Prostate cancer surgery:
Surgery does not appear to make any difference
Prostate
cancer surgery does not appear to make any difference in survival for
men with early-stage prostate cancer, a new study shows. The findings suggest
that men who choose "watchful waiting" -- and avoid the risks of
surgery, including incontinence and impotence, unless their cancer progresses
-- are no more likely to die. Doubts about treatment already have led the U.S.
Preventive Services Task Force to recommend against regular screening for
prostate cancer -- a recommendation opposed by some physician groups.
More Adults Not Seeing their Dentists
Four
out of ten adults have gone at least a year without seeing a dentist, a new
survey shows. Cost is the biggest reason for skipping check-ups. Second biggest
reason: fear. More than 20% of Medicaid recipients in the survey had not had a
dental visit in five years.
Death of Child Catalyst for
Reform
A
New York City hospital has changed its procedures for discharging emergency
department patients, in response to the death of 12-year-old Rory Staunton. As
the New York Times reported recently, Rory died of septic shock after a
bacterial infection spread from a cut on his arm -- and after he was sent home
from the New York University's Langone Medical Center with what his parents
were told was a routine stomach bug.
Obesity is Global
Great
Britain, host of the upcoming Olympic games, already has won one competition,
but it's a dubious distinction. As the Washington Post reports, a new survey
shows Britons are among the most sedentary people in the world, with more than 63%
deemed 'inactive' — compared with 40.5% in the United States and 32.5% percent
in France. But we Americans have our own dubious distinction: we're still
number one in obesity among major nations.
