As the recession hit full swing, U.S. births declined in 2008, a report released this week said. The numbers had been rising since 2002. Other news this week mostly related to cancer research. Studies found that even the smallest spread of breast cancer may need treatment and that lifting weights may help prevent arm swelling after mastectomy. Other research found that colon cancer is less likely to come back in regular aspirin users.
Stay well.

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In the News:

U.S. Births Decline Along With Economy
U.S. births have fallen since the recession began, says a U.S. report released this week. There were 4,247,000 births in 2008. That's down about 68,000 from 2007, which was a record year for births. But the decline also halts a string of increases since 2002, the Associated Press said. Births were up in January, February and April 2008. But they fell in every other month except September. Births declined in all but 10 states. Besides the recession, a drop in immigration also may be a factor, experts said. The report comes from the National Center for Health Statistics. Numbers are not final.

Tiniest Spread of Breast Cancer May Need Treatment
Even a few cancer cells in a lymph node may signal a need for more treatment after breast cancer surgery, a study released this week suggests. The Associated Press wrote about the study. It involved more than 2,700 Dutch women with early-stage cancer. All had surgery to remove their tumors and some or all related lymph nodes. Some women had lymph node "micro tumors" of less than 2 millimeters. Some had only a few cancer cells in the nodes. After five years, at least three-quarters of all women were cancer-free. But cancer was 50% more likely to come back in women who had micro tumors or a few cancer cells than in those with cancer-free lymph nodes. Their risk was much lower, though, if they had received more treatment after surgery. The study was in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Aspirin May Reduce Deaths From Colon Cancer
Colon cancer patients who also take aspirin may cut their risk of death, a study released this week suggests. The study focused on nearly 1,300 people with colorectal cancer, the Associated Press said. All were involved in one of two larger studies. Their health had been tracked for an average of 12 years. All had surgery for colon cancer. Some had chemotherapy. Of the whole group, 549 used aspirin regularly. About 15% of them died of colorectal cancer. Of the 730 people who didn't use aspirin, 19% died. Researchers said more study is needed. The ideal study would randomly assign people with colon cancer to take or not take aspirin. The study appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Lifting May Ease Arm Swelling After Breast Cancer
For many years, breast cancer survivors have been told not to lift weights or heavy objects. But a new study says that lifting weights can prevent painful arm swelling, the Associated Press reported this week. Doctors had feared lifting would cause this problem. Swelling is common among women who have had lymph nodes removed or had radiation to the armpit. The study included 141 breast cancer survivors who had suffered arm swelling. Half were assigned to 90-minute weightlifting classes twice a week. They wore a compression sleeve on the affected arm. They gradually increased the challenge of their workout. After 13 weeks, they continued alone. The other women in the study did not lift weights. After one year, about 14% of the weightlifters and 29% of the others had suffered arm swelling problems. The study appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Used with the permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. The above summaries are not intended to provide advice on personal medical matters, nor are they intended to be a substitute for consultation with a physician.