GOOD NEWS: Aspirin: miracle dug, and more.

Huge study from China shows substantial reduction in GI cancers and some others. Here's the quote from the authors: The findings demonstrate that the long-term use of aspirin can reduce the risk of developing many major cancers [...] What should be noted is the significance of the results for cancers within the digestive tract, where the reductions in cancer incidence were all very substantial, especially for liver and esophageal cancer." For those wha can't take aspirin, similar results were obtained with Non=steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. GASTOINTESTINAL CANCER REDUCTION FROM LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN

DO THESE CAUSE CANCER? (SLIDE SHOW FROM WEBMD)

I've done this one some time ago, but as the evidence improves, it's worthwhile passing this on again. Living in the modern world with virtually unlimited sources of information, it's smart to see the best information available from time to time. That common, everyday things might cause cancer frightens us all. Moreover, in a world where we increasingly distrust government and its institutions, paranoia runs rampant. Advocacy groups (non-scientific) may make a particular exposure a cause célébre, muddying the waters further. Beware of much you see on the Internet, except of course, my missives. THE MOT COMMON QUESTIONS

DEPRESSION AND EXERCISE: CAN THIS BE TRUE?

A mere 15 minutes per week can reduce the incidence of depression. This looks like a worthy study. Large numbers of participants. The conclusion re. those who don't exercise being more depressed is suspect in my mind as those with depression are not likely to endure even the mild discomfort of exercise. MY WIFE'S PROZAC

Out of Darkness now an audiobook

Out of Darkness This is one of the novels of which I'm most proud. While the novel has had excellent reviews, sales have been disappointing. After a long haul, the novel is now available as an audiobook with an outstanding performance by Leigh Townes who brings the main character to life as a thirteen-year-old girl and a mature woman. From a FIVE STAR review. Above excellent medical and legal mystery drama Many topics are covered including hospital staff frictions, life and death decisions and hospital dynamics. Terrific character portrayals and ongoing suspense as well as surprises make this book hard to put down. It describes how a young girl was able to escape a horrible dysfunctional background and somewhat overcome the numerous residual traumatic memories. Relationships between men and women are thoroughly explored. Even after finishing it, the plot remained in my mind for a lengthy time. The ending was truly outstanding and amazing.

PURPLE, NOT JUST IN STYLE

My wife goes a little crazy adding color to what we consume. She's big on salads with 5 or 6 colors. I don't really care as long as it tasted good, but here's some information that suggests that color is, in fact, important. COLON CANCER "PREVENTION."

GOOD NEWS, AT LAST: CHOCOLATE

Chocolate's been getting a good rep for years. Now another study worth a look. My father who died 2 months short of his 100th birthday attributed his longevity to dark chocolate. I alway knew that he was ahead of his time. DR. HERSHEY'S REMEDY

AVOCADOS & NUTS

Maybe it's the aging population or aging scientists, but I see increasing interest on the means to improve and maintain cognitive function. Let me share the quote at the end of the article: "This gives us evidence of the mechanisms by which nutrition affects intelligence and motivates promising new directions for future research in nutritional cognitive neuroscience." FOOD AND COGNITION

THE BRAIN AND DIET

Maybe it's because I'm not getting any younger, but this study caught my attention. For a severe problem that we all fear, this study may be onto something. DEMENTIA/ LIFE EXPECTANCY

Could you have a brain aneurysm and not know it?

While I'm a big fan of WebMD, the title of this slide show makes me wonder about their ethics and sensitivity to people. Are people with a headache, fairly common, to wonder if that means they have a life threatening aneurysm. That's a risk of 0.001%. The slide show is excellent, but like most medical students, we eventually learn that it's just a headache and not an aneurysm. BRAIN ANEURYSM

DANCING & LIVING

Good study re. exercise and the aging brain. The message: exercise that forces you to learn something is best. CAN'T ARGUE WITH THE STUDY

