September 30, 2009

Navigenics COO Sean George makes 7x7’s ‘Hot’ list

Health writer

Posted 03:21 PM PDT

At Navigenics, our team is used to being recognized in the fields of genetics and medicine. But being described as “hot”? That turf is, well, a little less familiar to most of us in the genetics world. So imagine our attentiveness when San Francisco-based magazine “7x7” revealed one of its most anticipated features of the year today – the “2009 Hot 20 under 40.” Among the publication’s list of the “most impressive San Franciscans:” Navigenics Chief Operating Officer Sean George, who was photographed with his 2-year-old daughter, Claire.

George, who has a Ph.D. in molecular genetics, was profiled alongside the likes of San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum and Ning co-founder Gina Bianchini, to name a few.

“What’s ‘hot’?” the 7x7 editors mused in describing their selections. “A pitcher with a killer arm, tech wizards bringing Wi-Fi to the world or a gender-bending performance artist? One thing’s for sure: Everyone below is under 40 and has a sense of self that belies their years. We’re just lucky enough to benefit from it.”

Simple steps make big strides toward preventing breast cancer

Julie Sevrens Lyons,

Health writer

Posted 09:27 AM PDT

More than 40 percent of all breast cancer cases could be prevented through basic lifestyle changes, a sweeping new report shows.

Although many women have long feared they are destined to develop breast cancer – one of the leading causes of death among American women – getting exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption and breastfeeding their children can protect many women from this common disease, the analysis determined.

The potential benefit is staggering. In all, more than 70,000 U.S. breast cancer cases could be avoided every year, determined researchers at the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund, which published the report.

Celiac disease: A growing push for better answers

Julie Sevrens Lyons,

Health writer

Posted 12:05 PM PDT

Celiac disease, a serious digestive condition, is common in more ways than one – in how often it occurs, and how often it goes undiagnosed. The prevalence of the disease has increased significantly in the United States during the last 50 years, researchers at the Mayo Clinic recently determined.

“Some studies have suggested that for every person who has been diagnosed with celiac disease, there are likely 30 more who have it but are not diagnosed,” said Mayo gastroenterologist Dr. Joseph Murray in a written release. “And given the nearly quadrupled mortality risk for silent celiac disease we have shown in our study, getting more patients and health professionals to consider the possibility of celiac disease is important.”