Battling For Health

If you dig into my old posts, I have always mentioned that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and non-fat dairy is good for people suffering from arthritis.

Once more from Reader’s Digest. But this time, a list of nutrient-rich food that is best for people with arthritis:

1. Salmon - one of the riches sources of healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids. I guess most fish will be good as well?

“…especially because it’s less likely than other cold-water fish to harbor high levels of toxic mercury. In addition to its fatty oils, salmon contains calcium, vitamin D, and folate.”

2. Bananas — though best known as a rich source of potassium, bananas also contain arthritis-fighting vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin C. The first thing that my doctor “prescribed” to me was eat lots of bananas. One good thing is that, you can prepare bananas in many different ways. You can eat the ripe ones as is, you can preserve it or put them into your salad. More so, you can blend it with other fruits such as berries or peaches to turn into into a nice fruit drink.

3. Sweet peppers - also rich sources of Vitamin C, vitamin B6 and folate.

4. Shrimp - I love shrimps. Thankfully it is rich in nutrients too! Too bad for people with shrimp allergies.

Taste and convenience make shrimp the most popular shellfish around. But shrimp also deserves acclaim as one of the few major dietary sources of vitamin D, with three ounces providing 30 percent of the recommended daily amount — more than a cup of fortified milk. Shrimp also contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C, along with other nutrients essential for general health, including iron and vitamin B12.

5. Soy products - for somebody like me who isn’t very much a fan of dairy milk, I find this a good alternative. I need not even drink milk, I can just eat soy foods.

But soybeans also protect bones, thanks to compounds called isoflavones and significant amounts of both vitamin E and calcium. Long a staple of Asian diets, soy can also be found in soy milk — a boon for people who want to avoid lactose or cholesterol in regular milk.

6. Sweet Potatoes - as a child, this was one of my favorite snacks. Even just boiled, sweet potatoes are yummy already. I do not know anybody who never liked sweet potatoes. However, since maybe I feel that I had enough of sweet potatoes as a kid, that’s why I kinda ignored this in my adulthood. Maybe I should start eating sweet potatoes again?

These tropical root vegetables (which, technically, not related to white baking potatoes) are such a nutritional powerhouse, they once topped a list of vegetables ranked according to nutritional value by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Sweet potatoes are a rich source of vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6, and dietary fiber, among other nutrients.

7. Cheese - my 5-year old son will never eat cheese. Anything with cheese, he will not touch. I often wondered why. Maybe he doesn’t like the taste of cheese? I don’t remember not liking cheese as a child, I often eat cheese still. Because I don’t drink milk, I find this a good substitute for my calcium needs.

Hard or soft, fresh or ripened, cheese in all its variety is an excellent source of calcium for bones, and protein for muscles and other joint-supporting tissues. Depending on type, cheeses (especially hard varieties such as cheddar and Colby) are also a good source of vitamin B6 and folate.

8. Lentils.

These dried legumes, with their rainbow of earthy colors, are prime sources of folate, with a single cup providing about 90 percent of your daily needs. But lentils also provide one of the richest plant-based sources of protein, contain large amounts of soluble dietary fiber, and hold significant stores of vitamin B6. These and other nutrients make lentils protect the body against heart disease and cancer in addition to arthritis.

9. Green tea! Which reminds me, I haven’t had green tea in the last two years. It isn’t my favorite, but it is okay for me to drink it. I guess I just think of its nutritional value. Otherwise, I won’t give green tea a second look.

This mild, slightly astringent tea contains hundreds of powerful antioxidant chemicals called polyphenols and has been cited for helping prevent problems ranging from cancer to heart disease. But studies also suggest green tea may help prevent or ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. In one study of induced arthritis in mice, green tea cut the disease onset rate almost in half, and follow-up studies by the same researchers, at Case Western Reserve University, in Ohio, show promise in humans.

So…do the above foods included in your diet? You might wanna include them already, especially of you have arthritis.

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A product of Eli Lilly, Cymbalta® - is a balanced and potent reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine, believed to potentiate the activity of these chemicals in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

While the mechanism of action of Cymbalta is not fully known, scientists believe its effects on depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as its effect on pain perception, may be due to increasing the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system.

