20814-5228).

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Medical

HHS HealthBeat

(December 07, 2009)

Flu and the high-risk kids

Listen to Tip Interested? Take the Next Step

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Children with high-risk medical conditions can also face worse problems if they get the flu. That’s especially something to be concerned about this year, because we face 2009 H1N1 as well as seasonal influenza.

At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgina Peacock says kids with conditions such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, and diabetes, are more likely to develop severe complications if they get the flu.

Seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccinations are important. And children are in the high-risk group for H1N1 infection. So Dr. Peacock says:

[Dr. Georgina Peacock speaks] "The most important thing you can do is to make sure your child receives the 2009 H1N1 vaccine."

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

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Health and

Health Care Reform, Swine Flu Top Health News for 2009

Furor over cancer screening changes and lifting of embryonic stem cell ban also grabbed headlines.

By E.J. Mundell
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Potentially historic moves toward health care reform, the emergence of the pandemic H1N1 flu and controversial changes to cancer screening all made 2009 a very busy year for health news.

Here are the top 10 health news stories from this past year, as selected by editors at HealthDay:

1. Major Health Care Reform Draws Near. After a summer punctuated by raucous "town hall meetings" and battling proposals from both sides of the aisle, House and Senate bills on health care reform were each passed in time for Christmas. The Senate version costs $871 billion but would expand coverage to more than 94 percent of Americans under the age of 65, including 31 million who are currently uninsured.

Voting on the bills was split along party lines, however, and more work needs to be done to hammer out differences between the House and Senate versions before President Barack Obama could sign any bill into law. If a final bill does go into effect, experts agree it would mark the most sweeping change to U.S. health care since the introduction of Medicare in the 1960s.

2. Emergence of Pandemic Swine Flu. Cases of a new, sometimes deadly strain of H1N1 influenza that seemed to target children and young adults first emerged in Mexico in March, and quickly spread to the United States and beyond. The World Health Organization's Director-General, Margaret Chan, warned that "all of humanity" was under threat, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued nearly daily press advisories as the number of ill mounted. Vaccines were rushed into production, and as infections peaked in October public demand for the shot had outstripped supply.

By November, however, the autumn wave of H1N1 began to subside and vaccine supplies were plentiful. As of Dec. 19, the CDC has confirmed 36,163 hospitalizations and 1,630 deaths linked to influenza since the end of August -- a number that is well within rates for prior flu seasons. Experts now worry that a second, winter wave of H1N1 flu is yet to come, although the virus remains tough to predict.

3. Changes in Cancer Screening Guidelines Spark Controversy. It used to be so simple: at a certain age and risk profile, Americans were advised to get various cancer screens at predictable intervals. That all changed in 2009. Early in the year, a long-simmering debate over the effectiveness of the PSA blood test for prostate cancer boiled over, with two major studies offering up arguments both pro and con for the test.

And in the fall, experts at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advised women to wait until age 21 to get their first Pap smear, and reduce frequency of testing to once every two years.

But the biggest firestorm centered on the mammogram, after a federal panel of experts in November advised that women in their 40s no longer needed the annual breast cancer screen. Breast cancer survivors, celebrities and groups as prestigious as the American Cancer Society all opposed the new recommendations, urging that decisions on mammography remain between a woman and her physician.

4. Obama Lifts Ban on Stem Cell Research. Early in March, President Obama signed a measure lifting an eight-year ban on federally funded research using embryonic stem cells sourced from all but 21 pre-existing lines. The ban, implemented early in President George W. Bush's first term, drew fierce criticism from scientists who said it stymied potentially lifesaving research, but it was supported by those who believe that tampering with embryos involves the taking of human life. Earlier this month, the U.S. National Institutes of Health announced the release of 13 new embryonic stem cell lines for use in taxpayer-funded research, with more to come.

