Gene Defect Found in Skin Cancers
British researchers have discovered that 66% of malignant melanomas, the most rare but deadly type of skin cancer, contain a certain genetic defect. The mutation, in a gene known as BRAF, could potentially make an ideal drug target according to Dr. Richard Wooster of the Cancer Genome Project at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, U.K.
According to Wooster, the mutation is not inherited from one's parents. Rather, it appears to be a spontaneous mutation that occurs possibly from exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, long known to increase an individual's risk of developing skin cancer. The gene defect in BRAF was identified in 66% of melanomas that were analyzed, and at a lower frequency in some other types of cancer, including colorectal cancer and ovarian cancer. The mutation was not found in tumors of the breast, prostate, brain, and lung. Physicians hope that the gene can be targeted by a drug that would block its activity.
Nature, June, 2002.
Don't Reuse Lancets!
Two patients with diabetes developed serious infections that necessitated amputating a portion of their fingers after reusing disposable lancets to prick their finger during blood sugar monitoring. This event highlights the importance of careful hygiene during such home tests. In the June 2002 issue of Diabetes Care, Dr. Matteo Monami and colleagues from the University of Florence, Italy, described the cases of two women who-although they'd been instructed to change the needles every time they used the self-testing device-had been reusing the same lancet for "several weeks."
The researchers tested the women's blood six times per week, on average. Both women, aged 61 and 57 years, developed a serious finger infection that has been occasionally reported as a complication of home blood glucose self-monitoring. Both women had type 2 diabetes; despite being treated with antibiotics the infections persisted, and both women had to have part of the infected finger amputated to avoid further spread of the infection.
Diabetes Care, 25, 1103, 2002.
HHS Reaffirms Value of Mammogram Screening
Despite recent controversy about the value of screening mammograms, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has reaffirmed his department's recommendation that women >=40 years should be screened for breast cancer every 1 to 2 years. The debate about the value of mammograms was reignited by a review of existing studies that appeared in the October 20, 2001, issue of the U.K. medical journal, The Lancet.
The review cited several possible flaws in the conduct of long-term mammography clinical trials, as well as in the methods used to analyze data. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other groups use results of these trials as a basis for guidelines and for screening recommendations. After careful consideration of the issues, Thompson, the NCI, and the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force affirm that mammograms remain an important tool for detecting breast cancer.
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/departs
FDA Steps Up Surveillance of Medical Devices
To reduce the number of unforeseen adverse events from medical device failure, the Food and Drug Administration recently announced that it would require manufacturers of certain critical medical devices to conduct postmarket surveillance of those products. When necessary, firms will be required to gather data on the product's performance for up to 3 years to identify and evaluate, as early as possible, rare but potentially dangerous events that could endanger public health.
The new rule, published in June 2000 in the Federal Register, will affect at most 30 medical devices per year. These include devices for which failure would be reasonably likely to have severe adverse health consequences, devices implanted into the body for more than 1 year, and devices that sustain or support life and are used outside a medical facility.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics
Key to Cost of Caring for Patients With Dementia
The key predictor of the cost of caring for patients with dementia living at home is not related to the severity of their dementia but the number of activities of daily living (ADLs) with which they require assistance. Individuals who need help with five or six ADLs and any given level of dementia had 10 times the costs of dementia patients with no ADL needs. Each additional ADL increases costs by $2,210 per month.
Geriatric Nursing, 23 (1), 2002.
National Poison Control Hot-Line Launched
According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, poisoning is the nation's third most common form of unintentional death. In any given year there are between 2 million and 4 million poisonings, 60% of which involve children <6 years old who are exposed to toxins in the home. In February 2000, Congress passed legislation to stabilize and enhance a national network of poison control centers. This effort features a new toll-free number that will allow people to reach a poison control center from anywhere in the United States: (800) 222-1222. It also includes a nationwide public education campaign, and it provides funding to certified poison control centers to help maintain their essential capabilities.
Other resources previously established to raise awareness of the dangers associated with unintentional poisonings and to promote prevention measures include:
[black small square] interactive Web sites designed to teach children and parents about toxic substances,
[black small square] informative brochures containing information and simple steps on preventing children from being exposed to pesticides and household cleaners as well as preventive measures families can take to control bug infestations without using pesticides,
[black small square] a fact-sheet that provides current household pesticide-related poisonings and exposure statistics from the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
All of these resources can be found at http://www.epa.gov
FIGUREFIGUREFIGURE