Though not approved for pediatric patients, Cymbalta® is approved in the United States for the acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder, the acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, all in adults aged 18 and above.

Now, Eli Lilly has just submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the US FDA seeking approval for a new indication for Cymbalta® (duloxetine HCl) — management of chronic pain.

According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage. Chronic pain persists beyond acute pain or beyond the expected time for an injury to heal.

The said submission is based on outcomes of clinical trials in chronic osteoarthritis pain of the knee and chronic low back pain as well as data from previously completed pain studies in diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) and fibromyalgia.

Some Patient Safety Information on Cymbalta®:

Cymbalta is not for everyone. Patients should not take Cymbalta if they have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), are taking Mellaril® (thioridazine) or have uncontrolled glaucoma. Patients should speak with their doctor about any medical conditions they may have, including liver or kidney problems, glaucoma, or diabetes.

Patients should tell their doctor about all their medicines, including those for migraine, to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition. Taking Cymbalta with NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners may increase bleeding risk. They also should talk to their doctor about their alcohol consumption. Patients should consult with their doctor before stopping Cymbalta or changing the dose and if they are pregnant or nursing.

Patients taking Cymbalta may experience dizziness or fainting upon standing. The most common side effects of Cymbalta include nausea, dry mouth, sleepiness and constipation.

Visit Cymbalta.com for more information on Cymbalta®.

Source: Eli Lilly News

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I know, you don’t have time to breathe, much less find and join a support group. You are so busy providing care, running errands, taking care of the rest of your family and being an all around Saint to do anything except keep your head barely above water with your current responsibilities as you battle Alzheimer’s disease.

But before you count the idea of joining a support group out completely, consider the following excerpted from AARP’s Caring for the Caregiver (click her for entire article):

“Caregivers stand at particular risk for a host of mental and physical illnesses, many of which have roots in stress, exhaustion, and self-neglect—symptoms some medical professionals have begun calling caregiver syndrome.”

“Caregivers appear more likely than noncaregivers to get infectious diseases, plus they are slower to heal from wounds, says Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, Ph.D., director of the Division of Health Psychology at Ohio State University in Columbus. Kiecolt-Glaser has conducted several caregiver research studies with her husband, immunologist Ronald Glaser, Ph.D.”

“Caregivers also have greatly elevated blood levels of a chemical that is linked to chronic inflammation. And that puts them at increased risk for heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases. Notably, says Kiecolt-Glaser, those levels are still high three years after caregiving duties end, especially among caregivers over 65. What’s more, the studies found a greatly increased risk for anxiety and depression.”

Exhausted, anxious, and pressed for time, caregivers, she says, “tend to lose their networks and separate from their friends.”

So, you don’t have to take my word for it, Kiecolt-Glaser, is one of many researchers noting that caregivers need support. Not just help with the daily activities of life. Although, that’s a great place to start.

Caregivers need emotional support as well. The good news is that there is help. Here are just a few places you can go for some help.

The Alzheimer’s Association. I can’t say enough good things about this organization. Yes, it’s huge, but its also very personal. They have a 27/7 helpline. They can help with everything from housing options to what to do about wandering. Here’s the number, I encourage you to use it and get connected with a local chapter. 1-800-272-3900. You can also find the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org

I promise you, the support group won’t be comprised of a bunch of people sitting around complaining. Rather, you will find that they are much like you. Tired, struggling and trying to provide the best care possible for their loved ones. You’ll realize that you are not alone and that there are people who understand and can relate to your situation.

Another option is getting on-line support. Blogs like this one are great places to get information, vent and be part of a community. Here are a few other online resources.

www.alztalk.org

WebMD Alzheimer’s support group

ELDR.com has a forum/support network for Alzheimer’s disease

So, friend, I encourage you. Get some support as you do this difficult, but important work.

So, what do YOU think? Are you a part of a formal or informal support network?

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Friday. Friday. Friday is my favorite day.

Cancer Events:

Marie Curie Cancer Care is sponsoring the Skimmington Castle Bike Ride. “An exciting fun filled cycle challenge, Saturday, June 7 in the beautiful surroundings of the Surrey countryside.Cyclists will set off from the Skimmington Castle public House in Reigate, either on the 47.5 mile route, for those who fancy a challenge, or the 16.5 mile route for those who feel they’d like the day to take a more leisurely pace.

