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Weekly News

Weekly news updates are currently posted on our homepages, weekly news pages and sent directly to your inbox to provide up-to-date information on what has been covered in the news regarding lung cancer, hepatitis C and complementary health & wellness in the previous week.

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My Choices News Update

Trees and bushes near highways improve air quality
“Anyone who’s endured rush-hour bumper-to-bumper traffic knows how unpleasant the air can get. Between fumes, dust, and all those exhaust pipes, it’s definitely not a nature lover’s paradise. But what if those trees and bushes lining our highways weren’t just there for decoration? What if they were secretly cleaning the air you breathe? Well, a new study from Georgia State University says they just might be.”

Is It Time to Address the Fiscal Reality of the Cancer Care Model and Consider Alternatives?
“This commentary begins with the poignant words of the great American philosopher Yogi Berra, who is reported to have declared: “You can observe a lot by watching.” So, we note 2 recent items in the medical world that, if interpreted correctly, should send chills down the spines of those considering the possible—and perhaps even likely— financial future of oncology care in the United States.”

‘Winners and losers’: The world of coffee is being reordered by EU laws to stop cutting of forests
“Farmer Le Van Tam tends coffee plants at a coffee farm in Dak Lak province, Vietnam on Feb. 1, 2024. New European Union rules aimed at stopping deforestation are reordering supply chains. An expert said that there are going to be “winners and losers” since these rules require companies to provide detailed evidence showing that the coffee isn’t linked to land where forests had been cleared.”

New method paves the way for clearer dietary guidelines on brain health
“In a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers developed a method to retrospectively harmonize data on the association between dietary patterns and cognitive health from individual studies that vary widely in the methodologies and results.”

New research suggests intermittent fasting increases the risk of dying from heart disease. But the evidence is mixed
“Intermittent fasting has gained popularity in recent years as a dietary approach with potential health benefits. So you might have been surprised to see headlines last week suggesting the practice could increase a person’s risk of death from heart disease.”

‘Forever chemicals’ prompt new, stricter advice for eating fish from Mississippi
“Concerns about pollutants including “forever chemicals” have prompted state health officials to issue new guidelines for eating fish from a stretch of the Mississippi River between St. Paul and Wabasha.”

Ultraprocessed Foods Linked With 32 Types of Health Problems
“Ultraprocessed foods include ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and sugary drinks that contain a long list of ingredients and additives designed to make the food sellable or palatable. Now these foods have been associated with more than 30 health conditions, a review of 45 meta-analyses involving about 9.9 million participants found.”

Eating an avocado every day can add years to your life
“Scientists have discovered a fascinating connection between eating one avocado every day and an overall enhanced diet quality and healthier life. Spearheaded by Associate Professor Kristina Petersen and the esteemed retired Professor Penny Kris-Etherton from Penn State University’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, this study delves into how incorporating a single avocado into one’s daily diet can lead to significant nutritional benefits.”

Chronic diseases do not reduce the benefits of exercise, finds study
“A recent study shows exercise is also beneficial and safe for older people with multiple chronic conditions or risk factors. Exercise can improve physical fitness despite chronic diseases. However, exercise should be started safely and at an intensity appropriate for your starting level.”

Spotlight On: Obesity Matters
“Priti Chawla knows the pain that can come with weight bias and discrimination all too well. Growing up in India, she was often ridiculed for her body size. “I was the chubbiest girl in my class,” she recalls. “My classmates had no filter. I was always the one who was never asked for a dance. The bias and discrimination was both implicit and explicit.”

Medicare Part D to cover cost of Wegovy when used to reduce risks of heart conditions
“Medicare Part D will pay for the antiobesity drug Wegovy (semaglutide) when prescribed to cut risks of heart disease. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this week issued guidance that current Medicare Part D and Medicaid coverage rules apply to the drug making headlines for its health effects including weight loss.”

Hepatitis C News Update

And Then There Was One: HCV Elimination in the Coinfected Population
“The treatment of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has evolved considerably in the past 15 years. Second-generation direct-acting antivirals entered the market in late 2014. Today we have well-tolerated, short-course (generally 8-12 weeks), pangenotypic options with greater than 95% efficacy to achieve cure or sustained virologic response (SVR). In the World Health Organization’s (WHO) most recent global health sector strategies for 2022 to 2030, it is estimated that the treatment of HCV worldwide increased 10-fold since 2015.”

