Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Talking About Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Learn about the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine's "Take Time to Talk about CAM" campaign to encourage patientsparticularly those age 50 or olderand their health care providers to openly discuss the use of complementary and alternative medicine. Also, visit the MedlinePlus complementary and alternative medicine topic page.




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[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Director's Comments: Community Health Centers

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Community Health Centers. The transcript is also available.

While current presidential candidates criticize the U.S.' ability to boost health care access for more Americans, a recent New England Journal of Medicine commentary reports increased bipartisan support for community health centers and details how they are improving...




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[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Water Safety

Stay safe near the water this summer. Learn about recreational water safety and drowning.




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[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Director's Comments: Community Health Centers

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Community Health Centers. The transcript is also available.

While current presidential candidates criticize the U.S.' ability to boost health care access for more Americans, a recent New England Journal of Medicine commentary reports increased bipartisan support for community health centers and details how they are improving...




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Learn About Peripheral Arterial Disease

Learn about peripheral arterial disease (PAD) from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Also visit the peripheral vascular diseases health topic page on MedlinePlus.




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[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Water Safety

Stay safe near the water this summer. Learn about recreational water safety and drowning.




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Live Webcast: Colorectal Surgery

Watch a live webcast of colorectal surgery on June 19 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

Also, browse through links to prerecorded webcasts of surgical procedures. These are actual procedures performed at medical centers in the United States.




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Friday, June 20, 2008

Live Webcast: Colorectal Surgery

Watch a live webcast of colorectal surgery on June 19 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

Also, browse through links to prerecorded webcasts of surgical procedures. These are actual procedures performed at medical centers in the United States.




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Live Webcast: Colorectal Surgery

Watch a live webcast of colorectal surgery on June 19 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

Also, browse through links to prerecorded webcasts of surgical procedures. These are actual procedures performed at medical centers in the United States.




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Director's Comments: Hormone Replacement Therapy Efficacy

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Hormone Replacement Therapy Efficacy. The transcript is also available.

A recent study provides new evidence that hormone replacement therapy should be used judiciously and reinforces some treatment guidelines for post-menopausal women. The research, published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association, returned to a group of about 16,000 women involved in a study that was halted in 2002 -- when some participants developed a higher risk of heart attacks if they took a post-menopause hormone medication...




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[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Director's Comments: Hormone Replacement Therapy Efficacy

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Hormone Replacement Therapy Efficacy. The transcript is also available.

A recent study provides new evidence that hormone replacement therapy should be used judiciously and reinforces some treatment guidelines for post-menopausal women. The research, published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association, returned to a group of about 16,000 women involved in a study that was halted in 2002 -- when some participants developed a higher risk of heart attacks if they took a post-menopause hormone medication...




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Director's Comments: Hormone Replacement Therapy Efficacy

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Hormone Replacement Therapy Efficacy. The transcript is also available.

A recent study provides new evidence that hormone replacement therapy should be used judiciously and reinforces some treatment guidelines for post-menopausal women. The research, published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association, returned to a group of about 16,000 women involved in a study that was halted in 2002 -- when some participants developed a higher risk of heart attacks if they took a post-menopause hormone medication...




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Don't Get Bugged This Summer!

Don't get bugged this summer! Learn about insect bites and stings, Lyme disease, tick bites and West Nile virus.


Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Stay in Shape This Summer

Stay in shape this summer! Learn about exercise and physical fitness. Also, visit the MedlinePlus healthy living topic page.


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[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

St. John's Wort Is in the News

The herb St. John's wort is in the news. Learn more from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: St. John's Wort Shows No Impact on the Symptoms of ADHD and Herbs at a Glance: St. John's Wort




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[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Saturday, June 14, 2008

St. John's Wort Is in the News

The herb St. John's wort is in the news. Learn more from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: St. John's Wort Shows No Impact on the Symptoms of ADHD and Herbs at a Glance: St. John's Wort




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Friday, June 13, 2008

St. John's Wort Is in the News

The herb St. John's wort is in the news. Learn more from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: St. John's Wort Shows No Impact on the Symptoms of ADHD and Herbs at a Glance: St. John's Wort




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Keeping Dad in the Know!