Once you have completed the bike ride you will end up back at the Skimmington Castle pub for a chance to exchange stories over a well earned drink.”

Father’s Day Ride and Stride. Sunday June 15, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

“This Father’s Day, honor Dad and support the fight against prostate cancer. Bring your family and enjoy a morning of fun at beautiful North Park, while supporting Pittsburgh’s leading organizations in the fight to defeat prostate cancer— the Allegheny General Prostate Center and the Western Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Foundation (WPPCF). This event will include a 25K, 50K and 100K bike ride and a 2 mile fun walk. Choose either as your weapon to fight against prostate cancer and a way to celebrate Father’s Day with loved ones. We’re taking aim against this deadly disease.”

Cancer Headline News:

ScienceDaily, May 30, 2008. Abnormalities in Gene for Melanoma Found. “Researchers have discovered that there are several different kinds of DNA abnormalities that can occur in a gene called the KIT gene. These abnormalities are associated with different kinds of acral and mucosal melanomas, which are less common, but highly malignant forms of skin cancer. Acral melanomas are found on the palms of hands, the soles of feet and under nails.”

Turkish Daily News-Reuters Health, May 30, 2008. Tea Doesn’t Raise Cancer Risk. “Results from a decades-long study may enable women to drink coffee or tea without worry that doing so will increase their risk for breast cancer, study findings suggest. “In this large cohort of women, with 22 years of follow-up, we observed no association between coffee (caffeinated or decaffeinated) and tea consumption and the risk of breast cancer,” Dr. Davaasambuu Ganmaa told Reuters Health.

Reuters, May 28, 2008. TV Stations Join Forces on Cancer Special. “ABC, CBS and NBC will air a live primetime special September 5 to raise money for cancer research. The hourlong “Stand Up to Cancer” will air commercial-free, with musical performances and appearances by actors and news anchors.”

The Times of India, May 28, 2008. Indian Makes Cancer Discovery. “A Goa-born surgeon researching and teaching at the Dundee University in Scotland has pioneered a new method for the early detection of breast cancer.”

Calgary Herald, May 27, 2008. Gum Disease Linked to Cancer. “New research is linking gum disease with a higher risk of cancer, especially cancers of the kidneys, pancreas and blood.”

Battling Books:

Five Lessons I Didn’t Learn From Breast Cancer (And One Big One I Did) by Shelley Lewis (May 2008)

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When I found this Reader’s Digest article, I was laughing out loud while reading. I just so can relate, I guess. I’ve always been convinced that the osteoarthritis symptoms are brought about by stress, mostly and of course, on top of not enough mobility these days.

The said article is recommending, from stretching like a cat to letting things go — in order to have a better  quality of life despite arthritis. The tips are general relief for tensed body, but is good for arthritis as well.

Let me enumerate the highlights:

1. Stretch luxuriously like a cat.

Stretching loosens the muscles, helps your blood flow, relieves your bones and joints, and refreshes your spirit. For a person with arthritis, stretching is as healthy a habit as you can develop.

2. Laugh, be happy.

The obvious reason is that humor relieves the tensions of everyday life. But not so obvious are the physiological effects of a good laugh. Feel-good brain chemicals called endorphins are released when you laugh that ease pain and improve attitude. Plus, laughter stimulates the heart, lungs, muscles, and immune system.

3. Cut your to-do-list into something achievable. Yes, even if that means cutting your errands into half. That way you feel better with your little accomplishments.

We know we’re not going to get everything done that we want to in a day. And yet so many of us wake up with a set of expectations for the day that are grand beyond reason. Be fair to yourself: Make your task list reasonable, and achieve it.

4. Use hot water. Need i say more?

Upping water’s temperature soothes and supports the joints. The heat brings blood to your joints, muscles, and skin, flushing you with nutrients and relief. And the calmness of a soak in a tub or Jacuzzi makes life just seem better.

5. Use comfortable pillows and bed mattresses.

A bed that is firm but luxurious, that makes you say “ahhhh” when you lie down, that gives you the comfort you need for a great night’s sleep, is a wonderful investment for your health and your joints.

