A round-up of other health news in brief
Faulty gene linked to breast cancer
Scientists have discovered that a faulty gene is linked to more than half of all breast cancers. The gene is also thought to be implicated in half of bowel and prostate cancers and a quarter of ovarian and bladder cancers.
The discovery was described as a “major step forward” by cancer charities and is possibly the most important development in cancer gene research in the past 20 years.
Dr Paul Edwards, of the department of pathology at the University of Cambridge, who discovered the gene with colleagues, said it provided “vital information” about how some cancers spread.
The gene, NRG1 (neuregulin-1), is located on chromosome 8, one of the packages of DNA that house genes within a cell.
Experts have noticed that cancerous cells are missing part of chromosome 8 – the section carrying the NRG1 gene. Normally, NRG1 works as a “guard”, suppressing cancerous tumours.
Campaign targets salt intake
Safefood launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging consumers to reduce their salt intake yesterday.
The campaign entitled “Shake the Salt Habit” is designed to raise awareness among consumers that our diets are still too high in salt and that the majority of dietary salt is from processed foods such as processed meats, sauces and bread.
Currently, adults in Ireland are taking in up to two-thirds more than the recommended daily amount of 6g per day.
Commenting on the campaign, Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, director, Human Health Nutrition, safefood said, “I realise that industry has done much to reduce the salt levels in processed foods but we’re now at a bit of an impasse because we are at the stage where consumer demand for lower salt options hasn’t really changed.”
The safefood salt campaign includes a programme involving workplace restaurants across the island of Ireland, offering patrons practical advice and food tips every week for six weeks on how to gradually reduce their salt intake. The workplace initiative is being launched with the support of the Irish Heart Foundation.