Newbriefs: Lung Cancer; Memory Loss; Opioid Epidemic; Vigorous Exercise
Lung Cancer Linked to Severe Depression
About one-third of people newly diagnosed with the most common form of lung cancer suffer from depression, according to a small study published in the journal Lung Cancer, Nov. 21, 2019. The study included 186 people who had been recently diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for 85 percent of all lung cancer cases. They completed a telephone survey that measured their psychological and physical symptoms, stress, and day-to-day functioning. The results showed that 8 percent of the participants scored at the severe depressive symptom level, and 28 percent had moderate depressive symptoms. Nearly all of those with severe depression said their symptoms made it difficult to do their work, take care of things at home, and get along with others. One-third said they had considered suicide. Lung cancer is a tough diagnosis, and while new therapies are significantly improving outcomes, treatment can be unpleasant. If you have lung cancer and are feeling a sense of hopelessness about your situation, ask your doctor to screen you for depression and refer you for treatment as necessary.
Statins and Memory Loss
Statins are among the most widely prescribed medications, and are highly effective at reducing cardiac events in people with high cholesterol and/or heart disease. However, isolated reports of cognitive decline in statin users have alarmed some consumers, and many people who are prescribed statins don’t take them due to this concern. A recent study (Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Nov. 26, 2019) may assuage their worry. The study assessed changes to the brain over six years in 1,037 people, ages 70 to 90. Five areas of cognition were measured via 13 different tests and magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain. All of the study participants showed some declines in memory and cognition, but there was no difference in the rate at which memory and other aspects of cognition changed over time between statin users and non-users.
Opioid Epidemic Taking a Toll on Older Adults
A recent report from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) reveals how the nation’s opioid epidemic is affecting older adults’ quality of life. The NCOA surveyed more than 200 community-based eldercare organizations from 40 states and Puerto Rico. Of those that took part in the poll, 81 percent said that their older clients don’t understand safe, effective, and affordable alternatives to reducing pain without prescription opioid medications. About 80 percent reported that their clients were finding it difficult to obtain needed opioid pain medication because of increased scrutiny and/or changing prescribing patterns. Theft of opioid pain medication by older adults’ family members also was a big problem, with 80 percent of organizations reporting this. If you take opioids, discuss with your doctor how to safely use and store your medication. Also ask about effective alternatives to opioids. You can download the report at the NCOA website (https://bit.ly/2E6Ensd).
Vigorous Exercise Boosts Longevity in Women
Vigorous exercise may lower older women’s risk of dying from heart disease, cancer, or other causes, according to a study presented at a European Society of Cardiology meeting in December 2019. The study included 4,714 women, average age 64, who were referred for treadmill exercise testing because of known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). During a median 4.6-year follow-up, the annual rate of death from heart disease was nearly four times higher in women with poor exercise capacity compared to women with good exercise capacity. The annual rate of cancer deaths was twice as high, and the annual rate of death from other causes was more than four times higher. The data should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal, but they add to existing evidence for the wide-ranging benefits of exercise.
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