Arkansas TB testing, Alzheimer’s Imaging, Exercise and Breast Cancer
Arkansas TB testing
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| Updated: 6/25/2012 5:36 pm |
Published: 6/25/2012 4:26 pm |
The Arkansas Department of Health is implementing improved testing for tuberculosis.
Starting July 1st, the department will change from tuberculin skin testing to a blood test that is more specific in determining TB infection.
The new test will also can eliminate the need to treat patients who have falsely tested positive.
Health officials say Arkansas loses more citizens to TB each year than we do to complications from the flu.
In 2011, 13 of the 85 people diagnosed with TB in Arkansas died.
Alzheimer’s Imaging
A new way to scan the brain is helping doctors diagnose Alzheimer's disease more accurately.
It's a combination of a radioactive injection along with the latest technology, and it identifies Amyloid proteins a substance in the brain linked to the development of Alzheimer's.
The procedure helps doctors get info now that they used to only get in an autopsy.
Cummings say the new test costs about $5,000 to perform and is not currently covered by insurance.
Exercise and Breast Cancer
Women who exercise may potentially cut their breast cancer risk by as much as thirty percent.
New research found women who exercised before or after menopause had a reduced risk of the disease.
Those who exercised ten to 19 hours a week showed the largest benefits about a thirty percent reduced risk.
Scientists say the reason why exercise is associated with a lower breast cancer risk isn't known.
But you can read about it in the online edition of the journal "cancer."
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