Your Health

By Janice M. Horowitz

GOOD NEWS ON PROSTATES

Does routine screening for prostate cancer save lives--or just lead to unnecessary biopsies? A major study out last week found that psa blood tests--which look for what's called prostate-specific antigens--do reduce the risk of early death 69%. And--thanks to a new blood test that's used when PSA levels are elevated--120,000 needless biopsies each year may be avoided too.

BAD NEWS FOR JET SKIERS

Riders of "personal watercraft" are far more likely to get hurt than conventional pleasure boaters, and a report issued last week helps explain why. Jet skiers, notably hourly renters, often get little instruction. They don't learn, for example, to keep a steady speed when turning, so they skid into an obstruction.

GOOD NEWS ON BREASTS

A new drug, Herceptin--the first to target a genetic defect in breast-cancer cells--has shrunk tumors by turning off the signal that tells cells to divide. In a study, Herceptin increased survival an average of three months for women with advanced cancer. Researchers hope for more dramatic effects if it's given at earlier stages of the disease. Herceptin might get fda approval as early as this fall.

BAD NEWS ON VIAGRA

Six deaths have occurred among Viagra users since the pill hit the market in March. While there's no evidence that Viagra is to blame, the FDA is investigating. Reminder: it's dangerous to use Viagra with nitroglycerin or related heart drugs.

--By Janice M. Horowitz

Sources: American Society of Clinical Oncology and Journal of the American Medical Association; National Transportation Safety Board; American Society of Clinical Oncology; Food & Drug Administration