Insights from patient who cleared hepatitis C could lead to vaccine
“By studying individuals who spontaneously clear hepatitis C infections, a team of researchers has identified viable vaccine targets for a disease that infects 70 million worldwide with case numbers increasing every year.”

Over 30 years, big fall in HIV among people who inject drugs in Baltimore, but hepatitis C remains high
“Despite less injecting drug use, increased use of harm reduction services, and significant progress in reducing HIV infections, there has been a resurgence of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs in recent years in Baltimore, especially among people under the age of 40. This research, tracking changes over the past three decades, was presented by Eshan Patel to the recent Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2024) in Denver.”

State sues El Dorado county over needle exchange bans
“PLACERVILLE, Calif. – As part of an ongoing dispute between some county officials and the Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition, a nonprofit that distributes clean needles, Narcan and offers other services, Placerville’s City Council and the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors both recently passed bans on the operation of needle exchange programs. Following on the heels of the latter of the two bans, passed by City Council in late February, the California Department of Public Health filed a lawsuit against the two governing bodies and their elected officials.”

‘Time for Five’ coalition launches global petition targeting medical test maker Cepheid and parent corporation Danaher
“Washington, DC, 22 March 2024 — Ahead of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) protested alongside other global health activists outside the headquarters of US corporation Danaher, which owns diagnostics maker Cepheid, demanding they drop the price to US$5 for all their ‘GeneXpert’ medical tests that they sell in low- and middle-income countries, for diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Ebola. Testing is the first step to getting someone who is sick on the treatment they need and preventing further spread of infectious diseases.”

US centers get $2.1M to help hepatitis patients find doctors
“The Center for Disease Analysis (CDA) Foundation has granted $2.1 million in funding to 14 U.S. organizations to help diagnosed but untreated hepatitis B and C patients find doctors. The funds come from the foundation’s Relink grant program, which is supported by an $8-million grant from Gilead Sciences. Gilead markets several hepatitis therapies. The CDA Foundation plans to distribute three more rounds of Relink grants by 2025.”

Lung Cancer News Update

Clinical Trial of Keytruda and Lynparza Combination Fails to Meet Primary Endpoint for Treatment of Metastatic Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Merck revealed that its Phase III KEYLYNK-006 clinical trial, which tested a combination of Keytruda and Lynparza for the treatment of a subset of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), failed to meet the primary endpoint of improving overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).”

Banner Health’s Ion procedure as high as 95% accurate at detecting lung cancer nodules
“Banner Health’s North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley offers robotic-assisted technology to help detect biopsy lung lesions early on among at-risk patients. John Cowden, an expert in pulmonary medicine at Banner Health, directs a technologically advanced diagnostic tool for lung cancer in northern Colorado — a robotic-assisted bronchoscopy called the Ion procedure.”

Incurable but not hopeless: How hope shapes patients’ awareness of their advanced cancer prognosis
“Hope is defined as the expectation of achieving a future good. Patients with cancer, whether it is curable or not, prioritize cure as their highest hope. Patients with incurable cancer wish to be informed about their disease and its treatment, but also need to maintain hope. This inner conflict can impact how they process information about their prognosis.”

Milken researchers find widened racial disparities in pollution-related illnesses
“Researchers examined air pollution and its associated health impacts like asthma and lung cancer from 2010 to 2019 and found that disparities in air pollution-related health complications have increased in that period. Gaige Kerr, the lead author of the study, said pollution-reducing legislation like the Clean Air Act has benefitted white communities more than communities of color because the regulations don’t resolve the history of government officials disproportionately placing pollutive factories and highways in minority neighborhoods, causing the disparity between the groups to increase.”

Oxford University developing new lung cancer vaccine
“Researchers at the University of Oxford have received a grant of £1.7 million to develop a vaccine for lung cancer.”

