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Heatwave Warning Issued - Level 3, UK
The Met Office has raised the heatwave warning alert again today on behalf of the Department of Health.
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USA Today Examines Low Popularity Of Vasectomies Compared With Female Sterilization Methods
On Monday, USA Today examined how the popularity of vasectomies remains relatively low compared with other contraceptive methods, despite the procedure"s high level of effectiveness. However, some physicians believe that the current economic recession might be a factor in the recent surge of men seeking the procedure, according to USA Today. Charles Wilson, founder of The Vasectomy Clinic in Seattle, said although it has been a "long-term struggle trying to sell vasectomy," he now performs about 140 vasectomies monthly, compared with the usual 100. Lawrence Ross, a professor of urology at the University of Illinois-Chicago, said vasectomy consultations have about doubled compared with one year ago.Despite the recent uptick, experts say that sterilization surgeries for women remain much more popular than vasectomies. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 50% of women ages 40 to 44 who used birth control in 2002 had undergone sterilization surgery, but fewer than 20% of their male partners had undergone a vasectomy. According to USA Today, physicians cite several reasons for the lower popularity of vasectomies. Compared with women, men generally are less comfortable with medical procedures, particularly procedures involving sexual organs. In addition, myths about side effects of the procedure -- such as reduced testosterone levels and diminished sexual function or desire -- continue to persist.Some men experience feelings of regret post-surgery, but there is a lack of data on the number of men who seek vasectomy reversals, USA Today reports. Wilson said that although the recent increase in vasectomy surgeries might be tied to the economy, the trend probably does not reflect a long-term shift. He said that fears of losing a job and health insurance might play a role in convincing some men to go ahead with a vasectomy but that most of these individuals would eventually have had the procedure anyway (Painter, USA Today, 6/14).
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$1.25 Million Awarded To Prostate Cancer Research
New treatments to ease or even cure the most common cancer affecting Australian men are a step closer to reality with a $1.25 million grant awarded to QUT prostate cancer researcher Professor Colleen Nelson today.
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Basic Facts And Statistics About Lupus

In response to a recent increase in media interest in lupus, the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is providing a fact sheet about the disease. What is lupus? Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any tissue or organ in the body. Its health effects include skin lesions, heart attacks, strokes, seizures, miscarriages, and organ failure. What are the symptoms of lupus? The most common symptoms include severe joint pain and swelling, overwhelming fatigue, fevers, skin rashes, pain in the chest on deep breathing, hair loss, and sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Symptoms come and go and can change over time, and range from mild to life-threatening. What are the different forms of lupus? There are several forms of lupus, the most common being cutaneous and systemic. Cutaneous lupus is limited to the skin and is often identified by a rash or skin lesions that appears on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the scalp, face, neck, hands, and arms. Cutaneous lupus accounts for approximately 10% of all cases. Systemic lupus is usually more severe and can affect almost any organ or system of the body, including the skin, joints, lungs, kidneys, heart, nervous system, and brain. Approximately 70% of lupus cases are systemic. In about half of these cases, a major organ will be affected. Who develops lupus? Ninety percent of the people with lupus are women. The disease develops most often between the ages of 15 and 44, although males and females of any age can be affected. Lupus is two to three times more common among African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, and Asians, than among Caucasians. Based on several nationwide telephone surveys, the LFA estimates that approximately 1,500,000 Americans have a form of the disease. What causes lupus? The exact causes of lupus are unknown. Researchers believe that certain environmental factors play a role in triggering the disease in people who are genetically susceptible to developing lupus. These environmental triggers include infections, ultraviolet light, extreme stress, antibiotics and certain other drugs, and hormonal changes. Hormonal factors may explain why lupus occurs more frequently in females than in males. Despite some statements in the media recently, there is no known connection between childhood abuse and lupus. Lupus is NOT infectious, rare, or cancerous. It is not related to or like HIV/AIDS. About the Lupus Foundation of America The LFA is the foremost national nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus, and providing support, services, and hope to all people affected by lupus. Founded in 1977, the LFA has a nationwide network of nearly 300 chapters and support groups and operates programs of research, education, and advocacy. Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Lupus Foundation of America


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