5. Fears Over Radiation Risk from CT Scans. American medicine's decades-long love affair with the CT scan may be waning, with numerous new studies suggesting that as CT use has exploded, cancer risks linked to radiation from the scans have likewise surged. In fact, one study published in December in the Archives of Internal Medicine estimated that 29,000 future cancer cases could be linked to CT scans performed in 2007 alone.

6. FDA Gains Oversight of Tobacco Products. In a move anti-smoking advocates have been lobbying to see for decades, President Obama in June granted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration oversight over cigarettes and other tobacco products. The agency's clout in helping to curb smoking -- especially among the young -- remains to be seen, but American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown called the move "a bold and courageous step."

7. Worries Over Two Common Plastics Chemicals. New findings on health effects from bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates -- ubiquitous chemicals found in items such as baby bottles, children's toys and eating utensils -- sparked public fears this year. Researchers found high levels of BPA tied to impotence in men, aggression in young girls, infertility and arrhythmias; while phthalates were associated with "feminized" play and breast development in boys. Consumer advocates called for bans on both substances, but the chemicals industry defended their use, saying much more study was needed to prove a link.

8. Good News, Bad News in the Fight Against Autism. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders received a mixed bag of news in 2009. In February, a federal judge ruled out any connection between childhood vaccination and the developmental disorder, a clear setback for families who have long claimed a link. And in December, researchers at the CDC found that the number of 8-year-olds with autism jumped 57 percent between 2002 and 2006, to one in every 110 children. But there was good news, too: A study in this month's issue of Pediatrics found that an intensive intervention program for toddlers can work to curb autism -- if it is begun early enough.

9. Alternative to Warfarin May Be Near. For decades, a tough-to-manage blood thinner called warfarin has been the standard of care for millions of heart patients. The drug offers potent anti-clotting powers but must be constantly monitored to minimize bleeding risks. This fall, however, three promising studies suggested that a new drug, dabigatran -- already approved in Canada and Europe -- works as well as warfarin but is much easier to control.

10. New Promise in the Fight Against AIDS. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, had a rather bad year in 2009. Results from one of the first completed vaccine trials found the combo shot had only a modest effect in shielding recipients from infection, but it did suggest that more potent immunization could be possible. And on the treatment front, the WHO in October announced that in 2008, 42 percent of people in the developing world who are infected with HIV now had access to life-extending medications -- a tenfold increase in access over the prior five years.

(SOURCES: HealthDay News reports, 2009)
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Pregnant

Pregnancy and 2009 H1N1 Flu: Protect Yourself, Protect Your Baby

Pregnant women can get seriously ill with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called "novel H1N1 flu" or "swine flu"). Learn how to protect yourself and your baby and what to do if you have symptoms of the flu.

A pregnant woman who gets any type of flu has a greater chance for serious health problems. Compared with people in general who get 2009 H1N1 flu, pregnant women with 2009 H1N1 flu are more likely to be admitted to hospitals. Pregnant women are also more likely to have serious illness and can die from 2009 H1N1 flu. To protect yourself and your baby, make sure to get both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot.

If you are pregnant and have flu symptoms, call your doctor right away. Treatment should begin as soon as possible. Treatment works best when started early (within 48 hours after symptoms start).

Read more about the 2009 H1N1 Influenza and Pregnant Women

• What Should Pregnant Women Know About 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)?
• 2009 H1N1 Influenza Shots and Pregnant Women: Questions and Answers for Patients
• Protect Yourself and Others
• What to do if You Have Symptoms of 2009 H1N1 Influenza
• Treatment during Pregnancy
• Feeding Your New Baby
• Pregnant Women at Higher Risk of Flu at Work

Flu Shots and Pregnant Women

Pregnant women should get both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot because they can get seriously ill from any type of flu. Pregnant women should get the "flu shot"—a vaccine made with killed flu virus. This one is given with a needle, usually in the arm. Both 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu shots are "killed" vaccines, so you cannot catch the flu from getting these shots. The other type of flu vaccine—a nasal spray—is not approved for pregnant women.

