Colon X-ray seen as effective at spotting cancer

(AP) ATLANTA - A long-awaited federal study of an X-ray alternative to the dreaded colonoscopy confirms its effectiveness at spotting most cancers, although it was far from perfect.

Other News:

The results of a study suggest that online-mediated syphilis testing is helpful in detecting syphilis in gay men.

Men with sleep apnea may suffer from a treatable form of erectile dysfunction caused by regular deprivation of oxygen experienced during these episodes of obstructed breathing, a new report says... full text

Ask A Pharmacist

MedHelp has announced a new free forum. Questions in the Ask-a-Pharmacist Forum are being answered by pharmacists from the drugstore.com

FDA expands use of cervical cancer vaccine

WASHINGTON - The cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil also works to prevent cancers of the vagina and vulva, federal health officials said Friday, as they approved expanding its use to protect against those diseases as well.

"Condom" ring-tone a hit in India

CHENNAI, India (Reuters Health) - A ring-tone that sings "condom, condom, condom" has attracted over 270,000 downloads since its launch last month and has spread the message of safe sex to many more mobile phone users in India and abroad.

The innovative "Condom a Capella" ring-tone that has the word "condom" sung in many overlapping melodies is the work of an Indian duo, Rupert Fernandes and Vijay Prakash. The website http://www.condomcondom.org, where the ring-tone can be heard, has had over 2 million hits.

Study sees longterm benefit of blood-sugar control

Diabetics who tightly control their blood sugar — even if only for the first decade after they are diagnosed — have lower risks of heart attack, death and other complications 10 or more years later, a large follow-up study has found.

The discovery of this "legacy effect" may put new emphasis on rigorous treatment when people first learn they have Type 2 diabetes, the most common form and the type linked to obesity.

Doctors warn that people should not let their blood sugar spin out of control — that could have serious health consequences.

Reported by AP, full text