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Care Intensity at the End of Life for Patients With Lung Cancer
“The authors concluded: “Compared with [non-Hispanic White] patients, [Asian/Pacific Islander], Black, and Hispanic patients who died with lung cancer experienced higher intensity of [end-of-life] care. Future studies should develop approaches to eliminate such racial and ethnic disparities in care delivery at the [end of life].””

Low Screening Rates for Lung Cancer Highlight Public Health Priority
“Eligibility criteria for annual lung cancer screening (LCS) among current or former smokers should be updated, with the move going a long way to reduce screening disparities, experts emphasize today in JAMA Network Open. Their comparison of outcomes following the release of screening guidance from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in 2013 and updated in 2021 shows overall poor uptake of annual low-dose CT LCS, despite changes to 2 major criteria that expanded the eligibility pool: Age was lowered to 50 years from 55 to 80 years, and pack-year (PY) smoking history was reduced from 30 to 20.”

Tagrisso with the addition of chemotherapy showed favourable trend in overall survival in EGFR-mutated advanced lung cancer with further follow up in FLAURA2 Phase III trial
“Results from the FLAURA2 Phase III trial showed AstraZeneca’s ​Tagrisso (osimertinib) with the addition of chemotherapy​ provided a clinically meaningful and consistent benefit in subsequent outcomes after disease progression in patients with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tagrisso with the addition of chemotherapy also demonstrated a favourable trend toward overall survival (OS) improvement at two years of follow up. These results were presented today at the 2024 European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) in Prague, Czech Republic (abstract #4O).”

ChromaCode Partners With Medical College of Georgia on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Rapid PCR Testing
“The test utilizes ChromaCode’s high-definition PCR (HDPCR) technology, which involves machine learning algorithms and novel chemistries that increase the multiplexing capabilities of standard lab instruments. The panel covers all variants identified by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network as clinically relevant in NSCLC with a four-hour workflow for rapid results.”

Does Vaping Cause Lung Cancer?
“Vaping exposes you to thousands of chemicals, including many that cause cancer and lung disease.”

Video:

Updated ASCO Guidelines for Optimal Small Cell Lung Cancer Management
“In a conversation with CancerNetwork®, Gregory Peter Kalemkerian, MD, spoke about the publication of updated guidelines for managing small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with systemic therapy, which was developed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in collaboration with Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario).”

My Choices News Update

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements May Reduce Cancer Risk, Study Shows
“Experts explain how the combination could be a double-edged sword, though.”

Appropriate Statin Use Soars When Pharmacists on Board
“The odds of prescribing the appropriate dose of statins increased sixfold when automated referrals were made to pharmacy services to prescribe the medications, rather than waiting for the doctor, according to a presentation at the 2023 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, in Philadelphia (abstract 23096).”

Health Equity Week Explores the Leap From Promises to Practice
“Faculty, residents, trainees and students from Feinberg, the local community and beyond recently came together for Health Equity Week, a weeklong series of educational programming designed to expose the roots of healthcare inequities as well as avenues to address them.”

New pill can mimic the health benefits of exercise
“In a breakthrough development, scientists are on the brink of creating a pill that could simulate the health benefits traditionally obtained from exercise. This novel approach is aimed at combating muscle deterioration and various medical ailments, including heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders.”

Wearing a sports bra that’s too tight may impact your workout, study finds
“Choosing what to wear to exercise can be a matter of fashion, comfort or convenience, but new research suggests that women may want to pay special attention to one particular aspect of their workout wear: the sports bra. When a sports bra is too tight during exercise, it can impair breathing and impact energy and performance, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine.”

Weight loss caused by common diabetes drug tied to “anti-hunger” molecule in study
“A Stanford Medicine study found that metformin, a commonly prescribed diabetes drug associated with moderate weight loss, stimulates production of lac-phe, a molecule abundant after exercise.”

Eliminating socioeconomic disparities in youth physical activity could save over $15 billion, study shows
“What would happen if the existing disparities in physical activity levels between youth of lower and higher socioeconomic statuses were eliminated? Previous studies have shown that those between 6–17 years of age in lower socioeconomic groups get on average 10%–15% less physical activity than those of higher socioeconomic groups.”