Give your father reliable health information for Father's Day! Visit the men's health topic page and sign him up for This Week in Men's Health. Also, check out all the e-mail lists and RSS feeds available through MedlinePlus.




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[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

St. John's Wort Is in the News

The herb St. John's wort is in the news. Learn more from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: St. John's Wort Shows No Impact on the Symptoms of ADHD and Herbs at a Glance: St. John's Wort




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Director's Comments: Nutrition and Income

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Nutrition and Income. The transcript is also available.

Guatemalans from two villages where children received a daily home nutrition supplement about 30 years ago earned 46 percent higher adult wages compared to two other towns where area kids simultaneously received a less nutritious mix. The study, which was recently published in the The Lancet, is one of the first to suggest nutrition in early childhood is linked to higher income later in life...




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[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Director's Comments: Nutrition and Income

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Nutrition and Income. The transcript is also available.

Guatemalans from two villages where children received a daily home nutrition supplement about 30 years ago earned 46 percent higher adult wages compared to two other towns where area kids simultaneously received a less nutritious mix. The study, which was recently published in the The Lancet, is one of the first to suggest nutrition in early childhood is linked to higher income later in life...




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

It's Hot Out There!

It's hot out there! Visit the heat illness health topic page, and also check out information on hyperthermia from the National Institute on Aging.


Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Live Webcast: Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

Watch a live webcast of partial knee replacement surgery on June 9 at 5:30 PM EDT.

Also, browse through links to prerecorded webcasts of surgical procedures. These are actual procedures performed at medical centers in the United States.




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Director's Comments: Nutrition and Income

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Nutrition and Income. The transcript is also available.

Guatemalans from two villages where children received a daily home nutrition supplement about 30 years ago earned 46 percent higher adult wages compared to two other towns where area kids simultaneously received a less nutritious mix. The study, which was recently published in the The Lancet, is one of the first to suggest nutrition in early childhood is linked to higher income later in life...




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Director's Comments: Drug Information Sites

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Drug Information Sites. The transcript is also available.

One of the health quandaries each of us tackle is to find trustworthy information about the drugs a physician prescribes. While many pharmacies supplement the information on drug labels, it helps to know how to find out more and where reliable information is readily accessible...




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Director's Comments: Drug Information Sites

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Drug Information Sites. The transcript is also available.

One of the health quandaries each of us tackle is to find trustworthy information about the drugs a physician prescribes. While many pharmacies supplement the information on drug labels, it helps to know how to find out more and where reliable information is readily accessible...




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Friday, June 6, 2008

Director's Comments: Drug Information Sites

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Drug Information Sites. The transcript is also available.

One of the health quandaries each of us tackle is to find trustworthy information about the drugs a physician prescribes. While many pharmacies supplement the information on drug labels, it helps to know how to find out more and where reliable information is readily accessible...




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Celeb charm necklaces in support of cancer

Filed under:

Popular celebrities like Kate Moss and Scarlett Johansson have lent their signature style to the fight against cancer by designing charms that reflect their own character, which will be sold with the profits going to a prominent UK cancer charity. The charms are appearing on a necklace that is being sold at Wallis for about $51USD each. Moss' charm is a petite swallow, while Johansson's is a vibrant yellow and orange lilly. Other contributors include designer Christian Louboutin and comedian Catherin Tate.

I think it's great to see celebrities and designers offering their time and their good taste towards a good cause. Don't you agree?
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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

On Pavarotti and pancreatic cancer

Filed under: ,

Luciano Pavarotti, possibly the most famous classical singer on earth, received a final sendoff this past weekend in his hometown of Modena, Italy. Pavarotti died last week of pancreatic cancer. More than 100,000 people filed through the cathedral and plaza, more than 700 guests attended the funeral mass and millions watched the live broadcast on television.

