- FDA Advises Against Morcellator Use in Hysterectomies http://on.wsj.com/1pgr3WO
- Gene Variant Increases Risk of Colorectal Cancer for 1 in 3 Eating Processed Meat http://bit.ly/QkqgEJ
- Apathy Could Signal Brain Shrinkage in Old Age http://usat.ly/Qkm9bL
- Child Bullying Victims Still Suffering At 50, Study http://bbc.in/1jdMUqL
- Exercise May Reverse Skin's Aging Process, Study Finds http://huff.to/QtgtvL
MAYO CLINIC RADIO
Posted on April 18th, 2014 by Dana Sparks
April is Donate Life Month, which focuses attention on the importance of registering as organ, eye and tissue donors. Tune in Saturday, April 19, at 9 a.m. CT as we discuss organ donation with Good Samaritan kidney donor Philip Fischer, M.D., and director of the Mayo Clinic kidney transplant program Mikel Prieto, M.D. There is so much to learn about donating the gift of life! Join us!
Myth or Matter of Fact: I'm not in the best of health, so I probably can't be a donor.
To hear the program LIVE on Saturday, click here.
Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.
Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.
Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment April 19, 2014 (right click MP3)
Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.
For future topics, click on Upcoming Programs.
To listen to archived shows, click on Episodes.
If there is a topic you would like us to address, drop us a note. Click here to create a guest account.
Treating Warts: Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute
Posted on April 18th, 2014 by Joel Streed
Warts. They can be bothersome and embarrassing. In this Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute, Dr. Dawn Davis has some ideas on how to treat warts.
To listen, click the link below.
National DNA Day is April 25; Experts Available for Comment
Posted on April 17th, 2014 by Sam Smith
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Friday, April 25, is National DNA Day, the date which commemorates completion of the Human Genome Project, the national effort to identify and decode all 6 billion letters in human DNA. Since that time, medical researchers and practitioners have found new ways to apply genomics for everyone who needs healing, and thanks to staggering technological advancements and next-generation sequencing, the cost to sequence a patient’s genome has decreased from $3 billion for the first human genome in 2003 to approximately $1,500.
MEDIA: Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine, is available for interviews and background about the future of genomic medicine, as well as information about the latest practices and transformative clinical trials. To interview Dr. Farrugia contact Sam Smith, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu
Watch video on genome sequencing:
Suggested topics for Dr. Farrugia to discuss:
- Medicine Meant for Me: Genetic tests to determine drug efficacy are an important new tool physicians can use to tailor health care. Mayo Clinic and other medical centers are embedding this information in patients’ electronic medical records to help prevent adverse drug reactions.
- One in a Billion: Each person’s genetic code has roughly 6 billion letters of DNA code. Technological advances have accelerated the ability to read and interpret this data, helping patients with rare or completely unknown genetic conditions find answers, giving peace of mind to their families. Patient cases are available.
- Cancer’s Worst Enemy: Mayo Clinic is conducting several leading-edge studies around cancer, including taking breast cancer cells from women who have a high risk of recurrence and growing tumors outside their bodies to develop and test new targeted therapies. Mayo Clinic is the only institution to sequence tumor and normal genomes before, in the middle of and after chemotherapy.
Ten facts about DNA and genomics in medicine:
- There are 31 markers commonly used in cancer care, according to the National Cancer Institute. Using new sequencing technologies, researchers can identify hundreds of markers in individual tumors within a few days.
- There are more than 7,000 diseases considered rare in the U.S., most of which have some genomic or inherited component, according to the National Organization of Rare Disorders.
- The Food and Drug Administration lists 155 drugs known to have sensitivity to individual genomic makeup. That number is expected to increase dramatically as sequencing drives rapid discovery.
- DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.
- There are approximately 6 billion letters in the average human genome.
- Spelled out, each person’s genome would fill 1,000 New York City telephone books.
- Nearly all of the roughly 25 trillion cells in the human body have identical sets of DNA contained in the cell nucleus.
- When uncoiled, the DNA contained in every cell nucleus measures about 6 feet in length.
- It took about 10 years and cost nearly $3 billion to sequence the first human genome. It can now be done in a few days for roughly $1,500.
- All humans are about 99.9 percent identical. Less than 0.1 of 1 percent makes us individuals.
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About Mayo Clinic
Recognizing 150 years of serving humanity in 2014, Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit worldwide leader in medical care, research and education for people from all walks of life. For more information, visit 150years.mayoclinic.org, http://www.mayoclinic.org/ and newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org.
