Lung cancer rates in women 'to soar' by 2040

"Lung cancer rates soaring for women after tobacco manufacturers target them by saying smoking helps you stay slim," the Daily Mail claims.

Elsewhere, BBC News reports that over the next 30 years the number of women with lung cancer is set to rise significantly faster than the number of men with lung cancer.

Where does the news come from?

The news stories come from a study of projected trends in cancer rates and cancer survival overall that was originally published online in the British Journal of Cancer in August 2012.

The study, conducted by researchers at King’s College London and University College London, was funded by the charity Macmillan Cancer Support. It used existing information about trends in cancer rates and cancer survival in England to build a UK computer model to predict how these numbers will change over the next three decades.

The research looked at breast, lung, bowel and prostate cancer, and all cancers combined. Overall, the study authors predicted that the total number of cancer survivors in the UK could increase from 2.1 million in 2010 to 5.3 million by 2040.

The study has been the subject of previous publicity by Macmillan and has twice appeared in the news, with warnings about a 'breast cancer timebomb' and a 'tripling in cancer cases in the over 65s'.

The lung cancer figures were highlighted this week in a press release from Macmillan, which says that lung cancer is still a killer but that research into the disease is not as well funded as other types of cancer.

Macmillan highlights the fact that lung cancer receives a quarter of the research funding compared to breast cancer, even though lung cancer kills more than 13,000 women a year in England and Wales.

What does the report say about lung cancer?

The study predicts that lung cancer cases will double from 65,000 in 2010 to 137,000 in 2040.

The number of women with lung cancer in the UK is set to quadruple within the next 30 years, from around 26,000 in 2010 to about 95,000 in 2040. In contrast, lung cancer rates in men are predicted to increase by 8%, from 39,000 in 2010 to 42,000 in 2040.

The model used in the research is based on the assumption that current trends in lung cancer will remain the same, but this may not be the case.

However, this study does reinforce the importance of long-term planning in order to anticipate the health needs of an increasing ageing population.

What could explain the projected trends?

As is the case with cancer generally, the projected increase in lung cancer rates is largely due to an ageing population, say the researchers.

Lung cancer is more common in older people, probably because they have been smoking for longer than younger smokers and the longer you smoke, the higher your risk of lung cancer.

The difference in projected rates among men and women is thought to reflect the difference in smoking rates between the sexes in the past. It is well-established that smoking is the main cause of lung cancer and that current lung cancer rates generally reflect smoking rates among the population 20 to 30 years earlier. The report does not cover this point in detail, but it does point out that male lung cancer incidence rates in England have declined, mainly because the number of men who smoke has reduced since the 1970s.

Other research has found that lung cancer incidence rates in men peaked in the 1970s and have decreased by more than 45% since then, reflecting the decline in smoking rates among men after World War II.

However, from the mid 1970s to the late 1980s lung cancer rates among women increased by around 45%, probably reflecting a later 'peak' in smoking among women, although they are now increasing more slowly.

What evidence is there that tobacco companies marketed cigarettes to women as a slimming aid?

A report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that looked at the history of tobacco marketing to women globally found that tobacco companies linked cigarettes to fashion and slimness as early as 1927.

The report quotes an advertisement from the time that encouraged women to 'Light a Lucky [Lucky Strike] and you'll never miss sweets that make you fat'.

In the 1960s and 70s women became a major target for the tobacco industry. The launch of Virginia Slims by Philip Morris in 1968 deliberately targeted women by associating smoking with glamour, thinness and independence. The WHO report points out that the tobacco industry has used promotional campaigns, sponsorship and the internet to market cigarettes to women. A recent article in the journal Tobacco Control highlighted the emergence of pro-smoking smartphone apps.

In the UK tobacco advertising is illegal but this is not the case globally, particularly in countries in the developing world.

The WHO report highlights the fact that tobacco companies are now aggressively targeting Asian women, quoting the cynical words of a Bensons & Hedges marketing strategy that says that men 'represent the cigarette world of yesterday, rather than the market of tomorrow'.

