Muscle mass important for cancer sufferers

Body composition appears to be of key importance when it comes to surviving cancer, as researchers have found that cancer patients with more lean muscle mass live longer. The study of 250 obese cancer patients revealed that patients with depleted muscle mass – a recently recognized condition known as sarcopenic obesity – lived, on average, for 10 months less than obese patients with more muscle mass. Participants with sarcopenic obesity were also more likely to be bedridden. Study leader Professor Vickie Baracos says muscle mass could even effect how patients respond to chemotherapy. The authors concluded: “This study provides evidence of the great variability of body composition in patients with cancer and links body composition, especially sarcopenic obesity, to clinical implications such as functional status, survival, and potentially, chemotherapy toxicity.” Prado CMM, Lieffers JR, McCargar LJ, et al. Prevalence and clinical implications of sarcopenic obesity in patients with solid tumours of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts: a population-based study. The Lancet Oncology. 2008;9:629-635.

CT scan predicts risk of death for heart patients

Cardiac computed tomography (CTA) may be able to help doctors estimate suspected coronary artery disease patients’ chances of dying within the next 15 years, say researchers. Dr Matthew Budoff and colleagues at UCLA Medical Center studied 2,538 adults (average age of 59) with suspected coronary artery disease to determine whether CTA was an accurate predictor of all-cause mortality. During the 15-year study period 86 participants died. Study results showed that death was most common in participants with severe coronary artery disease, as revealed by the CTA scan. This finding held true even after participants’ age, gender, and conventional risk factors for coronary heart disease were taken into account. However, in an accompanying editorial, Stephen Achenbach, MD, writes that "the results do not justify" the use of CTA scans for people without symptoms of heart disease. Ostrom MP, Gopal A, Ahmadi N, Nasir K, Yang E, Kakadiaris I, Flores F, Mao SS, Budoff MJ. Mortality incidence and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis assessed by Computed Tomography Angiography. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008;52:1335-1343. Achenbach S. Assessing the prognostic value of coronary Computed Tomography Angiography. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008;52:1344-1346.

AUDIO RELAXATION COMBATS HYPERTENSION

Regularly listening to a calming voice and the sound of ocean waves lapping against the shore can help to lower blood pressure, new research has shown. Jean Tang, an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at Seattle University, and colleagues studied the effects of a relaxation CD on 41 elderly men and women with hypertension. 20 participants were asked to listen to the 12-minute-long relaxation CD, whilst the remaining 21 participants were asked to listen to a 12-minute-long CD of a Mozart sonata. Both groups were asked to listen to their CD three times a week for four months. Results showed that blood pressure dropped by an average 6.4% in those listening to the relaxation CD, compared with nearly 5% in those who listened to the Mozart CD. The reduction in systolic blood pressure was statistically significant in both groups; however the reduction in diastolic blood pressure was not statistically significant in either group. "A 3-5% change has been used as the cutting point in clinical research. It has been suggested that a 5 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure would result in a 9% reduction in coronary heart disease related death and 14% reduction in stroke related death," Tang said in a news release issued by the American Heart Association. “Higher systolic blood pressure is very prevalent in the elderly population. This program may provide yet another way to help manage hypertension in conjunction with medication, lifestyle changes, exercise, diet and stress management.” Study presented at the American Heart Association’s 62nd Annual Fall Conference of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research. News release: Audio relaxation program may help lower blood pressure in elderly. American Heart Association website. September 17th 2008.

HEART ATTACK RISK UNDERESTIMATED

The risk of former heart attack patients having a repeat incident is being underestimated by doctors, it has been claimed. In news that may be of interest to anti-aging physicians, an international study led by the University of Edinburgh found that some individuals may not be receiving the optimum level of follow-up care and medical treatment. As part of the research, data was examined from the Global Registry of Coronary Events that included more than 46,000 heart attack patients from 115 hospitals in 14 different nations, Eurekalert reports. The results, published in the journal Nature Clinical Practice, highlighted that the belief that patients with completely blocked arteries were more at risk may be incorrect. In fact, the chance of mortality in those with partially blocked arteries exceeded the former group after 26 days. Professor Keith Fox, British Heart Foundation professor of cardiology at the university, said: "Two-thirds of adverse events after a heart attack - which may be a further heart attack, stroke or major bleed - happen after a patient has been discharged from hospital." In related news, the Peninsula Medical School has called obesity among the elderly a "ticking time bomb" for health services.

PLAC Test is now reported within 24hrs...

Access Medical Labs is proud to announce that we are now resulting the PLAC test(Lp-PLA2) within 24hrs. The PLAC test is the only FDA-cleared blood test to aid in determining the risk for ischemic stroke associated with atherosclerosis.

FAST JUST GOT FASTER....

Access Medical Labs latest web-based ordering system (eAccess), makes ordering simple for our Physicians. In just 1-2-3 steps, an order can be placed in about 30 seconds. With real time results, you can view results as they are finalized, all within 24hrs. Reports can be viewed Anytime & Anywhere in the World.

Access Medical Laboratories Recognized for Quality Laboratory Services

Access Medical Laboratories has met all criteria for Laboratory Accreditation by COLA, a national healthcare accreditation organization. Accreditation is given only to laboratories that apply rigid standards of quality in day-to-day operations, demonstrate continued accuracy in the performance of proficiency testing, and pass a rigorous on-site laboratory survey. Access Medical Laboratories has earned COLA accreditation as a result of a long-term commitment to provide quality service to its patients. COLA is a nonprofit, physician-directed organization promoting quality and excellence in medicine and patient care through programs of voluntary education, achievement, and accreditation.

Access Medical Laboratories Announces New Patient Service Center

We're proud to announce our second location for lab testing/specimen draw location. Come visit us at: 3385 Burns Rd. Palm Beach Gardens Fl, 33418 (conveniently located across from the Palm Beach Medical Center)