The Medical View

In the technologically intensive field of radiation oncology, it’s easy to get lost in the gulf between the toys and the touch. Over the past 25 years, the universal experience of computerized advancements has significantly cut the cost of treatment methods in terms of training, service and bottom line.
But now, the even greater revolution—image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)—is redefining our responsibilities and the world’s expectations more than any development since the accelerator. The technology is also changing how we practice with other specialties, in addition to setting new standards of care.

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I just like this story because it highlights the strong durability of first assumptions.  That a student can see the truth from a subway platform and make the correction of a wrong assumptions gives all of us Iconoclasts an extra heart beat.  Three cheers for Sterling J. Nesbitt.

Article Reference
Subway Sleuth Clears Dinosaur of Cannibalism
The New York Times

Bill Cozier has been defeated in his bid to become the Oklahoma Superintend of Schools 63% to 37%.  There is hope for the education of our Oklahoma brothers and sisters.  Now Bill can concentrate on his textbook body amour and new inroads such as lunch box defense strategies.

The drinking of wine for better health and longevity makes so much sense, I’m taking this effort on personally.

We have thousands of years of experience with wine intake and many beneficial results. To many, it just made life seem better and longer. Now we see it really does.

As with anything the key is moderation.

There is a reason our mythology makes wine a gift from the Gods.
Article Reference
Yes, Red Wine Holds Answer. Check Dosage.
The New York Times

Conformal therapy is the most dramatic advance in the past 10 years of clinical oncology. It involves accurate delivery of effective radiation to produce cancer control. It limits the side effects and complications associated with less sophisticates methods of radiation. The minimum requirements for conformal therapy are a computes tomography (CT) data set to produce a virtual three dimensional (3-D) view of the patient, treatment planning software and a delivery system capable of producing radiation and verifying accurate delivery. The use of conformal radiation allows for fewer side effects, better results of treatment, and the ability to perform salvage treatment for recurrence in a much safer manner than previously. There are several types of conformal therapy: the more advances the technique the better result of treatment.

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While it’s extremely effective for treating cancer, radiation therapy can leave scars and cause nausea, vometing, general pain and fibrisis in the targeted area. However, a new method of radiation therapy can reduce or even eliminate most side effects, while providing a more accirate form of radiation treatment.

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This is great summary of the problem causing most illness and early death. No easy answers. But you can’t have a solution until you understand the problem. It is a good start.
Best thing we can do: Stop eating just to eat. Make meals a social and communal event.

Article Reference
Surprisingly Healthy Foods
Forbes.com

The medical oncology community is worried it will lose money by new rules in payment. At the present time medical oncologists make a significant profit form re-selling the drugs they give to patients. To clarify this a bit the medical oncologists purchase their drugs from a pharmaceutical company at one rate and then the medical oncologists gives the drug to the patient at an increased cost to profit from the administration of the drug. If the patient’s insurance does not cover the price of the drug, the doctors voluntarily send the patient to a hospital in order to give the drugs, thus passing the extra expense onto the hospital which the hospital will not be able to recoup. Hospitals are mandated by law not to deny care due to financial considerations.

The lawmakers are confused as to the cause in these laws and reimbursements. Any potential access problems would be caused by the choice of the doctors, not the system. This is in effect a labor strike by medical oncologists.

The consideration of not allowing the medical community to profit from administration of drugs is a good one. No other specialist can profit from the sale of their prescribed drugs. This is to avoid the financial incentive that leads to over use and inappropriate application. There is definitely a source in medical oncology for such abuse.

We need reform, but it should be to improve our service and capabilities, not because of a labor strike by medical oncologists for financial preservation. Also, there is nothing in the proposed changes that affects research or clinical trials, as these are not covered by insurance in any case. Sorry Chairwoman Johnson. Emotional appeal is touching, but it’s wrong.

Article Reference
Health Subcommittee of House Ways & Means Committee Explores Reimbursement Issues Related to Physician-Administered Drugs
WWW.LEGISLINK.COM

Drug approval means that it is safe and effective. Too often we hear concerns about the FDA being slow. As if there is a miracle drug that may save lives that is being withheld due to a bureaucratic mess.

In fact, that is not the case. We should actually demand the drug approval process slow down and demonstrate a specific effectiveness. The spread of effectiveness among drugs for different diseases is too large and there are too many exceptions for certain diseases, like cancer.

The FDA has a lot of pressure on them to approve drugs from the pharmaceutical companies and their lobbies.  We need to leave them alone and protect their independence for our own good.
Article Reference
Study Condemns F.D.A.’s Handling of Drug Safety
The New York Times

This is another important study  which demonstrates how are diets affect our lifes.  The premature diseases, suffering, and early death we cause ourselves soley by our poor dietary habits.
The bottom line is clear, but so hard to obtain.  The hinderance to our modern conviences.
Article Reference
One for the Ages: A Prescription That May Extend Life
The New York Tmes