Questioning a Radiation Technique: Accelerated partial-breast irradiation — a treatment used following a lumpectomy for early-stage breast cancer – is under scrutiny following two recent studies, the WSJ reports. The technique shortens treatment time and reduces total radiation exposure, but one study links it with a higher risk of mastectomy within five years, while another suggests only one-third of the women receiving the treatment were suitable candidates. Results of a study comparing the treatment with traditional whole-breast irradiation aren’t due out until at least 2014, the paper says.
Prostate-Drug Study: A new study published in the Lancet suggests that dutasteride, a drug approved to treat enlarged prostate, may prevent the progression of early-stage prostate cancer in some men who were being monitored but who weren’t otherwise receiving treatment, the New York Times reports. Still, there are caveats, including the small study size and short follow-up time, the paper says. And the drug may help more dangerous, late-stage cancers to grow, leading to caution from some experts.
Drinking in Pregnancy: Recent research suggests there is no safe amount of alcohol to consume during pregnancy, the WSJ reports. A study of almost 1,000 women who did drink during pregnancy found that some who averaged less than a drink a day had babies with characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome, including a low birth rate and small head circumference. Still, the risk is low; according to the CDC, between 1,000 and 6,000 U.S. infants of the 4 million born each year fit the criteria for fetal alcohol syndrome.
Comparative Effectiveness Agenda: The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute has released its draft priorities and research agenda, which mentions broad topics like improving the health-care system rather than pinpointing the specific diseases and conditions that are in need of research comparing different treatments, Kaiser Health News reports. The more general agenda “sidesteps controversy that might arise from selecting certain diseases or treatments, but not others,” KHN says. Researchers will apply for funding to study specific questions.