A study has found self-collection swabs are enabling more women to be screened for HPV, which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. 

Vaccination against HPV has also been shown not to wane in a long-term follow up of more than 300,000 girls and women. 

And another win for exercise — moderate to vigorous physical activity has been associated with a lower risk of death among survivors of bladder, endometrial, lung, rectal and ovarian cancers. 

References

• Uptake and performance of self-collection offered through primary care to all eligible participants in a national cervical screening programme in Australia: a retrospective cohort study
• Extended follow-up of invasive cervical cancer risk after quadrivalent HPV vaccination: nationwide, register based study
• Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Cancer Mortality Among Cancer Survivors

There have been some cases where chats between vulnerable people and AI bots have gone horribly wrong.

But it shows that people are turning to generative AI when they’re in need of support – whether that’s for general life advice or actual therapy.

Given psychologists can be expensive and difficult to access, how can a person seek support from AI without it going off the rails?

Guest/s

• Professor Jill Newby, clinical psychologist and researcher at the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute 
• Dani Zetzer
• Lauren OLoughlin

References

• Informed use of AI technologies for mental health
• AI and mental health in Australia: what needs to happen next - Black Dog Institute

When you think of a pharmacist, you probably think of someone giving you medication to take.

But for some, their whole job is to deprescribe – assess what drugs you’re on now, and which ones are no longer necessary.

Research shows that for a portion of older adults, deprescribing drugs can even extend their life.

Guest/s

• Deborah Hawthorne, consultant pharmacist in rural Victoria 

References

• Pharmacists call for medicine review program to be expanded - ABC News
• The effect of deprescribing interventions on mortality and health outcomes in older people: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.

You can email us at [email protected]

A report from the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has raised concerns, after finding a steep increase in antibiotic resistance. 

An initiative in the UK is trying to tackle the issue of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites becoming resistant to treatments — starting in schools. 

Also, unpacking the results of a study that found menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is not linked to increased risk of death. 

And a major review finds intermittent fasting made little to no difference in weight loss or quality of life in overweight or obese adults compared to regular dietary advice.

Guest/s

• Professor Alison Holmes, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Imperial College London

References

• Menopausal hormone therapy and long term mortality: nationwide, register based cohort study
• Sixth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health (AURA report)
• Education and Behaviour Change - The Fleming Initiative's Stance
• Intermittent fasting for adults with overweight or obesity

A review of evidence has cast doubt on the idea that exercise improves symptoms of osteoarthritis.

But experts are warning people not to change their routines, pointing to the limits of these types of studies.

We discuss what the study can and cannot tell us about osteoarthritis, and the best approach when you’re dealing with the disease.

Guest/s

• Professor Manuela Ferreira, program head in musculoskeletal health at the George Institute.  
• Professor David Hunter, rheumatologist at the University of Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital.  

References

• Effectiveness of exercise therapy for osteoarthritis: an overview of systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials

Studies in middle-aged adults suggest that daily aspirin can reduce the risk of cancer, but it’s a different story for people aged 70 or older.

The ASPREE study found no effect on overall cancer incidence for healthy older adults taking low-dose aspirin.

In fact, during the period of the trial there was an elevated cancer mortality risk among participants taking the drug.

Guest/s

• Dr Suzanne Orchard, associate professor in the school of public health and preventative medicine at Monash University

References

• Cancer Incidence and Mortality With Aspirin in Older Adults: Follow-Up of the ASPREE Trial
• The effects of daily low-dose aspirin on white matter hyperintensity lesions and retinal vascular calibre in healthy older adults: the ENVIS-ion exploratory neuroimaging substudy of the ASPREE randomised clinical trial 

Gout is a type of arthritis where excess uric acid leads to sharp crystals forming in your joints.

There are treatments available, but despite this, evidence shows gout is often poorly managed.

Part of the problem can be stigma – meaning people delay addressing flare ups.

Guest/s

• Professor Catherine Hill, head of the rheumatology unit at the Queens Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide and clinical professor at the University of Adelaide

References

• Treat-to-Target Urate-Lowering Treatment and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Gout
• Arthritis Australia gout resources
• Gout Medcast resources

A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week.

You can email us at [email protected]

After studies showed certain vaccines had a protective effect against Alzheimer's, researchers wanted to see if treating the virus might slow disease progression.

However in a group of people with early Alzheimer's disease this had no effect on cognitive decline. 

Also, a new study urges us to rethink the side effects of statins. And GLP-1s under the spotlight for nutritional deficiencies and muscle loss. 

References

• Valacyclovir Treatment of Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease: The VALAD Randomized Clinical Trial
• Assessment of adverse effects attributed to statin therapy in product labels: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trials
• Nutritional deficiencies and muscle loss in adults with type 2 diabetes using GLP-1 receptor agonists: A retrospective observational study