|
Updated: 7:48 AM Jul 9, 2009
Medical Moments: Migraines affecting cancer, record-setting transplant and new anthrax drug
Women who suffer from migraines appear to have a reduced risk for breast cancer.
In other health news, a record-setting series of kidney transplants just finished this week involving 4 cities, 8 kidney recipients, 8 donors, and over 100 medical professionals.
Also, anthrax drug researchers have developed a new tool that could be used in the event of an anthrax attack. Posted: 6:43 AM Jul 9, 2009 |
|
Women who suffer from migraines appear to have a reduced risk for breast cancer. Researchers in Seattle studied more than 4,500 women between the ages of 34 and 64. Those who'd been diagnosed with migraines had a 26% reduced risk of developing breast cancer.
It held true regardless of age when she was first diagnosed with migraines or whether she used prescription drugs for her headaches. Doctors don't know why migraines might protect against breast cancer.
They say hormones affect both conditions.
In other health news, a record-setting series of kidney transplants just finished this week involving 4 cities, 8 kidney recipients, 8 donors, and over 100 medical professionals.
For the first time, doctors across the country have completed an eight-way domino kidney transplant.
It started with an altruistic donor, a man whose child was just cured of brain cancer, and he wanted to do something to give back. His kidney was given to a patient who needed the organ, and who had a willing donor, but they were not a match.
The pattern continued until the last kidney was given to a patient on an organ waiting list. The surgeries started on June 15th and ended July 6th.
There are currently 84,000 people in the US on a kidney waiting list.
Also, anthrax drug researchers have developed a new tool that could be used in the event of an anthrax attack. A study in rabbits and monkeys shows those given Abthrax were significantly more likely to survive inhalation anthrax exposure.
Antibiotics are also able to fight the disease. If exposure isn't found right away, the drugs may not work. A study on more than 300 volunteers suggests the drug also has protective effects in people.
Human genome sciences gave more than 20,000 doses of Abthrax to the US strategic national stockpile for emergency use.

