Do you know what single simple preventive measure would save the most extra lives each year in the US? A research group called Partnership for Prevention recently published the following advice based on 2005 data.
1. If 90% of adults took a daily ASA dose 45,000 more lives would be saved each year. At present only about 50% of adults follow this advice. Some people cannot take ASA, especially those on Coumadin (warfarin) for blood thinning, and those with GI reactions to ASA. Although not tested in this study, previous research suggests that probably natural Vitamin E 800 units/day could achieve similar life saving results.
2. If 90% of adults smokers were offered smoking cessation advice and medication to help, we'd save 42,000 lives yearly. Chantix is the best drug for helping you quit in my experience. At present less than 28% of smokers are offered any treatment and support. The problem is not however with quitting cigarettes; the problem is staying off permanently, which requires strong willpower.
3. If 90% of adults over 50 had regular colorectal screening for cancer every 5 years, we'd save 14,000 more lives yearly. At present fewer than 50% of adults are up to date for this screening. I'm overdue for my repeat scope by 1 year.
4. If 90% of women over 40 had mammogram screening for breast cancer regularly we'd save 3,700 more lives yearly. At present 67% of women over 40 are up to date with this screening.
5. If 90% of adults had flu vaccination, we'd save 12,000 more lives yearly. I'm not sure I believe this one, as the data used was from very suspect death certificate data. Currently only 37% of adults receive a flu vaccination annually. Tamiflu is a prescription drug which will rapidly kill flu viruses if started within 48 hrs of onset, so know the symptoms of the flu and ask for Tamiflu.
Of the 12 prevention services studied by this group, 7 are received by less than 50% of adults. You can read the full report at http://www.prevent.org/content/view/129/72/
What's missing? If you were taking enough vitamin D to keep your level above 60 ng/ml, you would reduce your risk of 5 major cancers by over 50%, and also reduce your diabetes risk, MS risk, osteoporosis risk and flu infections.
The study did not look at any preventive measures for screening for diabetes, hypertension or obesity which is somewhat surprising to me also. Over 400,000 people die in the US yearly from cancer and over 400,000 people die of heart disease. Smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity all contribute to these killers more than ASA deficiency. We need more effective measures to help more people develop healthy life-saving lifestyles. I wonder if the Presidential candidates are listening?
drBob
Do you know what single simple preventive measure would save the most extra lives each year in the US? A research group called Partnership for Prevention recently published the following advice based on 2005 data.
1. If 90% of adults took a daily ASA dose 45,000 more lives would be saved each year. At present only about 50% of adults follow this advice. Some people cannot take ASA, especially those on Coumadin (warfarin) for blood thinning, and those with GI reactions to ASA. Although not tested in this study, previous research suggests that probably natural Vitamin E 800 units/day could achieve similar life saving results.
2. If 90% of adults smokers were offered smoking cessation advice and medication to help, we'd save 42,000 lives yearly. Chantix is the best drug for helping you quit in my experience. At present less than 28% of smokers are offered any treatment and support. The problem is not however with quitting cigarettes; the problem is staying off permanently, which requires strong willpower.
3. If 90% of adults over 50 had regular colorectal screening for cancer every 5 years, we'd save 14,000 more lives yearly. At present fewer than 50% of adults are up to date for this screening. I'm overdue for my repeat scope by 1 year.
4. If 90% of women over 40 had mammogram screening for breast cancer regularly we'd save 3,700 more lives yearly. At present 67% of women over 40 are up to date with this screening.
5. If 90% of adults had flu vaccination, we'd save 12,000 more lives yearly. I'm not sure I believe this one, as the data used was from very suspect death certificate data. Currently only 37% of adults receive a flu vaccination annually. Tamiflu is a prescription drug which will rapidly kill flu viruses if started within 48 hrs of onset, so know the symptoms of the flu and ask for Tamiflu.
Of the 12 prevention services studied by this group, 7 are received by less than 50% of adults. You can read the full report at http://www.prevent.org/content/view/129/72/
What's missing? If you were taking enough vitamin D to keep your level above 60 ng/ml, you would reduce your risk of 5 major cancers by over 50%, and also reduce your diabetes risk, MS risk, osteoporosis risk and flu infections.
The study did not look at any preventive measures for screening for diabetes, hypertension or obesity which is somewhat surprising to me also. Over 400,000 people die in the US yearly from cancer and over 400,000 people die of heart disease. Smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity all contribute to these killers more than ASA deficiency. We need more effective measures to help more people develop healthy life-saving lifestyles. I wonder if the Presidential candidates are listening?
drBob