There is no evidence that thimerosal (a mercury preservative in vaccine that comes in multi-dose vials) is harmful to a pregnant woman or a fetus. However, because some women are concerned about thimerosal during pregnancy, vaccine companies are making preservative-free seasonal flu vaccine and 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine in single dose syringes for pregnant women and small children. CDC advises pregnant women to get flu shots either with or without thimerosal.

• Learn more about the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine and pregnant women

Protect Yourself and Others

Take these everyday steps to protect your health

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, call your doctor. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without using a fever-reducing medicine like Tylenol®) except to get medical care or for other critical needs. Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making them sick.
• Read more about What Should Pregnant Women Know About 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)?

*Read information on hand sanitizers

What to do if you have Symptoms of Flu

If a pregnant woman thinks she has flu, she should call her doctor right away. If needed, he or she will prescribe an antiviral medicine that treats the flu. The medicine is most helpful if it is started soon (within the first 48 hours) after the pregnant woman becomes sick. If lab testing for flu was done, treatment should not wait for test results to come back. Start treatment right away.

Talk with your doctor about how to reach him or her quickly by telephone if you think you have the flu.

Call your doctor immediately if you think you have any of these symptoms.

• fever **
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue
• sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

**Not everyone with flu will have a fever.

• Learn how flu spreads and how to care for your family
• Read general information about 2009 H1N1 Flu and how other family members can protect themselves

Treatment during Pregnancy

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) can be used to treat 2009 H1N1 flu. To get these medicines, a doctor needs to write a prescription. These medicines fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from making more viruses in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious health problems that can result from flu illness. At this time, Tamiflu® is the best medicine to treat pregnant women who have 2009 H1N1 flu.

Fever should be treated right away. It can cause problems for the pregnant woman and her unborn child. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is best for a pregnant woman to use to lower a fever.

Is it safe for me to take antiviral medicines for flu while I am pregnant?

The flu can cause severe illness and even death in pregnant women. Taking antiviral medicines can help prevent these severe outcomes. At this time, there are no studies suggesting harm to a pregnant woman or her unborn baby if she takes antiviral medicines. Being pregnant should not stop women from using antiviral medicines if their doctor advises them to take the medicine. Antiviral medicines can be taken at any stage during pregnancy. Take the medicine your doctor prescribes.

• Questions and Answers for Pregnant Women on Antiviral Recommendations

Feeding Your New Baby

If you can, breastfeed. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. There are many ways that breastfeeding and breast milk protect your baby’s health. Babies who are breastfed get sick from infections like the flu less often and less severely than babies who are not breastfed. Flu can be very serious in young babies. You do not have to stop breastfeeding if you have the flu.
If you are sick with the flu, certain precautions can be taken to protect your baby.

• Learn more about feeding your baby while you are sick

Pregnant Women who work in Schools, Child Care or Health Care

Pregnant women who work in schools, child care and health care are at higher risk for being exposed to the flu. Certain precautions can be taken to reduce this risk.

• Information for pregnant women more likely to be exposed at work

Protect Yourself, Protect Your Baby

• Get your flu shots — pregnant women will need both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot.

• Take everyday precautions.

• If you have been exposed to someone who likely had the flu, call your doctor.

• If you start to feel sick, call your doctor right away. Take the medicines your doctor prescribes.

• Plan to breastfeed as soon as your baby is born.

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Health and

Gather and Share Your Family Health History

If you are concerned about a disease running in your family, talk to your doctor at your next visit. A doctor can evaluate all of the risk factors that may affect your risk of some diseases, including family history, and can recommend you a course of action to reduce that risk.

Thanksgiving is National Family History Day

The US Surgeon General has declared Thanksgiving to be National Family History Day, encouraging Americans to share a meal and their family health history. Family health history information can help health care providers determine which tests and screenings are recommended to help family members know their health risk. This year the Surgeon General updated and improved the My Family Health Portrait tool, which can help individuals collect and organize family history information. Learn more about family health history.

