HEALTH IN BRIEF

Helping cancer survivors set health goals

WITH the New Year under way, Cancer Council NSW is encouraging cancer survivors from Western NSW to join its free Healthy Living after Cancer program to get active, eat well and feel better after cancer. Getting back to a healthy lifestyle after cancer is one of the most important things survivors can do for their health, reducing the chance of the disease recurring, and boosting their overall well-being. Healthy Living after Cancer is a free telephone health coaching program for any adults who have been treated for cancer, either recently or in the past. The program is easy to follow and will equip participants with their own health coach, who will call them over a six month period to set, and help them reach, their physical activity and healthy eating goals. Healthy Living after Cancer is available to any adult who has completed treatment for any type of cancer, at any time. Those taking part will receive 12 telephone coaching calls over six months from a Cancer Council 13 11 20 Nurse or Information and Support Consultant, along with a program workbook. The program will focus on physical activity, healthy eating and weight management.

ACUPUNCTURE ‘no help’ for hot flushes

TRADITIONAL Chinese acupuncture is no better than a fake version for treating menopause symptoms, says a new study. But after eight weeks of treatment, both led to a 40 per cent improvement in the severity and frequency of hot flushes which was sustained six months later.the University of Melbourne study involved 327 Australian women aged over 40 who had at least seven moderate hot flushes a day.half were given 10 sessions of standard Chinese medicine acupuncture where thin needles are inserted into the body at specific points. The others had their skin stimulated with blunt-tipped needles, which has A milder effect without penetrating the skin.lead author Dr Carolyn Ee said both groups may have improved due to the placebo effect or because attending a clinic to talk about symptoms could help.she also noted hot flushes tend to improve spontaneously with time. “This was a large and rigorous study and we are confident there is no additional benefit from inserting needles compared with stimulation from pressuring the blunt needles without skin penetration for hot flushes. “IF women want to consider having acupuncture for hot flushes, they should know that although previous studies show it is better than doing nothing, our study demonstrates that needling does not appear to make a difference.”she said while acupuncture is a relatively safe treatment and found to be effective for chronic pain, women should also discuss other treatment options for their hot flushes with their doctor. AAP mss/smw

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