Concert fall-out:
Researchers in Drogheda and Navan have assessed the impact on the health service of the Robbie Williams concert at Slane in August 1999. The number of patients treated at Navan and Drogheda hospitals represented a 50 per cent increase on their usual workload; 66 per cent of patients were treated for the effect of drugs and alcohol, even though one-fifth of patients were aged 16 or less. The total cost of providing medical cover for the event was £36,693. (Irish Medical Journal)
Prostate cancer:
A study of a new treatment for prostate cancer has suggested that patients with advanced cancer may enjoy prolonged survival. Strontium-89 is a radioactive analogue of calcium which has the ability to irradiate bone secondaries while sparing normal bone tissue. Bone is the commonest site for the secondary spread of prostate cancer and the group of patients given strontium survived for an added 10 months compared to those receiving other treatment. There were only 72 patients studied, so larger trials are needed to confirm the new findings. (Lancet)
Ante-natal exercise:
Women who exercise moderately during early pregnancy may improve the chances of giving birth to a healthy baby. Researchers in Ohio found that infants born to women who followed a moderate weight-bearing exercise programme were significantly heavier and longer than those whose mothers did not exercise.
Breast cancer:
The risk of developing breast cancer is lowered by between 72 and 84 per cent in post-menopausal women taking Evista (raloxifene HCI) as a treatment for osteoporosis, according to recent trials. (Breast Cancer Research and Treatment)
Science in plain English:
Duchene Musculare Dystrophy, thrombosis (blood-clot formation), heart disease and the workings of the immune system are among the themes which will be explored by PhD students in a public seminar at the O'Reilly Hall, UCD, tomorrow at 7 p.m. The Merville Lay Seminar is a competition for research scientists to test their ability to communicate knowledge to the general public. It will be hosted by Pat Kenny. Admission free.
Women's talk:
How women value themselves and how society values them is the theme of a talk by Irish Times journalist Kathryn Holmquist to celebrate International Women's Day on Thursday at the La Touche Hotel, Greystones, Co Wicklow. Holmquist's talk at 10 a.m. will be followed by workshops on stress, nutrition, gender differences, substance abuse, adult education and style. Registration at 9.30 a.m.; admission £6. Creche facilities available. Tel: 087-6951184.
Learning about health:
Most Irish women receive information about their health from the media rather than from a medical professional. This was one of the findings of the Saffron report on "Women's Lifetime Health". A series of meetings throughout the Republic on the menopause, with contributions from medical personnel, begins this month. The meetings are being co-ordinated through the Irish Country Women's Association. Tel: 01-4734305.
lifelines@irish-times.ie