Superior to standard soda? Trying prebiotic “pop”
“From bananas and artichokes to… soda? A new gut-friendly health food has made its way to refrigerators, but it‘s not your typical fruit, veggie, or bacteria and yeast gelatinous-sponge-looking thing. It’s prebiotic soda. I can’t say I’ve ever been asked to list the nutrition benefits of a bubbly beverage, but this may be the outlier.”

Why Immersion in Very Cold or Hot Water Can Be So Healthy
“March 13, 2024 – There’s a good chance you’ve come across this popular 10-second social media narrative:
Hard-bodied individual looks into the camera. Zooms out to show they’re wearing only a beanie and a bathing suit. Hey, I’m about to dunk myself in freezing water. Voluntarily! Because I love-hate-love-hate it! Really! You should too.
Should you?”

Breathe, don’t vent: Turning down the heat is key to managing anger
“Venting about a source of anger might feel good in the moment, but it’s not effective at reducing the rage, new research suggests. Instead, techniques often used to address stress — deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation, yoga or even counting to 10 — have been shown to be more effective at decreasing anger and aggression.”

Lung Cancer News Update

Nearly half of patients with positive lung cancer screening findings delay follow-up care
“Key takeaways: Delaying follow-up after receipt of positive lung cancer screening findings was relatively common. Patients with lung cancer had a high likelihood of clinical upstaging if they delayed follow-up.”

Lung Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Take Their Stories to Capitol Hill to Advocate for Lifesaving Research and Public Health Funding
“WASHINGTON, March 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On Wednesday, March 20, LUNG FORCE Heroes—people living with lung cancer, their loved ones and advocates from across the country—will travel to Washington, D.C. to advocate for lifesaving research and public health funding. As a part of the American Lung Association LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day, the advocates will meet with members of Congress to share their stories, and ask them to support $51.3 billion in research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $11.6 billion in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”

GRAIL Announces Novel Risk Classification Test to Be Used in Lung Cancer Study
“MENLO PARK, Calif. & CAMBRIDGE, England–(BUSINESS WIRE)– GRAIL, LLC, a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early when it can be cured, announced today that participants from Japan, via a collaboration with AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq:AZN), will have their samples tested using GRAIL’s novel risk classification test on its Methylation Platform. This assay has been validated for recurrence risk classification in newly diagnosed Stage I lung adenocarcinoma.”

Early Onset of Lung Cancer in Small Areas as a Signature of Point Pollution Sources
“At a small-area scale, the detrimental effect of air pollution on lung cancer is challenging to identify and measure due to the potentially scattered detection of pollutants and/or limited statistical power of available indicators. A novel method is presented to detect and quantify the detrimental impact of pollution in small areas by employing the early onset of lung cancer as a signature of pollution. Early-onset lung cancer may speed up the investigation of potential environmental hazards in a specific area, enabling public health officials or citizen committees to carry out geographical analyses.”

FDA Accepts NDA for Ensartinib in Metastatic ALK-Positive NSCLC
“The regulatory agency set an action date of December 28, 2024 for ensartinib as a treatment for those with ALK-positive non–small cell lung cancer.”

Study Reveals New Insights Into Immune System Role in Lung Cancer Risk
“Recent developments in cancer research have highlighted the vital role of the immune system, particularly in the notable successes of cancer immunotherapy. Now, a paradigm-shifting study led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard sheds light on how variations in immune genetics influence lung cancer risk, potentially paving the way for enhanced prevention strategies and screening.”

Lung Cancer Replaces Breast Cancer as Most Common Form Among Chinese Women
“(Yicai) March 14 — Lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the most frequent type of malignant tumor among Chinese women amid the aging population. In 2022, China had 402,000 women with lung cancer and 357,000 people with breast cancer, according to the most recent report by the National Cancer Center. The nation recorded almost 1.1 million new lung cancers, making up 22 percent of all new cases of diseases linked to abnormal cell growth.”

Immunotherapy Trials for Metastatic NSCLC: FDA Pooled Analysis
“In a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pooled analysis reported in The Lancet Oncology, Bernardo Haddock Lobo Goulart, MD, and colleagues found that response rate and progression-free survival were only moderately correlated with overall survival in first-line immunotherapy trials for metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).”