Family members share genes, behaviors, lifestyles, and environments, which together may influence their risk for developing chronic diseases. Most people have a family health history of common chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, heart disease, or diabetes) and other health conditions (e.g., high blood pressure and high cholesterol). A person with a close relative affected by a chronic disease may have a higher risk of developing that disease than a person who doesn't.

Americans know that family history is important to their health. One survey found that 96 percent of Americans believe that knowing their family history is important. Yet, the same survey found that only one-third of Americans have ever tried to gather and write down their family's health history. Are you ready to collect your family health history but don't know where to start?

Make a list of relatives.

Write down the names of blood relatives you need to include in your history.

• The most important relatives to talk to for your family history are your parents, your brothers and sisters, and your children.
• Next should be grandparents, uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews, and any half-brothers or half-sisters.
• It is also helpful to talk to great uncles and great aunts, as well as cousins.

Prepare your questions.

Among the questions to ask are:

• Do you have any chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes?
• Have you had any other serious illnesses, such as cancer or stroke?
• How old were you when you developed these illnesses?

Also ask questions about other relatives, both living and deceased, such as:

• What is our family's ancestry - what country did we come from?
• What illnesses did your late relatives have?
• How old were they when they died?
• What caused their deaths?

To organize the information in your family history you could use a free web-based tool such as My Family Health Portrait.

Family history can give you an idea of your risk for common diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes, but it is not the only risk factor. If you are concerned about a disease running in your family, talk to your doctor at your next visit. A doctor can evaluate all of the risk factors that may affect your risk of some diseases, including family history, and can recommend you a course of action to reduce that risk.

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Health and

Healthy Holidays

The holiday season is in full swing. This means a lot of holiday gatherings with large amounts of food. During the holiday season we tend to eat and drink a lot more calories. As you enjoy the holidays, remember to balance the calories you consume with the calories you burn.

Family, fun…and FOOD! It's what the holidays are all about, right? But that doesn't mean you have to pack on the holiday pounds. Start the New Year — and the New You — off right by balancing the calories you consume with the calories you burn, and avoid any holiday weight gain. Here are some ways to help jump start your New Year's resolutions:

Take the Extra Calories Out of Cooking!

• If you're heading out to a party — holiday, birthday or any sort — eat a light, healthy snack before you go. Broth-based soups, cereal with skim milk, or just plain fruit are all good options! This will help curb your hunger and decrease your visits to the buffet table.
• Modify recipes to reduce the amount of fat and calories. For example, when making lasagna, use part-skim ricotta cheese instead of whole-milk ricotta cheese. Substitute shredded vegetables, such as carrots, zucchini, and spinach for some of the ground meat in lasagna.
• Bring a low-fat, holiday dish to the party. Need some suggestions? Visit CDC's Healthy Recipes for details.
• When eating or snacking in front of the TV, put the amount that you plan to eat into a bowl or container instead of eating straight from the package. It's easy to overeat when your attention is focused on something else.
• You've tried the leftover turkey sandwich, right? Now try the leftover turkey salad! Add a few pieces of turkey to a generous portion of mixed greens, tomatoes, raw broccoli, carrots, or any of your favorite vegetables. Toss with a light salad dressing and some dried cranberries for an authentic holiday taste.

Rethink Your Drink!

Choose water, diet, or low-calorie beverages instead of sugar-sweetened beverages.

• For a quick, easy, and inexpensive thirst-quencher, carry a water bottle and refill it throughout the day.
• Limit your alcoholic beverage intake. Alcoholic drinks can have many calories, especially holiday favorites like eggnog. Try to drink water or low calorie beverages instead.

Get Active, Healthy, and Happy!

• Make a goal with a friend to achieve the new Physical Activity Guidelines! Visit CDC's Physical Activity for Everyone for details.
• Regular physical helps with weight control, reduces the risk for many diseases, and strengthens muscles, bones and joints.
• Sign up for a 5K walk or run to keep your mind focused on physical activity goals. Maintain your physical activity during the holidays — better yet, try and get more active!
• Find fun, creative ways your friends and family can spend time being active instead of eating.

