Keep abreast of what your patients are currently seeing in the media with our round-up of popular news stories, available from WHF as abstracts with links to the full-text articles.

From the week of December 31, 2007:

Tests That Could Save Women's Lives

Early detection is critical in effectively treating diseases, and there are many screening tests available to women that can save lives by catching cancers and other diseases before they spread. The list of recommended tests increases with a woman’s age. In their 20s, women should be screening for cervical cancer with yearly Pap smears, as well as testing for sexually-transmitted diseases. Annual gynecological exams should include examinations of the breasts, pelvis, and thyroid gland. Women should be getting annual mammograms beginning no later than age 40, while colon cancer screening should start at age 50. Bone density tests should be administered biannually to postmenopausal women to assess fragility of their bones and joints. Women of all ages can lower their health risks by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and keeping track of their cholesterol and blood pressure.

Read the full story on cbsnews.com

Sleep Disruptions May Boost Diabetes Risk

Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center report findings from a small study that indicate sleep disruptions can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. When subjects were disturbed during their deepest sleep periods, they experienced a rapid reduction in their ability to regulate blood-sugar levels. After only 3 days, study participants’ ability to regulate blood sugar had been reduced by 25%. These findings suggest that improvements in sleep quality may aid in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes for at-risk patients.

Read the full story on cnn.com

No Gimmicks: Eat Less and Exercise More

Every January women are inundated with advertisements for various weight loss gimmicks that promise to help them shave off the extra pounds that they put on over the holiday season. Instead of spending money on diet books and weight loss programs, women can simply cut down on calories and reduce their portion sizes. Coupled with exercise, portion control is one of the safest and most effective way to lose weight and keep it off. A healthy diet may also lower the risk of heart disease, dementia, and many types of cancer. Vitamins B6, B12, and C, fiber, folates, beta-carotene, and selenium can help keep women on track for a healthy year.

Read the full story on nytimes.com

Happy Marriage Eases Wife's Workday Tension

According to researchers at UCLA, working women who are happily married have an easier physiological recovery from their workday than women in less happy marriages. In a study of 30 married couples with children, researchers used cortisol, a hormone released by the body under stress, to measure how women deal with stress when they return home. Women who reported satisfaction with their marriage saw a greater reduction in cortisol levels at the end of the day than women who reported being unhappy in their relationship, while the men showed a uniform drop in cortisol levels. The researchers suggest that the women in happy marriages are more likely to share an even balance of household responsibilities with their husbands, giving them more time to relax at home. Elevated cortisol levels over long periods of time have been associated with depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, poor social adjustment, and possibly even cancer.

Read the full story on healthday.com