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Flight Attendants Show Higher Cancer Risks
https://ift.tt/2N0z0y0  However, it's also possible that there are factors unrelated to flight attendants' jobs, said Dr. Paolo Boffetta, a professor of oncology and environmental medicine at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine, in New York City. "For example, they may have more UV [sun] exposure because of their opportunity to travel," said Boffetta, who was not involved in the study. In addition, he said, women on aircrews may put off having children or have fewer kids, compared with other women. And reproductive factors like that are associated with the risk of breast cancer. Still, McNeely said, her team found some evidence that the longer flight attendants had been on the job, the higher their cancer risk was. Among women, the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer rose in tandem with job tenure. That supports the theory that job exposures are the culprit, McNeely said. The findings, published June 25 in the journal Environmental Health, are based on 5,366 flight attendants who were part of an ongoing Harvard study begun in 2007. They were surveyed about their health in 2014-15, when they were an average age of 52 years old. McNeely's team compared their cancer rates with a nationally representative sample of 2,729 adults with similar demographics. Overall, 3.4 percent of female attendants had been diagnosed with breast cancer, versus 2.3 percent of other U.S. women. Meanwhile, 2.2 percent had been diagnosed with melanoma, compared with just under 1 percent of other women. The biggest difference was seen in rates of non-melanoma skin cancers -- which are highly curable. Over 7 percent of female flight attendants had been diagnosed with those cancers, compared to just under 2 percent of other women. Male flight attendants had higher rates of skin cancers than other men. But the differences were not significant in statistical terms. According to McNeely, the findings will "not be news" to aircrews. They've long been aware their occupation may be linked to increased cancer risks. The question is, if the causes are unclear, what can be done? McNeely noted that the European Union has already taken a step -- requiring that aircrews be monitored for their radiation exposure. If it reaches a certain level, their work schedules are adjusted. Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ June 26, 2018 at 02:37PM
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Study Confirms Dense Breasts Are Prone to Cancer
https://ift.tt/2yHldt2 By Serena Gordon HealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, June 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Using automated breast density measurements, Norwegian researchers were able to more precisely confirm that women with dense breasts have a higher risk of breast cancer. The study included more than 100,000 women and more than 300,000 screening exams. "We found that screening examinations of women having dense breasts showed higher rates of recall and biopsy, and higher odds of screen-detected and interval breast cancers than women with non-dense breasts," said the study's senior author, Solveig Hofvind. She is a researcher and head of BreastScreen Norway for the Cancer Registry of Norway. Dense breasts pose a challenge when it comes to cancer screening, because dense tissue shows up white on a mammogram. That's also how breast tumors look on a mammogram. Dense breast tissue can actually hide or mask cancers, according to Hofvind. The findings were published June 26 in Radiology. Dr. Liane Philpotts wrote an accompanying editorial. She is chief of breast imaging at the Yale School of Medicine. "Dense breasts are not something that a patient feels. You can only tell if someone has dense breast tissue on a mammogram," Philpotts said. Radiologists identify breast density using a standardized scoring technique from the American College of Radiology (ACR). The scoring system runs from A to D. A woman with an A or B doesn't have dense breasts, but someone with a C or D does, she explained. About half of American women who are screened for breast cancer have dense breast tissue. As women age, their breasts often become less dense, Philpotts said. Instead of using the ACR technique, which relies on a radiologist's subjective judgment, the new study used automated software -- known as automated volumetric analysis -- to classify breast density. The Norwegian women in the study were between 50 and 69 years old. The automated software found dense breasts in 28 percent of their screening tests. The rates of cancer were 6.7 per 1,000 exams for women with dense breasts and 5.5 for women with non-dense breasts, according to the findings. Continued"This study really shows that women with dense breasts did have more cancers. It wasn't a huge amount. It was a small increase, but it was an increase," Philpotts said. In addition, women with dense breasts had more interval cancers. These are cancers found between screenings -- for example, when a woman feels a lump in her breast. The study found that women with dense breasts were called back for more testing due to suspicious findings and were more likely to have a biopsy to check tissue for cancer than women without dense breasts. Women with dense breasts also tended to have larger tumors when cancer was detected -- average of 17 millimeters (mm) vs. 15 mm for women without dense breasts. The study also confirmed that it's harder to accurately identify breast cancers in dense breast tissue. Cancers were accurately detected in women with dense breasts 71 percent of the time compared to 82 percent for women without dense breasts. "Automated volumetric breast density measurements may be considered a future standard for breast cancer screening, ensuring an objective density classification," Hofvind said. Philpotts pointed out that the findings don't necessarily translate to a U.S. population, because the women screened in the study were older, and they were screened every other year instead of annually. She said more research is needed to gauge the risks and benefits of the automated software. Hofvind agreed. Women with dense breasts generally don't need to be screened more often, according to Philpotts. But they will need some sort of supplemental imaging such as ultrasound or MRI that's better at seeing the difference between dense tissue and cancerous tissue. Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ June 26, 2018 at 02:37PM
Needle-Free Future for People With Diabetes?