The possible influence – or not – of cigarette marketing upon smoking rates in women is not addressed by the British Journal of Cancer study.

However, the Daily Mail should be congratulated for raising awareness about the issue of tobacco marketing aimed at women, especially those in the developing world.

Why has Macmillan focused on lung cancer?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in the UK. Ciarán Devane, Macmillan's chief executive, says: "For most cancers in the UK, we are looking at how we can cope with a population of long-term survivors with health complications. With lung cancer we are a long way from even being able to consider these issues."

He argues that lung cancer survival needs to improve, with more funding for research into the disease and its treatment.

Stigma slows fight against lung cancer

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Lung cancer and stigma: The USA's biggest cancer killer gets a disproportionately small share of public attention and research dollars. One big reason is that lung cancer is seen largely as a self-inflicted "smoker's disease," says a new report from FairWarning, a nonprofit online publication. The fact that many people with the disease die too quickly to become advocates for their own cause also plays a role. With many dying within a few months, "there's not much time to fit a walkathon in," one expert says.

Lice treatment: A new prescription lotion for head lice called ivermectin left 75% of kids pest-free two weeks after one treatment in a new study, meaning it may work better than older remedies. But it wasn't tested directly against other treatments and lacks long-term safety data. So some experts say it's still a last resort. (Health Day)

Mumps outbreak: A mumps outbreak that hit Orthodox Jewish communities in New York and New Jersey in 2009-2010 spread largely through religious schools that used intense face-to-face teaching -- enabling the virus to spread even among people who had been vaccinated, researchers say. (Reuters)

Today's talker: Will your child share Halloween candy today? Or share toys at playtime? It may depend on whether anyone is watching, a new study suggests. The study found five-year-old children were more generous with a stash of stickers when they could see and be seen by the child on the receiving end and when their offerings were put in see-through boxes, rather than opaque containers. It seems children are like adults, a researcher says: "The more others know about their actions, the more likely they are to act generously." (NBC News)

How Diwali sweets can be good for you

During Diwali, the last thing you’d want is a dietician telling you what not to eat!

Nutrition experts are often subject to comments like “Oh! She is watching me” or “How many calories is this? Can I eat it?” And, the table laden with sweet dishes laboriously prepared for the festival is the last place where anyone needs to hear talk of calorie counts!!

So, this year, let’s talk about the goodness of Diwali sweets and how you can eat them.

There are some main ingredients that go into making several Diwali sweets, which excluding the sugar and maida, are healthy like nuts, saffron, besan, milk and desi ghee.

Did I say ghee? Ghee has been used in every household in India for ages, in Vedic rituals and Ayurvedic preparations. Not the kind one buys off the shelf from supermarkets, but yes, fresh ghee made from cow’s milk, unadulterated, without additives and made at home. Ghee has both saturated fat and cholesterol, but also antioxidants. Therefore, in limited amounts it is healthy. As with all saturated fats, ghee should be kept to less than 10% of the total fat intake. This means about 6gm of ghee in a day for someone on 2000 kcal diet. Due to its intense flavour, a small amount is enough to get the taste and feel of texture.


Nuts and seeds are also part of the Indian sweet making process and we have made an art out of that too! Potential calories, protein, good fats, minerals, antioxidants, fibre are all packed into these small delicious things, literally in a nutshell!

Saffron, the quintessentially exotic flavouring ingredient that we inherited from Persia around 500 BC, is one of the most expensive spices in the world. It adds natural colour to our kesari (sheera) and shrikand, and is also effective as a remedy for sleeplessness, indigestion, flatulence, asthma, whooping cough, menstrual cramps, vomiting and gets mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts as anti-venom.

Besan – what would we do without this multi-purpose ingredient that we turn into curries, savouries and sweets! The protein content and fibre in besan controls blood sugar and cholesterol. Bengal gram has one of the lowest glycaemic index among all foods.

