Teen Health
The number of people aged 11 to 15 who say they have drunk alcohol, smoked or used illegal substances has halved over the last 10 years, according to a study by the HSCIC. The full survey can be found at: www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB14579
Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is more common in people who work rotating shifts, a new study has found. The study, published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, shows that disruption to the body clock affects waistlines, hormones and sleep, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The full article can be found at: doi: 10.1136/oemed-2014-102150
Cancer
A new formulation of MabThera, for treating blood cancer, has received its UK licence. MabThera subcutaneous will replace the current product, a two and a half hour intravenous infusion.
Statins
NICE recommendations state that up to 8000 lives could be saved every year if statins were offered to anyone with a 10 per cent risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Up to 4.5 million people could be eligible for statins under the new threshold. For more information, visit: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG181
Breast cancer
The risk of breast cancer is higher in women aged 20 to 49 who have recently used birth control pills containing high doses of oestrogen, according to a study published in Cancer Research. For more information, visit: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/74/15/4078.abstract
Vaccination
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has advised the DH to extend the programme of vaccinating pregnant women for whooping cough for another five years.
Pain Relief
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recommended that nurses remind people using fentanyl skin patches for pain relief, and their carers, to check that the patches are stuck on securely and disposed of safely.