Radiation Archives

Breast cancer charity Komen overstated screening benefits

Breast cancer charity under fire for overstating the benefits of screening — Experts challenge ‘pink ribbon’ creator for misusing statistics to generate false hope – Professors Lisa Schwartz and Steven Woloshin of the Center for Medicine and the Media at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice argue that last year’s breast cancer awareness month campaign by Susan G Komen for the Cure “overstates the benefit of mammography and ignores harms altogether.”

Pancreatic cancer risk lowers with high sun exposure

Sun exposure and sun-sensitive skin type decreased risk for pancreatic cancer – High levels of ultraviolet radiation at an individual’s birth location, sun-sensitive skin type and a history of skin cancer each decreased risk for pancreatic cancer, according to Australian researchers.

Breast cancer risk can be reduced by avoiding unnecessary CT scan

Breast cancer risk can be lowered by avoiding unnecessary medical imaging — UCSF analysis of IOM report on environmental causes of breast cancer suggests there is at least 1 way women can reduce risk – A report issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) last December reviewed all the available scientific data compiled to date about potential environmental risks of breast cancer?factors such as pesticides, beauty products, household chemicals, and the plastics used to make water bottles.

GI cancers risk higher among childhood cancer survivors

Study finds high risk of GI cancers among childhood cancer survivors – Survivors of childhood cancers are at an increased risk of another battle with cancer later in life, according to new research published by the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers found that childhood cancer survivors develop these malignancies at a rate nearly five times that of the general population.

NASA developed osteoporosis test to detect bone loss early

Earlier detection of bone loss may be in future — NASA-funded research looks to isotope analysis rather than X-ray for measurement – A more sensitive technique is developed by scientists at Arizona State University and NASA for detecting bone loss early than the X-ray method used today, with less risk to patients.

IMRT Radiation optimal for localized prostate cancer

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy optimal for localized prostate cancer – A treatment for localized prostate cancer known as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is better than conventional conformal radiation therapy (CRT) for reducing certain side effects and preventing cancer recurrence.

New technique for screening breast cancer using ultrasound

New screening technique could provide more reliable breast cancer detection — Initial tests show promising results of new ultrasonic screening technique – Scientists have successfully completed an initial trial of a new, potentially more reliable, technique for screening breast cancer using ultrasound. The team at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s National Measurement Institute, working with the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, are now looking to develop the technique into a clinical device.

Postoperative radiotherapy does not improve survival in lung cancer patients

Common postoperative radiotherapy does not improve survival in older people with lung cancer – Post-operative radiation therapy (PORT), a controversial yet frequently administered treatment for lung cancer, may not prolong life in older people with locally advanced disease.

Erivedge approved for skin cancer metastatic basal cell carcinoma

FDA approves new treatment for most common type of skin cancer – Erivedge or vismodegib was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adult patients with basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. The Erivedge drug is intended for use in patients with locally advanced basal cell cancer who are not candidates for surgery or radiation and for patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

Breast cancer survivors may experience mental abilities problems

Breast cancer survivors struggle with cognitive problems several years after treatment – Breast cancer survivors may experience problems with certain mental abilities several years after breast cancer treatment, regardless of whether they were treated with breast cancer chemotherapy plus radiation or radiation for breast cancer only.

Financial reimbursement increases cardiac stress tests in patients

Cardiac stress imaging more frequent among patients whose physicians provide, bill for procedures – Financial reimbursement and ownership of cardiac imaging equipment appears to influence physicians’ use of cardiac stress testing. The study finds that doctors who are reimbursed for both performing the test using their equipment and then interpreting the results were 50 to 100 percent more likely to order cardiac imaging tests on their patients than those who don’t bill the fees.

Tanning bed ban for minors under 18 in California US

Tanning bed ban for minors under 18 in California US – Teens and owners object to tanning-bed ban – California toughens teen tanning laws – California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., signed groundbreaking legislation today that will prohibit the use of commercial indoor tanning devices for those under the age of 18. California is the first state to ban minors from using commercial tanning booths.