Health Highlight: Mon. 20, Mar.
Today’s highlights: A new FDA rule involving mammograms; and FDA advisory committees are expected to recommend that Narcan nasal spray be made available without prescription.
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“The FDA Just Released a New Requirement for Mammograms” (URL, Glasp)
The Healthy • ✍🏼 Van Van Cleave • 🗣️@thehealthy
What is the new rule?
Beginning March 9, 2023, all mammogram facilities in the United States must notify patients if they have dense breast tissue, which is a risk factor for breast cancer.
Context
While this was previously a state requirement, it is now federally mandated.
Why is this important?
Dense breast tissue shows up on a mammogram as white spots or shading, which makes it harder to find cancer.
“Breast cancer is one of the most common varieties of cancer, with a 13% chance of women and AFAB (assigned female at birth) individuals developing it in their lifetime. Men can also develop breast cancer, as can individuals on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including transgender women.” 1
More information
U.S. Preventative Task Force, Breast Cancer: Screening (Final Recommendation Statement) https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-screening
National Cancer Institute, Dense Breasts: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/breast-changes/dense-breasts
🏷️ Tags: #BreastCancer #FDAguidelines #USPSTF #DenseBreast
“Narcan May Soon Be Available Over The Counter. Here's How To Use It.” (URL, Glasp)
HuffPost • Julia Ries • @HuffPost
What’s happening?
Two advisory panels have recommended that Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray be made available in the United States without a prescription.
Context
Narcan is a drug that can save lives because it quickly reverses the effects of opioids like heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone. If it is approved, it will be the first naloxone nasal spray available for purchase over the counter.
Why is this important?
Currently, there is a patchwork of rules and regulations governing how and when Narcan can be accessed, which creates confusion and areas of easy access and areas with more restriction.
“The rate of overdose deaths has rapidly increased in recent years. Nearly 50,000 people died of an opioid-related overdose in 2019. In 2021, an estimated 80,816 people died of an opioid overdose.” 2
Narcan is easy to use, but it needs to be given within minutes of a suspected or known overdose. Making it available over the counter can help normalize the medication as something everyone should have access to, especially in rural areas.
More information
Naloxone: How to Save a Life With Naloxone https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/naloxone/factsheets/pdf/Conversation-Starter_Naloxone-Family-Caregiver.pdf
Naloxone DrugFacts https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone
Narcan (naloxone nasal spray) Approved to Reverse Opioid Overdose https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/narcan-naloxone-nasal-spray-approved-reverse-opioid-overdose
🏷️ Tags: #Narcan #FDA #naloxone #fentanyl #overdose #OpioidCrisis
Notes
The FDA Just Released a New Requirement for Mammograms. https://www.thehealthy.com/cancer/fda-requirement-for-mammograms/
Narcan May Soon Be Available Over The Counter. Here's How To Use It. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/narcan-pharmacy-how-to-use_l_6414c1fde4b0a3902d30a1df
Health Highlight: Mon. 20, Mar.
Wow, this number...
> “The rate of overdose deaths has rapidly increased in recent years. Nearly 50,000 people died of an opioid-related overdose in 2019. In 2021, an estimated 80,816 people died of an opioid overdose.”