https://ift.tt/2tujOku MONDAY, June 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- For many diabetics, one of the most dreaded aspects of managing their condition is the need to inject insulin multiple times a day. But Harvard researchers have discovered a way to deliver insulin in a pill, and it appears to work well -- at least in rats. A lot of questions remain: What is the proper dose compared to injected insulin? Will it be delivered uniformly? And, the biggest, will it work well in people, too? That's why more research is needed, said the study's senior author, Samir Mitragotri, a professor of bioengineering at Harvard University. "What we have shown is that we can deliver insulin, and that it is safe in the intestine. This would be a non-invasive, patient-friendly, easy-to-use treatment," he said. Insulin is a hormone that helps usher the sugar from foods you eat into cells for use as fuel. People with diabetes often lack enough insulin to meet the body's needs, though the exact cause varies depending on the type of diabetes. An oral insulin hasn't been available, because insulin gets digested in the stomach, Mitragotri said. But injectable forms -- which can be delivered by a needle or through a small tube inserted under the skin and attached to an insulin pump -- are painful, which can lead people to skip their medication, he noted. To develop an oral insulin, the researchers had a number of challenges. If an oral insulin got past the stomach's acid, the intestines presented another issue. Insulin is a large molecule, and the intestinal wall is a barrier for most large molecules, the researchers explained. The first step in moving past these barriers was to put insulin in an ionic liquid, which Mitragotri likened to liquid salts. The insulin-ionic liquid combination was then covered with a coating that allows the pill to pass through the stomach intact. It's then dissolved in the small intestine. From there, the oral insulin travels to the large intestine. With the help of the ionic liquids, the insulin molecules can get through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ June 26, 2018 at 02:02PM
Any of These 20 Workouts Will Get You 1 Step Closer to Flat Abs
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If you're trying to lose belly fat, you've probably heard a wide range of advice on how to reach your goals. Most importantly, you need to be in a healthy calorie deficit, because that's how your body starts to shed fat all around. You can't spot-reduce fat, after all. Once you've got your diet in order, make sure you're doing workouts that burn major calories. You can also mix it up with workouts that target your abs, although it's probably best not to focus entirely on those. Full-body sessions that also have a focus on the core are your best bets. Here are 20 varying workouts to get you started on your fat-loss journey. Enjoy! Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI June 26, 2018 at 01:58PM
If You're Trying to Lose Body Fat, Jillian Michaels Has the Perfect Diet Advice For You
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We'd listen to Jillian Michaels any day when it comes to health and wellness. As a celebrity trainer, wellness guru, and creator of the My Fitness by Jillian Michaels App, she has plenty of sound advice to give so you can live your happiest and healthiest life. We recently spoke to Jillian about how your diet needs to change if you're trying to lose body fat. Her answer was pretty straightforward. "Fat loss is simple science: calories in calories out," she told POPSUGAR. "And don't eat crap food." Easier said than done, but it's a pretty solid rule to live by. "If you have weight to lose, you need [to be in] a calorie deficit," she explained. "No fewer than 1,400 [calories] a day with unlimited greens. Avoid heavily processed foods like white flour and white sugar, dial alcohol way back, and drink a lot of water." Are you taking notes? Because we are. Eat whole foods, avoid processed and packaged goods, cut back on booze, drink lots of water, and stay in a healthy calorie deficit. Those are the rules to live by. Write them down on a sticky note, and let's get to work! If you need some additional strength-training workouts to help speed up your fat-loss process, try any of the following: Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI June 26, 2018 at 01:23PM
Adam Rippon Is Naked, and Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me He Had a Butt Like This?
