Soldiers who suffer a brain injury during combat might be more likely to lose their brain power faster than other vets as they grow older.

That's according to a new study of Vietnam War veterans. Brain injuries sustained during wartime were associated with faster cognitive decline more than 30 years later.

Higher levels of education and intelligence before the injury helped ease the decline.

Experts estimate that nearly two-thirds of US soldiers sent from Iraq to US Army medical centers have been diagnosed with brain injuries.

Researchers suggest these patients may benefit from life-long care from head injury specialists.

In other medical news…

Doctors generally recommend adults over age 50 should be screened for colon cancer.

But according to two recent studies, many people aren't, even if they have insurance coverage.

One study of Medicare patients found that just about a quarter of eligible adults got a colonoscopy.

The other study indicated that just about half of all Americans over age 50 had been screened.