HEALTH BRIEFING:IRISH PEOPLE have a poor awareness of the risk factors for cancer, according to new research.
The study, carried out at University College Cork in conjunction with Breakthrough Cancer Research and the Irish Cancer Society, showed Irish people had a low awareness of proven cancer health threats such as obesity and the position of fat in the body, age, sunlight, alcohol and lifestyle. One-quarter believed that more than 50 per cent of cancers are inherited, whereas 3-5 per cent of cancers are truly inherited.
IBS patients being over- investigated, says expert
NEW RESEARCH suggests that patients suspected of having the common disorder of the gut, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are being over-investigated and may be over-exposed to radiation.
The research, carried out by the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) at University College Cork, suggests that due to the difficulty in diagnosing IBS, some patients tended to undergo unnecessary CT scans, MRIs and X-rays, exposing them to unnecessary radiation.
IBS is a common disorder of the gut which features abdominal pain and cramping, an abnormal bowel pattern and abdominal bloating. Eamonn Quigley, professor of medicine at UCC, consultant gastroenterologist at Cork University Hospital and principal investigator at the APC, said the majority of these patients were young adult females which was a sensitive age for radiation exposure. “We are working towards developing new biomarkers for IBS which would prevent unnecessary investigations and radiation exposure and also help us in the development of new treatments for the disorder,” he said. Prof Quigley will chair a public forum on gastrointestinal health and IBS at UCC this evening to coincide with World Digestive Health Day as designated by the World Gastroenterology Organisation.
Recent research carried out at the APC revealed that patients with IBS tended to have inferior outcomes in pregnancy. Another study showed that changes in the gut bacteria affected not only the gut, but also the brain in IBS patients. The forum takes place at UCC from 7.00-8.30pm.
MICHELLE McDONAGH
Women should continue to take calcium, say GPs
THE IRISH Osteoporosis Society and the Irish College of General Practitioners have recommended that women should continue to use calcium supplements despite the publication of research last week which suggested the supplements increased the risk of having a heart attack. “I will not be taking anyone off calcium and vitamin D supplements who needs them,” said Prof Moira O’Brien, president of the society. The society has been inundated with calls from patients concerned about using calcium supplements. Prof O’Brien said the study’s focus on calcium supplements alone failed to take other risk factors for heart attacks into account.
She added that no one should be taking a calcium supplement on its own as vitamin D is also needed for the body to absorb the calcium.
The low level of sunshine in Ireland, along with diet, contribute to most Irish people not receiving adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium naturally. Calcium supplements are still recommended for osteoporosis in conjunction with lifestyle advice and other bone-building medications, according to Dr John Ball, spokesman for ICGP. He said it was not yet clear if taking vitamin D in conjunction with calcium reduced cardiac risks seen in some cases and that more research would be helpful. The college’s advice is that risks should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and patients should discuss concerns with their GP.
The study suggested that those who take calcium supplements are more than twice as likely to have a heart attack as those who didn’t take any supplements.
NIAMH DORNAN