Health Highlights: May 10, 2008

While Requip is also approved to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, the generic versions are currently not approved for that kind of use, which is protected by patent. However, that patent expires later this month and the makers of the generic drugs may then seek approval for the Parkinson's disease indication, the FDA said.

The generic tablets will carry the same safety warnings as Requip about the possible risk of falling asleep while doing daily activities, including driving.

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Diet May Affect Prostate Cancer Surgery Outcome

Men who eat a diet low in saturated fat do better after having their prostate removed due to cancer (radical prostatectomy) than those who eat a diet high in saturated fats, according to a study of 390 patients by researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

After five years of follow-up, 80 percent of men who limited their saturated fat intake had no evidence of cancer, compared with 65 percent of men who consumed high levels of saturated fats,United Press Internationalreported.

The study is published in theInternational Journal of Cancer.

The men who ate high levels of saturated fats were younger and had higher body mass index levels at the time of prostate cancer diagnosis than the men who consumed fewer saturated fats,UPIreported.

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups of men in terms of family history of prostate cancer, education, history of diabetes or physical activity.

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Southern Metro Areas 'Hotspots' for Teen Driving Deaths

The 10 worst "hotspots" for teen driving deaths are in the southern United States, according to an Allstate Insurance Company study that examined federal crash statistics for 50 of the nation's largest metro areas.

The worst metro areas for rates of fatal teen crashes are: Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Fla.; Orlando/Kissimmee, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Nashville, Tenn.; Birmingham, Ala.; Phoenix; Kansas City, Mo. and Kan.; Atlanta; Charolotte, N.C.; and Louisville, Ky.

The five metro areas with the lowest rates are: San Francisco/Oakland, Calif.; San Jose, Calif.; New York City (including Long Island and northern New Jersey); Los Angeles; and Cleveland.

The study also found that the rate of fatal teen crashes in rural areas of the United States is double the rate in cities and suburbs -- 51.5 per 100,000 teens per year, compared with 25. 4 per 100,000.

"We feel that state and federal leaders should enact uniform national standards for graduated drivers licensing laws. Further, we must have better conversations with teens about safe driving and set good examples through our own good driving behavior," George Ruebenson, president of Allstate Protection, said in a prepared statement.

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