Study indicates that vitamin D can help prevent early death from cardiovascular disease and cancer

Elderly people with a vitamin D deficiency are more at risk for death from cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to a large-scale study by the Mount Sinai health system of New York and a group of international collaborators, published in the June issue of BMJ, formerly British Medical Journal.

Paolo Boffetta of the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai led a collection and analysis of data that showed a significant association between low vitamin D levels and risk of death not only from cardiovascular diseases and cancer in older people with a history of cancer, but death from all causes.

Other studies showed that vitamin D helps prevent issues like hypertension, diabetes and bone loss, but these new findings suggest it might be even more important than previously known. "Going into our study, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on risk of death was not clear," Boffetta said. "Our analysis confirms the protective nature of this substance, especially in elderly patients."

Sunlight, as well as food and supplements, provide vitamin D. Because elderly people generally get less sun, they're more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency. Though researchers don't yet know how much vitamin D is ideal, the study results do argue that people with a vitamin-D deficiency are more likely to die early than those who don't have such a deficiency, Boffetta said.

Researchers use data from eight different studies including 26,018 men and women between ages 70 and 79. During the study, 6,695 participants died—2,624 from cardiovascular diseases and 2,227 from cancer. Participants with the lowest levels of vitamin D had a risk ratio of 1.57, which was double the death risk of the people with high concentrations of the vitamin.

"Vitamin D's protective effect is clear," Boffetta said. "If our results are confirmed in additional studies, it could lead to recommendations for greater vitamin D supplementation in foods and to a better understanding of its role in cancer prognosis." (Read more)

July is Minority Mental Health Month; experts discuss mental-health complications among African Americans

By Melissa Landon
Kentucky Health News

July is Minority Mental Health Month. KET's Renee Shaw interviewed Sycarah Fisher, associate professor in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky, and Shambra Mulder, an assistant professor in the School of Education at Kentucky State University, about challenges and differences professionals face in providing care for African Americans with mental health conditions. The show is available online and airing on KET's secondary channels.

"Getting the right diagnosis and treatment for mental health issues are difficult tasks, and can be even more challenging for ethnic and racial minority groups," Shaw said at the beginning of the interview on her weekly show, "Connections."

Fisher said mental illness is particularly stigmatized in African American communities and other ethnic or racial groups, perhaps because some "feel like getting help, especially from medical professionals, makes [them] weak, and [they're] expected to be strong and be able to take care of [themselves]."

Mulder agreed, adding that "The church and spirituality play a big role in the African American community," so those who seek medical help might be seen as lacking the faith to be healed. It may also have to do with the lack of minorities working in the field, she said. Research shows that African-Americans are more inclined to seek or stay in therapy if they have a minority therapist.

Fisher discussed ways more minorities might be recruited to the field. She called that "a very, very big task," noting that it can be uncomfortable to be the only African American in a program. Even the students who do make it into Ph.D. programs have more difficulty graduating, she said. Many programs are seeking grants to bring in minority psychologists.

Mulder added that if people haven't seen or heard of many black psychologists, they might think it's really difficult or might not think they couldn't do it. Shaw clarified that they weren't saying a doctor must be black to understand a black patient, it's just that mental health is a sensitive issue that people are sometimes uncomfortable discussing.

Fisher said it's important for people, especially African Americans, to talk about their disorders and treatments and how it is helping so that others will feel comfortable seeking medical attention that they need. Mulder said that even taking medication can be stigmatized.

Adding to the problem is that racial and ethnic minorities are more often misdiagnosed. Fisher "A lot of measures that are used to identify different types of behavior disorders aren't normed on African American samples," Fisher said. "We're taking and giving measures to African-American individuals, but yet when we're comparing them to different cultural groups."

Mulder agreed, adding that some people may not want to be forthcoming about their symptoms. If they will not accurately explain what they're dealing with, it's difficult to make the correct diagnosis. Shaw pointed out that this and other factors can lead to delayed treatment, which can have serious consequences. Fisher said, "The earlier you intervene, the better your outcomes are going to be. . . . The longer you wait, the more severe the problem behaviors are going to get."

The experts also discussed diagnosis of children. Shaw asked how professionals perceive the difference between a child who has a mental health issues and a child who is being abused or something similar. Fisher said environmental factors must be addressed, and Mulder said, "The behavior might be age appropriate, but the environment might not be age-appropriate," such as asking kindergartners to sit for a long time.

Shaw said people may wonder what schools can do to help. Fisher said a school psychologist's job is to make sure the student can function in the school environment. They may not have enough time to talk with the students and provide all the help they need, so they can "rally the troops" and "connect our services with the services they're receiving in the community."

Mulder noted that although it's important for school psychologists to make sure students are diagnosed so they can get the help they need, doctors are supposed to notice the early symptoms in young children. Later on, teachers may notice something is amiss but usually only if it is externalized behavior. Parental input is also important although they often don't have sufficient knowledge of what symptoms would be. Schools are moving to a more preventative approach, Fisher said. Teachers will report things that disrupt the classroom and miss the internalized behaviors.

Click here to watch the show.

