Cigna Corp. is offering a free video game for teens called Re-Mission. The video game lets teens and young adults blast cancer while learning how to improve the odds of beating the disease.

The creator of the game is Hopelab, a non-profit organization seeking to improve the health of young people with a mix of good science and fun technology. Re-Mission is a teen-rated shooting game featuring a nanobot named Roxxi who roams inside the bodies of fictional cancer patients, destroying cancer cells, battling bacteria infections and managing side effects associated with cancer and cancer treatments.

Smoking is not an easy habit to break, and of the many methods tried, only a handful seem to work. Of the methods that do seem to work -- nicotine-replacement products; bupropion drugs; counseling; classes; calling a helpline or talking to a health professional -- younger smokers between the ages of 16 and 24 years who smoke and try to quit only use one of the recommended methods of help by talking to a professional. Because of this, younger smokers are less likely to be successful in quitting, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

During the 2003 National Youth Smoking Cessation Survey, the CDC found that younger smokers most often tried to quit smoking by cutting back on the number of cigarettes they smoked each day; not buying cigarettes; exercising; using the buddy system and trying to quit with a friend; telling others they were quitting and changing to a lighter brand of cigarette, switching to chewing tobacco, snuff, or other tobacco products. None of these methods are recommended by the US Public Health Service.

According to the National Youth Smoking Cessation Survey, 77 percent of younger smokers have tried to quit at least once without success. Over a third have tried to quit smoking numerous times without success. Researchers suggest that many younger smokers may need help with other high-risk behaviors such as binge drinking; depression or ADD/ADHD.

If you are a younger smoker who is trying to quit, the CDC encourages you to call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or talk to your physician about methods that might lead to more success. The 2-page summary of the National Youth Smoking Cessation Survey is available as a pdf document.

Stapling the stomach of an obese child is a last resort, but the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued a stamp of approval for bariatric surgery as part of a national guideline aimed at reducing obesity in children and minimizing the long-term adverse health effects that being overweight has on health.

This is the NICE organization's effort to find solutions to England's rising obesity epidemic where the number of overweight and obese people in the last quarter century has tripled.

Stomach stapling is not the only solution, but it is now an approved option. Other recommendations include the following: local authorities working with local partners, such as industry and voluntary organizations, to create safe spaces for physical activity; providing cycling and walking routes, cycle parking, area maps and safe play areas; creating pedestrian-friendly streets; designing building and spaces to encourage more physical activity; requiring schools to provide an environment that promotes healthy eating and physical exercise; healthcare professionals taking the time to educate and give advice on how to maintain a healthy weight; raising public awareness and encouraging daily physical activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, aerobics or gardening.

Obesity cannot go unchecked and it is a threat to the health and welfare of children and adults alike, as obesity is linked to greater increased risks for a number of life-threatening diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. But, it is uncomfortable to think that one of the solutions to childhood obesity is a scalpel. The NICE press release New NICE guideline calls for urgent action to stem the rising tide of obesity in England and Wales is available as a pdf document here.

Can sex cause breast cancer and will the cervical cancer vaccine offer protection against breast cancer? The human papilloma virus (HPV) known to increase cervical cancer risk might also be responsible for increasing breast cancer risk, according to a small study conducted by University of New South Wales researchers. HPV was discovered in the DNA of breast cancer tumors in almost half of the 50 women who participated in the study.

Researchers went on to indicate that women affected by HPV were approximately eight years younger at the time of breast cancer diagnosis than women who were not affected by HPV. They went on to speculate that HPV is not only spread through sexual activity but can be spread while bathing as the virus can be transferred from the genital area to the breasts.

Professor James Lawson of the University of New South Wales explained that "We know that the virus explodes out of the cell and is spread by touch, so it's fairly obvious that it could be spread by sexual activity to the breast, you could also argue that it would be spread by washing and bathing."

Because the study was a small one, Australia's National Breast Cancer Centre director Dr. Helen Zorbas is hesitant to accept the study as conclusive in showing a link between HPV and breast cancer. "There are a lot of hypotheses into what may cause breast cancer and it's important that we do research to try to investigate them. But a study of 50 cases is very small."

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that girls see a gynecologist for the first time between the ages of 13 and 15. While this visit does not normally include a pelvic exam, it does jump-start a relationship that should be on-going for the duration of a woman's life.

This first visit is likely to include a discussion about menstruation, sexuality, and healthy lifestyle habits -- and may even involve education about the newly FDA-approved cervical cancer vaccine, recommended for females ages 9 to 26.

