Thursday, August 9, 2012

Hair loss drug causes depression and suicidal thoughts

Hair loss drug causes depression and suicidal thoughts Men who took the hair-loss drug Propecia (finasteride) could be suffering from depression, and even having suicidal thoughts. The reaction is very common, say researchers, and could affect the vast majority of men who took the drug, especially if they suffered from persistent sexual side effects at the time. The longer-term side-effects range from mild depression to having suicidal thoughts, say researchers from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. In a study of 61 former finasteride users who all suffered sexual side effects for more than three months at the time, nearly half had had suicidal thoughts, and 36 per cent had severe depressive symptoms. Doctors should be aware of the life-threatening side effects and should talk to former finasteride patients. (Source: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2012; doi: 10.4088/JCP.12m07887).

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Chemotherapy spreads cancer, scientists confirm.

Chemotherapy spreads cancer, scientists confirm Scientists have discovered something we revealed more than a year ago: chemotherapy causes cancer to spread. The drug promotes cancer growth by attacking healthy cells surrounding the tumour. The ‘environment’ in which the tumours live in the body can weaken the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and also encourages the spread of cancer by making neighbouring cells immune to treatment. Researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle made the discovery when they carried out laboratory tests on prostate cancer cells. (Source: Nature Medicine, 2012; doi: 10.1038/nm.2890) See alternative cures in Chapter 46 at: http://www.thebestcontrol2.com

Monday, August 6, 2012