Cancer News:
The National Breast Cancer Coalition, which has worked hard to get federal funds for breast cancer research, has launched a site with video and text from Presidential candidates regarding their intended role in fighting breast cancer. The group also recently released a survey on breast cancer awareness. I'm shocked at how little people know about this common and detectable disease. For something like ovarian cancer, I'm not surprised (although I'm not happy) at how little people know. Illinois has expanded its breast an cervical cancer screening program, funded through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program. People should really know about this, because what use is knowledge of the symptoms of breast or cervical cancer, without a way to actually treat it?
A subset of cancer news: HPV
Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have required some health insurance plans to cover the HPV vaccine. Via RHRealityCheck, Denmark and the UK recommend that all girls get the HPV vaccine. Did we already discuss this? The HPV test is more useful at finding cancer than a Pap test - at least the version of the Pap test researchers used, which is not the same one used in the US. (Again, I'll note that my boyfriend works for the company that has the only FDA approved HPV test in the United States, as a full disclaimer).
Domestic:
Speaking of Illinois, apparently the pharmacy refusal clause issue has reached a settlement. The Post reports "Trained technicians or store owners would contact a pharmacist at
another location, then follow his or her directions for dispensing the
morning-after pill."
Birth control at middle school? There are very few 11 to 13 year olds having sex, but those that do are hopefully making informed choices, and need access to safe and effective contraceptives. But wow, 13...does that sound young to anyone, or am I getting old?
India:
Two Indian news stories, a country for which I have a special place in my heart. First, unwanted sex common among married women in India. Second, GE says it is willing to do more to reduce the use of ultrasound machines for determining a fetus' sex. It is illegal to use an ultrasound for that purpose in India due to the high rate of sex-selective abortions. Nonetheless, it is possible to get around this law, as is the case with most laws. Especially in developing countries. I did a fair amount of work on rule of law stuff, especially as it relates to human rights in developing countries, which is why I am eternally amused by the man from Ghana who wanted me to ignore Ohio's 24 waiting period for abortion, and give his wife an abortion that day, promising me that he wouldn't tell anyone. Anyway, another story on India is the lack of affordable sanitary pads for menstruation.
Foreign:
Illegal abortions in South Africa are common. Abortion law in the UK may be changing, lowering the 24 week legal limit.
Fertility:
Low birth weight babies born in the NYC area around 9/11 due to stress. New birth control, for women, of course, and years away. Egg freezing not the number one choice, as the odds aren't fabulous that the egg will survive. Embryos and sperm, as we've discussed, fare much better. Chinese herbs useful for menstrual pain. Kroger offers some Pills for $4.
Men:
Chlamydia damages male fertility as well as female fertility. Gene linked to male infertility discovered.
Feminism:
Feminists have better relationships; the feminist movement is about...blogging?
And the animal article: Geese on birth control.