Open Call to Paricipate in A Multi-ethnic Internet Study On Menopausal Symptoms

Increasing ethnic diversity of the U.S. population requires health professionals to practice with greater cultural competence in areas such as the management of menopausal symptoms, where cultural beliefs mediate the biology of reproduction and aging. A growing number of studies have challenged the universality of menopausal symptoms by indicating significant ethnic differences in how women experience them. However, few investigators have studied ethnic populations in the U.S., and few studies have been national in scope. With advances in computer technologies, the Internet now provides an excellent medium of national and international communication and allows people in different geographical areas to communicate and exchange their experiences and opinions. The proposed study uses innovative Internet data collection methods to collect national data and essential information about specific ethnic differences in menopausal symptom experience while respecting women's own experiences.

Eun-Ok Im, MPH, PhD, School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin and her colleagues are conducting an Internet study on menopausal symptom experience among diverse ethnic groups of middle-aged women. In the study, Internet survey and online forums using a Web site (home-page) will be conducted to get information on women's symptom experience during the menopausal transition.

You are being asked to participate in...

Breast cancer gene testing may be appropriate for more young breast cancer patients.

Women who have breast cancer before age 50 and who have few female relatives on one side of their family tree should be considered candidates for genetic testing for cancer genes, say a team of researchers at City of Hope. Their research challenges the accuracy of some breast cancer prediction models that do not take family structure into account. Their findings appear in the June 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Most physicians agree that genetic testing for genes linked to breast cancer, including mutated BRCA genes, is not recommended for the general population without cancer, since the risk of carrying such a gene is low - about one in 800. Predictive models that are currently used to estimate the likelihood of a breast cancer gene mutation to determine who should receive genetic testing rely on family histories. Some testing guidelines suggest genetic testing in women with at least two or more first-degree or second-degree relatives with related cancers. However, opinions differ over recommending testing for women with no family history of breast or ovarian cancer who develop breast cancer at an early age.

The researchers, led by Jeffrey Weitzel, M.D., director of the Department of Clinical Cancer Genetics at City of Hope, have found that women who had early breast cancer and no first-degree or second-degree female relative who lived past age 45 on either...

It's the Year 4706 of the Earth Rat. What's in store for you?

The Rat is the first animal in the 12-year zodiac cycle so its year offers new beginnings, and ventures, a time for experiments and starting new ventures, for you to be a planner and builder to achieve your goals. Be steady and practical, and aim for getting results progressively over time. Make a commitment to your goals and objectives to achieve this year, then GO FOR IT!

The predictions for each lunar year, is calculated by the relationships of the five elements and how they relate to each other during the reign of the zodiac animal of the year. Because during the Year 4706 of Earth Rat, water and earth are in conflict (earth positioned over water), we will see earth and water-related disasters such as floods, tsunamis, as well as those involving earth such as mud and landslides, earthquakes and building collapses.

New political leadership with younger leaders coming to fore. Watch for a slowdown in real estate and property (earth) so be careful with investments and spend wisely. Business that will do well are related to the earth element, such as mining, hotel, insurance, chemicals, machinery, computers, skin care, construction, design & graphics, spiritual work/clergy, engineering and to the wood element, such as textiles, publishing, books, fashion, furniture, forestry and environment/green. Those that may stall are airline, stocks, energy, entertainment and electricity.

Healthwise, those same two...

Twelve interns explore their roots and share their extraordinary personal journeys in a book and a public exhibition now on view through March 15 at the Chinese Culture Cemter of San Francisco.

Photographer and cultural expert Frank Jang captured images of the March 1 reception celebrating the debut of the "Book of Roots: Essays and Stories."

The twelve contributors and team leaders journeyed through San Francisco’s Chinatown, the National Archives, and the homes of their ancestral villages in China including the Pearl River Delta region of the Guangdong Province of China, and through the counties and municipalities of Guangzhou, Foshan, Doumen, Xinhui, Kaiping, and Taishan.

The Book of Roots Essays & Stories is now available to order through the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco. This book includes the Roots Route Map, the essays by the interns and their trip leader, photographs, media coverages as well as the family trees created by each intern.

The twelve interns for the 2007 program are Theresa Chan, Derek Emmons, Jasn Jay, Frank Lee, Alan Liu. Sondra Morishima, Byron Chun, Nicole Hsiang, Michael Kwan, Kristina Lim, Annie Ly, and Trisha Quan.

Related:

Chinese Culture Center of SF Official Website
A personal blogger shares her visit to the exhibition

Photographer and cultural expert Frank Jang captured this group portrait of the young contributors and their team leaders at the March 1 reception celebrating the cultural exhibition In Search of Roots &...

Farewell to John "Lukey" Yang, 16

AsianConnections thanks Elvis Thao for his permission to reprint his
personal tribute to his friend.

FAREWELL
John "Lukey" Yang

September 13, 1991 -
April 22, 2008

The untimely death of John "Lukey" Yang, 16, on Tuesday
from an automobile accident has shocked and saddened
the Milwaukee, Wisconsin community and all the friends and family that knew young John. The local news reported the tragic accident.

Funeral services observing Hmong traditions
will begin tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday for Lukey
at Church and Chapel Funeral Home in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. Lukey will be laid to rest on Monday.

"Lukey", as he was called was like a little brother to Elvis Thao 25, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Elvis, a freestyle rapper and musician with
RARE, a popular band that is based in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin writes this tribute to his young friend Lukey.

He was a good kid. Smart, brave, creative, and to me,
most importantly, fun. This dude was funny as all
hell.

Man, he was funny. If there was one thing that I
liked, it was his brightness. At age 16, he knew how
to hunt, fish, touch cars, fix houses, drive and so
much more.

A lot of things that at my age (25) I do
not know how to do. He was also very athletic, yet
clumsy (haha) at the same time. He was also a rapper
and a great dancer.

This dude could dance. We always had fun with it.
Messing with each other. He absolutely
loved music. And I really would have liked to use him
for something of that in the...