Keep Those Resolutions All Year Long

The start of a new year often means the start of new habits. Eating healthier food and becoming more physically active is often on the top of many people's list, but it's easy for these new expectations to become overwhelming. Set realistic goals for yourself this year! A healthy diet and regular physical activity can easily be achieved by making some of these easy, conscious decisions:

Eat breakfast every day. When you don't eat breakfast, you are likely to make up for the calories you saved by eating more later on in the day. Choose a quick, healthy breakfast option such as yogurt with fruit or toast with sliced banana and a bit of peanut butter. Many people who maintain long-term weight loss eat breakfast daily.

Drink water. Make water more appealing by keeping it cold in the fridge or adding a slice of fruit for flavor. Choosing water keeps you from drinking something else that may be loaded with calories and sugar. People who drink sugar-sweetened beverages tend to consume more calories.

Eat smaller food portions. When eating out, save some of your meal and take it home to make another meal or split one meal between two people. At home, try putting only the amount you want to eat in a small bowl and don't go back for more. People eat more when confronted with larger portion sizes.

Maintain your physical activity routine. Regular physical activity is an important part of maintaining weight loss. Keep up your good habits before, during, and after the New Year. If you need extra encouragement, be physically active with a friend or relative or start an activity that may have always interested you, such as gardening or bicycling.

Prepare a healthy lunch at home and take it to work. Taking your lunch to work helps you avoid last-minute lunch choices, which often result in selecting high-fat and high-calorie options. Think about healthy lunches before your next trip to the grocery store, and stock up on healthy food items so that making your lunch will be easy.

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Cancer

interactive Cancer Atlas (InCA)

The Interactive Cancer Atlas (InCA) allows you to create customized United States maps showing how many people were diagnosed with or died from cancer by cancer site, gender, race/ethnicity, and state during a given period.

CDC's Interactive Cancer Atlas (InCA) uses data from United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) to create United States maps that allow you to make quick comparisons. For example, you can use InCA to compare—

• How many people were diagnosed with one of 26 types of cancer during different years.
• The incidence or death rate for a certain type of cancer among states during one year, and how the states' rates compare to the national rates.
• How many people died from one type of cancer vs. another type of cancer.
• The rate of diagnosis (incidence rate) with a certain type of cancer among white, black, and Hispanic people.
• How many men vs. women were diagnosed with a certain type of cancer during one year.

The trend data player puts the data in motion. It shows how the data changed over the years from 1999 to 2005 (the latest year for which statistics are available). In addition, you can download and print the data for future use.

While InCA is useful for anyone who is interested in cancer data, this tool is particularly helpful for researchers, epidemiologists, local and community health project managers, grant writers, policy makers, journalists and authors, and cancer control and prevention program staff at federal, state, and local health departments.

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Alert

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: December 6, 2009

Media Inquires: Rita Chappelle, (o)301-796-4672; (c) 240-753-8603,
Consumer Inquires: 1-888-INFO-FDA

FDA, CDC, and States Investigating Norovirus Illnesses Linked to Oysters
Consumers advised to avoid oysters harvested from San Antonio Bay

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to avoid eating oysters harvested from the San Antonio Bay on or after Nov. 16 due to reports of norovirus-associated illnesses in some people who had consumed oysters harvested from this area, which is located on the Gulf of Texas.

The FDA, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas, are investigating about a dozen reports of norovirus-related illnesses from South Carolina and North Carolina consumers who ate oysters recently harvested from the San Antonio Bay.

Consumers who purchased oysters on or after Nov. 16 that have a label showing they came from San Antonio Bay are advised to dispose of the oysters and not eat them. At restaurants, consumers can ask about the source of oysters offered as menu items. Restaurant operators and retailers should not serve or offer for sale oysters subject to this advisory. Restaurant operators and retailers who are unsure of the source of oysters on hand should check with their suppliers to determine where the oysters were harvested. No other seafood is affected by this advisory.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has ordered a recall of all oysters harvested from the San Antonio Bay between Nov. 16 and Nov. 25.