According to the American Cancer Society, all women should begin receiving pelvic exams for purposes of cervical cancer screening within three years after the onset of vaginal intercourse and no later than age 21. Testing should be done every year with the regular Pap test or every two years using the newer liquid-based Pap test.

The local chapter of the New York City American Cancer Society is asking that candy-flavored cigarettes be banned from sale because they feel it is a tobacco industry marketing ploy to appeal to teens. During a City Council meeting, the bill introduced would prohibit the sale of cigarettes with fruity flavors, like Twista Lime, and Midnight Berry; candy flavors like Warm Winter Toffee; and any cigarettes with flavors resembling chocolate, vanilla, honey, candy, mint, cocoa, dessert, or an alcoholic beverage.

But is this the way to go? According to the Epoch Times, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, an anti-smoking advocate, who has not shown support of the ban, is concerned that banning fruit and candy-flavored cigarettes will make them more popular with kids they are trying to protect, and end up having a reverse effect of what the bill intends. Bloomberg has raised taxes on cigarettes, banned smoking in restaurants and bars, and donated $125 million of his own money in campaigns and programs to stop smoking. We have not contacted Bloomberg for a direct comment on the ban and are merely sharing what the Epoch Times has published about his position.

Forty states have addressed the issue of candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes after frustration that the federal government has not take a stand against R.J. Reynolds marketing of cigarettes to young people. R.J. Reynolds has agreed to a settlement with the attorney generals of 40 states to stop selling candy, fruit and alcohol-flavored cigarettes in the United States.

Along with the ban on Camel Exotic Blends including Mandarin Mint, Dark Mint, Crema, Izmir Stinger, Twist, Cinnzabar, Mandalay Lime, Aegean Spice, Bayou Blast, Beach Breezer, Margarita Mixer, Midnight Madness, Back Alley Blend, Kauai Kolada, Twista Lime, Winter MochaMint, Warm Winter Toffee, Blackjack Gin, Screwdriver Slots and SnakeEyes Scotch; Salem Silver including Dark Currents, Fire & Ice, Deep Freeze and Cool Myst; and Kool Smooth Fusions including Mintrigue, Mocha Taboo, Midnight Berry and Caribbean Chill, the tobacco company agreed to stop promotional materials that suggest candy, fruit or alcoholic beverages.

What do you think the best solution is to the problem of cigarettes that appear to be marketed to appeal to our youth? A ban? Increased taxing on cigarettes? Or do you have a more creative solution?

Where does the time go? Even though most of us have been experiencing the height of the summer season in the form of a nationwide scorcher of a heat wave, summer is almost over for school kids and teens leaving for college. Yes, in less than a month, it's back to school. There are advertisements everywhere you look for new school supplies and new school clothes. In preparation for the new school season, Duke Health has published Back to School Tips for Healthy Eating.

The experts say it is not about counting fat grams and calories but portion control and choices. According to pediatrician Dr. Terrill Bravender, "You don't have to be obsessive about it. If you generally eat healthy, there is room for some foods that aren't as healthy."

Dr. Bravender offers these basic common sense tips:

• Involve kids in lunchbox planning. If you let them make some choices about what goes into their lunchbox, they are more likely to eat it.
• Avoid the peanut butter and jelly rut. Nothing wrong with the traditional, but try new foods. Make it a food adventure.
• While everyone is still on summer break, encourage children to prepare their own lunch. Dr. Bravender suggests easy-to-make ideas like graham crackers with peanut butter and a glass of milk; fresh fruit with cheese cubes; a hard boiled egg with whole grain crackers; yogurt with a sliced banana; granola bars with milk; or tortilla chips and bean dip made without hydrogenated oils.
  

Ultimately, as the mother, what foods come in to the home are my choosing, so I try to make nutritious choices in food purchases. But I have found great success over the years by taking my kids to the grocery store with me, and allowing them to choose between several choices I offer. We also take a look at new foods, and talk about the food item. We read ingredients. Some we decide, by group vote, to bring home and try. During the growing seasons, they are with me when I stop at a roadside stand to buy local produce straight from the field, and each year we have an annual tradition of blueberry picking enough blueberries to last most of the year ahead. Food can be fun, and learning about good food a lifetime benefit in cancer prevention.

Why don't more people stick with an exercise routine? Perhaps in part because it gets repetitious and boring. Exercise can be a lonely activity and it is more difficult to keep yourself motivated. Personal trainers have always been a remedy for both of the aforementioned problems, but realistically, how many of us can afford a personal trainer?

