Health Headlines - September 17

Digital mammograms better than film for some-study

Digital mammograms are more accurate at detecting breast cancer than traditional film mammograms in women who are premenopausal, under age 50, or who have dense breasts, according to results from a study of nearly 43,000 women released on Friday.

For other women screened for breast cancer, there was no difference between the two methods, researchers said in a study published online by the New England Journal of Medicine.

"We believe that the significant improvement in accuracy in specific subgroups of women justifies the use of digital mammography in these groups," the researchers said.

Other women should stick with film mammograms, said Dr. Etta Pisano, the study's lead author.

Traditional mammograms that have been used for decades produce X-ray images of the breast on film. Digital mammograms take electronic pictures that are stored on a computer. They have been available since 2000.

The new study compared film mammograms to digital mammograms from systems made by Fischer Imaging, Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd., General Electric Co. and Hologic Inc.. All but the Fuji system are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and available for use in the United States.

Researchers analyzed results from 42,760 women at 33 sites in the United States and Canada who each had a film mammogram and a digital mammogram to screen for cancer.

Digital mammograms detected 78 percent of cancers in women under age 50, compared with 51 percent for film mammograms, the study said.

For women who had not yet entered menopause, or were in the "perimenopause" transition to menopause, 72 percent of cancers were found by digital mammograms, compared with 51 percent for film mammograms.

Digital mammograms also produced better results for women with dense breast tissue. The study found digital mammograms caught 70 percent of breast cancers, compared with 55 percent for film.

"For these (groups of) women, it's a big difference," Pisano said.

In all cases, digital and film mammograms were equally likely to produce false positive results.

"The important thing is that women receive mammograms on a regular basis, regardless of which technology they use ... it should be remembered that traditional film mammography also is effective," said Robert Smith, director of cancer screening for the American Cancer Society.

"Although the availability of digital mammography is increasing, it is still limited, and it is unclear how soon, or whether, it will entirely replace conventional film mammography," Smith said.

Digital mammograms cost more than film. Now, the Medicare health insurance program for the elderly pays about $85 for film mammograms and $135 for digital, Pisano said.

The research was funded by the National Cancer Institute and conducted by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network.

All types of digital mammography systems that were studied produced similar results.

In addition to the improved accuracy, digital mammograms are easier to store and share with other physicians electronically. They also can be magnified or manipulated to correct for under- or over-exposure, saving women from duplicate mammograms.

An estimated 211,240 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States this year, an about 40,410 women will die from the disease, the National Cancer Institute said.

Health Tip: Look for Signs of Inhalant Abuse

Kids looking for a quick high sometimes turn to "huffing," which is a form of inhalant abuse that can trigger irregular heart rhythms.

The Texas Medical Center in Houston reports that common consumer products, such as spray paint, cooking spray, air freshener and butane can be sprayed into cans and small plastic bags, or sprayed on clothes. The concentrated vapors are then "huffed" or inhaled.

Clues your child might be huffing include:

A drunken or dizzy appearance.
Slurred or disoriented speech.
A chronic runny nose and red eyes.
Erratic mood changes, such as anxiety, excitability, irritability, or lethargy.
Frequent sniffing of clothes.
If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, professional medical help and psychological assistance are strongly recommended.

Health Tip: Prevent Sciatica

Sciatica is pain that occurs along the path of the sciatic nerve, which comes from the spinal column.

Pain from an irritated sciatic nerve usually occurs in the buttocks, hip, and back of the thigh.

According to the Calgary Health Region, here are some ways to prevent sciatic pain or reduce existing discomfort in your lower back:

Brace yourself if you feel a forceful sneeze or cough coming on.
Practice safe lifting techniques.
Avoid standing or sitting in one position for long periods.
Exercise regularly and include gentle stretching exercises.
Lighten your wallet and don't carry it in your hip pocket.
Sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your legs.
Keep your abdominal muscles in shape.
Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.
Have your bras professionally fitted if you have large breasts as this can put a strain on your back.