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis. Symptoms of illness associated with norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping. Affected individuals often experience low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness. Most people show symptoms within 48 hours of exposure to the virus. The illness typically lasts one to two days. Norovirus typically is not life-threatening and does not generally cause long-term effects.

Consumers who ate oyster products on or after Nov.16 and have experienced symptoms of norovirus are encouraged to contact their health care provider and local health department.

The implicated oyster beds in the San Antonio Bay were closed by the Texas Department of Health Services on Nov. 26, 2009, and remain closed.

The FDA and CDC will continue working with health officials in the affected states to track any additional cases of norovirus illness.

Persons with weakened immune systems, including those affected by AIDS, and persons with chronic alcohol abuse, liver, stomach or blood disorders, cancer, diabetes or kidney disease should avoid raw oyster consumption altogether, regardless of where the oysters are harvested.

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Alert

News Releases
California Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-065-2009 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Adrian Gianforti

WASHINGTON, December 4, 2009 - Beef Packers, Inc., a Fresno, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 22,723 pounds of ground beef products that may be linked to an outbreak of salmonellosis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The products subject to recall include:

* 60 pound cases of "GRD Beef Fine 93/07 10/60." Each case bears the identifying case code W69363 with Use/Freeze by dates of 10/11/09.



Recommendations for Preventing Salmonellosis:

Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Also wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot soapy water. Clean up spills right away.

Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods.

Cook raw meat and poultry to safe internal temperatures before eating. The safe internal temperature for meat such as beef and pork is 160° F, and 165° F for poultry, as determined with a food thermometer.

Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase (one hour if temperatures exceed 90° F). Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.

The ground beef products were produced on September 23, 2009 and bear the establishment number "EST. 31913" printed on the case code labels. The ground beef products were distributed to a retail distribution center in Arizona. Because these products were repackaged into consumer-size packages and sold under different retail brand names, consumers should check with their local retailer to determine whether they may have purchased any of the products subject to recall.

As a result of an ongoing investigation into illnesses from Salmonella Newport associated with ground beef products, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) notified FSIS of the situation. Epidemiological and traceback investigations conducted by FSIS and ADHS determined that there is an association between the fresh ground beef products and two (2) illnesses reported in Arizona. The Salmonella Newport strain was isolated both from the patients and from ground beef produced by Est. 31913. They were also linked by their uncommon pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern found in PulseNet, a national network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company's Consumer Line at (877) 435-4071. Media with questions should contact company Director of Communications Mark Klein (952) 742-6211.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

This particular strain of Salmonella Newport is resistant to many commonly prescribed drugs, which can increase the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals.

FSIS would like to remind consumers of the importance of following food safety guidelines when handling and preparing raw meat. All consumers should safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature.
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Alert

Voltaren Gel (diclofenac sodium

topical gel) 1% - Hepatic Effects

Labeling Changes

Audience: Rheumatological healthcare professionals, pharmacists

Endo, Novartis and FDA notified healthcare professionals of revisions to the Hepatic Effects section of the Prescribing Information to add new warnings and precautions about the potential for elevation in liver function tests during treatment with all products containing diclofenac sodium.

In postmarketing reports, cases of drug-induced hepatotoxicity have been reported in the first month but can occur at any time during treatment with diclofenac. Postmarketing surveillance has reported cases of severe hepatic reactions, including liver necrosis, jaundice, fulminant hepatitis with and without jaundice, and liver failure. Some of these reported cases resulted in fatalities or liver transplantation.

Physicians should measure transaminases periodically in patients receiving long-term therapy with diclofenac. The optimum times for making the first and subsequent transaminase measurement are not known. Based on clinical trial data and postmarketing experiences, transaminases should be monitored within 4 to 8 weeks after initiating treatment with diclofenac.

