HPV the culprit in men's oral cancer
More cunnilingus and fewer cigarettes are being blamed for the rise of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, as a leading cause of oral cancer in men. Johns Hopkins University researchers say the incidence of HPV-related oral cancer in men is now about the same as that caused by tobacco and alcohol, having steadily increased between 1973 and 2004. An HPV vaccine, currently given only to girls and young women, may be effective for men, the researchers say. Although studies suggest a link between oral sex and HPV-related oral cancers, it has not been proved, AP reports.
Vaccine added to school programmes
Meanwhile, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says the HPV vaccine is cost-effective and should be offered to girls through schools before they start having sex. Britain, France, Germany, Austria and Italy have the vaccine into their health programmes, Reuters reports. Cervical cancer kills about 300,000 women each year, mostly in developing countries. The centre's chief scientist, Johan Giesecke, says screening is still important because the vaccine doesn't help if women are already infected and it's not clear how long immunity lasts.
Dogs sniffing out low glucose levels
A dog may well be a diabetic's best friend, say Irish researchers, who are testing reports that dogs can smell or otherwise detect when their owner's blood sugar falls to dangerously low levels. At least two groups in the US already train dogs to detect low glucose levels, but it's not clear what cues the dogs use. The research is being conducted by a team from Queen's University in Belfast, HealthDay.com reports.