6. Create you own midday sacred ritual. Like having coffee or tea in peace and quiet?

Whatever it is, take 5 to 15 minutes each afternoon for a personal break. Getting out of the intensity of everyday life for a short while is beneficial, both physically and emotionally. And by making it a constant ritual, you relax yourself merely by the knowledge that it is soon arriving.

7. Massage, massage, and massage. I’ve mentioned several times how massage can bring relief to both the muscles and joints.

A good massage is one of life’s greatest pleasures. The muscle and joint relief will be substantial.

8. Find inspiration in the beauty of nature. Always brings relaxation, right?

In exploring the optimal workouts for athletes, researchers are beginning to believe that the best training method is to exert for a short period and then rest, rather than doing prolonged periods of exertion. It’s a theory that is applicable to all of us, particularly those with arthritis. Walk a few minutes; then relax a while. Clean for 15 minutes; then take a break.

9. Be still and let things be. Especially those that are just beyond your control.

If you are a human being, then certain truths are inevitable: The government is wrong; half your relatives are crazy; there’s never enough money; work is unfair; you’re surrounded by crazy drivers. You have a choice: Let it get to you, or don’t let it get to you.

Great tips right?! My favorites are: stretching like a cat, massage, massage and massage…and of course (even if most of the time hard to do) letting things be.

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I’ve owned my own business for many years. Before I began my work in patient advocacy and empowerment, I was a marketer, and advised dozens of businesses of all sizes (from individual professional services like lawyers and therapists to large corporations like GE and Kodak.) I get business, I understand development of income streams and I fully realize that profitability is always the goal among these businesses.

But I also know that profitability and business models are at the very heart at what is WRONG with healthcare. No matter what the problem with the system, its roots are grounded in the need to make money by someone.

This statement holds true whether we are talking about those large corporations, like pharma manufacturers, large hospitals and treatment centers, insurers, or medical device manufacturers — or individuals like doctors or yes, even patient advocates. We all need to make a buck.

And making a buck is fair! Yes — at my heart I am a capitalist. And for many aspects of life, I believe that the profit motive and fair competition are fair and work well.

But making the buck at the expense of patients, rather than to the advantage of patients, is not fair and it’s not right. Profiting by hurting a patient is wrong. Profiting while providing no benefit is wrong. Profiting by withholding the truth is wrong. Profiting through non-disclosure of a conflict of interest is wrong, too.

Unfortunately, healthcare is not about health or care. It’s about sickness and money. And conflicts of interest go to the very heart of that statement.

One of the early recognitions of this problem came from the New England Journal of Medicine which, in 1993, attempted to define such conflicts and suggested remedies for them. The conflicts cited ranged from self-referral by physicians, to gifts from drug companies to physicians to research being sponsored by those industries that stood to profit by the results.

Hundreds of medical journals followed suit. They joined the legions of organizations that have their own policies about conflicts of interest, including the Canadian Medical Association, and the American Medical Association includes policies about conflicts of interest in its code of ethics.

But it seems that there are plenty of doctors who either don’t care, aren’t paying attention, or are just plain unethical. At the very least they don’t let some little conflict of interest get in the way of making a buck.

This article in the latest edition of Slate Magazine provides too many examples, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. It asks the question, and proves the point; Stealth Marketers: Are Doctors Shilling for Drug Companies on Public Radio?

Cases in point:

Mike Taibbi, a former smoker and reporter for NBC Nightly News interviewed Dr. Claudia Henschke, a professor of radiology at Weill Cornell Medical College who reported that regular lung scans could prevent 80 percent of deaths from lung cancer. Other professionals called this claim outrageous. It turns out that Dr. Henschke’s research was being subsidized by tobacco companies which had a major stake in the outcomes of her statements.

Recently, PBS radio stations aired Prozac Nation, an edition of its award-winning program, An Infinite Mind. Four prestigious mental-health experts discussed the link between antidepressants and suicide, and all four concluded that the link was blown out of proportion. (Really? Tell that to Kim Witzcak, whose husband Woody died from taking an antidepressant which had been prescribed off label for his inability to get a good night’s sleep.)

