Obesity - Cancer Link What you weigh when you are a young adult may affect your risk of dying from cancer, according to a study published in the October 2002 issue of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. For their study, researchers examined more than 10,000 students who attended the University of Glascow between 1948 and 1968. They calculated the body mass index (BMI) of each student by comparing his or her height and weight. After an average follow-up of 41 years, the researchers discovered that those students who had the greatest BMI while in college were most likely to die from cancer later in life. This study provides yet another reason why you should strive to maintain your ideal body weight. Speak to your physician about body weight and other risk factors for cancer.

- M. Ellman

Ingrown nails An ingrown nail can be awfully painful. They are quite common, occurring most frequently on the big toe. Ingrown nails can occur if you trim your nails too short or wear shoes that are too tight. The area where you have an ingrown nail often becomes red, swollen, and tender. See your doctor if you develop any signs of an ingrown nail, as you may need to be treated with antibiotics. Do not try to cut the nail out yourself. To help prevent ingrown nails, cut your nails straight across rather than at a curve and wear properly fitting shoes.

- M. Ellman

Cataract Surgery May Help Prevent Accidents Older adults with cataracts who opt to undergo surgery to remove the cataract may reduce their chances of having a car accident, according to a study published in the August 21, 2002 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. For their study, researchers compared the accident rates of 277 patients with a cataract, 174 of whom underwent cataract surgery and 103 of whom opted not to have the cataract removed. They found that the patients who had their cataract removed were nearly 50% less likely to have a car accident during the 4-year study period. In an accompanying editorial, one ophthalmologist cautioned that this reduction in accident risk is not so clear-cut because other factors, such as poor medical condition, may have contributed to the risk of the non-surgical patients having an accident. Like any surgery, cataract surgery can cause complications. In addition, just because you have cataract surgery does not mean that you are well enough to operate a motor vehicle. Ask your doctor if you are healthy enough to drive. If your ophthalmologist diagnoses you with cataracts, ask him or her if surgery is appropriate for you.

Brother Laser Printer Recall In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Brother International Corp. of Bridgewater, N.J., is voluntarily recalling approximately 100,000 multi-function printers and laser printers because the printers can overheat, thus posing a fire hazard. The recall involves Brother laser printers with model numbers HL-1040, HL-1050, HL-1060, and multi-function printers with model number MFC-P2000. The model number can be found on the top of each unit and adjacent to the Brother® logo. The printers are beige or putty in color and were sold nationwide from June 1997 through December 2000 for between $300 and $700. If you own one of these printers, unplug it immediately and contact Brother for information on bringing your printer to an authorized service center for a free repair. For more information, call Brother toll-free at (866) 236-6835 between 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

You Can Also Obtain Information And Locate A Service Center By Clicking Here. www.brother.com/usa/recalls.html

- M. Ellman

Today, Thursday, November 21, 2002, marks this year's annual Great American Smokeout. The American Cancer Society (ACS) holds the Great American Smokeout every year to help smokers quit for at least one day, in hopes they will quit forever. More people quit smoking on this day than any other day of the year. The idea for the Great American Smokeout started in 1971, when Massachusetts resident Arthur P. Mullaney asked people to give up smoking for a day and donate the money they would have spent on cigarettes to a local high school. Then, in 1974, Lynn R. Smith, editor of the Monticello Times in Minnesota, spearheaded the state's first D-Day, or Don't Smoke Day. On November 18, 1976, the California Division of the American Cancer Society successfully prompted nearly one million smokers to quit for the day. That California event marked the first Smokeout, and the Society took it nationwide in 1977. If you're ready to quit, you should know you're not alone. Today is a great day to start your journey toward a healthier, smoke-free life. The American Cancer Society provides a variety of resources to help you quit successfully. For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit their website using the link below.

Click Here For More Information On The Great American Smokeout. www.cancer.org/docroot/pe...tearea=ped

USDA Organic Standards – Part I On October 21, the U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced a set of national standards for labeling food as "organic." Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown, handled, and processed. It is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are not given any antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum- based fertilizers, sewage sludge-based fertilizers, bio-engineering, or ionizing radiation. It is important to note that the USDA makes no claims that organically produced food is safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food. Tomorrow we will explore the different options manufacturers have for labeling organic food products.

USDA Organic Standards – Part II Yesterday we told you that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched a new set of national standards for labeling "organic" foods. Under these standards, food products that are at least 95 percent organic will be able to display the new "USDA Organic" seal. Products with 70﷓95 percent organic ingredients can say so on the label, but they cannot display the seal. Products with less than 70 percent organic ingredients may list specific organically produced ingredients on the side panel of the package, but may not make any organic declarations on the front of the package. As stated yesterday, the USDA makes no claims that organically produced food is safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food. The link below takes you to the USDA National Organic Program website where you can see a picture of the USDA Organic seal and read more information about the new USDA organic standards.

Click Here For The National Organic Program Website. www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Cons...chure.html

Beware Weight-Loss Advertising The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released a report that concluded that false or misleading claims are widespread in advertisements for weight-loss products. The report, titled "Report on Weight-Loss Advertising: An Analysis of Current Trends," examined 300 promotions that appeared in all major forms of media between February and May 2001. They concluded that nearly 40 percent of the ads in the study, including ads that appeared in mainstream, national publications, made at least one representation that is almost certainly false and 55 percent of the ads made at least one representation that is very likely to be false. The FTC advises consumers to be skeptical about exaggerated claims. They stated that "there are no miracle weight-loss products." The best way to lose weight is to increase your physical activity and lower your intake of calories. Talk to your physician about healthy ways to achieve your ideal weight.

Click Here For More Information From The FTC. www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/fitness/

Carbon Monoxide Alarms Does your family have the protection of a carbon monoxide (CO) detector? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that every home have at least one CO alarm that meets one of these standards: Canadian Standards Association 6.19-01, 2001; Underwriters Laboratories Inc. 2034, Second Edition, October 1998; or the International Approval Services 6-96, Second Edition, June 1, 1998. A CO detector can detect the potentially deadly odorless and colorless gas. It is important to note that a CO detector is not the same as a smoke detector, and that you should have both devices throughout your home and workplace. Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions for your detectors. They should be tested regularly (usually once per month) and the batteries should be replaced at least twice yearly. In addition, CO sensors need to be replaced on a regular basis (often every two years).

- M. Ellman

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2002