Pavarotti underwent surgery for a malignant pancreatic mass in July 2006. A month later, after his surgery, Pavarotti told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, "I was a fortunate and happy man. After that, this blow arrived. And now I am paying the penalty for this fortune and happiness."

One could not be surprised that Pavarotti felt this way. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers, with a five-year survival rate here in the U.S. of less than 5%, although surgery can improve survival greatly. Pancreatic cancer is also one of the most underfunded research areas in cancer. For more information about what you can do to increase funding for pancreatic cancer research and raise awareness of this deadly disease, please see PanCAN's action page.
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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Experience Project to launch The Cancer Support Project on October 1st

Filed under: , , , , ,

Experience Project is launching a new online cancer support network , The Cancer Support Project, on October 1st, 2007.

Experience Project is built around dynamic groups of users who come onto the platform, share narratives and personal stories about their life experiences, and then connect with others who are going through the same experiences. Experience Project will never ask for your name; you can keep your identity completely private while meeting new friends who can understand you.

The central goal of The Cancer Support Project is to provide a hub for emotional and psychological support for all experiences involving cancer, including experiences as a survivor or a caregiver, something that is not currently widely addressed as many sites focus on sharing information regarding therapies. The Experience Project will also be launching a Facebook application within The Cancer Support Project to enable people to show their support and raise cancer awareness via Facebook, MySpace, blogs and web pages.

The Cancer Support Project will be launching on October 1st, but you can check it out now. I know I will be checking it out for sure! The Cancer Support Project is located here.

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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Yoga benefits breast cancer survivors from ethnically diverse populations

Filed under:

A new study from researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine shows that yoga can benefit ethnic minority breast cancer survivors, particularly African-Americans and Hispanics, as well as those from under-served communities.

During the 12 week study, researchers compared quality of life measures between two groups of women with early stage breast cancer; one group took a weekly yoga class and the other group didn't. More women in the non-yoga group experienced a worsening of social well-being compared to the yoga group. The yoga classes seemed to offer social support, which may have helped counteract loneliness and isolation, which is common after a cancer diagnosis.

The women in the yoga group participated in a gentle, seated form of yoga based on Integral Hatha Yoga, and classes were provided in both English and Spanish.
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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Fat Bastard supports cancer

Filed under:

I'm a big fan of Fat Bastard wine, which I picked up a bottle of a few years back simply because of the odd name. If you enjoy their wine too be sure to pick some up during the months of September and October because the makers will be donating $0.25 from every bottle sold to breast cancer charities.

It might seem to be a bit of a contradiction to sell alcohol in support of cancer, but actually wine (in moderation) can help reduce to your risk of several types of cancer, not to mention heart disease. Just make sure you stick to one glass a night and enjoy the benefits of a good vintage.

I'm curious to know that you think though. Is it wrong to sell wine to raise money for breast cancer?
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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Oncologists critical in managing psychiatric disorders

Filed under: , , ,

According to an article in CANCER, mental illness and emotional distress in patients with advanced cancer is often overlooked by oncologists, but proper management can improve a patient's quality of life.

The review article was written by Dr. Michael Miovic and Dr. Susan Block from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Miovic and Block found that 50 percent or more of patients with advanced or terminal cancer suffer from at least one of three major disorders: adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders and depressive disorders. Medical management of cancer has improved in the last decade, but management of mental health issues has lagged, according to the authors. Studies show that depressive symptoms can even impact patients' lives even more than pain.

The authors recommend listening as the most important screening tool in the oncologist's toolkit.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments



Read More...

[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Director's Comments: Drug Information Sites

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Drug Information Sites. The transcript is also available.

One of the health quandaries each of us tackle is to find trustworthy information about the drugs a physician prescribes. While many pharmacies supplement the information on drug labels, it helps to know how to find out more and where reliable information is readily accessible...




