Oprah’s California mansion is safe. Firefighters are finally getting a handle on wildfires, which destroyed hundreds of homes in Santa Barbara hills where a number of celebrities live and threatened the mansion of Oprah Winfrey. Fire came close to Oprah Winfrey’s mansion, but managed to miss the sprawling structure and the homes of many of the talk show host’s friends, whom she called on Friday to see whether they were ok after wind-driven fires forced them to flee with little more than their pets. Winfrey told her TV audience that had her estate actually caught fire, her main concern would have been her dogs, since she didn’t have any children. Wild fires spread to the northern edge of Los Angeles, cutting power to a hospital, which was force to operate on backup power Monday. They also forced firefighters to evacuate 5,000 people from the town of Sylmar just north of Los Angeles. Officials say the wind-blown blazes scorched more than 20,000 acres over the past four days and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes, including 500 homes in a trailer park. But no injuries have been reported. Winds eased by Monday morning, allowing firefighters to put in firebreaks and lift evacuation orders for about 25,000 people.

Is Vytorin safe? Federal drug safety regulators said Thursday they are investigating whether the cholesterol-lowering drug Vytorin can increase patients’ risk of developing cancer.  However, the Food and Drug Administration said patients should not stop taking Vytorin because the evidence of a cancer link is unclear. While one recent clinical trial indicated higher rates of cancer for patients taking the medication, two studies currently under way have shown no increased risk, the FDA said. Meanwhile, senior lawmakers in Congress issued a demand for data on the clinical trial that indicated a cancer risk, ScienceDaily is reporting.  Vytorin has been heavily promoted, particularly in African-American communities, as a novel way to reduce cholesterol. The drug is a combination of Zocor, a statin drug, which reduces the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver, and Zetia, which limits the amount of cholesterol absorbed through the digestive system. But the combination became a focus of controversy after a study earlier this year showed it was no better at reducing the buildup of plaque in the arteries than the much cheaper generic, Zocor. Separately, on Thursday, leaders of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee asked the companies for extensive data on the clinical trial that indicated a possible cancer risk for Vytorin. Merck and Schering-Plough said they would cooperate with the panel. The companies defend the drug, saying it is effective at reducing cholesterol – its approved use.
How could Upshaw die so soon after diagnosis?

Vital Signs: Questions surface after football legend Gene Upshaw died this week of pancreatic cancer. How could he and others stricken with the disease die so soon after they are diagnosed? Vital Signs has answers.