About the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
The Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine is home to the Individualized Medicine Clinic, the world’s first integrated multidisciplinary genomics clinic, serving patients with advanced cancer and complex diagnoses. The center discovers and integrates the latest in genomic, molecular and clinical sciences into personalized care for each Mayo Clinic patient. Visit http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/center-for-individualized-medicine for more information.
Standards of Genomic Data: Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute
Posted on April 17th, 2014 by Joel Streed
In this Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute, find out why Dr. Christopher Chute advocates the need for standardizing genomic information.
To listen, click the link below.
THURSDAY CONSUMER HEALTH TIPS
Posted on April 17th, 2014 by Dana Sparks
Pomegranate juice: Can it lower cholesterol?
Intolerancia a la fructosa: ¿Qué alimentos deben evitarse?
Posted on April 17th, 2014 by Soledad Andrade
ESTIMADA MAYO CLINIC:
Mi hija tiene intolerancia a la fructosa. ¿Podrían por favor decirme qué alimentos contienen fructosa para que ella pueda evitarlos?
RESPUESTA DE Katherine Zeratsky, especialista en dietética:
La fructosa es un azúcar que se encuentra presente de manera natural de las frutas, jugos de frutas, algunas verduras y la miel. La fructosa también es un componente básico del azúcar de mesa (sucrosa), y el jarabe de maíz con alto contenido de fructosa sirve para endulzar muchos alimentos procesados y bebidas.
Cuando el sistema digestivo no absorbe bien la fructosa, ésta puede provocar dolor abdominal, diarrea y flatulencia.
Las personas con intolerancia a la fructosa deben restringir los alimentos con alto contenido de fructosa, como los jugos, las manzanas, las uvas, la sandía, los espárragos, las arvejas (guisantes o chícharos) y el zucchini (calabacín o courgette). Otros alimentos que contienen menos fructosa, tales como los plátanos, los arándanos azules, las fresas, las zanahorias, el aguacate (palta), las judías verdes (vainas o ejotes) y la lechuga, pueden tolerarse en poca cantidad con la comida.
Lea atentamente las etiquetas alimenticias y evite los alimentos que contengan lo siguiente:
- Fructosa
- Jarabe de maíz con alto contenido de fructosa
- Miel
- Néctar de agave
- Azúcar invertido
- Jarabe con sabor a maple, o miel de arce
- Melaza
- Azúcar de palma o coco
- Sorgo
Solicite a un especialista en dietética que le proporcione una lista completa de los alimentos que su hija debe comer o evitar debido a la intolerancia a la fructosa. El especialista en dietética también puede ayudarle a crear un plan alimenticio sano para su hija que garantice que reciba los nutrientes necesarios.
WW II Skier Battles Heart Disease (pkg)
Posted on April 16th, 2014 by Dana Sparks
He's a veteran of the WW II 10th Mountain Division and survived intense fighting during his tour of duty in that war. But decades later George Nelson faced another battle. This time a serious heart problem took him to Mayo Clinic for a highly specialized operation. [TRT 3:25]
Journalists: The full package and additional b-roll are available in the downloads. To access the script, click here.
This is a special report produced for the Mayo Clinic 150th Anniversary Collection of Stories. To view other stories and learn about Mayo Clinic's sesquicentennial, please click here.
Mayo Clinic and Better Team-up to Make Healthcare Experience Simpler
Posted on April 16th, 2014 by Ginger Plumbo
PALO ALTO, Calif. and ROCHESTER, Minn. — April 16, 2014 — Better, a consumer health start-up, and Mayo Clinic have launched a new way for people to navigate the complexity of the healthcare system simply and quickly. Through a mobile device, Better provides tailored Mayo Clinic health information, 24/7 access to the clinic's experienced and highly-skilled nurses, and a Better Personal Health Assistant who helps simplify and manage people's care so they can use their time to focus on being well.
"Our culture of learning, innovation, and the desire to find answers has allowed Mayo to remain at the forefront of health and wellness, and we want to extend this expertise to people anywhere," explained Paul Limburg, M.D., medical director of Mayo Clinic Global Business Solutions. "People consistently tell us they want more convenient access to Mayo Clinic knowledge. We collaborated with and invested in Better to create a powerful way for people to connect with Mayo Clinic in their homes and communities, wherever they are."