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Alert

Unilever Conducts Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Slim-Fast® Ready-to-Drink Products in Cans Due to Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Anita Larsen
201-894-7760

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Englewood Cliffs, NJ, December 3, 2009 - Unilever United States, Inc., in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is conducting a nationwide voluntary recall of all Slim-Fast® ready-to-drink (RTD) products in cans, due to the possibility of contamination with Bacillus cereus, a micro-organism, which may cause diarrhea and possibly nausea and/or vomiting. The probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

The products were sold in stores nationwide.

Product Description:

The products are packaged in paperboard cartons and contain four, six or 12 steel cans that are 11 FL OZ (325 mL) each. Individual cans are also sold in certain retail outlets. The recall involves all Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans, regardless of flavor, Best-By date, lot code or UPC number. A listing of all RTD recalled products is attached to this press release.

No other Slim-Fast® products are affected by this recall. No Slim-Fast® powdered shakes, meal bars, or snack bars are affected by this recall.

The recall was initiated after the company conducted quality testing on Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is recalling all RTD products in cans that are currently in distribution centers, on-shelf or in back rooms in retail outlets or in consumers’ homes. The company is in the process of identifying and correcting the production issue, and will resume production and shipment of the product when the issue has been addressed and corrected.

Consumers who have purchased Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans are urged to discard them immediately and contact the company at 1-800-896-9479 for a full refund. The Consumer Services Center is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET. A recorded message is available 24/7.

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Alert

Boxed Warning about Tissue Injury with IV Promethazine

FDA is requiring that promethazine hydrochloride injection products carry a boxed warning to communicate more strongly about the danger of giving the drug intravenously. The warning states that intra-arterial and subcutaneous administration of promethazine are contraindicated.

Promethazine is used as an antihistamine, a sedative and an antiemetic. Giving promethazine intravenously can result in severe tissue injury, including gangrene, which may require amputation. Because of this risk, the preferred route of administration is deep intramuscular injection.

If IV administration of promethazine is required, a maximum concentration of 25 mg/mL should be administered at a maximum rate of 25 mg/minute, through the tubing of an infusion set known to be functioning properly. The 50 mg/mL concentration should be used only for deep intramuscular injection.

Healthcare professionals should be alert to signs and symptoms of potential tissue injury, such as burning or pain at the administration site, phlebitis, swelling, and blistering. They should stop giving the drug immediately if a patient complains of pain. They should also tell patients receiving IV promethazine that side effects may occur immediately or develop hours to days after administration of the drug.
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Alert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 2, 2009 – Snax In Pax, Inc. of Topeka, Indiana is recalling the following products because they contain undeclared MILK on their label. People who have an allergy or sensitivity to MILK run the risk of a serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

JAY’S LOW FAT CARAMEL POPCORN - 8oz. tubs – UPC#41200-01502

MIKE SELL’S CARAMEL CORN W/PEANUTS -8oz tubs – UPC#71104-10429

MIKE SELL’S CORN PUFFS – 7 oz bag – UPC#71104-10215

COPPER KETTLE CARAMEL CORN – 8oz bag – UPC#60478-31231

COPPER KETTLE CARAMEL PUFFS – 6.5 oz bag – UPC#60478-31232

BETTER MADE CARAMEL CORN – 8oz tub – UPC#41633-00708

SEYFERT’S CARAMEL CORN – 8oz tub – UPC#70175-00154

BULK CARAMEL CORN – 25 lb. box – UPC#60478-77451

These products were manufactured at Snax In Pax, Inc. for distribution nationwide in retail stores.

Jay’s Low Fat Caramel Popcorn, Mike Sell’s Caramel Corn w/Peanuts, Better Made Caramel Corn, and Seyferts Caramel Corn all come in 8oz clear plastic tubs, with white lids corresponding to the products contained. The Copper Kettle Caramel Corn, and the Copper Kettle Caramel Puffs are in clear and brown tone film bag with graphics of a horse and buggy. These products would have one of the lot numbers in a series of numbers ranging from #15209 to #33509.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

This recall was initiated after it was discovered that the labels on these particular products did not reveal that there is MILK in the product. Further investigation has revealed the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s packaging process.

