Some patients rushed to repeat colonoscopies

Colonoscopy ranks near the top of screenings people are eager to avoid -- yet a new study at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center found that more than half of screened patients are urged to get a repeat test sooner than national guidelines call for.

The real rules: Average-risk patients such as those with no family history should be screened every 10 years starting at age 50, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society; those at higher risk should start earlier and test more often -- the American Gastroenterological Association suggests every five years from age 40.

If one or more polyps are found, patients may need to return every three to six years, says the AGA.

Soccer fans needs measles shots

Soccer fans traveling to Switzerland and Austria in June need to check whether they have been vaccinated against measles, and get jabs if their immunity is unclear, the World Health Organization said.

The twin Alpine hosts of the Euro 2008 tournament, which runs from June 7 to 29, are both experiencing measles outbreaks. Health experts fear the highly contagious disease could spread further if those watching the matches are not fully protected.

Mixing aspirin and other painkillers

Doctors have yet to reach a verdict on whether some over-the-counter painkillers are safe to take with daily low-dose aspirin. The main concern: The pills may interfere with aspirin's anticlotting effects, negating heart-health benefits. A 21,000-patient trial run by Dr. Steven Nissen, chair of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, aims to find a definitive answer by 2010. In the meantime, if you're a low-dose aspirin user, here's how you can safely get the pain relief you need:

For arthritis or migraines: If you must also take an anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil) or naproxen (e.g., Aleve), take the aspirin an hour before any of these pills to avoid interactions, advises Nissen.

For aches and fever: Choose acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol), he says -- it's been shown to be safe and effective when taken with aspirin, even if taken together.

New tools to beat breast cancer

The Terahertz laser imaging machine scans breast tissue after surgery to ensure that cancerous regions were removed. It uses safe radiation levels, and British maker TeraView hopes to bring it to the U.S. later this year.

A new mammography device by BBN Technologies merges two separate images to produce a detailed 3-D view of the breast, resulting in 49 percent fewer false positives than traditional mammograms, according to Emory University researchers.

The drug Panzem NCD -- already used against lung and brain cancers -- also appears to eradicate and prevent the spread of cancerous breast cells, according to a Mayo Clinic study on lab mice. It's now in phase I human trials at Duke University.

Low glycemic diet for diabetic youth

In children and adolescents with type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes, eating a low glycemic index diet may improve blood sugar control, according to results of a National Institutes of Health-sponsored study. Glycemic index, or GI, refers to how rapidly a food causes blood sugar to rise. High-GI foods, like white bread and potatoes, tend to spur a quick surge in blood sugar, while low-GI foods, such as lentils, soybeans, yogurt and many high-fiber grains, create a more gradual increase in blood sugar.

Studies back use of CT heart scans

People with sudden chest pain often end up in the ER, where doctors need to determine if their arteries are clogged -- and a heart attack imminent -- or if they're in the clear.

For some such patients, cardiac CT scans can answer the question with less pain and a lower risk of complications than the alternative. Two large, recent trials have found that CT angiography is as accurate at detecting coronary artery disease as conventional, invasive catheter angiograms. It can identify the 25 to 30 percent of patients who could be spared from invasive tests.

CT angiography produces high-resolution 3-D images that enable doctors to quickly detect blockages or narrowing of the arteries. They can then decide if a patient needs further tests and treatment with a catheter angiogram, angioplasty, or bypass surgery.