Health Headlines - March 29

New Surgery Detours Within Clogged Artery Walls

When arteries are too clogged to open using traditional therapies, a detour through the artery wall can be an effective new treatment option, researchers report.

Race, Marriage Influence Prostate Cancer Treatment

Surgery to remove the prostate and radiation therapy are the two recommended treatments for prostate cancer, but a man's race and marital status appear to influence which of these treatments he will ultimately prefer, researchers find.

Preemie Babies Cost U.S. Business Billions

Besides taking a toll on the emotional lives of new parents, health-care expenses incurred during the first year of life for premature babies cost U.S. businesses nearly 15 times more than those for full-term infants, according to a March of Dimes analysis released Monday.

Abuse, HIV Raise Women's Suicide Risk

HIV infection and abusive relationships are especially tough on women, with a new study showing greatly increased risks for depression and suicide attempts in women afflicted with both these problems.

Hair Today, Stem Cells Tomorrow

In the future, stem cell therapy could be just a pluck away, new research suggests.

Special MRI Offers Quick Assessment of Brain Cancer Therapy

A cutting-edge magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can radically reduce the time brain cancer patients and their doctors must now wait before seeing whether treatments targeting tumor growth are working, a new study suggests.

Primary Care Office Strategies May Boost Colon Cancer Screening

Patients are more likely to be screened for colorectal cancer if primary-care doctors use an "office systems approach," says a Harvard Medical School study in the March 28 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Study Questions Practice of Hospital Advertising

Academic medical centers are relying more and more on advertising to attract patients, yet there appears to be little oversight of these practices, experts say.

Government Recommends Eating Whole Grains

Go ahead, have a piece of bread. Have three. Make it whole-grain, and you'll be following government advice for eating right. Three servings of whole grains each day will reduce your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Virginians Growing Obese at Fastest Rate

The percentage of Virginians qualifying as obese is growing at a faster rate than anywhere else in the nation, according to a federal study.

Mother Sues Cereal Makers for Sugar Claims

A lawsuit by a San Diego mother claims that lower-sugar versions of Cocoa Puffs and Froot Loops may seem healthier, but they're really a bunch of Trix.

Burger King Sandwich Packs the Calories

Burger King began offering two new breakfast sandwiches Monday, including one that packs more calories and fat than a Whopper.