ancient medicine
Ancient skulls indicate that Egyptians were trying to heal cancer 4,000 years ago
Tondini, Isidro, Camarós, 2024
We already know that ancient Egyptians had advanced medical skills when it came to infections, injuries like bone fractures, and even dental work. But after examining two skulls held in the U.K., researchers believe that they may also have recognized and attempted to treat cancer. "What we found is the first evidence of a surgical intervention directly related to cancer," study co-author Edgard Camarós Perez told Live Science.
The skulls — one from a man in his 30s who could have died as early as 2687 BCE, the other a female over age 50 from at least 343 BCE — each have lesions consistent with cancerous tumors. Researchers found one big lesion and about 30 smaller ones on the man's skull (seen above). But there was something else on his skull that shocked them: cut marks around the lesions, likely made with something like a metal instrument, indicating surgical treatment. (Read STAT's cancer coverage for some slightly more modern approaches to treat cancer.)
menstruation
The new menstruation: Periods comes earlier and less regularly now
Menstruation is a major indicator of both reproductive and overall health. Two new studies published in JAMA Network Open shed (no pun intended) light on how periods have changed in recent decades and what ripple effects that may have on health.
One study, published yesterday, found that people in the U.S. have started getting their periods earlier and earlier over the last half-century, and it's taking longer for menstrual cycles to become regular. Between 1950 and 1969, people typically got their first period around age 12 and a half, but between 2000 and 2005, that average dropped to just under 12 years old. It's not just about unpleasant coming of age moments — early periods are linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and early death. My colleague Nalis Merelli wrote about the study and why menstruation is changing.
The other study, from Tuesday, analyzed mortality risk among more than 67,000 people with diagnosed premenstrual disorders in Sweden as compared to those without the disorders. Broadly, people with disorders did not have an increased risk of death overall — except for those diagnosed before age 25, who did. But there was an increased risk of death by suicide for people with these disorders, regardless of age. These disorders are often mis- or underdiagnosed, so the authors see a need for careful follow-up and suicide prevention strategies for patients.
first opinion
Stigma and the return of syphilis
Rates of syphilis in the U.S. have been climbing for decades, with the highest number of infections in more than 70 years recorded in 2022. It's unclear why syphilis seems to be spreading faster than other STIs, but it is clear what needs to be done to address it, write two experts in a new First Opinion essay.
One critical solution will be addressing the powerful stigma around syphilis, the authors argue. Apparently, there isn't a single patient advocacy group that places the word "syphilis" in the organization's name. The history of sexually transmitted infection campaigns shows that blaming people affected by (or at risk for) syphilis has stymied both testing and treatment. Read more on how public health and medicine can stop the resurgence of syphilis.
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