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Mobile phone cancer link brought up once more

Filed under:

In the last decade, we've seen studies that try to link mobile phone use to all kinds of cancer, the most common type being brain cancer. The thinking is that the radiation output from these devices affects the brain when those phones are held close to the head for extended periods.

Well, here's one to shoot this theory down, I guess. In Australia, authorities there have said that mobile phone use does not cause cancer, and talking on a phone in the car is no more dangerous than having a passenger aboard. Wow-- those are heavy hitters.

For many of us, those ultra low-power Bluetooth headsets are the solution for not holding that cellphone near your head for along periods of time. You?

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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Filed under:

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Advocates and researchers at the University of Michigan hope that increased awareness about ovarian cancer can save lives.

Here is what they want you to know.

1. Symptoms do exist. Bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating, feeling full quickly, and frequent or urgent urinating are have been shown to be related to a possible case of ovarian cancer and if they persist you should see your doctor.
2. There is no early detection screening test currently.
3. All women should get yearly pelvic exams.
4. Ovarian cancer is difficult to treat because it's often resistant to current treatments.
5. Survival rates are better at the early stage.
6. Most common in older white women.
7. A small number of ovarian cancers are hereditary
, linked to the same genes that are linked to breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2.
8. The best person to treat ovarian cancer is a gynecologic oncologist.

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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Eli Lilly's Evista cancer drug approved by FDA

Filed under: ,

It's interesting when a drug is re-purposed into something aimed at fighting cancer, but that is what has happened to Evista, a prescription drug made by Eli Lilly which was originally for osteoporosis patients.

The FDA has officially approved Evista for use in breast cancer patients as of late this week, although the drug will now come with a box warning advising patients of a heightened risk for stroke by taking the drug.

I'm not sure -- are some drugs worth the possible benefits when certain side effects can be just as bad as what is trying to be treated?
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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Two or more drinks a day in postmenopausal women doubles risk of endometrial cancer

Filed under:

Postmenopausal women who consume two or more alcoholic drinks a day may double their risk of endometrial cancer, according to a new study published by Veronica Wendy Setiawan and colleagues at the University of Southern California.

Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system and accounts for six percent of all cancers in women, according to the NCI.

According to Setiawan, previous studies have shown that alcohol consumption has been associated with higher estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, which could be the mechanism that increases the risk of endometrial cancer.
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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

June NIH News in Health Now Available

The June issue of NIH News in Health is available. Featured stories cover how the arts affect your health and headaches. Also check out the health capsules and the featured Web site.




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Director's Comments: Drug Information Sites

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Drug Information Sites. The transcript is also available.

One of the health quandaries each of us tackle is to find trustworthy information about the drugs a physician prescribes. While many pharmacies supplement the information on drug labels, it helps to know how to find out more and where reliable information is readily accessible...




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

New on Go Local: Georgia Health Go Local

Visit Georgia Health Go Local, one of the latest Go Local sites.

Go Local connects users with local health services. To find local resources, you can go straight to your local area or use the Go Local link on a MedlinePlus Health Topic Page.




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[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Protect Your Skin from the Sun

Protect your skin when you're out in the sun. Visit the sun exposure health topic page to learn more.


Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

June NIH News in Health Now Available

The June issue of NIH News in Health is available. Featured stories cover how the arts affect your health and headaches. Also check out the health capsules and the featured Web site.




Read More...

[Source: What's New on MedlinePlus]

Monday, June 2, 2008

Experience Project to launch The Cancer Support Project on October 1st

Filed under: , , , , ,

Experience Project is launching a new online cancer support network , The Cancer Support Project, on October 1st, 2007.

Experience Project is built around dynamic groups of users who come onto the platform, share narratives and personal stories about their life experiences, and then connect with others who are going through the same experiences. Experience Project will never ask for your name; you can keep your identity completely private while meeting new friends who can understand you.

The central goal of The Cancer Support Project is to provide a hub for emotional and psychological support for all experiences involving cancer, including experiences as a survivor or a caregiver, something that is not currently widely addressed as many sites focus on sharing information regarding therapies. The Experience Project will also be launching a Facebook application within The Cancer Support Project to enable people to show their support and raise cancer awareness via Facebook, MySpace, blogs and web pages.