WKYT anchor Sam Dick finishes radiation treatment for recurring prostate cancer; encourages others to monitor their health

Photo from www.mediabistro.com 

Longtime WKYT-TV anchor Sam Dick believed that his battle with prostate cancer was over, but found out six months ago that some of the cancer remained. He reported on his diagnosis and treatment as he neared the end of a seven-week course of radiation.

"Being told you have cancer is life-changing," Dick said. "Three and a half years ago, many of you followed my journey fighting prostate cancer and were very supportive as I decided to have surgery to remove the prostate. I was told by doctors at the time, I was cured."

But six months ago his prostate specific antigen levels, which had stayed undetectable for two years after his prostate was removed, crept up, so he started daily treatments at Lexington Clinic's John D. Cronin Cancer Center. PSA levels can vary widely and can be unreliable, but are the best diagnostic tool available. "In my case, a rising number means cancer is likely still present," he explained. Dick's treatment was tailored to his medical condition and cancer history.

Dick has maintained his regular schedule of anchoring WKYT's evening newscasts and had told only a handful of people about the cancer's recurrence, but as he approached his last radiation treatment he said he wanted to remind others about the importance of watching for warning signs.

"We can't see the cancer cells in a situation when we're treating for a rising PSA after surgery, but we know where we need to treat because there is an overwhelming likelihood that the reason that the PSA is going up is because there is residual disease in the pelvis so that's our target," Dr. Janalyn Prows, a radiation oncologist, said in the WKYT report.

"It's not uncommon for men who've had their prostate removed because of cancer to find out years later some cancer" remains, but it's not what I expected, or centrality wanted," Dick said.

His father, journalist and author David Dick, battled prostate cancer for more than a decade before dying of it a few years ago. He referred to that and said, "I feel blessed. They had nothing like this available. The advances of medical technology are a blessing I'm taking advantage of, and I'm hopeful and optimistic it's going to work."

Dick will have his follow up PSA in two months. "At that time, we'll see where I am," Dick said. "Until then, I appreciate all the emails, Facebook posts, and notes of support and prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men after skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. For more information about it, click here.

Time on the tummy is important for infants' muscle development

Today's infants are spending too much time on their backs or in sitting devices, which is causing an increase in head and neck deformities and slowing down their motor development, Susan Effgen, a physical therapy professor at the University of Kentucky, writes for the Lexington Herald-Leader.

This is easily remedied by making sure infants spend most of their waking hours on their tummies, even during the first few weeks of life, Effgen suggests.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants should sleep on their backs because it significantly reduces the chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
While most parents may know that, any are not aware of how important it is for infants to spend time on their bellies, Effgen writes.

Time on their bellies allows them to learn to move and explore their environment, Effgen writes. You can encourage your infant when they are on their tummies by having them to lift up their heads and look around, giving them objects to reach for and encouraging them to prop up on their elbows or hands, These activities help to build strong back and neck muscles needed later for sitting, crawling, walking and talking.

If your infant doesn't like tummy time, Effgen suggest parents lie on their back and place the infant on their belly to let them practice for several days until they are used to this position. Eventually, practice tummy time together on a baby-proofed floor with fun, appropriate objects placed at their eye level.

Teens continue to use indoor tanning, in spite of risks; Ky. law lax

Kentucky teenagers are continuing to use indoor tanning in spite of the risks. Though tanning-bed use by children is illegal in 17 states and Washington, D.C., it is allowed in Kentucky. The Kentucky House passed a bill that would have made it illegal for those under 18 to use tanning beds, but it didn't pass the Senate. The law allows those under 14 to use tanning beds if accompanied by an adult, and those 14 to 18 can if they have a parental consent form.

Having a tan is a popular trend for those attending prom and other events like dances and graduation parties, Christine Fellingham writes for The Courier-Journal. "Usually, I go to a tanning bed before a dance," Naomi Popa, a 17-year-old Kentucky Country Day senior and occasional indoor tanner, told her. "I think it all started when one person went. Then everyone started going. If you're the only one who doesn't, you look so pale in comparison."

They continue tanning, even though doing so increases the risk of getting cancer. "Tanning-bed use can increase your risk of skin cancer by 59 percent," said Dr. Tamela Cassis, a Louisville dermatologist. In June the Food and Drug Administration sent a warning that minors shouldn't use tanning beds, and eventually all tanning beds will include a "black box" warning saying that those younger than 18 shouldn't use them, Fellingham notes.

Not everyone will pay attention. "We talk to parents and teens about the dangers of tanning all day long," Cassis said. "The youngest person I've treated to date for skin cancer was 16 years old. It required a wide local excision to cut it out. . . . It has made everyone in the family so much more aware. And like everyone else we see with skin cancer, he wishes he could take back the bad choices he made."

Young people face a lot of peer pressure to be tan because they often associate being tan with being attractive. According to a 2013 American Academy of Dermatology survey, 80 percent of people under 25 said they believe they look better with a tan. "I feel more confident with a tan," Popa said. "My skin clears up; I don't need as much makeup. I think I look better."

According to the academy, 2.3 million teens tan indoors every year, and 71 percent of those who use tanning salons are girls and women ages 16 to 29. In the past 40 years, skin cancer among females has increased eightfold, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.  (Read more)