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Signs Of Cancer In Dogs

Extra Weight, Extra Smart

The fatter the baby, the better his SAT scores? Maybe not, but British researchers say they have found a link between birth weight, mental abilities, and educational performance later in life.

The researchers correlated the birth weights of 3,900 men and women born in 1946 with the results of cognitive tests taken when the participants were 8, 11, 15, and 26 years old. Even after accounting for other factors that can influence cognitive function, such as birth order, there was a significant association between heavier birth weights and improved cognitive development.

Parents should understand that birth weight is only one of many factors that influence cognitive development, says Marcus Richards, M.D., the study's author. "Parental engagement has a far more powerful impact," he adds.

Mothers can take steps to prevent low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) by avoiding alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and poor diet. In case of low birth weight, it's possible to offset the effects during the first two years of life with high-quality nutrition along with interaction and stimulation from a sensitive caregiver.

Ease up on your grip

A callused index finger and indented thumb are telltale signs of a tight-gripped writer. Switching to a pen with a wide, soft grip may reduce muscle tension, according to a study in the journal Industrial Health.

Researchers found that subjects who switched from a hard-plastic ballpoint pen to one with a softer grip had fewer complaints of thumb and finger pain after just one hour of use. The softer pens also reduced muscle strain through the entire arm and shoulders.

Skin Cancer Goes to the Dogs

The humans in your family aren't the only ones who need to worry about skin cancer. Spot, the family dog, is also at risk. In fact, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in dogs.

Ultraviolet radiation can cause sun-induced skin cancer in animals just as it does with humans. Short-haired and light-colored dogs are most susceptible, says Greg MacEwen, an oncologist with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Spot will stay safe by staying indoors or in the shade as much as possible. Leave a moderate amount of hair when trimming your dog's coat. If you live in an area with lots of sunshine, dab some of your SPF 30 sunscreen on your dog before heading outdoors. Use it on areas unprotected by his fur, including the bridge of his nose, the tips of his ears, and near his eyes. Avoid using sunscreen in areas the dog may lick.

Be your dog's best friend by watching out for these signs of skin cancer:

* Lumps or bumps that increase in size

* Wounds or infections that do not heal

* Loss of appetite or an unexplained weight loss

* Decreased vitality

If you notice any of these symptoms, take Spot to the vet. If caught early, sun-induced skin cancer is often curable.

Germ-Free Workout

Fat is not your only enemy at the gym. You may also have to fight the germs that attach themselves to exercise equipment and shower stalls.

Viruses, bacteria, and fungi can spread easily in the tight quarters of a fitness center, says Richard Levinson, M.D., of the American Public Health Association. Although some infections, such as cold and flu, are often unavoidable in crowded facilities, Levinson offers these tips to keep yourself and other fitness buffs as healthy as possible:

* Stay home if you have a cold or flu. Don't expose others to your infection.

* Avoid anyone who is coughing or sneezing at the gym.

* Cover your mouth if you sneeze or cough, and then wash your hands with warm water and soap.

* Wear footwear at all times, even in the shower, to avoid ringworm and athlete's foot.

* Don't share clothes, combs, or other personal belongings. These items can spread infection and lice.

* Before use, be sure to wipe down equipment and weights with a disinfectant spray.

* Wash your hands before, during, and after your workout.

Flip Burgers for Better Health

Cooking a hamburger is a precision sport. Overcook the patty and you may put yourself at risk for cancer. Undercook it and you may eat some nasty bacteria. A study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests a safer cooking technique--frequent flipping over a lower temperature.

Researchers found that turning ground beef patties only once led to the highest formation of heterocyclic amines (HCA), which are carcinogens. Turning burgers every minute greatly reduced HCA formation and actually cooked the meat faster than meat that was not flipped.

The cooking process also calls for reduced cooking temperatures. Bacteria were completely killed in ground beef patties when the internal temperature reached just 158 degrees. When the frying pan was overheated to 482 degrees, researchers found HCA.

Keep an eye on your family's chef the next time burgers are on the menu. Make sure your patties are flipped frequently and cooked over medium heat.

Buzzz

Wandering Alzheimer's patients are the punch line of many jokes. But when your loved one disappears, it's no laughing matter. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology may help. GPS can pinpoint exact locations using satellites that monitor signals emitted by transponders. Several companies are developing tracers that could be worn by an Alzheimer's patient as a bracelet. An alarm would sound if the patient wandered too far from home. The bracelets could soon be available in the United States.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Meredith Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group