What the program failed to reveal is that all four of the experts have financial ties to Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of the antidepressant Prozac.

Examples of these conflicts of interest could go on ad nauseum. The real point here is that we patients need to be aware of them, and know when it’s appropriate to ask questions about them. Here are some examples of times we may be the victims of conflicts of interest:

1. Many doctors who work in clinical trials may be receiving referral fees for finding patients who can participate. A conflict of interest may exist if there is no benefit to you, the patient, for participating. You may still choose to participate! But you need to be asking your doctor what’s in it for him.

2. Medical device kickbacks are rampant among doctors. Need a knee replacement? Ask your doctor if he’ll be receiving any payments from the manufacturer, or payments beyond his usual fee for doing the surgery. You may still want to get your knee replaced! But you should know if one type of artificial knee is being recommended or planned for over another based on how much your doctor will make from it, and you should have the option to choose the one that’s better for you.

3. Does your doctor travel a great deal? or speak at conferences frequently? If so, he may be receiving “speakers fees” for convincing his peers that a particular drug or device is better for their patients. The manufacturers love to pay doctors to take advantage of their credibility. But if you take that through to its logical conclusion, who do you think is paying for those kickbacks? We are. And is that drug the best for us just because the doctor is making money by supporting it? Maybe not.

There are no easy answers here — just awareness, and another opportunity to be wise and savvy patients.

One has to wonder how often patients have gotten sicker, or died, because some doctor or organization was involved in a conflict of interest?

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Every Thursday I give you a recipe. My self imposed rule is that the recipe must be inexpensive. It must be simple and it must be healthy. I suppose it should go without saying that the recipe must also be delicious.

Summer is coming, albeit v-e-r-y slowly here in Pennsylvania, and fresh fruit and veggies will soon abound. Depending on where you live, peaches, our main ingredient for today, will ripen and be ready to eat between June and August.

Peaches are low in calories and high in vitamins C and A. In addition, peaches can act as a MILD laxative. They are diuretic and tend to aid in detoxification. So, you can eat peaches without worrying about gaining weight. (www.health24.c0m)

This particular recipe has no REFINED sugar, and no ARTIFICIAL sweeteners, so you get wonderful flavors of peaches, apples and a hint of dates. If you make or select a crust that is not made from lard or shortening with trans fats, and throw in a little whole wheat action, this pie can actually qualify as healthy. When I purchase crust, I get it from Whole Foods. They have one that is pretty healthy, but doesn’t taste healthy. Why ruin this wonderful filling with a crust that tastes like cardboard?

Recipe For Life

Peach Pies - Recipe adapted from, The Seventh-day Diet, by Chris Rucker

(This recipe makes 2 - 8 or 9 inch deep dish pies or one 9 x 13 pie)

Ingredients:

10 cups thinly sliced peaches, fresh or frozen (don’t use canned)

1 can (12 ounces) frozen apple juice concentrate

1 cup pitted dates (soak in warm water for 10 minutes or till soft)

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 tsp. ground coriander

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. vanilla extract

4 pie crusts (ready made will work fine)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit (177 degrees Celsius)

Place sliced peaches in a large bowl

Place in blender the following:

1. apple juice concentrate
2. dates (drain soak water)
3. cornstarch
4. coriander
5. almond extract

Blend until smooth. Add this mixture to sliced peaches and mix thoroughly.

From this point you have some options. If you prefer a double crust pie then place pie crust(s) on bottom of your pie pan(s). If you prefer a single crust, then pour peache mixture directly into pan(s) and place crust on top of peaches. Tuck edges of dough just inside baking dish and press to seal. Cut 3-4 small slits in crust to allow steam to escape. Bake for 45-60 minutes.

Note: This pie is healthy enough to eat for breakfast (which we often do!). Of course, you can enjoy it as a dessert as well.

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In clinical trials now around the United States is a slimy clear liquid with a texture of motor oil, potential treatment for ankle arthritis.

A highly purified mixture of hyaluronic acid, if will work as expected will bring relief to millions suffering from ankle arthritis.