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Please excuse the fact that I was paying attention to his impressive routines during the 2018 Winter Olympics, but how Adam Rippon's glorious backside went unnoticed on my behalf is a damn mystery. The bronze-winning medalist recently stripped down for the highly anticipated ESPN Body Issue, and holy sh*t, that butt. Adam's personality and skill set made him America's sweetheart during the games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, but now, he's talking about all things body, and yes, he knows he has a "shelf butt." "When I was at the Olympics, one of my roommates - she is also a skater - said, 'I know why people think [your butt] is fake. It looks like a shelf in your costume,'" he said in the interview. "In skating, we're very lower-limb-dominant and it's important to keep our trunk and upper bodies very lean, because if you're lighter, you will jump higher, and if you're thinner, you will spin faster. But it's finally time to put all of those questions to rest. All of the doubters, all of the naysayers, they'll finally have the proof they've been looking for!" He has opened up about "starving himself" in the past, but while recovering from a foot injury, Adam was "forced into a place of figuring it out." Before he got back on the ice to prepare for the Olympics, he learned to train and treat his body right, and he is so grateful for his stamina, his balance, and sometimes his abs (with "a little bit of lighting and a lot of flexing"). "I don't want to say I'll never be in this shape again, but I'll never be in this shape. I'll be in another shape," Adam said. "This is a milestone of all the work it took me to get to the point to be an Olympic-medal-winning figure skater." Read on to see the photos from Adam's photo shoot, and take a moment to praise those spectacular glutes. The 10th annual ESPN Body Issue will be available on newsstands June 29. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI June 26, 2018 at 01:23PM
Here's What It's Like to Live With Anxiety Every Day (Hint: It's Not Pleasant)
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It's a feeling we're all familiar with: you get butterflies in your stomach, your heart beats a mile a minute, your mind starts racing, and your knees go weak. Maybe you feel it before a big public speech or during a particularly turbulent flight. Now imagine that feeling all day, for no reason - that's what it's like to live with anxiety. "Anxiety" and "panic attack" are terms thrown around so casually nowadays, it has watered down what it truly means to have this unpleasant mental illness. But as someone who was diagnosed with anxiety and depression when I was 14, then later with bipolar II (with which anxiety is a common symptom), I can tell you it's nothing to be flippant about. Although my anxiety isn't nearly as severe as some people's - I have only had a couple panic attacks in my life and I am still able to go to work and function most days - it's a silent illness that impacts every facet of my life, every day. On a good day, my anxiety manifests itself by thinking of worst-case scenarios for some situations: what if my train gets delayed and I'm late for work? What if I forgot my wallet at home and can't buy my lunch? Is my friend actually mad at me because she didn't text me back right away? What if I go to this party and no one talks to me? On a tough day, my anxiety is both physical and mental: the butterflies and sinking pit in my stomach are constant, my heart races for no reason, and my mind can't help but catastrophize everything in disturbing, vivid scenarios all day long. What if I trip on the subway platform and get hit by an oncoming train? What if I open my mouth during a meeting and word vomit comes out, offending everyone and I get fired on the spot? What if that mole on my arm is melanoma and I'm secretly dying of cancer? What if someone brought a gun and opened fire in this theater - where are the closest exits? Sometimes, it's just an overwhelming feeling of fear and doom with no source or reasoning. It feels like I'm a prisoner trapped in my own mind and my brain is showcasing a highlight reel of frightening imagery on a constant loop. No matter how hard I try to think of happy, pleasant thoughts to counteract the bad ones, the negativity always shines through. I have a couple go-to thoughts I try and invoke when I'm feeling anxious to calm me down: being on a beach looking