Specimen from malignant pleural effusion in metastatic breast cancer

Estrogen, that amazing female hormone, is one of the things that makes us uniquely and beautifully women. Unfortunately, if you are an older woman who is overweight, that very estrogen circulating in your body can increase your risk for breast cancer. A study conducted by Women Veterans’ Comprehensive Health Center at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center looked at more than 287,000 post-menopausal women and came to the conclusion that a woman’s weight is directly related to her risk for breast cancer.

How Weight Affects Estrogen

Of the older women surveyed in this study, the ones who were considered overweight had a 10-35% increased risk of breast cancer than their thinner counterparts, and the risk just kept climbing related to the woman’s weight. The reason is that women who are above a healthy weight have more estrogen circulating in their bodies than women at a healthy weight, and these extra hormones are helping to promote tumor growth.

(more…)

Recently, U.S. News & World Report released findings on various types of health care plans throughout the United States. They surveyed members of commercial health plans, Medicare and Medicaid that operate throughout the country. The survey used criteria like customer satisfaction, physician ratings, prevention, and treatment.

According to U.S. News “…the 469 ranked plans received scores of 0 to 100 and overall ratings of 1 to 5 stars. Star ratings are also shown for individual measures, combinations of measures (such as ‘women’s reproductive health’), and the three major categories—prevention, treatment, and consumer assessment. An additional 94 plans did not provide enough data to be ranked but are listed with the information available.”

The following five health care plans are the top rated commercial plans according to this study. You’ll learn what geographic areas they cover, how they rated in terms of overall score and what makes it so darn wonderful to be a member of these plans.

(more…)

It’s no secret that the environment in which you live has a significant impact on your health and well being. For instance, if you live in what could be considered an unhealthy city (one with lots of smokers or a high rate of obesity for example), you health might follow suit.

Natural Health Magazine recently released a study on the top “healthy” cities in the United States by looking at 49 metropolitan areas. The study was based on criteria like natural medicine practitioners, availability of exercise options, easy access to healthy foods, a solid public transportation system, clean air and water and a strong sense of community.

Healthy City #1: San Francisco, CA

Affectionately known as the City by the Bay, San Francisco is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. With its beautiful architecture, rolling fog and stunning views, it’s no wonder people flock from the world over just to visit. San Francisco also takes the cake (rice cake maybe?) as the healthiest city to live in. The city allocates nearly 20% of its land to park space, so despite the city being a thriving metropolitan area, there’s plenty of space in which to get out and stretch your legs. The temperate climate in the Bay Area certainly lends itself to outdoor activities as well, boasting 265 sunny days each year.

(more…)

Prescription Drugs apparently kill more than illegal drugs, according to a recent Florida study

It’s Friday night after work. You have to stop by your local pharmacy to pick up your prescription because you would rather spend your weekend doing more enjoyable things. When you arrive, there is a line of at least 10 people waiting. You stand there, toe tapping impatiently, checking your watch, thinking about meeting up with your friends or family later and feeling nothing but frustration at these crowds. Before you write the rush off as another busy Friday evening, consider that the busy nature of the pharmacy might not be due to everyone wanting to stand in line and stare at the back of someone else’s head, but an indicator of a dangerous and growing trend here in the United States.

If you’re like many of us, you have heard many horror stories about illegal drugs like heroin or cocaine, and how they lead to addiction, overdoses and sometimes death. Scary as illegal drugs may be, prescription drugs and their abuse are becoming even scarier. People are abusing drugs prescribed to them by their doctor, and many are not living to tell the tale.

(more…)