Harvard Health Letter articles from July 2008

Harvard Health Letter archives from July 2008

Cancer screening as we age.
July 1, 2008... Cancer screening as we age Does it make sense to get a mammogram if you're 80? A colonoscopy if you're 85? Experts are still sorting it out. Experts have battled over whether women should start getting screening mammograms for breast...

Hospice care.
July 1, 2008... Hospice care Many people are familiar with this way of caring for the dying, but misconceptions abound. The modern hospice movement began in Britain, but "going into hospice" has become an increasingly American way to die, despite...

Egg-cellent news for most, but not those with diabetes.
July 1, 2008... Egg-cellent news for most, but not those with diabetes The harmful effects of eggs were overblown, but the studies show that people with diabetes should still limit how many they eat. They couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again,...

In Brief: Smokers: The formers versus the nevers.
July 1, 2008... In Brief Smokers: The formers versus the nevers Former smokers now outnumber current ones in the United States, and, thankfully, one of the rewards for giving up the nasty habit is reduced risk for many smoking-related diseases. But...

In Brief: Trans fat, au naturel.(Trans fatty acids)
July 1, 2008... In Brief Trans fat, au naturel Trans fat is a certifiable nutritional bad guy. It lowers "good" HDL cholesterol and raises the "bad" LDL variety. Boston, once infamous for banning books, has now joined New York City and other...

By the way, doctor: Should I stop taking a stomach acid blocker?(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... By the way, doctor Should I stop taking a stomach acid blocker? Q. I was treated for two weeks with antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor when I had an H. pylori infection. I've continued with the proton pump inhibitor to cut down on...

By the way, doctor: Is it okay to switch from Avodart to finasteride for BPH?(benign prostatic hyperplasia)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... By the way, doctor Is it okay to switch from Avodart to finasteride for BPH? Q. I have been taking Avodart for my BPH, along with Flomax, but finasteride may be less expensive. Should I switch? A. The drugs used to treat benign...