Updates

A recently published paper has received considerable publicity in the lay press and is worthy of reflection [1]. It addresses the question of the number of cases of breast cancer which would not have been diagnosed without organized screening (overdiagnosis is the detection of asymptomatic cancers that will not cause death or symptoms). The introduction… Read More

In a nationwide prospective cohort study of Danish women who turned 50 years old between 1995 and 2002 [1], 909,946 women were eventually included in the analysis; 575,883 were never-users of HRT and 334,063 were ever-users. During an average follow-up of 8 years, there were 3068 ovarian cancers of which 2681 were epithelial tumors. Ever-use… Read More

Antifracture efficacy with supplemental vitamin D has been questioned by several trials published in the last 4 years, leading to uncertainty among patients and physicians regarding recommendations for vitamin D supplementation. A recent meta-analysis confirms the efficacy of oral supplemental vitamin D in preventing non-vertebral and hip fractures among older individuals (≥ 65 years) [1].… Read More

Among the methodological questions raised following the Women’s Health Initiative trial was the alleged disparity between the results of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies on hormone replacement therapy. A similar argument could be posed in regard to treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis by bisphosphonates: are the results of RCTs in line with ‘real world’… Read More

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in women. Similar to breast cancer, there are efficient strategies for its early detection that are associated with significantly improved prognosis. When I was a student, the combination of barium enema and fecal occult blood test (FOBT) was the mainstay of colorectal screening. Years later, colonoscopy… Read More

In a paper recently published in Annals of Internal Medicine, Buist and colleagues [1] reported the results of a randomized, controlled trial to test whether 1 or 2 months’ suspension of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) before screening mammography would decrease additional mammographic imaging recalls in women aged 45–80 years. A total of 1704 women aged… Read More

A recent publication from the Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) study by Greendale and colleagues has followed 2362 participants for 4 years during the menopause transition [1]. Major exposures were time spent in the menopause transition, hormone use prior to the final menstrual period, and postmenopausal current hormone use. Outcomes were longitudinal performance in… Read More

The Raloxifene Use for The Heart (RUTH) trial results were published in 2004 [1]. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study which recruited 10,101 women above the age of 55 years (mean age 67.5 years), with established coronary artery disease (CAD) or at high risk for CAD. Women were followed for a median period of… Read More

The European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology (ESHRE) Capri Workshop Group has recently published a summary and recommendations on female contraception over the age of 40 years [1]. The number of women aged 40–49 years has increased by 58% in the last five decades in developed countries and by 32% in Europe. Although most… Read More

In a recently published paper [1], the Diabetes Prevention Program randomized trial provides more information from its database considering the effect of progression from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to diabetes on cardiovascular risk factors and its amelioration by intensive lifestyle and metformin intervention.  There is a known increase of cardiovascular disease in subjects with diabetes,… Read More