Hepatitis C News Update

Gene Activity Study May Lead to Better Therapies for Fibrosis of the Liver
“A research team carried out an animal study aimed at better understanding the scarring process (fibrosis) in diseased or injured livers. They examined gene activity in two different mouse models exhibiting varying degrees of liver disease severity, also capturing certain phases of spontaneous regression of the disease. At the same time, important indicators of disease severity, such as portal venous pressure, blood markers of liver injury, or the extent of liver fibrosis based on liver tissue samples, were recorded.”

Atea’s antiviral treatment combo works for 98% of HCV patients
“Atea Pharmaceuticals’ once-daily oral antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) — a combination of bemnifosbuvir and ruzasvir — successfully cleared HCV within four weeks in 98% of patients in a clinical study, according to new lead-in trial data. The combination antiviral treatment was generally safe and well tolerated, with mostly mild adverse events, according to Atea. No drug-related serious adverse events and no treatment discontinuations were reported. Because the four-week efficacy of 98% exceeded the protocol-defined efficacy criterion of 90% or greater, the study will now continue with up to another 220 participants. It will assess the safety and a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after starting the eight-week treatment regimen. It also will evaluate failure to suppress HCV load, sustained virologic response at 24 weeks, and viral resistance.”

Resources for 2024 National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
“This year, National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD) is on Wednesday, March 20. On this day, we pause to recognize the impact of HIV among Native populations and highlight the critical work happening in communities around the country to engage Native people, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, in fully ending the HIV epidemic. NNHAAD supports the Indigenous HIV/AIDS Syndemic Strategy: Weaving Together the National HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis Referred to as the Indigi-HAS, the National HIV/AIDS Program for IHS coordinated its release. The Strategy complements the existing National HIV/AIDS Strategy and includes additional specific topics important to Indigenous communities. It adopts a syndemic approach, addressing HIV, hepatitis C virus, and sexually transmitted infections in an integrated way.”

Perinatally Acquired HCV is Better Treated Sooner than Later
“Children treated for perinatally acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) at 3 years of age will live longer and with lower health care costs than those treated at 6 years of age or older, according to investigators who indicate that their analysis model is the first to project life expectancy with age at treatment.”

FACT SHEET: The President’s Budget Protects and Increases Access to Quality, Affordable Healthcare
“The President and the Vice President believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. The Administration’s actions to protect and expand Americans’ access to quality, affordable healthcare have made a positive difference for Americans’ well-being and wallets. The Administration continues to build on, strengthen, and protect Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—and now more Americans have health insurance than under any other President.”

My Choices News Update

Oregon needs to listen to its patients
“More than half of Oregonians are living with at least one chronic health condition. One in four adults has a disability, and around 20,000 people receive a cancer diagnosis each year. Right now, our state is making critical drug pricing decisions that could make it harder for these patients to access the care they need. And it’s doing so without even giving them a seat at the table.”

Grant to Support Liver Disease Drug Development, Potentially Reduce Animal Testing
“Liver disease researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSM) will use a $7.8 million federal grant to build a new drug discovery center, which will test whether using human cells can replace animals in determining if and how a new drug works.”

Complementary Health Approaches for Pain Management Increasing in Popularity
“Complementary health approaches, like yoga or acupuncture, can be particularly appealing to patients seeking natural and non-invasive approaches to improve their health.”

Guidance on Use of Race, Ethnicity, and Geographic Origin as Proxies for Genetic Ancestry Groups in Biomedical Publications
“In March 2023, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released a consensus study report titled Using Population Descriptors in Genetics and Genomics Research.1 Sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health, the report is more than a discussion of the use of terminology; the authors of the NASEM report suggest a tectonic shift away from current models that use race, ethnicity, and geographic origin as proxies for genetic ancestry groups (ie, a set of individuals who share more similar genetic ancestries) in genetic and genomic science.”

Why Diet Matters for the Planet and Your Health
““The hottest year was even hotter than expected,” read a recent headline in Science. If, like me, you want to do more to stave off the worst, then cast a more critical eye on diet. What we eat has a major climate impact, because food production generates high levels of the greenhouse gases (GHG) that underlie climate change.”