Production of these products has been suspended until Snax In Pax, Inc. is certain the problem has been corrected.

Consumers with questions may contact Patti Weaver at 260-593-3066 between the hours of 8a.m. and 4 p.m.EST, Monday through Friday.
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Health and

Eat Up, But Eat Healthy

This Holiday Season

Enjoy the occasional treat while sticking to your diet. Here's how.

FRIDAY, Dec. 25 (HealthDay News) -- You've lost track of how many chocolate chips you've eaten and that box of Santa Claus-shaped candies is calling your name. With New Year's still to come, your opportunities to overeat and overindulge aren't over yet.

Before you take one more slice of pie, keep in mind it's not too late to get a handle on your holiday eating.

If you've been good the rest of the year, splurging a bit during the season of stuffing and sugar cookies won't do you much harm, said Megan Fendt, a registered dietitian at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.

"You will not gain weight from one meal by itself," Fendt said. "Consistency is the key. If you eat healthful meals during the months before the holidays, a splurge or two can be fit in."

Even if you've been overeating since you packed away your bathing suit at the end of summer, don't give up on yourself, dietitians say.

Before you head to that next family gathering or holiday party, think about your food choices and come up with a plan.

If you know the party will be a food extravaganza, cut down a bit the week before, then allow yourself those extra goodies at the party, a concept called a "calorie bank," advised Michele Murphy, another registered dietitian at the medical center.

A few hours before the gathering, eat some healthy snacks, such as fruit, non-fat yogurt or vegetables, to prevent yourself from doing too much grazing when you get there. Better yet, offer to bring a veggie tray, fruit salad or other low-fat dish to the party that you can share.

To control how much you consume, as soon as you arrive, get a glass of water and survey your food choices. Think about what you really want to sample and make choices. If you really want to try the chocolate fountain, stay away from the chips and French onion dip.

"Don't deny yourself the occasional treat," Murphy said. "What people need to realize is that everybody can eat something of everything -- it's just a question of how much."

Also, watch your alcohol intake. Not only is alcohol high in calories, it can stimulate your appetite, lower your inhibitions and reduce your willpower to avoid overindulging. Instead of alcohol, drink seltzer or mineral water. If you don't want to avoid alcohol altogether, try a wine spritzer.

And try not to mindlessly take handfuls from the bowl of nuts or candy while engrossed in conversation. Eat slowly and appreciate each bite. Before going for seconds, keep in mind it takes 20 minutes for the stomach to signal to your brain that you're full. If you pause a bit before getting a second helping, you may find you're not all that hungry.

Maintain your exercise program. Exercise burns calories and makes you feel good about yourself, which can give you that motivation to keep your holiday eating in check, the dietitians advised.

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Alert

Valproate Sodium and related

products (valproic acid and

divalproex sodium): Risk of Birth

Defects

Audience: Neurological and Obstetrical healthcare professionals

The FDA notified health care professionals and patients about the increased risk of neural tube defects and other major birth defects, such as craniofacial defects and cardiovascular malformations, in babies exposed to valproate sodium and related products (valproic acid and divalproex sodium) during pregnancy. Healthcare practitioners should inform women of childbearing potential about these risks, and consider alternative therapies, especially if using valproate to treat migraines or other conditions not usually considered life-threatening.

Women of childbearing potential should only use valproate if it is essential to manage their medical condition. Those who are not actively planning a pregnancy should use effective contraception, as birth defect risks are particularly high during the first trimester, before many women know they are pregnant. A valproate Medication Guide, provided with each outpatient prescription, will explain the benefits and risks of valproate and encourage patients to discuss options with their healthcare professional.

Pregnant women using valproate or other AEDs should be encouraged to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry (1-888-233-2334;

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