Researchers have found that men whose mothers, sisters or daughters test positive for a breast cancer-causing mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes may also have the mutation. If so, they have a 14 percent lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer and a 6 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

Most of the men in the study did not remember they were told about having first-degree female relatives with the mutated gene. Nor did they understand the implications of the genetic test, as described in Basic Genetics for the Oncology Nurse (504) or how the results could impact their own health. Therefore, it is imperative that physicians and genetic counselors work with male family members to ensure they understand the ramifications of the tests performed as well as receive appropriate health screenings.

According to a new study, exercise of moderate intensity, such as a 30-minute brisk walk most days of the week, is enough to undo metabolic syndrome, which is described in our program, Diabetes (685). This condition is a collection of risk factors and diagnosed if three of the following five criteria are present: a large waist circumference, hypertension, high levels of triglycerides, low levels of HDL, and hyperglycemia. Metabolic syndrome, which affects nearly 25 percent of all Americans, can ultimately lead to diabetes, heart disease, or stroke.

Scientists randomly put subjects into four groups to see the effect of exercise on the syndrome. The groups were:

• Sedentary group
• Low amount/moderate intensity group: they walked briskly for three to five days per week, averaging about 11 miles in three hours.
• Low amount/vigorous intensity group: they jogged 11 miles per week, which took about two hours.
• High amount/vigorous intensity group: they jogged about 17 miles per week at a fast pace, usually for a total of three hours.

The benefits to each group were surprising. According to the lead researcher, "What we found was that modest amounts of moderate intensity exercise [the low/moderate group] were very effective in improving metabolic syndrome." She added that the individuals who exercised the most only benefited a little more. In other words, moderate intensity activity each day, or almost every day reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome more than vigorous activity a few days a week.

The message the results of this study is sending is that "If you tell people to go out for a brisk walk 30 minutes on most days of the week, they are highly likely to improve health and metabolic syndrome risk," Johnson said.

According to the American Heart Association, death rates from heart disease and stroke are falling in the United States even though heart and artery disease, as described in our programs Cardiac Disorders: Heart Failure (116), Cardiac Disorders: Coronary Artery Disease (115), Electrical Therapy for the Heart (502), 3-Lead EKG (117) and Advances in Stroke Treatment (656) remain the leading cause of death. In 2004, 869,724 died of heart disease as compared with 911,163 the year before. It is predicted that in 2008, an estimated 770,000 Americans will have a myocardial infarction, 430,000 will experience a recurrent heart attack, and another 175,000 will have a silent first heart attack.

When the statistics are separated from cardiovascular disease, stroke is considered the third leading cause of death in the United States. In 2004, over 150,000 people died from it. Next year, it is estimated that over 600,000 people will have a stroke for the first time.

"These statistics make it clear that cardiovascular disease remains, by far, our greatest public health challenge," said Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, chair of the AHA’s statistics committee. "Although we have made some substantial strides in understanding the causes of cardiovascular disease, the data in this publication show that we have a long way to go to capture people's attention and to implement the prevention and treatment programs we need," he added.

Cancer, which is explained in detail in our numerous series - Symptom Management for the Patient with Lung Cancer (508), Managing Assessments and Supportive Cancer Care (505), Chemotherapy Administration for the Oncology Nurse (512), Tumor Lys1s Syndrome and Pleural Effusion (509), Sepsis and DIC (510), Symptom Management for the Radiation Oncology Patient (513), Guided Visualization: Working with the Healing Power of Your Immune System (511), Traditional Pain Management in Oncology Treatment (517), Alternative Pain Management in Oncology Treatment (518), Cancer as a Family Diagnosis: Supporting the Caregivers (515), Cancer: Supporting Couples and Children (516), and Respiratory Disorders (113) - remains the second-biggest killer in the USA, taking 553,888 lives in 2004.