Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Nearly 200 Potential Mammary Carcinogens Found in Food Contact Materials. These Hazardous Chemicals -- Including PFAS, Bisphenols and Phthalates -- Can Migrate From Packaging Into Food, and Thus Be Ingested by People

• Pfizer Says Its Experimental Drug for Deadly Condition That Causes Appetite and Weight Loss in Cancer Patients Shows Positive Trial Results

• U.S. Ranks Last in Health Care Compared With Nine Other High-income Countries, Report Finds

• Epilepsy Drug Could Help Curb Sleep Apnoea Symptoms - Study

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Nearly 200 Potential Mammary Carcinogens Found in Food Contact Materials. These Hazardous Chemicals -- Including PFAS, Bisphenols and Phthalates -- Can Migrate From Packaging Into Food, and Thus Be Ingested by People

Researchers have found nearly 200 chemicals in food packaging. They could cause breast cancer. These chemicals, including PFAS, bisphenols, and phthalates, can seep into food and pose a health risk when eaten.

A new study by the Food Packaging Forum shows that dangerous chemicals are still common in food containers and packages. This is despite laws meant to keep them out. "This study is a wake-up call to reduce our exposure to these chemicals," said Jane Muncke, one of the study's authors.

The team compared a list of chemicals known to possibly cause breast cancer from the Silent Spring Institute with their own database. They found 189 harmful chemicals in common items like plastic containers and paper boxes. "Our database collects info from thousands of studies. It helps us find harmful chemicals in food packaging," explained Lindsey Parkinson, the lead researcher.

The study notes that, despite safety rules, these chemicals are still in our lives. They are in products from places with strict laws, like the EU and the US. This constant exposure to harmful chemicals could be a preventable cause of breast cancer. The findings show a big gap in safety standards. They stress the need for stronger protections against dangerous chemicals in food packaging.

Source: ecancer.org

WEIGHT LOSS

Pfizer Says Its Experimental Drug for Deadly Condition That Causes Appetite and Weight Loss in Cancer Patients Shows Positive Trial Results

Pfizer, a big drug company, has exciting news. They have a new medicine for cancer patients who are losing weight and appetite. This problem is called cancer cachexia. It makes it hard for patients to handle their treatments and daily life.

Cancer cachexia affects about 9 million people worldwide. Most patients do not survive more than a year after diagnosis. The new medicine, named ponsegromab, is designed to help these patients eat more and gain weight.

In a recent study, 187 patients with lung, pancreatic, or colorectal cancer tried ponsegromab. Those who took the highest dose of the drug gained 5.6% more weight over 12 weeks compared to those who did not receive the drug. Even smaller doses helped patients gain some weight.

The study showed that patients not only gained weight but also built more muscle and felt better overall. This is important because it means they can handle their cancer treatments better and have a higher quality of life.

Pfizer is now planning more studies and hopes to make this drug the first one approved in the U.S. specifically for treating cancer cachexia. They are also looking at how this drug might help people with heart failure who have similar issues.

This new development gives hope to many families and cancer patients. It offers a way to improve their health and daily life.

Source: cnbc.com

HEALTH

U.S. Ranks Last in Health Care Compared With Nine Other High-income Countries, Report Finds

A recent study shows that health care in the U.S. is not doing as well as in other rich countries. The U.S. spends the most on health care—18% of its economy. It has the lowest life expectancy and the most preventable deaths.

The report, by The Commonwealth Fund, compared the U.S. with nine other countries like Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK. It looked at things like how easy it is to get care, the cost, and the quality. The U.S. scored poorly in nearly all areas except for the quality of certain health services, such as check-ups and patient care.

This is especially important now because health care is a big issue for voters in the upcoming presidential election. Leaders have different ideas to fix these problems. Some want to change existing laws. Others want to reduce health care regulations.

Dr. Joseph Betancourt from The Commonwealth Fund pointed out that Americans pay a lot out of their own pockets for health care, but it doesn’t guarantee better service. The U.S. also lacks enough doctors and hospital beds, which makes it hard for people to get the care they need quickly.

The study used surveys from thousands of doctors and residents to understand these problems better and suggest how the U.S. can improve its health care system for everyone.

Source: nbcnews.com

Epilepsy Drug Could Help Curb Sleep Apnea Symptoms - Study

A new study shows that an old drug for epilepsy might help people with sleep apnea sleep better. This could be great news for those who find it hard to use the common treatment—Cpap machines.

Sleep apnea is when someone's breathing stops and starts a lot during the night. It affects almost a billion people around the world. Most people with this condition use a Cpap machine at night. This machine helps keep the airways open by blowing air through a mask. But, many find these machines bulky and hard to use for a long time.

The study looked at nearly 300 people from several European countries who have sleep apnea but don't use Cpap machines. They were given either the drug sulthiame or a fake drug called a placebo. Sulthiame helps the muscles in the throat work better to keep the airway open.

The results were good. People taking sulthiame had fewer times when their breathing stopped and their blood oxygen levels were higher during sleep. They also felt less sleepy during the day. The higher the dose of the drug, the better the results.

Though the study's results are promising, more research is needed to make sure the drug is safe and effective for sleep apnea. Right now, sulthiame is only used in Europe for epilepsy in children.

Source: euronews.com

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.