Third Strike for NCI breast cancer study

Article Abstract:

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has postponed the start of a major study relating diet and breast cancer, known as the ''Women's Health Trial,'' due to technical and ethical criticism from the scientists at the NCI. The proposal of the trial has been rejected twice before. The study is designed to determine if women can reduce their risk of breast cancer by reducing the amount of fat they eat. Evidence that this is true stems from studies of Japanese women who have approximately two times the incidence of breast cancer after immigrating to Hawaii compared with those who live in Japan. Those who immigrate to North America have even higher incidence of breast cancer. It appears that the increased risk is either associated with increased fat or total calorie intake. The difference in the number of individuals developing breast cancer, colon cancer, and heart disease would be studied over 15 years. The trial is estimated to cost $107 million and involve 24,000 women. It was felt that more research must be conducted on the design of the clinical trial. Problems of the design of the study are as follows: it is thought that women will not stick to either a high-fat or low-fat diet over 15 years; it would be difficult for the participants to be objective when reporting their adherence to the diet; and it would be difficult to get poor people to change their eating habits. In addition, from an ethical standpoint, thousands of women would be used in the study, as untreated controls, and these women would not be given the best dietary counseling. They would get a pamphlet recommending that they cut their intake of fat to 30 percent of the total calories they eat. The women in the experimental arm of the study would be taught how to restrict their fat to 20 percent of their total calorie intake. The National Institutes of Health have in the past been accused of conducting large heath studies only on men. The delay of the start of this trial has angered members of Congress, especially those who are women. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Women, Causes of, Political aspects, Clinical trials, Breast cancer, Women's health, Diet, Fat, Fats

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In the U.S., engineers oust old regime

Article Abstract:

Liebowitz was elected president of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) even though the NAE leadership's nominating committee had endorsed another candidate, Cornelius Pings. Liebowitz promises to increase membership involvement in the governance of the NAE.

Officials and employees, Appointments, resignations and dismissals, National Academy of Engineering, Liebowitz, Harold

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Donna Shalala: 'leaving footprints' at HHS

Article Abstract:

Shalala discusses the accomplishments of the Dept of Health and Human Services since she became head of the agency in 1993. Shalala asserts that one of her goals is to assure that administrative reforms made under her leadership are made permanent.

Analysis, Management, Interview, Science and state, Science policy, United States. Department of Health and Human Services, Shalala, Donna E.

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