at a calm, serene ocean, or sitting on the couch at home with my husband and a glass of wine. Most of the time, it's futile. On days I'm feeling particularly anxious, I tend to shut down and not talk much; I'm always worried that I'll say something wrong or bad, offend someone, and sever that connection or get fired from my job. This has led to people thinking I'm rude or standoffish, personality traits I definitely don't want to exhibit. My psychiatrist's office doesn't prescribe benzodiazepines, which means it's up to my prescribed mood stabilizers for my bipolar disorder, lifestyle habits, and the occasional CBD oil to treat my anxiety. I can usually manage on just my prescriptions, working out in the mornings, and getting enough sleep. But if I feel some anxiety creeping in, I'll take a dose or two of CBD oil. And, I certainly don't recommend this as a coping strategy, but sometimes I'll unwind after a particularly stressful day with a cocktail or glass of wine in the evening. I've been told by doctors before that my anxiety isn't "that bad" because I have never ended up in the hospital because of it. Sure, I am lucky that I've never had to have emergency medical intervention, but living with anxiety is a burden that impacts my personal and professional life on a near-daily basis. As I continue to seek treatment, I hope my anxiety will start to be alleviated; lately, I've been having more good days than bad ones, which is a sign of progress. I know anxiety is something I'll live with forever, but I'm committed to continue working on my mental health and eventually live a calmer, more balanced life. I just hope people realize that anxiety is more than just "being a worrier" or a mindset people choose. It's a serious mental illness that takes effort, and sometimes medication, to treat. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI June 26, 2018 at 01:23PM
Fast Food Isn't ALL Bad - but These 4 Menu Items Are the Worst Offenders
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When it comes to convenience, fast food is a clear winner. There are tons of fast food restaurants around, with various options (some may even be good for your health!) at a good price point, making it something easy to grab and eat, especially on the go. Yet, some of those foods are pretty bad for you, and they really shouldn't be eaten, no matter the perceived perks. Here are a few diet busters that you should never purchase from a fast food spot from RDs themselves. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI June 26, 2018 at 12:39PM
The Fitness Marshall's Dance Cardio Video to "Solo" Is Easily Our New Favorite
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Just when we thought The Fitness Marshall's dance video to "Sangria Wine" was our new favorite, he kills it with another sexy routine that really gets us pumped. Set to Clean Bandit and Demi Lovato's hit, "Solo," TFM's dance will have you sweating and feeling yourself all at the same time. "This song gets me GOING so I had to dance to it," TFM said. "I also had a lot of fun with the editing on this one. We shot this in one take and didn't mess up until I almost fell over at the end. Grab a friend or go SOLO - doesn't matter as long as you're dancing!" Watch the video above, and dance along! Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI June 26, 2018 at 12:19PM
Show Off Your Shoulders With These Go-to Exercises From a Beachbody Trainer
https://ift.tt/2KnBYOI 
Whether you want to rock a cold shoulder top or wear a sexy off-the-shoulder dress, your shoulders are on full display in the summer. And if you're focusing on your biceps and triceps, you might be ignoring Summer's most on-display muscle; you can carve out sexy, toned shoulders with a few exercises. Joel Freeman, Beachbody super trainer and creator of the new lifting program called LIIFT4, told POPSUGAR some of his favorite bodyweight and dumbbell moves for your shoulders. The best part about the dumbbell moves is that you can also do them with resistance bands, a great option for at-home workouts or travel. Joel recommends doing three sets of 10 reps for each exercise. If you're new to working your upper body, he said women should start with between five and 20-pound dumbbells. Try these four moves as a circuit to tone up your shoulders and show them off all season long. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI June 26, 2018 at 11:59AM |
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