Milk-based sweets are the best loved – healthy for all, wholesome and part of our cuisine and culture.

Those who have a health reason to avoid fats and sugars but still want to enjoy the luxury of eating during Diwali should opt for sweets made with artificial sugar, use skimmed milk and reduce amount of pure ghee.
Eat singular portions and not handful or plateful of sweets and savouries

Space out the sweet eating at times after a main meal, should you eat at all and not as a snack between meals
Avoid sweets that are commercial or have maida in them. Go for sweets that have healthier ingredients like the ones mentioned above.

And above all, remember the saying that “Even ambrosia (or nectar of life) in large quantities is poisonous”. Everything in the right proportion is good and healthy!

Health of Kidney Disease Patients: Diet and Blood Pressure

Studies investigate aspects of nutrition and blood pressure control in chronic kidney disease patients

Highlights
• Adding fruits and vegetables to the diet improves kidney disease patients’ health.
• Poor nutrition plays a role in the link between poverty and kidney disease.
• Among kidney disease patients, Blacks are more likely to have uncontrolled blood pressure than Whites

Newswise — Three studies presented during the American Society of Nephrology’s Annual Kidney Week provide new information on diet and blood pressure in kidney disease patients.

Nimrit Goraya, MD (Texas A&M College of Medicine) and her colleagues investigated whether adding fruits and vegetables to the diet can improve the health of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Alkaline therapy is used to treat CKD patients with severe metabolic acidosis (when there is too much acid in the body). Dr. Goraya and her team looked to see if adding fruits and vegetables—which are highly alkaline—can benefit CKD patients with less severe metabolic acidosis. For the study, 108 patients were randomized to receive added fruits and vegetables, an oral alkaline medication, or nothing. After three years, consuming either fruits and vegetables or the oral medication reduced a marker of metabolic acidosis and preserved kidney function to similar extents.

“Our findings suggest that an apple a day keeps the nephrologist away,” said Dr. Goraya.

Another team led by Deidra Crews, MD (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) wondered whether poor dietary habits might help explain why poverty is linked with CKD. In their study of 2,058 individuals, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and potassium intake were lower, and cholesterol higher, among those in poverty. CKD was present among 5.6% of people in poverty, and 3.8% of those not in poverty.

“An unhealthy diet is strongly associated with kidney disease among poor individuals. Dietary interventions tailored to meet the needs of this population may help to reduce disparities in kidney disease," said Dr. Crews.

A third study looked at blood pressure control among ethnically diverse CKD patients. Racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to develop kidney failure than whites, perhaps due in part to poorer blood pressure control. Delphine Tuot, MD (University of California, San Francisco) and her colleagues examined blood pressure using 18,864 clinical blood pressure measurements from 6618 adults (23% white, 34% black, 18% Hispanic, 21% Asian) with CKD who received primary care in a health network serving San Francisco's uninsured and publicly insured residents. Blood pressure was nearly 20% higher than national estimates with smaller, though still significant, disparities between black and white patients (with blacks having higher rates of uncontrolled blood pressure.)

“Public health care delivery systems like the Community Health Network of San Francisco disproportionately care for vulnerable patients, including those of racial/ethnic minorities, and can serve as front-line agents to reduce disparities of care through implementation of innovative programs,” said Dr. Tuot.
Study co-authors for “Fruits and Vegetables or Oral NaHCO3 Preserve GFR and Reduce Urine Angiotensinogen, a Marker of Kidney Angiotensin II Activity, in Stage 3 CKD” (abstract 2214) include Chanhee Jo, PhD, Jan Simoni, PhD, and Donald E. Wesson, MD.

Study co-authors for “Dietary Habits, Poverty, and Chronic Kidney Disease in an Urban Population” (abstract 842) include Marie Kuczmarski, PhD, Edgar R. Miller, MD, PhD, Alan B. Zonderman, PhD, Michele Kim Evans, MD, and Neil R. Powe, MD.

