OHSU Health Information Newsletters

Newsletters

A Mammogram Is Still Important

Over the last decade, more Americans have been dismissing cancer screenings, including mammograms. Why? Experts suspect this drop may partly be because of the confusion surrounding screening guidelines. Despite this uncertainty, mammograms remain a valuable tool in fighting breast cancer.

Beyond Bone Health: The Power of Vitamin D

A simple glass of milk can do a lot for your health. Thanks to the "Got Milk" campaign, many women know that it packs a healthy punch of calcium and vitamin D - two nutrients critical for strong bones. But did you know vitamin D may be beneficial beyond bone health? Ongoing research suggests it may have some truly potent powers.

Binge Drinking: A Woman’s Health Concern

Many women drink alcohol - whether it's to celebrate a special event or maybe to relax with friends. An occasional drink usually isn't a concern. Moderate amounts of alcohol may even protect against coronary heart disease. More excessive drinking, though - like binge drinking - can lead to serious health problems.

Breast Cancer May Be More Deadly for Some Women

Breast cancer doesn't discriminate. Women of all ages, races, and ethnicities - men, too - can develop it. For some women, though - in particular, African-Americans - breast cancer can be more deadly. Many factors play a role in this disparity. Fortunately, by being proactive about breast health, women can help protect themselves from this disease.

Considering Birth Control? Know Your Options

Women today have more birth control options than ever before. The condom, the pill, the patch-to name just a few. In fact, more than three-quarters of sexually active women in the U.S. have tried at least three different methods of contraception. Knowing more about your options can help you choose the best one for you.

Do Larger Infants Raise Breast Cancer Risk?

Women who give birth to large infants may be 2.5 times more likely to develop breast cancer than women who give birth to the smallest babies.

Early Menopause Affects Heart Disease Risk

Women who go through menopause before age 46 may double their risk for heart disease and stroke, new research says.

Fighting Breast Cancer: The Latest Treatment Techniques

Women diagnosed with breast cancer today have more treatment options available to them than ever before. And scientists continue to make advancements. Coupled with better screening tests that help with diagnosis, newer treatments have helped to reduce the risk of dying from this disease over the last 30-plus years. Below are some of the latest ways doctors are bringing the fight to breast cancer.

Healthy Vaginal Bacteria Unique to Each Woman

A healthy vagina depends on the right balance of microorganisms - but new research has found that this balance differs from woman to woman. This may help tailor treatment for vaginal infections.

Hormone Combo in Contraception Boosts Heart Risk

Women who use birth control products that contain a combination of estrogen and progestin may double their risk for heart attack and stroke.

Java and Pregnancy: An OK Combo?

Finding out you are pregnant may prompt you to make some lifestyle changes, particularly in your diet. You may decide to eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer high-fat foods. Another change you may want to consider: cutting back on coffee. A recent study suggests that too much coffee and other sources of caffeine may lower your baby's birth weight, possibly leading to serious health problems.

Mammography Pluses Top Any Harms

For older women, the benefits of getting a mammogram every two years outweigh potential harms, researchers say.

Menopause Boosts Belly Fat, Study Says

A commonly held belief is that weight gain during menopause is inevitable. New research suggests otherwise. A recent review of available data on this life change found that menopause doesn't cause weight gain. But it may move fat to your middle.

Mixed Reviews on Alcohol Use by Women

Alcohol can be both a benefit and a danger to women, according to two recent studies. The key seems to be in knowing when it's appropriate to drink and how much alcohol is considered safe.

More Women Face Mental Illness

You may pay more attention to your physical health than how you feel mentally. Like any physical ailment, though, conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse can tax your body. More than 45 million Americans struggle with a mental health problem, and many of them are women. Knowing more about mental illness, including the warning signs, can help keep your body - and mind - healthy.

Moving Toward a Blood Test for Breast Cancer

Researchers are looking closer at a blood test that assesses changes in a certain gene's DNA. The test may one day be able to predict who's at risk for breast cancer years before it develops.

Panel Confirms Risks of Hormone Therapy

< May. 30, 2012 > -- After looking at more than a decade's worth of studies on hormone therapy, an expert panel says that women shouldn't take estrogen or progestin to help prevent disease.

Panel Nixes Supplements for Bone Health

The (USPSTF) says that older women should not take low doses of calcium and vitamin D supplements to help prevent fractures. The panel is still weighing what to recommend on higher supplement doses.

Patient Service Helps Spot Cancer Early

Early diagnosis is crucial in fighting breast cancer. It often leads to faster treatment and a better chance of survival. That's where a service called "patient navigation" may fit in. A recent study shows this service may shorten the time to diagnosis.

PTSD Not Uncommon After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

A traumatic event, such as a natural disaster or a severe car accident, can trigger feelings of anxiety and distress-maybe even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). So, too, can a breast cancer diagnosis. Recent research shows that approximately 25 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer may suffer from PTSD. Learning good coping strategies can help you deal with such life-altering news.

Radiation Treatment in Childhood Boosts Breast Cancer Risk

Girls who get radiation therapy to the chest to treat cancer are at higher risk for breast cancer by the time they turn 50, a new study says.

Respiratory Symptoms Wax and Wane with Period

You're likely familiar with the changes your body goes through each menstrual cycle. Estrogen levels rise as your body prepares for ovulation. Then they fall before your period. This flux in hormones can trigger fatigue, breast tenderness, and other symptoms. A new study suggests these hormonal changes may also affect breathing problems like coughing or shortness of breath. The findings may be especially helpful for women with asthma.

Strong Social Ties May Help Women Survive Cancer

Learning you have breast cancer can be overwhelming. Many women face hard decisions about their care. A new study indicates that having a strong social network may help women better cope with a breast cancer diagnosis. In particular, it may boost their odds of survival.

Study Suggests Change in Radiation Guidelines in Older Women

An older woman who has radiation therapy after a lumpectomy may lower her need for a mastectomy later on, a new study says. Yet current guidelines recommend that older breast cancer patients not have radiation.

Working Moms Say They Are Healthier

Working full time seems to boost both mental and physical health for women who are mothers, compared with women who stay at home or work part time.

Younger Women Need to Be Vigilant About Breast Cancer

As you grow older, your chance of developing breast cancer increases. In fact, two-thirds of cases occur in women ages 55 and older. Still, younger women can develop the disease. And a recent study found that more of them-particularly those younger than 40-are being diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread throughout the body.