| Cutting edge |  September is cervical cancer awareness month. This is a cancer that affects millions of South African women - and which is made worse by co-infection with HIV. Most of you women reading this newsletter will have regular PAP smears - or you should do. The current recommendation is for an annual PAP smear, although there is now evidence that if you have regular negative smears, once every three years is sufficient.
But that option is not available in the public sector and many women only present when the cancer is well-established and potentially fatal. A tragedy in such a preventable disease - particulary so as it tends to affect younger women who still have young families.
There is now a vaccine available against the human papilloma virus - infection with this virus is probably the main cause of cervical cancer - and the majority of women who are sexually active will have been exposed to the virus. But again, because of cost constraints, the vaccine will not be available to young women in the public sector. The age at which this vaccine is offered overseas - to school girls - is also causing some controversy. There is a suggestion that, along with access to contraception, this will encourage early sexual activity. However, most people are pragmatic, and it is likely that women in high-income countries will have one more element available in their armour against this common cancer.
Interestingly enough the first case of terminal cervical cancer I saw was as a GP in Scotland some years ago - someone who had slipped through the screening net. Just an illustration of how important that regular screening is - and how easy for many of us.
Bridget Farham Editor
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MedicalGlobal realignment for Siemens to create a more responsive organisation - RedlineAs part of a global realignment of all Siemens operating divisions, Siemens Southern Africa has reorganised the operations of its previous 11 business units into three sectors, Industry, Energy and Healthcare. Advertisement:
Chronic diseasesLosing weight after diabetes diagnosis prevents related diseasesPeople who lose weight after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can limit the damage the disease causes.
Corporate Social ResponsibilitySeptember is National Heart Awareness Month - Magna CartaThink about heart disease during September. SAEPA and iKhambi Care Join Forces - Paws 19The South African Express Parcel Association (SAEPA) has concluded an historical deal with iKhambi Care Health Care Solutions to address the needs of its members, through the building of centres throughout the country providing essential primary and occupational health care services. Cervical cancer month: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in South Africa - MSD Public RelationsAlthough September is cervical cancer awareness month, awareness should not be limited to this month alone. Batswadi and Lilly Diabetes Partnership motivates teens to enjoy life with diabetes - The Write AgencyLocal competition to raise awareness about the impact of diabetes amongst the youth will conclude in November to mark World Diabetes Day 2008 - This year's global theme is “Diabetes in children and adolescence”.
HIV/AIDSUganda: Home births hamper PMTCT programmeThe number of Ugandan children becoming infected with HIV during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding remains high despite the government's ongoing rollout of services to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT). IRF Conference reveals huge impact of HIV/AIDS on national social security fund - RedlineThe financial impact of HIV and AIDS on the proposed National Social Security Fund, NSSF, will be dramatic, with actuarial models showing that the average 20 year old South African will not even reach retirement age 1.
Hospital GroupsSeptember: Heart Awareness month - Know your numbers and prevent becoming another heart statistic - The Heart and Stroke Foundation SASeptember is Heart Awareness Month - an entire month dedicated to creating awareness and preventing heart disease in South Africans. The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA (HSFSA), a non-governmental organisation, is calling everyone to have their cholesterol and blood pressure checked, often termed ‘silent killers' because there are no visible symptoms when levels are raised. Advertisement: | M-NET Breast Cancer Luncheon.
Just a table and lunch with us can inspire women everywhere.
JHB 14th OCt, Sandton Convention Centre | CT 17th Oct, CTICC | DBN 22nd Oct, ICC
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Infectious diseasesGuinea-Bissau: Cholera epidemic claims more livesUp to 3,160 people have now contracted cholera and 73 people have died across the country and health minister Camilo Simoes Lopes told IRIN the authorities are struggling to win the fight again the epidemic.
MalariaUganda's Makerere University receives AMANET grant for malaria vaccine trialThe College of Health Sciences at Uganda's Makerere University will receive a grant from the African Malaria Network Trust to begin trials of the malaria vaccine candidate GMZ2.
Medical ResearchCumin may help cold soresResearchers have found that cumin could potentially treat cold sores.
Medical TechnologySouth Africans may lose access to gold standard for cancer imaging - Health DiRxionsPET-CT scanning is the gold standard for cancer imaging worldwide. It is accepted in both America and Europe.
Mental healthAntipsychotics linked to risk of strokeAll drugs used in the treatment of psychosis appear to increase the risk of stroke. Drinking themselves stupid: Binge drinking in teens reaching epidemic proportions - South African Depression and Anxiety GroupDo you drink until you're drunk - but only on weekends? Do you defend your teenager's drinking because “all her friends drink, and it's only at parties”? Binge drinking, “the consumption of five or more drinks in one sitting”, has become a serious problem among South African youth where 15.8% of boys and 9% of girls had their first drink before they were 13.
OncologyAntibiotic use linked to increased risk of cancerThe risk of developing certain cancers rises with the use of antibiotics, according to a recent study. Skin cancer may increase risk of other cancersNon-melanoma skin cancers may increase the risk of other cancers in different parts of the body.
Pharmaceutical companiesAstraZeneca once again in the top ranking - SimonSays CommunicationsThe annual Campbell Belman Managed Health Care (MHC) Confidence Predictor/Confidence Development survey results have been announced and it has been confirmed that once again AstraZeneca has walked away with an undisputed first class ranking.
Public healthCameroon To Host WHO Regional Committee For AfricaThe fifty-eighth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa is scheduled to take place from 1 to 5 September in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Overweight children do not necessarily make overweight adultsA new study from Japan suggests that being overweight as a child doesn't necessarily mean an overweight adult. Improved daily living conditions the key to health inequalitiesWHO calls for better living conditions to reduce health gap. Somalia: Humanitarian situation "increasingly acute"Somalia is moving more rapidly than expected into a serious humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 3.2 million people both in urban and rural areas facing extreme poverty, according to humanitarian officials. Niger: Northern desert conflict disrupts maternal health careAll she saw was blood. Ouma Ibrahim knew it was not normal to have so much blood after delivering her son at home. She consulted a midwife at the nearby Dagamanet Clinic near her Agadez home, who sent her to the regional hospital five kilometres away. Zimbabwe: Doctors' strike adds to country's painMehluli Moyo's frail looking mother wheels him into Mpilo central hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city. Her son is suffering from an undiagnosed illness, has lost a huge amount of weight and is in constant pain. Canadians die from contaminated meatTwelve people have died after eating contaminated meat in Canada.
TuberculosisXDR-TB can be managed with aggressive treatmentA highly aggressive treatment that reduces deaths and prevents further transmission of XDR-TB has been developed by scientists in Russia and the US. | | |
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