- (HealthDay News) — Poison ivy is a plant that can cause a red,
itchy rash on the skin.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these tips to treat
the rash. It also identifies signs that you may need a doctor's
attention:

Try over-the-counter medications to control itching, such as an
antihistamine (like Benadryl), calamine lotion and hydrocortisone
creams.
Take oatmeal [...]

- FRIDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) — Women with breast cancer who have a
vitamin D deficiency at the time of diagnosis are more likely to have a
recurrence or to die from their disease, a new study shows.

Surprisingly, the researchers also found that only 24 percent of the
patients had adequate levels of vitamin D when [...]

- FRIDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) — A simple blood test to check levels
of circulating tumor cells can help doctors more accurately assess how
well treatments are working in women with metastatic breast cancer,
according to a Georgetown University Medical Center study.

“It can take several weeks, and sometimes months, to determine if a
particular cancer treatment [...]

- FRIDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) — After years of declining
rates, the number of mastectomies performed on women with breast cancer is
on the rise again, the Mayo Clinic now reports.

The increase coincided with heavier usage of magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) before surgery, according to the authors, who were expected to
present their findings May 31 [...]

- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments,
compiled by editors of HealthDay:

Post-Concussion Activity Levels Affect
Recovery

The activity level of athletes after they've suffered a concussion
affects brain function and speed of recovery, says a U.S. study in the
Journal of Athletic Training.

Athletes who engage in high levels of activity following a concussion
showed impaired [...]

- (HealthDay News) — Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy
of Thomson CenterWatch:

Adenocarcinoma

This study will evaluate an investigational drug's
effectiveness, when used in combination with other drugs, in slowing the
progression of breast cancer. Participants must be at least 18, diagnosed
with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, and be eligible for
chemotherapy.

The research site is in Jonesboro, Ark.

More [...]

- FRIDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) — Adults who had cancer as
children or teens are more likely to experience cardiovascular disease, a
new study found.

And the heart problems surface at a much earlier age than in people who
did not suffer cancer as children.

Childhood cancer survivors “have approximately a five to 10 times
increased risk of having [...]

- FRIDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) A treatment that uses natural
killer (NK) immune system cells from umbilical cord blood effectively
destroys human leukemia cells in mice, researchers say.

The NK cells reduced by 60 percent to 85 percent human acute
lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells in
test mice with aggressive human leukemias, according [...]

- FRIDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) — Partnerships between major
academic cancer centers and community hospitals are a quick and effective
way to spread cancer treatment advances, say researchers at Fox Chase
Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

Most new cancer treatments are created at major academic centers and
most cancer care is provided at community hospitals, noted the
researchers, who conducted [...]

(Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain, plans to release health records on Friday.

The Arizona senator has clinched his party’s nomination for the November presidential election. Here are some facts about him:
* If elected, McCain, who turns 72 in August, would be the oldest person to assume the U.S. presidency.
* From a celebrated Navy family, [...]