Navigating nutrition facts and fads
“In a world of diet trends and conflicting nutrition information, it can feel like you are bombarded by tons of “solutions” for health improvement every day. The truth is there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to personal nutrition. Jaime Gnau, clinical assistant professor in the public health and sports medicine department at Missouri State University, brings over 20 years of health care experience to her role.”

Habitual Short Sleep Duration, Diet, and Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Adults
Question  Is there an association between adherence to healthy diet, sleep duration, and risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults?
Findings  This cohort study analyzing data from 247 867 adults in the UK Biobank found that individuals sleeping less than 6 hours daily had a notably higher risk of developing T2D compared with those with 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Despite the association between healthier diets and reduced T2D risk, the increased risk associated with short sleep duration persisted even among adults with healthy eating habits.
Meaning  These findings suggest that adopting a healthy diet may not reduce the risk of developing T2D among those with habitual short sleep duration.”

Women who do strength training live longer. How much is enough?
“Resistance training does more than help us build strong muscles. A new study finds women who do strength training exercises two to three days a week are more likely to live longer and have a lower risk of death from heart disease, compared to women who do none.”

Walking 5,000 Steps Three Times Per Week Could Add Three Years to Life Expectancy
“LONDON, March 12, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New research published by Vitality and the London School of Economics shows that sustaining a healthy exercise habit of at least 5,000 steps three times per week for two years can add up to three years to an individual’s life expectancy and reduce their healthcare costs by up to 13%.”

Demographic, health, physical activity, and workplace factors are associated with lower healthy working life expectancy and life expectancy at age 50
“This study identified demographic, health, physical activity, and workplace factors associated with lower HWLE and life expectancy at age 50. Identifying the extent of the impact on healthy working life highlights these factors as targets and the potential to mitigate against premature work exit is encouraging to policy-makers seeking to extend working life as well as people with musculoskeletal and mental health conditions and their employers. The HWLE gaps suggest that interventions are needed to promote the health, wellbeing and work outcomes of subpopulations with long-term health conditions.”

Hepatitis C News Update

History of Injection Drug Use, HCV Linked to Persistent Immunological Changes After DAA Therapy
“Curative DAA therapy did not completely normalize immune activation and inflammatory biomarkers in individuals with a history of injection drug use and HCV infection.”

Home-testing kits for hepatitis C made available in England
“Self-testing kits for hepatitis C are being made available from the NHS in England from Saturday. The free, confidential service is designed to reach people who may not access other services or do not feel able to approach their GP.”

Health professionals push to reduce infections killing Missouri babies
“The bill would also require a third trimester test for HIV and hepatitis C and hepatitis B, which can cause liver damage in infants.”

By combining offices, we are working to ensure compassionate, empathetic, and efficient service
“Recent data show that while Arizona’s rate of HIV infection has gone up slightly from the previous year, the rate of death from complications from the disease has decreased. This positive trend is due to multiple prevention methods, but most prominently the use of antiretrovirals (ARVs) improve outcomes at the highest rate. Access to medication is vital to reducing deaths due to this disease. This important prevention and education is done by our Preparedness team members in the newly formed Office of HIV and Hepatitis C Services.”

Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2024, as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month in the State of New York
“WHEREAS, In the 1980s, treatment finally became available for  those suffering  with these disorders; unfortunately, the treatments gave rise to the scourge of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C from contaminated blood; as a result, over 10,000 people with bleeding disorders died, and  those  who survived lived profoundly altered lives; and”

The deleterious effects of sofosbuvir and ribavirin (antiviral drugs against hepatitis C virus) on different body systems in male albino rats regarding reproductive, hematological, biochemical, hepatic, and renal profiles and histopathological changes
“Sofosbuvir is one of the crucial drugs used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in adults and children with compensated liver disease, including cirrhosis. It may be used alone or with other drugs. Ribavirin is an antiviral medication used to treat HCV infection. It is not effective when used alone and must be used in combination with other medications, such as sofosbuvir.”

