A healthy diet and lifestyle protect against a wide range of diseases, and new research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 2008 Annual Meeting, April 12-16, shows that cancer is no exception. Researchers demonstrate how excessive alcohol drinking could lead to an increased risk of breast cancer, how consuming too many calories may increase one's risk formelanoma, and why with folic acid, timing is everything for colon cancer prevention.

Alcohol consumption and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women: the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study: Abstract 4168

One of the largest studies of its kind has found that alcohol is a substantial risk factor for development of the most common type of breast cancer the 70 percent of tumors that are classified as positive for both the estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER+/PR+).

From the Archives: Dan's Mom on Amputee Attraction

Hey, everybody: If you missed last week's column, I'm taking a week off because, well, go read last week's column if you care to know. Here's an old column—from May 24, 1995—to tide you over until my return next week. It not only features my mother, but also my boyfriend's very first mention in the column. And as you'll see, last week wasn't the first time I gave Mom the credit for my very curious career. —Dan

Q. You recently wrote something about people who "are only attracted to amputees." Well, I personally have been attracted to female amputees for as long as I can remember. Have other people written you about this amputee-attraction phenomenon? I get very excited when I come across a single-legged girl crutching along or encounter a pretty young woman with an empty sleeve dangling where an arm should be.

New Breakthrough Treatment is Tough On Lice But Gentle On Kids

Head lice is one of the most contagious conditions among children, only second to the common cold.(1) There are about 6 to 12 million cases each year,(2) and it causes children to miss approximately 12 to 24 million school days annually.(3) But, now parents can say good-bye to head lice and to pesticides with the introduction of LiceMD®, a new pesticide-free breakthrough treatment that helps parents take control of lice outbreaks and achieve peace of mind while restoring their household to its normal balance. This head lice treatment is pediatrician-tested and clinically proven to effectively, safely and simply eliminate eggs, lice and nits without the use of pesticides.

.

Achillion and FOB Synthesis Announce Collaboration for the Development of Carbapenem Compounds

NEW HAVEN, Conn. and KENNESAW, Ga., April 8, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NasdaqGM:ACHN - News) and FOB Synthesis, Inc. today announced that the companies have signed an exclusive agreement granting Achillion worldwide rights for the research, development and commercialization of certain FOB compounds for the treatment of serious bacterial infections. The licensed carbapenem compounds show excellent activity against a broad spectrum of bacterial isolates, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

.

Bodies bring people together

More than 45 people gathered to celebrate and love being in their own skin last night.

The Women's Studies Department and Southwest Institute for Research on Women held a "Love Your Body" event in the conference of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Annex.

"'Love Your Body' is to help celebrate and love yourself in your own skin," said Katy Baker, a health and sexuality intern at the Women's Resource center. "It's about being comfortable with who you are and in order to do that we have various activities and discussions set up."

A panel discussion focused on how sexism and other pressures from society can lead people, specifically women, to have issues with their bodies.

"I think that everyone, both female and male, feel pressure at some point from society about their body image," said Ayisha Al-Sayyad, a graduate student in women's studies and a panelist who has done research in the area of body image and eating disorders in the lesbian community.

Spa days: Green Valley offers a zip line to adventure

ST. GEORGE - Ask the family who founded the place what sets apart Green Valley from other destination spas, and a couple of hours later you might find yourself sitting on the edge of a sandstone cliff, 120 feet in the air, trying to talk yourself into shoving off.
I'm sitting with my eyes closed, legs dangling, which means I can't see guide Todd Goss 723 feet across the temporary zip line that spans the Green Valley Gap, but I can hear his signal. I'm trying to remember how relaxed I felt earlier stretched out under a willow tree on the spa patio, receiving one of Green Valley's signature treatments, the Rapunzel, a hot-oil treatment and scalp massage.
Now just a 3-minute truck commute away from the spa, I'm seated on the edge of this redrock canyon.