According to iTrain, with an MP3 player you can now download customized workouts with a personal trainer. The downloads are set to music and combines modern technology, entertainment, and health in a portable format. It doesn't matter what kind of workout you enjoy, iTrain seems to offer a program. There is iTread, iCycle, iClimb, iStrength, iSculpt Traditional and iSculpt Ballet, iStretch, iTeenTrain Hip Hop, iTeenTrain Kick Boxing.

Grace Lazenby, a fitness expert with 15 years in the Hollywood training industry, realized that MP3 players might be an excellent means of offering her fitness and training to the masses.

In addition to Lazenby, other fitness experts who keep you going through your workout include yoga instructor Heath House, boxing expert and member of the US Air Force boxing team Nick Narvaez, boxing expert and Group Exercise Instructor of the Year Keith Irace, and member of the Brazilian National Team of Gymnastics.

Anything that adds to the enjoyment of a workout is a bonus, and I can see the benefits of iTrain for all ages, but one of my first thoughts when I read about iTrain is that it makes an excellent gift for a teen or young adult.

via Adam at Netscape

We have been following the story about a potential cancer cluster that has caused thyroid cancer in teens living within a few miles of each other. The parents have been seeking help and answers to determine if there is an environmental cause. The parent group stated they had approached the state and county and felt they were being ignored in the request to have the water in the area tested. Last week, the city stepped up and offered to investigate.

After the story came out about the Trenton teens, one of the parents said the parent group has been contacted by six other people in the area with thyroid cancer.

In a new development, Cincinnati News 5, who is following this story closely, and investigating information as it becomes available, recently aired an interview with Dr. Peter Rickards of Idaho, who has been investigating other thyroid cancer cases in the Pacific Northwest linked to radioactive fallout from nuclear tests.

According to Dr. Rickards, drinking milk from cows who grazed in dairy fields contaminated with radioactive iodine-131 has been linked to increased cases of thyroid cancer in the Pacific Northwest.

Dr. Rickards suggests the parents and investigators in Trenton look for a fresh source of radioactive iodine in the neighborhood.

Dr. Rickards went on to suggest that they need to take a look at how medical incinerators and cancer clinics have been disposing of iodine-131, perhaps incorrectly, and that might possibly be a source of contamination. He doesn't say this is the definitive cause for the unusual number of young people being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in Butler County -- only that it might be a good place to start looking for answers.

You can watch the Cincinnati News 5 news report video Expert: Contaminated Milk Possibly To Blame For Cancer Cases here.

Welcome back from the weekend! Here is a review of what we were talking about during the second week in July in our other health blogs.

From The Cardio Blog:

• Bucindolol: experimental heart failure drug.
• Mammograms can find heart health problems.
• Eggs: bad or not bad for heart health -- which is it?
• The clock of life and time of day determines heart health.
• Extreme obesity raises mortality rate in women.
• Austrailian stem cell research innovates new heart treatment.
• Public physical activity program helps weight loss, lower blood pressure.
• Tuna imported from Latin America has highest mercury level.
• Eating less helps slow aging process.
• Teens helped to learn healthy diet habits with household food rules.
• Volunteer work helps seniors stay active and healthy.
• Working overtime worse for womens health.
• Aging and single living combined linked to higher heart disease risk.
• Tubby kids motivated to exercise by reward of TV time.
• Humidity and high temps linked to rise in summer heart attacks.
• Comedian Red Button dies of vascular disease.
• Migraine aura linked to increased heart attack stroke risk.
  

From The Diabetes Blog:

• Martial arts black belt uses youth group to fight diabetes.
• FDA approves GlaxoSmithKline diabetes drug.
• Pink Floyd Syd Barrett dies from diabetes complications.
• Update on fatal NC car crash involving diabetic driver.
• Major study links Type 2 diabetes and glaucoma risk.
• Life insurance industry plays catch-up.
• A1c Champions program trains diabetes mentors.
• Danish study confirms suspected diabetes, multiple sclerosis link.
• Debate continues on virtues, shortcomings of inhalable insulin, Exubera.
• Blogger's advice to T2 diabetics: follow in footsteps of movie producer Weinstein.
• Diabetes, obesity blamed for sky-high US kidney failure rates.
• Canadians await approval of inhalable insulin.
• Lifestyle ed could greatly reduce diabetes onset in older Americans, say researchers.

To your good health! To a great week!