INTESTINAL BACTERIA AND AGING

IMPORTNT PRELIMINARY STUDY, ESPECIALLY FOR THE FEW OF US WHO ARE GETTING OLDER. READ THE ARTICLE OR HERE'S GIST: Researchers examined a class of chemical compounds called indoles and found that they have potential for extending vitality in our fellow mammals, mice. The findings could pave the way for a drug that could one day help humans to "live better for longer." Some of indole's chemical versions, such as Indole-3-carbinol, can be found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and other cruciferous vegetables. It's like the Picture of Dorian Gray, in terms of the genes involved [...] Indoles make old animals look more like the young ones [...] This is a direct avenue to a drug that could make people live better for longer."  Daniel Kalman, Ph.D. EATING KALE MAY MAKE YOU LIVE LONGER, OR EATING IT JUST MAKES IT SEEM SO. HAPPY GUT: HAPPY BRAIN

COLON CANCER DEATH RATE INCREASING IN PEOPLE UNDER FIFTY

AN IMPORTANT STUDY THAT CAN SAVE YOU OR A LOVED ONE. TAKE A MOMENT TO READ IT AND CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES. SAVE A LIFE

SUGAR: THE GOOD, BAD, AND THE UGLY

Finally, a balanced presentation of sugar. Much has been said as sugar has become a cause célèbre for those with good intentions and others who seem to enjoy destroying the best things in life. YOU CHOOSE! SUGAR

GOOD NEWS, FOR A CHANGE ABOUT THE AGING BRAIN

BRAIN SCIENCE HAS MADE INCREDIBLE PROGRESS OVER THE LAST DECADE. IT'S GOOD TO SEE THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS. FROM AARP ABOUT YOUR BRAIN

WHAT PRICE FOR HEALTH

A 20% REDUCTION IN THE INCIDENCE OF HEART ATTACK AND STROKE IS SUBSTANTIAL. A pricey new drug designed to slash harmful cholesterol levels in heart patients has been shown to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 20 percent. It’s an important breakthrough, but a big question remains: Is the benefit big enough to warrant the drug’s $14,000 price tag? The results of a two-year study of the drug, called Repatha (evolocumab), were announced at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study, which involved more than 27,000 men and women, cost about $1 billion and was paid for by Amgen, the maker of the drug, the New York Times reported.

GET YOUR FREE AUDIOBOOK WHILE THEY LAST

CHOOSE YOUR AUDIOBOOK, EMAIL ME, AND I'LL SEND CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS LARRY sailchap01@gmail.com

SLIDE SHOW THAT MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE!!

I've written about malignant melanoma before in my novel, A Simple Cure. Melanoma is the scariest skin tumor and this slide show from WebMd is excellent about malignant melanoma and other skin cancers. It's worth a few minutes of your time. Larry SKIN CANCER SLIDE SHOW

Physician Assisted Suicide

If you have an interest in end of life issues, this link will be of interest, especially the letter to the editor. For both sides, read the editorial and response. Although the issues are complex, I'm in agreement with the editorial while the response suggests a level of certitude that we can palliate most difficulties in the dying process. I don't think we can. You read...you choose. Larry DYING AIN'T EASY ANYMORE

VECTOR RED JUST PUBLISHED

Vector Red, the latest in the Brier Hospital Series was published in mid December and has earned only five star reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6IR6NH/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

One reviewer used language that I never would have thought applied to my work, but who's to argue?

Here's the review: Genetics and ethics of scientists January 6, 2017 Who determines if weapons of mass destruction are for offensive or defensive purposes? Are we prepared or will others obtain them? Medical and safety issues are discussed. Decisions in research are highlighted but delayed by government and military. There is humor and romantic flirting. There is a fascinating review of wound healing. Characters are vividly portrayed reflecting humane interactions. Biological warfare and moral, physical and emotional components are included in the amazing plot. It is clear we must be prepared and the author has done a masterpiece. It is likely his best novel yet. I can't wait for more of them.

CANCER OF THE PROSTATE

THIS ARTICLE IS A SIGNIFICANT ADDITION TO THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT PSA SCREENING FOR CARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE. IF THERE WERE NO DOWNSIDES FOR SCREENING, NO CONTROVERSY WOULD EXIST. IT'S UP TO THE PATIENT AND HIS PHYSICIAN ABOUT WHEN AND IF PSA TESTING SHOULD BE DONE AND WHAT SHOULD FOLLOW. PSA CONTROVERSY