Month: June 2005

Cancer :: Claims for Green Tea and Certain Cancers

Under the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “Consumer Health for Better Nutrition Initiative,” the Agency is announcing the results of a review of qualified health claims that green tea may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Based on a systematic evaluation of the available scientific data, the FDA intends to consider exercising its enforcement discretion for the following qualified health claims for breast and prostate cancer:

Heart Disease :: Gastric bypass surgery reduces the risk of heart disease

A Stanford University School of Medicine study using new measures of heart disease risk shows that gastric bypass surgery reduces the risk of heart disease even more than previously believed. The researchers say the finding underscores the value of the surgery for extremely overweight people, whose obesity puts them in danger of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular illness.

Acne :: Crack Down on Internet Sales of Isotretinoin

In a letter sent to the Food and Drug Administration, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) called on the FDA to halt Internet sales of isotretinoin, commonly known as Accutane. To assist government efforts, the AADA is providing the FDA with a preliminary list of Internet sites from which isotretinoin can be purchased.

Acne :: Acne treatments looks bright with new Laser Therapies

While it is estimated that more than 80 percent of the world?s population is affected by acne at some point during their life, there is still no cure. Until recently, a combination of topical preparations and oral medications, including antibiotics, has been used almost exclusively with varying degrees of success to combat acne. Now, several laser and light-based technologies have recently been demonstrated to improve mild to moderate acne in a few treatment sessions, and with no known systemic side effects.

Acne :: Acne patients seeing the light

What?s a four letter word for a skin condition that affects nearly 80 percent of the population in various forms and can cause considerable emotional stress? If you answered acne, then you hit this hard-to-treat condition on the head. While a more difficult question might have been how to treat acne, dermatologists are at the forefront of using laser technology to stop acne in its tracks – and prevent the acne scars that are often a result.