Researchers identify misperceptions surrounding breast density across race/ethnicity and health literacy levels

Having dense breasts (more fibroglandular tissue than fatty tissue, as visualized on a mammogram) reduces the sensitivity of mammography by masking breast cancers and carries a 1.6- to 2.0-fold increased independent risk for breast cancer. To inform women about these risks, 38 U.S. states and the federal government have enacted legislation requiring a written dense breast notification (DBN) of a patient's breast density after a mammogram, but there still is limited evidence about what breast density means, and what the implications are, to women. According to a new study, while women are receiving these notifications about their breast density, not all recipients are fully understanding what they mean in terms of future health implications. Boston University School of Medicine researchers suggest that knowledge about breast density and its associated risks is partly linked to women's race/ethnicity and health literacy.

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In pilot study, asynchronous telehealth visits effectively treat overactive bladder

Women with overactive bladder are frequently frustrated with treatment, which leads to discontinuation of therapy. Asynchronous telehealth visits keep women engaged in follow-up care, accelerates trials of different medications and reinforces behavioral changes. The women in this pilot study reported improvement in symptoms and high satisfaction with asynchronous visits.

from Women's Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/1oiTgxv

Early menopause may raise risk of dementia later in life

Compared with women who enter menopause around age 50, women who experience very early menopause (before the age of 40) were found to be 35% more likely to develop some type of dementia later in life, according to a large study of women living in the United Kingdom. Women who entered menopause before age 45 were also 1.3 times more likely to develop dementia before the age of 65. In addition, women who entered menopause later, at age 52 or older, had dementia risk similar to women who entered menopause at the average age for menopause onset which is the age of 50 to 51 years.

from Women's Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/QYWas9u

Obesity may lead to a decline in lung function in premenopausal and postmenopausal women

Obesity has been linked to a wide array of health problems. A new study suggests that abdominal obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, may result in a greater risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

from Women's Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2JKp8e7

Obesity may lead to a decline in lung function in premenopausal and postmenopausal women

Obesity has been linked to a wide array of health problems. A new study suggests that abdominal obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, may result in a greater risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

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How the immune system responds to tissue damage can aid cancer spread

Researchers have uncovered how a process involved in the regeneration of tissue damaged by radiation can aid the spread of cancer.

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High CAC, high cholesterol increase heart attack/stroke risk, cardiologists find

Patients with both a high lipoprotein(a) and high coronary artery calcium score (CAC) face a more than 20% risk of heart attack or stroke over the following 10 years, according to findings from a multicenter study led by preventive cardiologists.

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High CAC, high cholesterol increase heart attack/stroke risk, cardiologists find

Patients with both a high lipoprotein(a) and high coronary artery calcium score (CAC) face a more than 20% risk of heart attack or stroke over the following 10 years, according to findings from a multicenter study led by preventive cardiologists.

from Women's Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/mKqWVHl

MRI may lower breast cancer deaths from variants in 3 genes

Annual MRI screenings starting at ages 30 to 35 may reduce breast-cancer mortality by more than 50% among women who carry certain genetic changes in three genes, according to a comparative modeling analysis. The predictions involve pathogenic variants in ATM, CHEK2 and PALB2 genes -- which collectively are as prevalent as the much-reported BRCA1/2 gene mutations.

from Breast Cancer News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/LJWt6cV

Pandemic upends breast cancer diagnoses

Researchers surveyed and compared early- and late-stage breast and colorectal cancer diagnoses in patients in pre-pandemic 2019 and in 2020, the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic, discovering fewer of the former and more of the latter as patients delayed care.

from Breast Cancer News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/EdQlWft