Osteosarcoma begins in the bones. It is the most common type of bone cancer tumor in the group of bone cancers called osteogenic sarcomas. It affects 5 percent of all teens diagnosed with cancer. Symptoms usually include pain or swelling in the legs or arms.

Tina blogs about her daughter Kristina Rose. Kristina's website caught my eye one day because we share the same name. I wanted to read about her story. I have since then been in contact with Kristina's mom Tina. She is an amazing mom who lives with the fear of Kristina's cancer returning. Kristina is doing wonderful and is now over a two year survivor!

The Relay for Life is something that is very important to Tina. She wants to make sure that a cure is found! You can go to the American Cancer Society website to find more information about the Relay for Life or go here to find information about the Relay of Life that Kristina and her mom will be involved in.

On March 29th, 2004 Kristina was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. She was only 11 years old. She is a beautiful young woman now, as you can see! Tina might not have too much to blog about these days except that Kristina is being a normal teenager and spending lots of time on the phone. This I love to hear!

Each year 350 children are diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer. What are the random odds that three teenagers who live within a few miles of each other would be diagnosed with this particular cancer?

Cincinnati News 5 is reporting that the parents of these teens are asking this question and speculating that it might have an environmental cause. The parents wonder -- could a pipeline that runs through town carrying jet fuel have leaked into the ground water -- or is the Edgewood Middle School all three teens attended built on a site that is contaminated?

The parents have no proof, they have no answers and no one seems to want to help them find out what the problem might be that has led to the unusually high concentration of thyroid cancer cases to be diagnosed in one small group of teens living in such close proximity to one another.

According to one of the parents, all they want is to have water samples tested and they feel their requests have been ignored for the last 18 months. Now city officials plan on meeting with the parents next week to discuss their concerns.

It is frustrating to be ignored when you are asking for help to find the cause of circumstances that appear suspicious. It seems rather than let this matter drag out as long as it has, it would have been so much easier for officials to just look into it when it first came up. At least the parents would not have been left to draw their own conclusions.

The new cervical cancer vaccine has certainly brought to light a great deal of information about one of the major causes of cervical cancer -- the human papilloma virus, HPV. According to statistics, 50 percent of sexually active adults are infected with HPV. In most cases, a woman will not experience any symptoms if she has contracted HPV through sexual activity, and HPV resolves itself in most cases. However, in a small number of cases, a woman infected with HPV will go on to develop cervical cancer.

University of Washington researchers have released a report stating that the proper use of condoms can offer effective protection against infection from the human papilloma virus, HPV, about 70 percent of the time for young sexually-active females. Condoms need to be used with every sexual encounter. The researchers of this study emphasize that the practice of using condoms does not afford 100 percent protection.

The new cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, is reported to offer 100 percent protection from HPV infection, but is only recommended for young girls before they become sexually active. Condoms might provide some protection for women already sexually-active and not candidates for the cancer vaccine.

Past research has shown a real link between obesity and the increased risk for a number of cancers. Most of the increased cancer risk results because fat tends to store estrogen and androgen, and both hormones fuel the tumor growth of some cancers.

A recent University of Pittsburgh Medical Center study indicates that women who were overweight as teens, women who have not had children, or women who gain weight later in life, are at increased risk for developing ovarian cancer. Dr. Julia Greer, lead researcher of this study, stated that according to the American Cancer Society, at least one third of all cancer deaths in the U.S. each year are linked to excess weight and obesity. I think this year has seen a real interest in the issues of weight in connection to cancers. The multitude of health-related headlines and articles related to being overweight and at increased risk for cancers are being published because the focus in cancer care is beginning to take a real shift from treatment to prevention of avoidable cancers.

It is official. The first cervical cancer vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, FDA. Merck's Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine is the first of several cancer vaccines expected to win approval this year. Gardasil, which targets human papillomavirus, HPV, will be given in three doses over six months. HPV is known to be responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases.

The cervical cancer vaccine is not without its warnings though. In an earlier post, cervical cancer vaccine protects and promotes cancer, we noted a caution that research has shown the vaccine can actually raise the risk of cervical cancer if the woman is already infected with HPV at the time she receives the cervical cancer vaccine. So, it is not for every woman.

We also noted in an earlier post, cancer vaccine facing Christian Right opposition, there is strong objection to the cervical cancer vaccine based on religious convictions regarding sex and teenage girls. According to experts, girls in their early teens are the most likely to benefit from the cervical cancer vaccine.