The Cancer Support Project will be launching on October 1st, but you can check it out now. I know I will be checking it out for sure! The Cancer Support Project is located here.

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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

The Cancer Blog retires

For regular readers of this blog, I have disappointing news. The Cancer Blog is now retired. That means that, while it will still be available for reading and searching, new posts will not be added. Our Cardio and Diabetes blogs are also being retired, which I mention here because some readers bookmarked more than one of the Life Sciences group.

The choice to stop publishing these three blogs is a business decision, and has nothing whatsoever to do with their quality. I am, and everyone here is, deeply grateful to the bloggers whose dedication to these sites gave so much information and inspiration to thousands of people. These three blogs are among the longest-running properties in our network, and it is sad to let them go.

Thank you to our many readers for visiting us, and sharing in the community here.

Brad Hill
Programming Director, Weblogs / AOL

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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Celeb charm necklaces in support of cancer

Filed under:

Popular celebrities like Kate Moss and Scarlett Johansson have lent their signature style to the fight against cancer by designing charms that reflect their own character, which will be sold with the profits going to a prominent UK cancer charity. The charms are appearing on a necklace that is being sold at Wallis for about $51USD each. Moss' charm is a petite swallow, while Johansson's is a vibrant yellow and orange lilly. Other contributors include designer Christian Louboutin and comedian Catherin Tate.

I think it's great to see celebrities and designers offering their time and their good taste towards a good cause. Don't you agree?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments



Read More...

[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Oncologists critical in managing psychiatric disorders

Filed under: , , ,

According to an article in CANCER, mental illness and emotional distress in patients with advanced cancer is often overlooked by oncologists, but proper management can improve a patient's quality of life.

The review article was written by Dr. Michael Miovic and Dr. Susan Block from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Miovic and Block found that 50 percent or more of patients with advanced or terminal cancer suffer from at least one of three major disorders: adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders and depressive disorders. Medical management of cancer has improved in the last decade, but management of mental health issues has lagged, according to the authors. Studies show that depressive symptoms can even impact patients' lives even more than pain.

The authors recommend listening as the most important screening tool in the oncologist's toolkit.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments



Read More...

[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Fatigue still around long after cancer battle starts

Filed under:

It what seems like an obvious result, a recent U.S. study found that breast cancer survivors who received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy were the most apt to have severe fatigue. In addition, that fatigue lasted for prolonged periods of time.

Over 221 women in the early stages of breast cancer were looked at in this study, with the expectation of the greatest amount of fatigue just after initial treatment.

But, when chemo was combined with radiotherapy, fatigue was pronounced for longer periods of time. No wonder depression is often a side effect of traditional cancer treatment.
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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Testicular cancer linked to birth weight

Filed under:

There might be some bad news out there for men with above or below normal birth weights -- new studies are showing that they might be at a high risk for testicular cancer than those who were born a more normal size. To be more precise, men with low birth weights were 18% more likely to develop testicular cancer than their normal-sized counterparts, and high birth weight men were 12% more likely to be diagnosed with the disease. It should be noted, however, that the findings are only try to seminoma testicular cancer, which is the most prevalent type.

Researchers are not indicating whether they believe there might be a reason to these findings. I wonder if some unhealthy habits of mothers that may have lead to low or high birth weights could be playing a role in the health of their sons later in life? What do you think?
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[Source: The Cancer Blog]

Routine lung cancer screening gets thumbs down

Filed under:

Lung cancer screening by using CT scans may not be the best thing to do, according to a recent report by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

That group stated that, outside of research studies, studying lung cancer using CT technology is not worth the risk since it rarely (if at all) leads to reduced lung cancer deaths.

The reason? Sounds to easy, but with CT tests only looking at lung cancer detection, actual survival rates were not looked at in many cases (and weren't affected anyway).
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[Source: The Cancer Blog]