"All too often, people struggle to find good answers when it comes to getting great care," explained Geoff Clapp, Better co-founder and chief executive officer. "We've remade this experience, in collaboration with Mayo Clinic, by combining technology and people to help anyone navigate the complexities of healthcare. From finding the right doctor after a job change, to managing your child's symptoms in the middle of the night, to getting the most value out of your healthcare plan, Better helps make sure people spend less time on complexity and more time on their health."
How Better Works
Download the app and enter individual and family health information to start a Better membership. This information is used to deliver personalized health information from Mayo Clinic — for free — based on the member's health-related interests and medical history. Built upon Mayo Clinic knowledge, a "symptom checker" feature is integrated into the service so a member can quickly gain a deeper understanding of a specific issue and get suggestions on what to do to get better.
Members can also connect with a Better Personal Health Assistant should a situation arise where they need involved or more immediate attention. Better Personal Health Assistants are trained health professionals who can quickly provide information or direct any necessary next steps, including making an appointment with someone's existing physician or connecting with a Mayo Clinic nurse. The Better Personal Health Assistant can also serve as a guide on many other health-related issues, from selecting a doctor, creating a family health action plan, or even sorting out how to get the most out of one's health insurance.
Pricing
The core membership, which provides tailored health information from Mayo Clinic, is free. The premium membership, which pairs a member and their family with a Better Personal Health Assistant, is $49.99 per month.
Better is powered by an individual's health information, and is committed to protecting it. The company complies with all health information standards concerning personal privacy.
To download the app visit the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad and search for "Get Better" or go to http://getbetter.com/app.
To learn more and to check out what Better members are saying visit: http://www.youtube.com/betterpha or follow Better on Twitter @betterpha.
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About Better
Better is a consumer health start-up which offers a Personal Health Assistant service for people to manage the complexity of healthcare in order to focus on being well. In collaboration with Mayo Clinic, Better delivers uniquely tailored advice, and access to expert care — simply and on-demand from a mobile device. Blending world-class medical expertise with technology and design, Better's founding team includes executives from some of the world's most successful health technology and consumer Internet companies. Visit Better at http://www.getbetter.com.
About Mayo Clinic
Recognizing 150 years of serving humanity in 2014, Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit worldwide leader in medical care, research and education for people from all walks of life. For more information, visit 150years.mayoclinic.org, http://www.mayoclinic.org and newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ginger Plumbo, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu
Mayo Clinic Radio: Good Samaritan Kidney Donor
Posted on April 16th, 2014 by McCray
April is Donate Life Month, which focuses attention on the importance of registering as organ, eye and tissue donors. Tune in Saturday, April 19, at 9 a.m. CT as we discuss organ donation with Good Samaritan kidney donor Philip Fischer, M.D., and director of the Mayo Clinic kidney transplant program Mikel Prieto, M.D. There is so much to learn about donating the gift of life! Join us!
Myth or Matter of Fact: I'm not in the best of health, so I probably can't be a donor.
To hear the program LIVE on Saturday, click here.
Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.
Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.
Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.
¿Es usted donante de órganos? Experto de Mayo Clinic aclara cinco mitos sobre la donación de órganos
Posted on April 16th, 2014 by Soledad Andrade
Abril es el mes para donar vida: aproveche para comunicar sus deseos y no permita que la falta de información le impida salvar vidas
ROCHESTER, Minnesota — Abril es el mes para donar vida, reconocimiento nacional para motivar a los estadounidenses a inscribirse como donantes de órganos, ojos y tejidos, así como para felicitar a quienes han salvado vidas a través del regalo de la donación.
Mayo Clinic tiene a nivel nacional 3000 pacientes en la lista de espera para trasplante de órganos. A fin de celebrar el mes para donar vida, el Dr. Brooks Edwards, cardiólogo de trasplantes y director del Centro William J. von Liebig para Trasplantes y Regeneración Clínica, se pone a las órdenes de los medios de comunicación para responder preguntas comunes y tratar sobre los mitos y malentendidos de la donación de órganos.
A continuación se exponen algunos mitos comunes.
Mito: Si consiento en donar órganos, el personal del hospital no es esforzará igual por salvar mi vida.
Realidad: Cuando una persona acude al hospital para recibir tratamiento, los médicos se concentran en salvar esa vida, no la de otra persona. Usted será atendido por el médico que tenga la especialización más cercana a su emergencia personal y no por un médico de trasplantes.
Mito: La donación de órganos va contra mi religión.
Realidad: La donación de órganos coincide con las creencias de muchas de las principales religiones del mundo, entre ellas, la católica romana, la islámica y casi todas las ramas de la fe judía y protestante. Si usted no está seguro sobre la posición de su fe respecto a la donación, o ésta le incomoda, consulte con algún dirigente.
