The Prince George Citizen - Friday, June 14, .1996 - 23 Health/Medicine HEALTH Household chemicals can mm « c. Cancer gene identified by researchers WASHINGTON (AP) — Research blending genetic studies of fruit flies and humans has identified the mutated gene that causes basal cell carcinoma, a skin tumor that is the most common form of cancer. Two teams of researchers, working independently, found that the mutation of a gene called “patched” allows the uncontrolled growth of cells in the skin, forming a type of cancer that strikes more than 750,000 North Americans a year but is seldom lethal. The same gene mutation, when inherited, was identified as the cause of basal cell nevus syndrome, or BCNS, a rare disorder that causes a variety of symptoms, including skin cancers, abnormal bone development, jaw cysts and spinal defects. BCNS affects between one in 57,000 and one in 164,000 people. Flying bad for elderly LONDON (Reuter) — Flying could be hazardous to your health, especially if you are older, because of low levels of oxygen in the blood, a British doctor said Friday. Air passengers risk blood clots and chest pain because of the low air pressure inside a jet’s cabin and because they are forced to sit still in cramped seats for long periods. Philip James of the University of Dundee said they also risked hypoxia, lowered levels of oxygen in the blood. Oxygen levels fall as air pressure falls, which is what happens with increasing altitude. People can avoid potential dangers by wearing elasticized stockings and by making sure they move around frequently inside the cabin and in their seats. They should also drink plenty of water, James advised. Fish oil helps BOSTON (AP) — Newly developed fish oil capsules appear to reduce flare-ups of Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammation of the bowel. While fish oil is occasionally used for this disease, the new slow-release capsules reduce the fish breath, fishy body odor and other drawbacks of other capsules. Developed in Europe, they are not yet available in North America. A study of the capsules, conducted by Dr. Andrea Belluzzi and colleagues from the University of Bologna in Italy and paid for by Tillotts Pharma of Ziefen, Switzerland, which makes the capsules, was published in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine. In an editorial in the journal, Dr. Humphrey Hodgson of Hammersmith Hospital in London cautioned that high doses of fish oil may trigger bleeding. Vitamin A working BOSTON (AP) — A new synthetic form of vitamin A shows promise in keeping people healthy after surgery for liver cancer. The drug, developed in Japan, appears to reduce the risk of developing new liver tumors by two-thirds. Liver cancer, often triggered by hepatitis viruses, is a major killer in many parts of the world. After surgical removal of the tumor, the disease often comes back. While some of the recurrences are a return of the original tumor, victims also run a high risk of developing new liver cancers unrelated to the ones that were taken out. The new drug, polyprenoic acid, appears to reduce the risk of these second primary tumors. Ticks, diseases rise NEW YORK (AP) — The number of ticks — and the chances they will be carrying disease — could be especially high this year, possibly because of an unusually high population of infected mice in the Northeast last summer, scientists say. Ticks pick up the bacteria that cause Lyme disease and other illnesses when they feed on infected mice and deer. The tiny bloodsuckers are dormant through the winter and return in June looking for more blood. “It looks like a good tick year, if you like ticks,” said Andrew Spielman of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. People can avoid the infection by using insect spray, wearing light-colored clothes, long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and checking themselves for ticks after walking through fields or woods in the summer. Symptoms of Lyme disease, discovered in Lyme, Conn., in 1976, include a bull’s-eye rash around the bite, flu-like symptoms, arthritis, migraine headaches, vision loss and fatigue. In its earliest stages, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. But later, it becomes a much more serious illness. be poisonous, dangerous TORONTO (CP) — As someone who has long studied and worked in environmental science, Miron Berezowsky can rattle off the hazardous properties of scores of chemicals. That’s why lie’s extra careful about the chemicals he allows in his west Toronto home. “I feel quite acutely the effects of these chemicals from heavy-duty cleaners,” he says. “They give me headaches. So mostly we use water with vinegar and lots of baking soda, and limit the other ones to very sporadic use.’