Hepatitis C virus detection and management after implementation of universal screening in pregnancy.
“Accurately identifying cases of hepatitis C virus has important medical and public health consequences. In the setting of rising hepatitis C virus prevalence and highly effective treatment with direct-acting antivirals, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine guidelines recently changed to recommend universal screening for hepatitis C virus during pregnancy. However, there is little data on the influence of this policy change on case identification and management.”

Patient Perspectives on Solid Organ Transplantation From Donors With Hepatitis C Viremia to Recipients Without Hepatitis C Viremia.
“Organ transplantation from donors with hepatitis C viremia (HCV) to recipients without HCV (HCV D+/R-) has excellent medical outcomes. Less is known about the psychosocial impact and experiences of HCV D+/R- recipients, particularly outside of clinical trials.”

Beneficial Treatment for Early-Stage Hepatitis C and HIV Co-Infection
“Shortened treatments have shown promise in the early stages of hepatitis C (HCV), with a study on the 4-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) regimen presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), highlights a promising strategy for HCV elimination, particularly in HIV co-infected populations.”

Hepatitis C Treatment Can Improve Liver Function in People With Decompensated Cirrhosis
““The Punjab HCV Model demonstrates that recompensation of cirrhosis is achievable,” but these patients should still receive regular liver cancer surveillance, as their risk remains elevated, the researchers concluded. “Patients with cirrhosis should be followed up following virological cure for new decompensations and hepatocellular carcinoma, which should be integrated in public healthcare policy for HCV elimination,” they recommended.”

Lung Cancer News Update

Non-smoking Asian women have higher rates of lung cancer than other non-smokers
“Lung cancer rates are in decline across almost group, except non-smoking Asian American women, whose rates are increasing by 2% every year, a California study found. While 20% of all lung cancer cases are found in non-smokers, the study found that of Asian American women who have lung cancer, over 50% of that group are nonsmokers, according NBC News.”

Evolving Strategies in Managing and Treating Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Ariel Lopez-Chavez, MD, provided insights into the current landscape of small cell lung cancer treatment, highlighting approved options and ongoing research.”

The Young Ambassador for Women With Lung Cancer
“Diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer at age 33, Sydney Barned, MD, a nonsmoker, is on a mission to get this disease the attention it deserves, including among young women.”

VA announces steps to increase life-saving screening, access to benefits for Veterans with cancer
“WASHINGTON —Today, as a part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot, VA announced several critical new steps to expand preventive services, health care, and benefits for Veterans with cancer”

Hope and Innovation in the Lung Cancer Space
“Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, poses significant challenges to patients, caregivers and health care professionals alike. This special issue of CURE provides information on recent treatment developments, as well as insight into some of the issues currently faced by patients.”

Lung cancer disproportionately affecting Black communities
“New data reveals a harsh reality for Black and African Americans diagnosed with lung cancer, shedding light on disparities in early detection and access to care. Corey James investigates this pressing issue and speaks with Dr. Jonathan Villena, a thoracic surgeon specializing in lung cancer treatment at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian Hospital, for insights.”

Research Reveals Cigarette Smoke Shield for Lung Cancer Cells
“UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Lung cancer cells survive better and exhibit less cell damage when exposed to cigarette smoke in cell culture experiments compared to non-cancerous lung cells. New research by a team of undergraduate students led by a Penn State molecular biologist may have revealed how lung cancer cells can persist in smoke. The mechanism could be related to how cancer cells develop resistance to pharmaceutical treatments as well.”

Lung cancer treatment shows promise in tumor models
“DALLAS – March 11, 2024 – A molecule has demonstrated its ability to kill tumor cells and incite an immune response in preclinical models of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), according to UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers. The findings, published in Nature Communications, could lead to more successful treatments for SCLC, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.”

AI may predict spread of lung cancer to brain
“Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis trained a machine-learning algorithm to predict accurately brain metastasis using biopsy samples from early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients. It was also highly accurate in predicting those patients who do not develop metastatic brain tumors.”

