Monday's health links

1. Using exemestane to prevent breast cancer? A Canadian-led study suggests that using this aromatase inhibitor, a family of drugs used now to treat some breast cancers, can slash one's risk of getting the disease by nearly 65%.  The study involved women in Canada, the US, France and Spain who had gone through menopause and were classified as being at a high risk for developing cancer based on age, age at time of first child and family history. This is exciting news, especially since exemestane has much milder side effects than tamoxifen. Vancouver Sun.
2. Giving radiation to women with early-stage breast cancer may lower the risk of cancer recurrence. CTV.
3. New breakthroughs in treating melanoma. CBS News.
4. Researchers identify the mutated genes associated with the most common form of leukemia. Globe and Mail.
5. Public response to the World Health Organization's announcement that cellphones might raise the risk of brain cancer. Basically, the response is, "Meh!" CBS News. Favourite quote: "I was watching the news about it, and I thought, 'I'm already screwed because I've been talking on the phone for seven years,'" said Genevieve Chamorro, a 31-year-old New Yorker who was shopping for a phone. Yeah, you probably shouldn't bother worrying about it then.
6. A new study from the Mayo Clinic says flax seed isn't actually an effective treatment for hot flashes. Good news for me - since I can't take much flax seed due to my estrogen positive cancer. Toronto Sun.
7. Only 5 to 10% of prostate cancer cases are attributable to cell changes that men inherit from their parents; the rest are traced to cell changes that occur over the man's life. The American Cancer Society provides a list of risk factors to show men what increases the risk of this happening. No surprises here: risky behaviours include eating too much red meat and high-fat dairy and not enough fruits and vegetables, being obese, not exercising and smoking.  US News.
8. A closer examination of the new dinner plate approach to managing our daily eating habits. Huffington Post.

Finally, GO CANUCKS! Saturday's game was epic. Great job, boys.