Minerva
BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7440.E285 (Published 11 March 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:E285Breast cancer is found largely in older women; women aged over 65 account for 13% of the female population but for two thirds of all deaths from breast cancer (Annals of Internal Medicine 2003;139: 835-842). Few studies have looked closely at these figures, but the available evidence shows that screening using mammography every two years would reduce the death rate at an acceptable cost.
A new use has been found for lidocaine cream (Emla). Some patterns of self injury may be reinforced by the sensory stimulation, rather than social or psychological stimuli. A report in Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology (2003;45: 769-771) describes a child with autism who slapped his cheek at a rate of 45 slaps a minute. When the cheek was numbed with Emla the rate of slapping fell to 20 a minute, blocking the sensory response.
A study in Boston of adult cyclists who needed hospital treatment for road accidents found that the numbers seen rose by 30% between 1994 and 1999 (Injury 2003;34: 825-829). Thirty five of the 222 people studied had raised blood alcohol concentrations and half those with closed head injuries had not been wearing helmets. The lessons, say …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.