Study co-authors for “Blood Pressure Control among CKD Patients in a Public Health System” (abstract 2303) include Charles E. McCulloch, PhD, Chi-yuan Hsu, MD, Tanushree Banerjee, PhD, Margaret Handley, PhD, Dean Schillinger,and Neil R. Powe, MD.

ASN Kidney Week 2012, the largest nephrology meeting of its kind, will provide a forum for 13,000 professionals to discuss the latest findings in renal research and engage in educational sessions related to advances in the care of patients with kidney and related disorders. Kidney Week 2012 will take place October 30 – November 4 at the San Diego Convention Center.

The content of these studies does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.

Founded in 1966, and with more than 13,500 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.

Soda Health Risks

Heart Attacks 

This week, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that drinking just one sugar-sweetened beverage a day was associated with a 20 percent bump in a man's risk of having a heart attack over a 22-year period. What's more, that risk increased along with the amount of sugary drinks consumed -- even after researchers controlled for other factors like family history, tobacco use and BMI. Reported NBC:

And while link doesn't absolutely prove that sugary drinks increase the risk of heart disease, there is evidence from other studies showing that these beverages have an impact on risk factors, [lead author Lawrence] de Koning said. In one study, for example, volunteers who decreased sugary soda consumption experienced a reduction in blood pressure levels, he added.

 The researchers used data from the longitudinal Health Professionals Follow-up study -- a long-term research project that tracked the health behaviors of 42,883 men over 22 years. Of the entire cohort, a total 3,683 had either fatal or non-fatal heart attacks.

Previous analysis of long-term research, such as data from the Nurses' Health Study, show that sugary soda consumption has been individually linked to overall heart disease rates for women as well.

But before you consider switching to diet soda, research has shown that it, too, has a negative effect on heart attack and stroke: a separate study of 2,600 adults found that those who drank diet soda regularly were 40 percent more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

Metabolic Syndrome And Fatty Liver Disease 

Even if it doesn't cause weight gain, sugary soda may be damaging your cardiovascular health -- especially if you're a woman. That's because women who drink sugar sweetened beverages are more likely to develop high levels of triglycerides -- a fat found in the blood stream that can indicate metabolic syndrome at high levels. In a review of data from a large, long-term study of the heart health of both men and women, the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, researchers found that women who drank at least two sugary drinks per week were four times as likely to have dangerously high trigylceride levels as those who drank only one sugary drink.

How does it work? The excess sugar from soda and other drinks is converted in the body to fat. But unlike the subcutaneous fat that's visible under the skin, much of this sugar transforms into either triglycerides or fatty tissue that surrounds organs, like the liver. And both metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease can contribute to higher risk of coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke.

Weight Gain 

Naturally, consuming extra calories from added sugar will lead to weight gain. But even diet soda may lead to unhealthy pounds. While the research is not yet conclusive, recent data demonstrated an association between regularly drinking diet soda and larger waist lines.

Wrote HuffPost Healthy Living's own Amanda L. Chan:

A study presented at an American Diabetes Association meeting this week shows that drinking diet soda is associated with a wider waist in humans. And a second study shows that aspartame -- an artificial sweetener in diet soda -- actually raises blood sugar in mice prone to diabetes.

 "Data from this and other prospective studies suggest that the promotion of diet sodas and artificial sweeteners as healthy alternatives may be ill-advised," study researcher Helen P. Hazuda, Ph.D., a professor and chief of clinical epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio's School of Medicine, said in a statement. "They may be free of calories but not of consequences."

An observational study and an experiment in rodents does not make for a lock-tight association, but it's enough to raise cause for concern.

Osteoporosis 

An ingredient in cola could be leaching calcium from your bones.

One study from Tufts University researchers found that women who reported drinking just three colas a week had an average 4 percent more bone loss at important sites in the hips than women who drank any other beverage -- including non-cola, sugary drinks and sodas. But why?

