We’ve moved!

After a lot of the work behind the scenes, we’re excited to announce our new space online! Click the screenshot below to go to our new website (http://diplomatpharmacy.com).

In addition, you can now find our blog here: http://diplomatpharmacy.com/blog

See you there!

Exciting Steps Forward in Gynecological Cancer Research

This week, research was published online in Science Translational Medicine that could have an important influence on how ovarian and endometrial cancers are screened in the future.

As USA Today states, “In a surprise finding, researchers discovered that cervical fluid, obtained during a Pap smear, may contain not only cells from cervical cancer, but from ovarian or endometrial cancer, as well. Using sophisticated new methods of sequencing DNA, doctors scanned this fluid for genetic mutations found only in ovarian or endometrial cancers.”

There’s Still Time For The Flu Shot!

We’re in the midst of flu season, and despite the fact that “people are generally immunized in the fall,” it’s not too late to do so!

Though the vaccine is not 100% effective and there have been cases in which people receive the flu vaccine but still catch the flu, doing so is a good idea in order to protect yourself and your loved ones. The flu can especially affect the elderly and children, leading to severe complications, despite the myth that the flu is “just a bad cold.”

Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act of 2012

Last week, news broke that the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act was officially signed into law by President Barack Obama. This news is a landmark for anyone working in or affected by pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancers, all cancers with low – under 50% – 5-year relative survival rates.

The official background of this act, as stated here, is as follows:

According to the Subcommittee, recalcitrant cancers, like those that develop in the pancreas, liver, [lung] and ovaries, hide in tissue and are difficult to detect. With their unique molecular structure, these cancers spread under the radar of traditional diagnostic tools. When they are eventually diagnosed, the damage is substantial, the treatments are ineffective, and the prognosis is poor. This bill originally focused solely on pancreatic cancer. A substitute amendment, adopted by voice vote, expanded the focus to all recalcitrant cancers.

This Act mandates that an official scientific plan be made by the National Cancer Institute to direct research efforts on the cancers noted above. This will need to occur within 18 months from the Act’s enactment. It will also be reviewed and updated, if needed, within 5 years. Other cancers may be added to the research focus at any time as well.

January Awareness: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

This January, in addition to covering the latest health news and research, we’ll be focusing on Cervical Cancer Awareness Month as well as other issues that are related to overall gynecological health.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

The National Cervical Cancer Coalition states that:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a group of viruses that infect the skin. There are more than 100 different types of HPV. Some types of genital HPV may cause genital warts, while other types of genital HPV are linked to abnormal cell changes on the cervix (detected through Pap tests) that can lead to cervical cancer. However, this cancer can almost always be prevented through regular screening and, if needed, treatment of abnormal cell changes. Approximately 6 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV occur in the U.S. each year, with at least 20 million people estimated to be currently infected. Most people with HPV, though, do not know that they are infected. It is estimated that 70% of women and men will come into contact with it during their life. Fortunately 80 to 90% of cases the human papillomavirus will be naturally eliminated.

Healthy New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of year to start thinking about resolutions! The end of 2012 is coming up and as we look forward to 2013, we thought we’d share some healthy ideas that you can keep in mind for you and your family.

As always, if you or your loved ones have any specific health concerns or needs, make sure to discuss any major changes in diet or a new exercise regimen with your physician or health care provider.

Below you’ll find a round-up of recent resolution suggestions with links to the original posts. Are you making any resolutions this year? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Add Some Activity

• Huffington Post: “Take fitness baby steps,” especially if you’re new to incorporating exercise into your life. Slowly start to add more time or distance to your exercises and workouts.
• Healthfinder.gov: Add some movement into your life during everyday moments. Some suggestions include “taking a walk after dinner twice a week, or… sit-ups while you watch TV.”
• Reader’s Digest: Learning how to incorporate strength training can build muscle and give you a rush.

2012 Review: Biggest Stories Shared

Here’s the second of our 2012 review posts; this one features a few of the big stories we’ve shared on our Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ over the last year.

January:

• “Many Young HIV-Positive Women May Benefit From Cervical Cancer Vaccine”: “Many HIV-positive women averaging 21 years of age are negative for the human papillomavirus (HPV) types typically associated with tumors.”
• “Scientists Identify Inherited Prostate Cancer Gene”: “The first major gene mutation associated with an increased risk for hereditary prostate cancer has been identified by scientists.”
• “Researcher Hopes To Develop a Test to Detect Lung Cancer Early”: “Dr Yendamuri is trying to develop a blood test to help diagnose the cancer in patients before they undergo a biopsy.”
• “Psoriasis patients at increased risk for hospitalization with infectious diseases”: “Twice as many psoriasis patients were hospitalized due to an infectious disease as were the individuals in the general population.”
• “Scientists show brain vulnerable to Hepatitis C virus”: “Human brain cells can become infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV).”
• “Researchers Identify Pivotal Immune Cell In Type 1 Diabetes In Humans”: “The finding is an important advance that verifies in humans several important disease characteristics shown in mouse studies and provides a key focal point for interrupting the disease process.”

February:

• “What should breast cancer survivors be aware of regarding risk of ovarian cancer? What screening should be done?”: “In patients with the BRCA gene, ovarian cancer can occur in addition to breast cancer. The risk depends on which BRCA gene mutation they inherited.”
• “WHO Affirms Use Of Birth Control Injections After Weighing HIV Risks”: “The advice stressed that couples should use an additional protective method, like condoms, to prevent HIV transmission between partners.”
• “[Rheumatoid]Arthritis can cause depression and loneliness, study shows”: “Seven out of ten people with rheumatoid arthritis avoid parties because they are in too much pain.”