Health briefing

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Aspirin cuts risk of pancreatic cancer

ASPIRIN CAN significantly reduce the chances of developing one of the most dangerous cancers, a US study has found. Taking the painkiller once a month was found to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by 26 per cent. More regular use of low-dose aspirin for heart disease prevention made people 35 per cent less likely to have the disease. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, compared 904 pancreatic cancer patients aged 55 and over with 1,224 healthy individuals.

'Breastfeeding' doll causes a furore

A DOLL that lets little girls mimic the act of breastfeeding is causing some controversy since it became available on the US market.

The “Breast Milk Baby”, made by Spanish toy company Berjuan Toys, comes with a halter top for the child to wear, with two flowers positioned where nipples would be.

When the doll’s mouth is brought close to the top, it sets off sensors in the doll, causing it to move and make suckling sounds.

On its website, Berjuan Toys said it wanted to “promote breastfeeding as the most loving, healthy practice for a mother and her infant”.

“The Breast Milk Baby represents a revolution in design by teaching children the nurturing skills they’ll need to raise their own healthy babies.

“Just put on the fashionable top included with each Breast Milk Baby, bring the baby’s mouth up to the pretty flower, and enjoy the closeness, the loving bond between mother and child.”

Dennis Lewis, US spokesman for Berjuan Toys, said the toymaker had faced considerable criticism.

“There have been people who have called us paedophiles, they’ve called us perverts, they’ve said we’re endangering little girls,” he said.

“Breastfeeding was a normal part of life before a few greedy pharmaceutical companies tried to make it rich selling artificial milk,” he said.

Critics say the doll is over-sexualising young girls or forcing them to grow up too quickly, but the company and supporters have said the toys are meant to teach young girls about the nurturing skills they’ll need later in life.

Online guide to alcohol services now available

ALCOHOL ACTION Ireland has launched a new national online guide to alcohol services.

The guide gives results depending on the age of the person seeking information, and uses Google mapping to assist in seeking supports in specific areas for alcohol-related issues.

Alcohol Action Ireland director Fiona Ryan said: “We developed the Alcohol Service Finder in response to the calls and e-mails we receive.

“Sometimes, the contact is from people seeking help with their own drinking but, more frequently, however, it is a family member at the end of their tether, desperate to find help.”

Ms Ryan said research showed there was a need to streamline access to relevant information for people, and the database came about as a result of this.

The online service is aimed at a variety of age groups, such as adults with alcohol problems, under 18s with concerns about a family member, parents of children with alcohol issues as well as families and youths.

“The response among groups testing the service has been very positive, with the capacity for the service to hone in on services specific to the person’s need and the use of Google maps for location both cited as big positives,” said Ms Ryan.

The service is designed to complement existing medical treatments for alcohol-related issues, and to empower persons to take the first step on the road to recovery.

The Alcohol Action Ireland Alcohol Service Finder can be found at alcoholireland.ie/get-help