In the continuing debate over the risks versus the benefits of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), a new study adds more weight to the positive side of the scales. Researchers at the University of Southern California monitored over 8,500 postmenopausal women and discovered that those who at some time had undergone ERT lived an average of 1 1/2 years longer than those who never did. The researchers also found that women who underwent long-term ERT—at least 15 years—lived up to 3 years longer than women who never had such therapy. The results of this study appear to support the many medical experts who are now maintaining that the benefits of ERT outweigh the risks.

Recent studies suggest that low dose estrogen replacement therapy may not be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. In the study at U.S.C., women who underwent ERT and had any type of cancer were no more likely to die of the disease than those who did not undergo ERT. However, many experts believe that taking estrogen alone causes a slight increase in the risk of cancer of the uterus. But when progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone, is given in addition to estrogen, the risk is reduced. However, such combination therapy can cause continuation of periodic spotting.

Although much of the recent news about ERT is reassuring, the decision to undergo the therapy is still a highly personal one for most women. Experts also warn that ERT is not appropriate for everyone.

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If you want to be sure you’re getting the best care from your doctor, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions and/or provide the doctor with any pertinent information. That’s the advice of researchers from Harvard University who recently conducted a study into the patient/physician relationships.

According to the study, doctors can become so intent on writing prescriptions and ordering the latest tests that they completely overlook providing patients with even the most basic information. In order to get the information you need about any medical problem, you must ask questions.

Over 500 physicians were involved in the study which presented a specific case scenario, requiring the doctors to indicate what questions they’d ask the patients and what treatment they would prescribe. In the hypothetical case, the patient was a man with stomach pain, and a test indicated stomach inflammation but not ulcer. Fully one-third of the doctors responded to the case scenario by saying they would not ask questions and would prescribe drugs, even though they were openly encouraged to ask for further information.

Researchers say that if those doctors had asked the patients a few questions, they would have found out that the patient took aspirin on a regular basis, was a heavy drinker and smoker and had recently gone through the death of a child— all factors which could contribute to the problem of stomach pain.

In order to avoid such “distracted” treatment and get the information you need, patients are encouraged to provide information and to ask their doctors questions, and doctors are advised to ask questions and to listen to their patients.

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If you are 20 years old or older, The American Heart Association recommends that you have your cholesterol checked. If your test results show a cholesterol level within the borderline range— 200 to 230 milligrams per deciliter— you should have a second test done and average the two results. If the average of the two tests still indicates that you are in the high-risk group, you should begin immediate steps to lower your cholesterol level. A few changes in your diet may be all that’s needed to bring your blood cholesterol level down into a safe range.

If your cholesterol level is in the borderline-high range you should be tested once a year. If your is cholesterol level is 240 or higher, prompt medical attention is advised. However, if your cholesterol reading is below 200 mg/dl, you are within the desirable range, and need only be tested every five years or so, along with regular health care as appropriate.

Both The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the American Heart Association have determined that a relatively safe level of cholesterol is under 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood. The high-risk range is 240 mg/dl or above. More than half of all adult Americans are believed to be over the borderline-high cholesterol level of more than 200 mg/dl.

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This can be caused by many things including cardiac arrest from a heart attack, suffocation, severe blood loss, or electrocution. It is vital to act quickly because permanent brain damage can occur in as little as 4 to 6 minutes. If you are home alone with the victim, do one minute of CPR, then call for an ambulance. Otherwise, have someone call for medical help while you begin CPR.

Place your hands in the center of the victim’s chest—between the nipples— and compress the chest to a depth of 1 1/2 to 2 inches for an adult and 1 to 1 1/2 inches for children. Perform the compression 15 times and then give two breaths. Repeat this technique three more times, then recheck for a pulse. If there is still no pulse, continue CPR until medical help arrives.

While CPR is invaluable in such situations, it can also be harmful to the victim. Inexpert application of the technique may cause fractured ribs or even rupture of the heart. That’s why it is important to be thoroughly trained in the proper CPR procedure.

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If you are self-employed or contemplating going into business for yourself, health care costs can be a major headache. Health insurance costs can be astronomical if you don’t make the right decisions about the type of coverage that’s best for you. With that in mind, here are several insider tips on how to get the best health insurance coverage if you are self-employed:

1) Find out whether your spouse can get coverage through his or her job.

2) Contact other self-employed people, entrepreneurs and small-business developent centers at universities and get advice on acquiring insurance. You will find people who have shopped around for the best deal – saving you a lot of time.

3) Look for a group plan. You may find a good group plan available through a trade or professional group or your local chamber of commerce. Group plans are usually cheaper than individual plans.

4) Deductibles are another important consideration in how high or low your premium will be— the higher the deductible, the lower the premium.

5) If you are soon to quit your current job to become self-employed, consider the interim option of COBRA. This is a federal program that extends your current coverage, if you pay for it, for at least 18 months if you are currently employed by a firm with 20 or more employees.

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