epocrates

What your patients are reading: Week of January 13, 2025

January 17, 2025

Keeping you a step ahead is our priority. That's why we've gathered some of the top stories your patients might be reading. Here are this week's highlights:

Clear skies return to L.A., but toxic ash poses health concerns

(New York Times) — After days of acrid smoke from wildfires, Los Angeles residents are finally experiencing clearer skies and improved air quality. Although the air quality now ranges from good to moderate, officials caution that windblown ash and dust, containing toxic and carcinogenic materials, remain a significant concern. The Palisades and Eaton fires are no longer producing significant smoke, but smoldering hot spots persist. Residents are advised to stay indoors if they detect smoke and use N95 or P100 masks for protection.

Breast and thyroid cancers drive increase in cancer diagnoses among young women

(CNN) — A recent American Cancer Society report, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, reveals a significant shift in cancer diagnoses, with young women now nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with cancer as young men. This trend is driven primarily by increases in breast and thyroid cancers among women under 50. The report highlights that cancer rates, which have generally declined among men, are rising among women, particularly younger women. Physicians are urged to be vigilant in screening and early detection efforts, especially for breast and thyroid cancers in younger female patients.

Scientists discover gene to eliminate grapefruit-medication warnings

(New York Times) — Many medications, including cancer drugs, antibiotics, and statins, come with warnings to avoid grapefruit due to furanocoumarins, molecules that interfere with liver enzymes (particularly CYP3A4) and can cause dangerous drug levels in the body. Researchers at the Volcani Center in Israel have identified the gene responsible for furanocoumarin production by crossbreeding mandarins and grapefruits. This discovery could lead to the creation of grapefruit varieties that don't require such warnings, thanks to gene editing technology.

Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in these articles are solely that of the publication and/or author and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of epocrates and athenahealth.

Sources:

Graff, A. (2025, January 15). The New York Times. Air quality improves across L.A., but ash remains a threat. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/us/air-quality-los-angeles-fires.html

Howard, J. (2025, January 16). CNN. Young women are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with cancer as young men: ‘We’re seeing a change.’ https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/16/health/young-women-cancer-incidence-report-wellness/index.html

Greenwood, V. (2025, January 10). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/science/grapefruit-drugs-medications.html