Lively Women

Women’s Health Newsflash: Suicide & Antidepressants, Plus Cancer & Divorce, Pregnancy, Alcohol, & Body Size

by Kristen King on September 27th, 2007

Some of today’s important health headlines:

Genes Linked to Suicidal Thinking During Antidepressant Treatment

Excerpt: Specific variations in two genes are linked to suicidal thinking that sometimes occurs in people taking the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants, according to a large study led by scientists at the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Depending on the particular mix inherited, these versions increased the likelihood of such thoughts from 2- to15-fold, the study found. About 1 percent of adult patients were deemed to be at high genetic risk, 41 percent at elevated risk and 58 percent at lower risk.

Couples More Likely to Divorce if Spouse Develops Cervical or Testicular Cancer

Excerpt: In the largest and most rigorous study to date investigating how cancer influences divorce, Norwegian researchers have found that marriages are no more likely than normal to break down unless a spouse develops cervical or testicular cancer.

Study Indicates Pregnancy Does Not Harm Chances of Survival From Cancer

Excerpt: New research offers reassurance to women worried about whether getting pregnant after cancer treatment might worsen their prognosis. The study by Norwegian scientists, presented today (Thursday) at the European Cancer Conference (ECCO 14) in Barcelona, found that for almost all types of cancer, the survival of women who are diagnosed during pregnancy or who became pregnant after being treated for the disease is no different from that of other female cancer patients.

Wine, Women and … Spirits, Beer and Breast Cancer Risk

Excerpt: One of the largest individual studies of the effects of alcohol on the risk of breast cancer has concluded that it makes no difference whether a woman drinks wine, beer or spirits (liquor) – it is the alcohol itself (ethyl alcohol) and the quantity consumed that is likely to trigger the onset of cancer. The increased breast cancer risk from drinking three or more alcoholic drinks a day is similar to the increased breast cancer risk from smoking a packet of cigarettes or more a day.

Study Fuels Debate Over Whether Exercise and Body Size Influence Ovarian Cancer Risk

Excerpt: A new study adds fuel to the debate over whether being fat or inactive affects the risk of developing ovarian cancer. The study, presented by Australian researchers today (Thursday) at the European Cancer Conference (ECCO 14) in Barcelona, found some evidence suggesting exercise might increase the risk. It found no link with body measurements.

Share This

Related Stories

Do You Recognize Suicide Warning Signs?
Nightmares and Suicide
Women’s Health Newsflash: Ovarian Cancer
Women’s Health Round-Up, December 17, 2006
Can Divorce Lead to Heart Disease?

POSTED IN: Cancer, Depression, Health, Medicines/medications, Mental health, New research, Obesity, Relationships, Women's Health Newsflash, Women's Issues