The Insurance Helpline

Walnuts ‘cut breast cancer risk’

Andrew — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:00:26 +0000

Eating walnuts may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, a study reports.

Research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting found that mice eating the human equivalent of two ounces of the nuts every day developed fewer and smaller tumours than those on a normal diet.

Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols, all of which may help reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Researcher Dr Elaine Hardman, of Marshall University School of Medicine, said putting these components together in one package - a walnut - provides very good cancer suppression.

"We know that a healthy diet overall prevents all manner of chronic diseases," she added. "It is clear that walnuts contribute to a healthy diet that can reduce breast cancer."

Previous research has shown that eating walnuts at the end of a meal can help protect the arteries from damage by fatty foods.

One in nine women will develop breast cancer at some point during their lives and the disease kills 12,300 women each year, according to Breast Cancer UK.

Breastfeeding ‘reduces risk of heart attack, stroke’

Andrew — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:00:42 +0000

Women who breastfeed longer have a lower risk of heart attacks, stroke and cardiovascular disease, according to new research.

Scientists from the University of Pittsburgh found that post-menopausal women who breastfed for more than a year were ten per cent less likely to suffer from these conditions than those who had never breastfed.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, according to Dr Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, who conducted the research published in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

"We have known for years that breastfeeding is important for babies’ health; we now know that it is important for mothers’ health as well," she added.

An average of 35 years had passed since the 139,681 women enrolled on the study had breastfed, suggesting that the health benefits were long term.

The Department of Health recommends all mothers breastfeed for the first six months after their baby is born to protect the newborn against various infections, asthma and obesity.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with heart conditions.

Cancer life insurance: Genetic ‘brakes’ discovered

Andrew — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:00:38 +0000

Scientists have discovered "genetic brakes" that could slow or even stop diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis in their tracks.

Growth of the cells that causes such conditions was previously thought to be controlled by a distinct group of "master" genes.

But the study by the University of Edinburgh has shown hundreds of these genes exist and interact with each other in a network, which researchers believe could lead to cures for many diseases.

Lead researcher Professor David Hume, of the university’s Roslin Institute, said: "This study has effectively shown us where the brakes are which could slow down or stop diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis."

The research means that scientists can now pinpoint weak spots in the immune system, leading to the development of targeted therapies to stop the growth of tumours.

More than a quarter of a million people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK and it is estimated that one in three people will get some form of cancer in their lifetime, according to Cancer Research UK.

Cancer life insurance: Asbestos in schools ‘causing teacher deaths’

Andrew — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:00:53 +0000

Asbestos in schools is putting children and teachers at risk of cancer and must be removed, said a teaching union.

In a survey of 5,000 teachers by union Nasuwt, almost one in five knew of asbestos in their school and it claimed that many local authorities are not taking their responsibility towards staff and pupils seriously.

Asbestos was widely used in building new schools between the 1940s and 1970s, but has since been found to cause mesothelioma – a form of cancer in the lungs.

Languages teacher Carole Hagedorn was diagnosed with mesothelioma after 30 years of teaching.

She said: "I am understandably unhappy that the lack of proper asbestos control will end my life prematurely, like some sort of collateral damage or natural wastage in the education game."

In total, 228 teachers died from asbestos-related disease from 1991 to 2005, according to figures from the Health and Safety Executive.

Chris Keates, general secretary Nasuwt, said that a long-term strategy for the complete removal of asbestos from all educational buildings must be the goal.

Almost 2,000 people a year are diagnosed with mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos is responsible for up to nine out of 10 cases, according to the charity Mesothelioma UK.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with cancer.

Life insurer Chesnara buys Moderna Life

Andrew — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:00:52 +0000

Life insurance provider Chesnara announced today that it has agreed to buy Swedish rival Moderna Life for £20.1 million.

Moderna Life is a Stockholm-based unit-linked life insurance company, which was set up in 2000 and has 63 employees.

Chesnara also said it is looking for further acquisitions in the financial services sector.

Chief executive of Chesnara Graham Kettleborough said: "In my opinion, this is a high quality business which is well positioned in the market, which we have bought at an attractive price."

The company was acquired by Chesnara at a discount of 63 per cent of its estimated value of £54 million.

Chesnara chief executive Graham Kettleborough told Reuters that he was eyeing two British closed life funds which could some come to market.

Moderna Life is currently owned by Moderna Finance AB, which in turn is owned by Icelandic Glitnir Bank and it recently sold its non-life insurance operations to TrygVesta.