My Choices News Update

Revolutionary Study Unveils Exercise as a Key to Unlocking Better Sleep for All Ages
“In the hustle of our daily lives, where the glow of screens often replaces the setting sun, a groundbreaking study from the University of South Australia offers a beacon of hope. It suggests a simple yet profound solution to the widespread struggle for a good night’s sleep: more physical activity. Involving 1,168 children and 1,360 adults, primarily mothers, the research illuminates the profound impact of daily exercise on sleep quality, challenging the conventional wisdom that focuses on pre-bedtime rituals.”

Determinants and outcomes of health-promoting lifestyle among people with schizophrenia
“Healthy lifestyle is an important protective factor of developing cardiovascular disease in people with schizophrenia. However, little is known about the determinants of lifestyle and its contribution to metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to explore the influencing factors of health-promoting lifestyle (HPL) and its association with metabolic syndrome among people with schizophrenia.”

One in eight people are now living with obesity
“Geneva, March 1, 2024 — New study released by the Lancet shows that, in 2022, more than 1 billion people in the world are now living with obesity. Worldwide, obesity among adults has more than doubled since 1990, and has quadrupled among children and adolescents (5 to 19 years of age). The data also show that 43% of adults were overweight in 2022.”

Belly fat linked to cognitive decline in people at risk for Alzheimer’s
“Researchers from Rutgers University say abdominal fat could impact brain health and cognition among people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that middle-aged males with a high Alzheimer’s risk who had higher amounts of pancreatic fat had lower cognition and brain volumes. Abdominal fat also affected Alzheimer’s risk among female participants, but less so compared to males.”

Researchers unveil innovative remote nutrition education for adolescents with intellectual disability
“Researchers have unveiled innovative strategies to promote healthy eating habits among adolescents with special needs. MaryAnn Demchak, Ph.D., BCBA-D., professor of special education at the University of Nevada, Reno and alumna Brianna Grumstrup, Ph.D., assistant professor of special education at the University of Maine, Farmington, conducted a study utilizing the System of Least Prompts (SLP) delivered remotely to provide nutrition education to high school students with an intellectual disability.”

Study reveals broader elements of personal recovery for individuals at risk of mental illness
“Definitions of what recovery means to people at risk of mental illness should extend beyond symptom remission into broader areas of life and wellbeing. According to researchers at the University of Birmingham, ‘personal recovery’ – defined as a person’s capacity to live a full meaningful life in a community of one’s choosing despite the limitations imposed by illness – can be experienced by people at risk of developing serious mental health problems.”

Yogurts can now make limited claim that they lower type 2 diabetes risk, FDA says
“In a decision nearly five years in the making, the US Food and Drug Administration has decided that yogurts can now make a limited claim that the food may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, the federal agency concluded Friday. The decision marks the first-ever qualified health claim the federal agency has issued for yogurt.” BUT read more…

Living near pubs, bars and fast-food restaurants could be bad for heart health
“Closer proximity to and a higher number of ready-to-eat food outlets — particularly pubs, bars and fast-food restaurants — may be associated with a greater risk of developing heart failure, according to a study of half a million adults in the UK Biobank. The association between food environments and increased heart failure risk was stronger among people who did not have a college degree and those living in urban areas without access to facilities for physical activity such as gyms or fitness centers.”

Mindful Eating Aims to Change Your Relationship With Food
“March 1, 2024 – You may be familiar with the basic steps: Slow down, notice what you’re eating, and enjoy your food. But mindful eating can be more nuanced, and if done with intention over time, it can change your relationship with food and benefit your health, experts say.”

Floating Towards Wellness: The Rising Tide of Sensory Deprivation Tanks in Stress Reduction and Therapy
“In an era where the quest for tranquility often leads to crowded yoga classes and mindfulness apps, a seemingly unconventional method is making waves in the health and wellness industry. Sensory deprivation tanks, also known as float tanks, are offering individuals a unique escape into stillness and serenity. By minimizing external sensory input, these tanks are not just about floating; they’re about fostering a profound sense of peace and well-being.”

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1 in 3 women are impacted by obesity, but treatments are often uncovered
“NEW YORK — One in three women are impacted by obesity, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The disease is associated with more than 200 different health conditions, but treatments are often not covered by insurance. The Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention is advocating for change with a new campaign.”

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