Both diet and full-sugar cola contain the flavoring phosphoric acid. According to the study's lead author, Kathleen Tucker, that causes greater acidity in the blood. "At that point, your body's first priority is to restore a balance, so it leaches some calcium out of your bones to neutralize the acid," she told The Daily Beast.

Type 2 Diabetes 

Diabetes goes hand-in-hand with obesity and heightened sugar consumption, so it's no surprise that drinking full-sugar soda is associated with the disease.

The Nurse Health Study data on 90,000 adult women revealed that those who drank one or more sugary soft drinks (such as soda or juice) were also twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. And a separate study reveals why: sugary drinks increase the level of fasting glucose and insulin resistance -- two signs of pre-diabetes.

 Initial studies in mice even find that heightened consumption of the aspartame in diet soda can have an ill effect on fasting glucose levels, though that research is not yet conclusive.

Half of Americans Drink Soda Every Day 

 About half of Americans who participated in a study done as part of Gallup’s annual Consumption Habits poll claimed that they drink at least one glass of soda per day. Even though soda drinks have no nutritional value and are choc full of sugar and sodium, the same number of non-soda drinkers, about 4 out of 10, said that they are overweight compared to the same number of people who drink soda daily.

Less is better, when it comes to salt

A simple measure that could go a long way in enhancing public health—limit salt intake to less than 1,500 mg or about three-fourths of a teaspoon each day—is the subject of an advisory to Americans.


The American Heart Association (AHA) has issued an advisory based on a thorough review of recent lab, animal, observational and clinical studies. This advisory is meant not only for people with medical conditions, but also for perfectly healthy people.

A limited salt intake would significantly reduce the risk of high blood pressure (BP), heart disease and stroke.

‘Our recommendation is simple in the sense that it applies to the entire US population, not just at-risk groups,’ said Nancy Brown, AHA’s chief executive officer, the AHA journal Circulation reports.

BP affects more than 76 million adults in the US alone and one billion people worldwide, besides being a major cause of cardiovascular disease, globally, according to a Tulane University statement.

‘People should not be swayed by calls for a change in sodium (salt) intake recommendations based on findings from recent studies,’ says Paul K. Whelton, professor of global public health at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, who led the study.

‘Our detailed review of these studies identified serious methodological weaknesses, which limit the value of these reports in setting or revising sodium intake policy,’ adds Whelton.

‘Our focus should be on finding effective ways to implement, not change, the existing American Heart Association policy on sodium intake,’ adds Whelton.

Yet, most US adults and children consume sodium far in excess of their physiological needs and guideline recommendations—with an average daily intake more than 3,400 mg per day.

Most of the sodium consumed is hidden in processed and prepared foods.

AHA advocates improved nutritional labelling of sodium content and stringent limits on sodium in all foods—fresh, processed and prepared.

Want to lose weight? Eat frozen food

Want to lose weight? Look into your freezer! Eating low-calorie frozen foods can help you stay slim and shed kilos as they provide calorie control, experts claim.

“Low-calorie frozen meals provide convenience, structure and calorie control, which leads to better adherence and weight loss,” said Jessica Bartfield, who specialises in nutrition and weight management at Loyola University Health System.

“Save time, save money, boost nutrition and control portions by eating low-calorie, frozen foods,” Bartfield said.

To safely lose weight, Bartfield advises that most people need to consume a low-calorie diet, anywhere from 1,000 to 1,800 calories per day, depending on certain factors such as weight, age, height and gender.

“The taste, nutrition, overall quality and variety of frozen food has improved tremendously. I often recommend to my patients looking to lose weight that they fulfil at least one of the three basic meals with a frozen entree as a proven dieting strategy,” she said.

Most frozen meals provide 200 to 350 calories per meal, which fits within that range along with one to two healthy snacks per day, Bartfield said.

“For people with higher calorie needs, they can add fruits or vegetables to the meal or even a small serving of protein to hit the calorie target,” she added.