Chesnara said it expects the acquisition to have a positive effect on the embedded value per share of the company.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with medical conditions.

Asthma risk linked to vitamin deficiency

Andrew — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:01:00 +0000

A diet low in vitamins could increase the risk of developing asthma, research has shown.

Scientists reviewing 40 studies concluded that people with a low intake of vitamins A and C were more likely to suffer from the disease than those getting the recommended levels.

Low vitamin C levels were associated with a 12 per cent increased asthma risk, but the risk for vitamin A was less clear, according to the research published in the journal Thorax.

Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and especially good sources include broccoli, oranges and brussel sprouts. The recommended daily intake for adults is 40 mg.

For vitamin A, the recommended daily amount is 0.7 mg a day and rich sources of vitamin A include cheese, eggs and oily fish.

Experts agree that more studies are needed and warn that other risk factors for the disease, such as smoking and activity levels, have not been taken into account.

There are currently 5.4 million people receiving treatment for asthma in the UK, with a sufferer of the disease present in one in five households.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with asthma.

Older stroke patients victims of ‘NHS ageism’

Andrew — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:00:52 +0000

Ageism in the NHS means older stroke victims are not receiving the same level of care as younger patients, according to a new study.

Elderly patients were less likely to be given important brain scans and lifestyle advice following stroke than their younger counterparts, the research published in the Postgraduate Medical Journal found.

One in 20 over-75s received an MRI scan to diagnose the type of stroke suffered, compared with one in four younger patients.

Newly-joined charities Help the Aged and Age Concern said this was another example of "shocking ageism" in the NHS.

Charity director Michelle Mitchell said: "Older people aren’t asking for special treatment, but the same access to healthcare and medicine as everyone else."

The government has pledged to improve stroke care in recent years since it emerged that the standard of care in Briton was lagging behind other European nations.

Stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, which results in a lack of oxygen and nutrients and can lead to permanent brain damage.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with stroke.

Critical illness cover: FSA research

Andrew — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:00:40 +0000

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has praised critical illness cover advisors, saying they are "central" to the customer’s purchase decision.

Research by the FSA found that nine out of ten customers recalled the advisor verbally explaining the insurance product and 95 per cent said they found the advice useful.

However, it was also revealed that 70 per cent of customers believed they were being given advice during an execution-only sale.

The FSA’s post implementation review of Icobs (oral disclosure rule in sales of critical illness cover) identified this as a grey area in consumer understanding of what constitutes an advised and non-advised sale.

Further misunderstandings involved knowing what illnesses were covered by the policy, with 46 per cent of people believing they were covered for all types and severity of cancer.

The report was the first piece of analysis of CI sales since the Icob rules were introduced in January last year.

Most financial services markets, exchanges and firms are regulated by the FSA, which is an independent non-governmental body with a board appointed by the Treasury.

Cancer life insurance: Homeopathy ‘eases therapy’

Andrew — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:00:33 +0000

Certain homeopathic remedies may ease the side-effects of cancer therapy, without interfering with the treatments, a new study reports.

A review of eight clinical trials showed that while homeopathic remedies did not enhance cancer treatment, certain preparations did seem to alleviate some effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

One study found that a marigold extract, topical calendula, may help relieve skin inflammation caused by breast cancer radiotherapy.

Another suggested a mouthwash made from plant and mineral extracts can help ease mouth inflammation associated with chemotherapy.

However, researchers from the Cochrane Collaboration said there were currently too few studies to make any recommendations to cancer patients.

The use of homeopathy for cancer patients has proved controversial in the past, as some remedies have been found to be no more effective than placebos.

Adverse side-effects during cancer therapy are often caused by damage to normal healthy cells and they can vary depending on what treatment is being used.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with cancer.

Job promotion ‘can increase stress’

Andrew — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:00:32 +0000

Getting a promotion at work can increase stress and have a negative impact on mental health, according to new research.

Economists and psychologists at the University of Warwick found that promotion on average causes ten per cent more mental strain for workers, leaving them with 20 per cent less time to visit their GP.

Previously it was believed that improved job status leads to better health through an increased sense of life control and self-worth.

Researcher Chris Boyce said: "When it came to mental health we found that promotions actually make people feel more stressed – meaning promotions may not actually be good for your health."

The increased strain may result from heavier workload, more responsibility and reduced leisure time.

One in four people will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives and stress is the underlying cause for most cases of anxiety and depression – the most common mental health conditions in the UK.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with medical conditions.