Mito: No se puede llevar a cabo un funeral de féretro abierto en quienes han donado órganos o tejidos.
Realidad: La donación de órganos y tejidos no interfiere con el funeral de féretro abierto. El cuerpo del donante se viste para el funeral, de manera que no hay señas visibles de la donación de órganos o tejidos.
Mito: Soy muy viejo o estoy demasiado enfermo para donar. Nadie desearía mis órganos o tejidos.
Realidad: No existe una edad límite para donar órganos. La decisión de utilizar los órganos de alguien se basa en un riguroso criterio médico, no en la edad de la persona. Son muy pocas las enfermedades que descalifican automáticamente a alguien para donar órganos; por lo tanto, no se descalifique antes de tiempo y permita que los médicos decidan, cuando usted fallezca, si sus órganos y tejidos sirven para trasplante.
Mito: Los ricos y famosos son los que encabezan la lista cuando necesitan un órgano donado.
Realidad: Los ricos y famosos no tienen ninguna prioridad cuando se trata de asignar órganos. Pese a que podría ser esa la impresión debido a la gran publicidad que genera una celebridad cuando recibe un trasplante, los famosos reciben el mismo tratamiento que el resto de personas. Lo cierto es que la asignación de órganos no considera ni la fama ni la capacidad económica de la persona.
¿Por qué se debe considerar la donación de órganos?
En Estados Unidos, más de 120 000 personas esperan un trasplante de órgano y casi 2000 de ellas son niños. Cada 10 minutos se añade otro nombre a la lista nacional de espera, y un promedio de 18 personas muere diariamente mientras espera un trasplante que no puede realizarse debido a la escasez de órganos donados.
Cuando una persona dona sus órganos después de morir, puede salvar o mejorar hasta 50 vidas, y muchas familias dicen que saber que su ser querido salvó otras vidas les ayuda a asimilar la pérdida.
Considerar convertirse en donante de órganos es particularmente importante cuando uno pertenece a una minoría étnica. Entre las etnias minoritarias están los afroamericanos, los asiáticos e isleños del Pacífico, los indios americanos y los hispanos; las personas de todas estas etnias tienen más probabilidad que los de raza blanca de padecer ciertas afecciones crónicas que afectan los riñones, el corazón, los pulmones, el páncreas y el hígado. Además, algunos tipos de sangre tienen mayor prevalencia entre la población de una etnia minoritaria, y debido a que en los trasplantes normalmente se coteja el tipo de sangre, mayor es la necesidad de donantes de órganos procedentes de minorías.
Por otro lado, los donantes vivos para trasplantes de riñón, hígado y médula ósea pueden ayudar a acortar el tiempo de espera de muchos pacientes. A veces, el donante vivo puede iniciar una cadena de trasplantes, conocida como trasplante cruzado, que permite salvar no solamente una vida, sino varias. Por cada persona que recibe un órgano de un donante vivo, hay un nombre menos en la lista de espera, brindando a quienes permanecen en la lista una esperanza y más oportunidad de conseguir el trasplante.
Si desea más información sobre la donación de órganos, visite: http://www.donatelifeamerica.org.
Información sobre trasplantes en Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic cuenta con la práctica de trasplantes más grande y experimentada del país, con sedes en Minnesota, Arizona y Florida. Anualmente, más de 200 médicos y cirujanos realizan alrededor de 1800 trasplantes con largo historial de excelentes resultados. El programa para trasplantes cardíacos en Mayo Clinic de Rochester forma parte del Centro Integrado de Trasplantes “William J. von Liebig”, donde todos los años se realizan más de 800 trasplantes de órgano sólido, sangre y médula. La oportunidad de colaborar con varios programas de trasplante permite a los pacientes de Mayo Clinic contar con un equipo pluridisciplinario para trasplantes y, en caso necesario, les brinda la oportunidad de someterse a un trasplante de múltiples órganos.
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Información sobre Mayo Clinic
En el año 2014 se conmemoran 150 años de servicio a la humanidad de esta entidad sin fines de lucro y líder mundial en atención médica, investigación y educación. Si desea más información, visite: 150years.mayoclinic.org, MayoClinic.org/espanol o http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/.
CONTACTO PARA LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN:
Soledad Andrade, Relaciones Públicas de Mayo Clinic, 507-284-5005, correo electrónico: newsbureau@mayo.edu