Cochrane

What is the issue? Metastatic breast cancer occurs when the cancer has spread to areas of the body beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes. Although metastatic breast cancer is generally not curable, it is widely accepted that women with metastatic disease should receive some form of chemotherapy to help ease the severity of disease symptoms, while ...

Question: What are the benefits of surgical removal of the fatty deposits and blood clots from inside the carotid artery wall (carotid endarterectomy) for patients who have recently (within four to six months) had symptoms due to carotid stenosis (narrowing of the artery that supplies blood to the brain). Background: Strokes cause long-term disability ...

Review question: Does vitamin A supplementation among term neonates in low and middle income countries prevent mortality and morbidity? Background: Vitamin A is an important micronutrient that is required for maintenance of normal functioning of the human body. In the developing world, many pregnant women are vitamin A deficient. During pregnancy, ...

What is the issue? Tobacco smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of the mother having complications during pregnancy and the baby being born low birthweight. Nicotine and other contents of cigarettes can have harmful effects on the baby’s growth and development. Why is this important? The number of women smoking in pregnancy is decreasing ...

Review question To determine the safety and effectiveness of surgery for anterior vaginal wall prolapse. Background Pelvic organ prolapse occurs in up to 50% of women who have given birth. This can happen at different sites within the vagina; prolapse of the anterior compartment is most difficult to repair, and rates of recurrence are higher than ...

What is the issue? International rates of breastfeeding initiation are extremely variable both between and within countries. Low- and middle-income countries generally have high rates of women starting breastfeeding, and the challenge is for breastfeeding to begin within one hour of birth. High-income countries have a much greater variation in the ...

Review question Which surgical interventions for apical vaginal prolapse have the best outcomes? Background Apical vaginal prolapse is a descent of the uterus or (after hysterectomy) the upper vagina (vault). Various surgical treatments are available and there are no guidelines to recommend which is the best. Study characteristics Thirty randomised ...

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for approximately 13% of all deaths in 2007. Some studies have reported an increased incidence of cancer in people with mental health problems. The Schizophrenia Commission reports that people with schizophrenia who develop cancer are three times more likely to die than those in the general population ...

What is the issue? In the past, women receiving cancer treatment were usually advised to rest and avoid physical activity. But, we now know that too much rest and too little physical activity can lead to muscle wasting. This reduces women's physical fitness level and may limit their regular activities. Women also often have other side effects that ...

The problem In almost all countries worldwide, most people eat too much salt. This is a problem because eating too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which can lead to health problems such as heart disease and stroke. To reduce the amount of salt eaten, governments in many countries have developed national salt reduction initiatives. The review ...