^ Many chemicals in common household products are volatile and evaporate easily, says Berezowsky, a 47-year-old geoscientist. “That means they are going somewhere into the air and possibly into you. But we’ve all been brainwashed to think that something isn’t clean unless it has a smell to it. That smell is some form of chemical volatility making it into the air.” Dr. Sam Epstein of the University of Illinois Medical Centre agrees. He says consumers are coming into contact with a growing range of toxic chemicals in their homes, although safer alternatives are available. “This exposure is clearly implicated in the rise in cancers over the past decades,” says Epstein, chair of the U.S. Cancer Prevention Coalition and co-author with David Steinman of The Safe Shopper’s Bible (Macmillan, $19.95). The book lists scores of brand-name household products, cosmetics and foods and ranks them according to whether they contain irritants, carcinogens or neurotoxins or have other undesirable properties. It also lists brand-name products that aren’t considered harmful. “We didn’t want to be like Chicken Little and say the sky is falling,” Epstein says in an interview. “So we made sure people had alternatives that they know they can safely use.” The labelling system for household products and cosmetics in Canada and the United States is grossly inadequate, he says. In Canada, household products and cosmetics need not always list all their contents. A significant problem occurs when chemicals which may by Canadian Press The Conservation Council of Ontario offers these suggestions for non-toxic "green” cleaning: ■ Use baking soda as a scouring powder that won't scratch. Salt mixed with lemon may also work. ■ Freshen your toilet with two cups of vinegar left overnight. ■ Clean bathroom mirrors and windows with a mix of five parts water to one part vinegar. ■ For a buildup of mould, spray with undiluted vinegar, wait half an hour and scrub with a brush and water. ■ Mop the floor with straight vinegar, then wait half an hour and rinse. ■ After showering, wipe down the stall or shake the curtain dry. This stops a buildup of mildew and avoids the need for tough cleansers. Chris Winter of the Conservation Council of Ontario says "green" and homemade cleaning products can make a difference to health and the environment. not be listed combine with other chemicals and cause a hazard, Epstein says. Household products with chemicals at levels considered hazardous under federal regulations must have those chemicals listed, and have warning labels showing if they are poisonous, corrosive, flammable or explosive. They also must have first-aid information, as well as instructions for safe use. But no one rates chemicals or alerts consumers to the fact that long-term exposure to low levels of some chemicals in household products can be dangerous, Epstein says. A Progressive for more information J* call 1-800-954-0004 m %, Democratic Mmmmmk Alliance Progressive in policy, Democratic in principle, an Alliance of interests rm/ ^eo&m We would like to invite you to participate in the fastest growing grass roots political movement in the country ! Watch for notices regarding the outcome of a July general meeting of the Party to learn more about the policies and direction of Gordon Wilson's team. The recent release of the fmal count of ballots confirms a better than 6% interest and support in the three Prince George region ridings. We will continue to follow up on the many issues raised during and after the campaign and encourage you to work together with us toward a Civilized Resolution. We want your input and look forward to meeting with you! QAde/e, Obwm, (md^jmda 161985 8:30 to 10 a.m. 8:30 to 10 a.m. Save 25%* All Men’s and Ladies’ Rockport Shoes *Off our regular prices 012, Shoes Royal Albert Bristol mugs Our reg. 28.95. J One Day Sale Pried ' 10.99 each S 614, China M 8&0to 10 a.m. {Rubbermaid laundry baskets Assorted colours. Our reg. 3.79. One Day Sale Price 2.99 each 637, Housewares - 8:30 to 10 a.m. Save 33% Selected bras Our reg. 5.99 each. One Day Sale Price 2/7.98 824, Innerfashions • Ladies' Baycrest® & Fairset® fashion socks *0ff our regular prices. 225/832, Hosiery • Sportek® 3-pack socks Our reg. 5.99. One Day Sale Price 2.99 pack 740, Athletic Clothing. Limit 2 packs per customer. Brita filter 3-pack Our reg. 17.99 One Day Sale Price 13.99 pack 637, Housewares 161699 I Oops! We Made a Mistake! 1 On the front cover of our Saturday, June 15 One Day Sale flyer, the 8:30 to 10 am special “Save 50% All blue and white accessories’’, should have read “Save 507o all blue and white Decorative Accessories”. Sorry for any inconvenience . this may have caused. I gl I Lifestyler® audiotape Our reg. 8.99. One Day Sale Price 4.49 each 792, Electronics *We will give you a discount equivalent to the GST. This offer does not apply to cosmetics, fragrances, pharmacy, restaurants, candies, tobacco, toys, sporting goods, athletic clothing, books, home office supplies, all electronics, music & video, furniture, all major appliances & regular-priced Stork Craft cribs. 8:30 to 10 a.m. Save An Extra 50% Ladies' selected Above Average Fashions Oui reg. S29 to $65. Last price 19.99. One Day Sale Price 9.99 each 161, Above Average. Selection may vary by store. In selected stores only. 8:30 to 10 a.m. Save 40%' All boys' 8-16 B.U.M. 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