healthbriefs
PSA Testing Controversy M
en face a new dilemma at their annual physical this
year—should they be screened for prostate cancer? Last year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against routine screening for this form of cancer, regardless of age. Some doctors claim this will cause treatable prostate cancer cases to be missed. The level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced
by the prostate gland, can be measured with a simple blood test. Until the USPSTF issued its recommendation, doctors routinely used the test to screen men 50 and older. The task force, however, concluded there is at least moderate cer- tainty that the potential harms of PSA testing outweigh the benefits; many benign conditions, particularly prostate infec- tions and enlargement, can elevate PSA readings higher than normal, prompting more aggressive testing.
Before deciding on the test, it helps for men to explore this issue with their doctor. Some physicians take a “wait and see” approach and retest several times over a few months before making a recommendation; others suggest an immediate biopsy if PSA levels are high. While a blood test is a benign procedure, a prostate biopsy is not. A high PSA reading coupled with an overly aggressive doctor can cause anxiety and result in additional—and possibly un- needed—medical treatment.
Source: James Occhiogrosso,
ProstateHealthNaturally.com
T
GARLIC MAY HELP ALLEVIATE CYSTIC FIBROSIS
he American Society for Microbiol- ogy reports that by age 18, about
80 percent of patients with cystic fibrosis are chronically infected with the bacterium pseudomonas aeruginosa, which promotes an inflammatory response that destroys lung tissue. The infection frequently leads to serious related health issues. According to collaborative research led by Tim Holm Jakob- sen, Ph.D., and Michael Givskov, Ph.D., of the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark, garlic, which acts as a powerful natural antibiotic, could help. The onion-related herb contains ajoene, the major component of a multitude of sulfur-containing compounds, which is produced when garlic is crushed. Ajoene inhibits the expression of 11 key genes controlled by cell-to-cell communication and is regarded as crucial to the ability of the bacterium to cause disease.
L
SPORTS AND MUSIC: A WINNING COMBINATION
istening to our favorite music, whatever the genre, can increase both our enjoyment of and performance levels in competitive sports participation. Keele University researchers, presenting these findings at the 2012 British Psy- chological Society annual conference, noted that playing selected tunes reduces perceived exertion levels, plus increases one’s sense of being “in the zone”. The greatest effects were found with music used during structured training sessions. Previous studies showing that motivational music in general boosts performance did not include explor- ing the effects of listening to one’s favorite music.
natural awakenings
June 2013
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