Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - University of Virginia - (Page 3)

HEALTHY DOSE Exploring a Breast Cancer Risk Factor University of Virginia Health System’s Jennifer Harvey, M.D., is working to find the answer to an important question: Why do women with dense breast tissue have an increased risk for breast cancer? She believes the heightened risk may be related to an overactive enzyme that converts steroids to estrogen within the breast tissue. To evaluate this theory, Harvey is collaborating with colleagues from the UVA Center for Public Health Genomics to study the genes that drive breast density. The investigators hope that the results will lead to a better understanding of how breast cancer starts and better ways for preventing it. Harvey co-directs UVA’s Breast Care Center. This is just one of the many research projects being funded through the Patients & Friends Research Fund at the UVA Cancer Center. Each year, proceeds from the Charlottesville Women’s Four Miler help support this fund—ensuring that UVA breast cancer patients receive the best care now, and for many years to come. Fried Fish Is Bad for the Heart Certain types of fish—prepared in a heart-friendly fashion—may lower older women’s risk of heart failure, a new study suggests. But the study also found that fried fish, in even small amounts, may have detrimental effects. The study evaluated data from more than 84,000 postmenopausal women. Those who reported eating baked or broiled fish five or more times a week had a 30 percent lower risk of heart failure than those who ate it less than once a month. Dark fish—such as salmon and bluefish—was associated with a much lower risk of heart failure than tuna or white fish. Fried fish, even eaten infrequently, was associated with an increased risk. The study’s findings were reported in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Heart Failure. Get more important heart-healthy news by joining Club Red at clubreduva.com. New Look at Peanut Allergies Peanut allergies are on the rise. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network mentions one study that found peanut allergy incidences doubled in children from 1997 to 2002. A clinical trial at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital is confronting peanut allergies head-on. The 10 children participating in the study consume a tiny amount of peanuts daily—under careful supervision. Every two weeks, the daily amount increases. The hope is that these children will learn to tolerate peanuts to the point that an accidental exposure will no longer be life-threatening, explains UVA allergy specialist Scott Commins, M.D., Ph.D. He began the study after similar ones at other hospitals showed that the kids involved lost much of their peanut sensitivity. Learn more at uvahealth.com/blog (search for “peanut allergies”). Vim & Vigor · SPRI NG 2012 3 http://www.clubreduva.com http://www.uvahealth.com/blog

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - University of Virginia

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - University of Virginia
Life in Balance
Healthy Dose
Outliving Our Heart Valves
Rewiring Relief
Get Real
How Far We’ve Come
Patient Survival Guide
Perfect Attendance
Jennifer Hudson, Grammy-winning recording artist
Lean on Me
Intimidated by the Gym?
What Is Your Volunteer Style?
A Prescription for Relief
Virtual Health
Moving On
For This Traveling Man, Dialysis Is No Roadblock
A Good Move

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - University of Virginia