A cup of cocoa to help the brain

Published in February 23rd, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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Cocoa containing high levels of flavanols can increase blood flow to the brain, reported six newspapers (19 February 2007). The reports were based on results of research presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference. The quality of the research cannot be assessed as full details have not yet been published. [Latest Hitting the Headlines story - written by CRD for the NLH.]

Tamoxifen for long-term prevention of breast cancer

Published in February 23rd, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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Treatment with tamoxifen can reduce the risk of breast cancer in healthy women with an increased risk of the disease, and the benefits continue after stopping treatment, reported three newspapers (21 February 2007). The newspapers accurately summarized the main results of a large randomized trial whose findings appear generally reliable. [Latest Hitting the Headlines story - written by CRD for the NLH.]

Can switching to exemestane improve breast cancer survival?

Published in February 20th, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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Switching from tamoxifen to the breast cancer drug exemestane after 2-3 years of tamoxifen treatment reduces the risk of death, reported six newspapers (13 February 2007). The newspapers were generally accurate in their reports of a large randomised controlled trial, the findings of which are likely to be reliable. [Latest Hitting the Headlines story - written by CRD for the NLH.]

‘Gene test that guarantees the best breast cancer treatment’

Published in February 20th, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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A gene-based test could help doctors choose the best treatment for women with breast cancer, reported three newspapers on 16 February 2007. The newspapers report few details from a generally well-conducted laboratory study comparing methods for establishing oestrogen receptor status and ERBB2 status of breast cancer. [Latest Hitting the Headlines story - written by CRD for the NLH.]

Parenteral oestrogens for prostate cancer

Published in February 20th, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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The purpose of this review was to examine the literature on the use of parenteral oestrogens (e.g.
administered intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or transdermally) in prostate cancer, in
order to inform the design of a randomised clinical trial. [CRD Report 33]

“High-fibre diet ‘can cut cancer risk’”

Published in February 2nd, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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A high-fibre diet can halve the risk of breast cancer in pre-menopausal women, reported four newspapers on 24 January 2007. The reports were based on a large prospective cohort study, however, further research is needed to confirm the study’s findings. [Latest Hitting the Headlines story - written by CRD for the NLH.]