In the first meta-analysis of widely used anemia drugs, clinical trial data confirms that the risk of death among cancer patients is increased by approximately 10 percent.  The lead author, Dr. Charles L. Bennett, a professor at Northwestern University, said the study shows a statistically significant increase in the risk of death from the drugs. 

The American Cancer Society announced on February 20th that the death rate from cancer has continued the decline it began in the early 1990s.  In 2005, the year for which the most recent data is available, the death rate from lung, colorectal, prostate, breast and other cancer types fell, but not as much as in 2003 and 2004.  

A major federal study has been partially halted after researchers reported an increase in their risk of death.  The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases proposed the study in the 1990s to study more than 10,000 middle-aged and older individuals with Type 2 diabetes to study how the disease should be managed.  Study participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups to get their blood sugar levels to nearly normal levels, and 54 more deaths were reported in the group whose levels were less rigidly controlled.  All patients assigned to the intensive blood sugar lowering group have been reassigned to a less intense regimen as researchers try to understand the results which so far have been difficult to explain. 

Doctors stress that the results do not mean blood sugar is meaningless but that now there is slightly more uncertainty about the old mantra - that the lower the blood sugar the better and that lowering blood surgar levels to normal saves lives. Patients are encouraged to discuss their diabetes monitoring and treatment with their doctors before making any drastic changes.

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The President released his proposed $3.1 trillion budget for fiscal year 2009 on February 4th.  The proposal would cut spending for Medicare and Medicaid by $196 billion over five years; the programs provide health care to millions of poor, disabled and elderly Americans.