Health Notes - Breakthroughs & Threats

From time-to-time, The Author posts a note about health-related issues. Some of these developments have come in the last few months, and are just now making it to the pages of Pop Impulse.

The BBC reports on a breakthrough discovery in Cancer research that provides new and substantial insight into the way that cells protect themselves from tumors, and the mechanisms that turn-off and turn-on that protection. Just the kind of breakthrough that will drive new diagnostic and treatment options for Cancer patients.

The Guardian reports on a simple, 2-minute checklist that cuts surgery deaths by a whopping 40 percent. That's right. Now getting surgical teams to implement the checklist is another subject and could take years in spite of the hefty payoff.

News of a first-generation Malaria vaccine from Glaxo has raised some excitement and expectation levels, even though it only promises a 40-to-50 percent reduction in cases. Malaria is a significant global challenge that takes countless lives annually. The disease places heavy burdens on families, communities and regions around the world.

Last week, evidence emerged that the many victims of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic actually died from Strep infections and not the flu. After seeing pictures of thousands of flu patients crammed in public facilities like courthouses and train stations with no visible running water or sanitation present, it is easy to image that a virulent version of Streptococcus could spread through the weakened population like wildfire. For all the attention the the Avian Flu, H5N1, Ebola and Marburg viruses get, The Author has always worried that the real threat comes from drug resistant versions of the "big three:" Strep, Staph and M. tuberculosis.

Finally, the Los Angeles Times puts mutant bugs and hospital-borne infections in frightening perspective, reporting that superbugs have become a significant problem. This is an alarming article. A must-read for all who stay informed on public health issues.

Technorati Tags: Health, Cancer, Flu

Cancer Breakthrough - Polymer Immunotherapy

Okay, I admit that I'm addicted to Gizmodo and Engadget. Who isn't, right? Occasionally the awesome crew at Gizmodo uncovers an unexpected bit of health technology news, in addition to their regular fare of all things electronic and steampunk. Actually, this post really caught my attention as I've managed to survive two, unrelated cancers. One of those episodes required the dreaded Chemo, replete with the four standard drugs for my particular cancer and the addition of a designer monoclonal antibody targeted specifically to the "brand" of cancer I was battling. The conventional wisdom on Chemo is largely true. It sucks, and takes the recipient to the point of toxicity and near-death to kill the cancer. The good news is that it can work like a dream, as in my case. But the prospect of a new approach that is less violent and life-threatening is heartening indeed. Here's an introduction from the Gizmodo post:

Researchers at Harvard have developed a polymer immunotherapy implant that trains the immune system to become cancer soldiers that seek out and destroy tumors inside the body.

Here is the original technology review.

Cancer

Prostate Drug Reduces Cancer - Perplexes Urologists

The NY Times is reporting today that two new studies now demonstrate the startling effectiveness of the drug finasteride in reducing the incidence of prostate cancer tumors in men.

This is certainly very good news for men, most of whom will have to deal with prostate problems at some point in their lives. Many with the decisions around what to do with a prostate cancer diagnosis. And you can take it from me, that is not an easy process to navigate.

It has been seven years since The Author was diagnosed and treated for this common male cancer. So after my own Urologist tried to rush me into an unnecessary surgery ("Why don't we go ahead and just schedule the procedure for early next week?"), I did the research and opted for brachytherapy - close proximity radiation delivered through surgically implanted seeds (pictured above).

The surgery is just too invasive, fraught with too many profound complications and side-effects, and simply unnecessary in many cases. It is, however, the most profitable procedure that is performed by Urologists who closely guard the franchise - often to the detriment of their patients. That's right. When you leave medicine to the free market, medical specialties start competing with each other for your dollar and the foundation of trust is shattered. For example, brachytherapy is delivered by an oncological radiologist or an interventional radiologist. This crew competes with Urologists for your health-care dollar. This is profit-driven, physician-centric care. It is not patient-driven in any way. The Times article hints at the real problem:

"...most leading specialists say, a major problem is that men are getting screened, discovering they have cancers that may or may not be dangerous, and opting for treatments that can leave them impotent or incontinent...While it might seem convoluted to offer a drug to prevent the consequences of overtreatment, that is the situation in the country today, others say. Preventing the cancer can prevent treatments that can be debilitating, even if the cancers were never lethal to start with...What the drug’s proponents are advocating is taking a drug to somehow compensate for what many believe is the nation’s overzealous diagnosis and treatment of the disease."

Prostate Cancer
finasteride