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Healthline

By Times Staff
Published July 11, 2006

Drug trial needs smokers

Researchers are looking for current or former smokers in Tampa Bay older than 40 to take part in a trial of the effectiveness of a medicine that treats coughing. The volunteers must be suffering from smoker's cough, chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to qualify. The medication has been approved for use in 30 countries but not yet in the United States. Volunteers will receive study-related medical care and health assessments, and they may be reimbursed for their time and travel. The trial lasts 12 weeks. For information, call (813) 870-1292 or toll-free 1-888-771-7077, or visit www.pegus.biz/screen to participate in an online patient screening.

Vitamin D and cancer risk

Two recent studies indicate vitamin D may help reduce cancer risk. The first study, led by cancer specialists at the University of California's San Diego Medical Center, found that taking 1,000 international units, or IU, of vitamin D daily appears to lower an individual's risk of developing certain cancers - including colon, breast and ovarian cancer - by up to 50 percent. The second study also found that vitamin D might play a significant role in reducing breast cancer risk, according to scientists at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute in Toronto. Those researchers reported the risk reduction was most prominent among women who were exposed to the highest levels of vitamin D when they were young.

By the numbers

6.2 Percentage of the population of Norway considered obese, according to comparative survey of 24 European nations.

11 Percentage of the population of Germany considered obese.

15.2 Percentage of the population of Russian Federation considered obese.

30 Percentage of the population of Americans older than 20 considered obese.

SOURCE: Saint Louis University School of Public Health report last month, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. This calculation uses standard definition of obesity as a body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or higher. BMI is defined as your weight in kilograms (1 kg = 2.2 pounds) divided by your height in meters (1 meter = 3.3 feet) squared.

Health community online

It is estimated that more than 80 percent of people who have used the Internet have searched for medical or health information. A recent trend is to offer patients an encyclopedia of information, such as WebMD.com. Now The HealthCentral Network (www.thehealthcentralnetwork.com) is offering a collection of more than 25 medical sites, such as MyDiabetesCentral.com, MyDepressionConnection.com and Alzheimers-Issues.com, which offer content from doctors and researchers, as well as from patients, who provide insights into their treatments.

Nursing home facts by mail

For those without a computer who would like to order a copy of the booklet "20 Common Nursing Home Problems - and How to Resolve Them," mentioned in last week's Healthline, contact the National Senior Citizens Law Center, 1101 14th St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005; or call (202) 289-6976.

Correction

A nanometer is 1-billionth of a meter. A graphic on last week's Pulse page contained an incorrect number.

- Compiled from Times staff and wire reports

[Last modified July 11, 2006, 06:38:16]