At least 2 million Americans suffer from ankle arthritis. And with each new year, more of the nation’s 78 million baby boomers are coming down with the chronic, progressive, irreversible disease that, unlike osteoarthritis in most other joints, is extremely hard to treat.

The company developing the injectable product described above - Carticept Medical, Inc. - calls it Agilus — a molecularly thick formulation of highly purified hyaluronan.

Agilus represents an investigational application of a proven treatment called viscosupplementation, which has been used safely and effectively for many years for osteoarthritis of the knee.

In Europe, Hyaluronan already is used in Europe to soothe arthritic ankles. However, in the U.S. it has only been approved by the FDA for use in larger joints only, such as knees.

According to Dr. Judith Baumhauer, principal investigator of the study and a professor at the University of Rochester:

“Osteoarthritis of the ankle is a significant and debilitating problem for millions of patients worldwide. For many patients with ankle osteoarthritis, there is a significant void in the current treatment [arsenal] that Agilus could potentially address.”

While Barbara D. Boyan, professor of biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech and Carticept’s chief scientific officer, said:

“It is scientifically known that it works” in the knee and larger joints, but there is no proof that it helps in the ankle.

You want a formulation that can be injected. There are a lot of little joints, very small spaces, in the ankle. Think of it as honey. It acts as a lubricant. And there will be much more of a need for this as we baby boomers, those of us before Nike, grow older.”

Honestly, I haven’t heard about this Agilus before I bumped into the above article. Now, it has picked my interest.

If this has been approved in the U.S. for knee arthritis, I wonder how many arthritis patients have benefited from this treatment? Are there side effects? What are the conditions that would quality a patient for this treatment? There must be exclusions, right?

And then…the most important question of all: Is this expensive? Will major health insurance companies in the U.S. cover both the treatment and solution?

Are doctors commonly recommending this?

Full report from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Heard any cancer myths or legends lately? How about these?

Cancer Myths: Myths are unproven collective belief.

Did you know that the results of a 2005 an American Cancer Society survey of over 900 people who had not had cancer indicated that 75% of those surveyed believed the following MYTHS were either true or they weren’t sure if they were true or not?

• “Pain medications are not effective in reducing the amount of pain people have from cancer.”
• “All you need to beat cancer is a positive attitude, not treatment.”
• “Treating cancer with surgery can cause it to spread throughout the body.”
• “There is currently a cure for cancer but the medical industry won’t tell the public about it because they make too much money treating cancer patients.”
• “Cancer is something that cannot be effectively treated.”

Then there is the myth that lung cancer tumors spreads when exposed to air. While it is a myth, this does indicate that people’s beliefs can and do influence their treatment choices.

Have you heard that fluoridated water leads to cancer? Per the National Cancer Institute: “a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention summarized extensive research findings and concluded that studies to date have produced “no credible evidence” of an association between fluoridated drinking water and an increased risk for cancer.”

Breast implants do not cause cancer. This myth has no scientific basis. In fact it is suggested that women with implants are more likely to be familiar with their anatomy and pick up on unusual lumps or lesions. There is also no evidence that breast implants lead to breast cancer recurrences.

Articles on Common Cancer Myths:

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: Dispelling Cancer Myths

Mayo Clinic: Cancer Treatment Myths

The American Cancer Society: Many Buy into Common Cancer Myths

Cancer Urban Legends:

What exactly is an urban legend? From dictionary.com: “a modern story of obscure origin and with little or no supporting evidence that spreads spontaneously in varying forms. ”

Are the following true or urban legend?

• Dichloroacetic acid will cure cancer tumors? This legend swept the internet, when in fact clinical trials have yet to begin.

• Lead in major lipstick brands causes cancer. Urban Legend.

• Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins. This email hoax was busted by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.

• Drinking cold water after meals leads to cancer. Urban Legend.

While these tall tails have zero basis in truth, they are typically perpetuated over the internet and reappear every few years.

You can easily find out if that warning e-mail you receive is true or not by doing your homework, before you forward it to fifty of your closet friends.

And don’t believe everything you read online. Find supporting evidence. Call your local library and ask a librarian to help you review topics with conflicting information.

Or check out the About.com urban legend site, or the archives of Snopes.com. Rumor Has It it’s a great place to start!

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