Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource - September 2003

Friday, September 12, 2003

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Here are highlights from the September issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource. You may cite this publication as often as you wish. Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource attribution is required. Also, you may reprint up to four articles annually without cost. More frequent reprinting is allowed for a fee. Include the following subscription information as your editorial policies permit: Call toll free for subscription information, 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.

Alcohol: It's Riskier for Women's Health

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Drinking alcohol may pose more health risks for women than men, according to new research that includes both sexes. Until recently, most alcohol-related research focused only on men. Because women are generally smaller and have a higher percentage of body fat than men, they metabolize alcohol less efficiently. But researchers have found the effects of alcohol on women go far beyond size and metabolism. The September issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource highlights several areas where women appear to be more vulnerable to alcohol-related health conditions.

• Liver damage: Researchers have found that compared with men, women develop alcohol-induced liver diseases over a shorter time and after consuming less alcohol. Findings suggest that women are more likely than men to develop alcoholic hepatitis and to die of cirrhosis of the liver.
• Brain damage: Women may be more vulnerable than men to alcohol-induced brain damage. Researchers have found that a brain region involved in coordinating multiple brain functions is significantly smaller among alcoholic women than among both nonalcoholic women and alcoholic men.
• Heart disease: Although there's some consensus that men who consume up to two alcoholic drinks a day have a lower death rate from coronary artery disease than do heavier drinkers and abstainers, in women a similar benefit is seen with just one drink a day. Larger amounts aren't clearly beneficial or safe for women.
• Problem drinking: Women have a shorter window of time than do men between the onset of drinking and the development of problem drinking with adverse health consequences. Studies show that women are more likely than men to drop out of a treatment program.
• Breast cancer: More than two drinks a day increase the risk of breast cancer for women.

Don't Procrastinate Colon Cancer Screening

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — You don't hesitate to get a mammogram or cholesterol check. But, that colon screening keeps getting pushed down on the to-do list.

The September issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource outlines why colon cancer is a health risk that deserves attention — and regular screenings.

Colorectal cancer or colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths, after lung cancer. Studies show that more than two-thirds of colon cancer deaths could be prevented if people age 50 and older were regularly screened. Yet, a recent survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that less than half of women and men age 50 and older have had a recommended screening test for colon cancer.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force strongly recommends that screenings begin at age 50 if you're at average risk for colon cancer. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors and the many screening choices available.

NonDrug Remedies Can Ease Breast Pain

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Studies show that as many of 65 percent of women surveyed have had significant breast pain.

In most circumstances, it isn't known what exactly causes breast pain, although there are theories. Cyclical breast pain, which is most common and most intense in the week or two before menstruation, has a strong hormonal association. Noncyclic breast pain is rarely associated with an underlying identifiable cause.

The September issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource suggests that nondrug therapies to ease pain are worth trying. They've helped many women, though most of these remedies have not been rigorously researched. Options include:

• Trying hot or cold compresses.
• Wearing a supportive bra that's been fitted by a professional.
• Wearing a sports bra during exercise, when you sleep or other times when breasts are especially painful.
• Trying relaxation therapy.
• Limiting or eliminating caffeine.
• Decreasing fat in your diet. Studies show that decreasing the fat in your diet to less than 20 percent of total daily calories can improve breast pain.
• Trying evening primrose oil, a diet supplement. Studies have shown a modest improvement in pain, about 20 to 30 percent.
• Trying vitamin E.

For severe pain, ask your doctor about prescription medications. Danazol or tamoxifen could help, but they are associated with potentially severe side effects.

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.

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