GPs are ‘slower on cancer tests’

The survey found a relationship between the readiness of the doctor to investigate or refer for suspected cancer and cancer survival GPs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are less likely to immediately refer people with possible cancer for tests or to a specialist than those in comparable countries, according to a survey. Cancer survival is also higher in the likes of Australia, Canada and Sweden because of delays in referrals in the UK, the results of the international survey published in the BMJ Open show.

Treating HIV early leads to better health and less transmission

Early HIV treatment is a win-win strategy. David Smart/ShutterstockStarting HIV treatment early, before immune damage occurs, brings real clinical benefits, a new study has shown. The START (Strategic Timing of antiRetroviral Treatment) clinical trial was recently terminated ahead of schedule because the trial results provided conclusive evidence of the extra benefits of beginning antiretroviral therapy early. Measuring immune function The question of when to start anti-HIV treatment is of great clinical and public health significance. In the late 1990s, scientists established that antiretroviral therapy was life-saving. But untreated HIV infection takes many years to cause serious illness, so it was reasonable to consider whether delayed treatment might work as well as early treatment in preventing illness and death. Untreated HIV invades cells in

Former Rep. LaTourette files claim vs US over missed cancer

Former Congressman Steve LaTourette, gravely ill with pancreatic cancer, has filed a claim against the government over the treatment he received from his Capitol doctors. Former Rep. LaTourette files claim vs US over missed cancer Former Congressman Steve LaTourette, gravely ill with pancreatic cancer, has filed a claim against the government over the treatment he received from his Capitol doctors.

When to start anti-AIDS drugs? Major study says sooner is better, even for the still-healthy

A major international study says don’t delay in seeking HIV treatment: Starting medication soon after diagnosis helps keep people healthy longer. People who started anti-AIDS drugs while their immune system was still strong were far less likely to develop AIDS or other serious illnesses than if they waited until blood tests showed their immune system was starting to weaken, the U.S. National Institutes of Health announced Wednesday.

Pizza Hut And Taco Bell Join Hershey And Nestle In Going More Natural

This is big.  Journalists say three of something makes a trend but this is looking like a food business tsunami towards using more natural, less chemical ingredients in so-called fast and comfort foods.  This is definitely significant. That’s right, Taco Bell has been joined by sister fast foodie (they’re both owned

Remind me again, how does cannabis affect the brain?

Heavy cannabis use is consistently associated with poorer attention and memory, and increased rates of metal health problems. Pe3k/F/ShutterstockGovernments and communities worldwide are softening their views on cannabis use. Trials of medicinal cannabis have been approved in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. And the Australian parliament is currently debating legislation to introduce a government regulator of medicinal cannabis. This follows decriminalisation of cannabis in Portugal and its legalisation in Uruguay and several US states. Cannabis is still the product of choice for many illicit drug users in Australia. Five times as many people use cannabis rather than cocaine or methamphetamines. But debate remains about the long-term effect the drug has on the brain, cognition and mental health. Most cannabis users start as

Early Marketplace Enrollees Were Older And Used More Medication Than Later Enrollees; Marketplaces Pooled Risk [Web First]

Little is known about the health status of the 7.3 million Americans who enrolled in insurance plans through the Marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act in 2014. Medication use may provide an early indicator of the health needs and access to care among Marketplace enrollees. We used data from January–September 2014 on more than one million Marketplace enrollees from Express Scripts, the largest pharmacy benefit management company in the United States. We compared the characteristics and medication use between early and late Marketplace enrollees and between all Marketplace enrollees and enrollees with employer-sponsored insurance. Among Marketplace enrollees, we found that those who enrolled earlier (October 2013–February 2014) were older and used more medication than later enrollees. Marketplace enrollees, as a whole, had lower average drug spending

Discoloured Permanent Tooth

What causes discolouration of a tooth, specifically in a child’s first permanent tooth? This was a question put to Dr. Emma recently… "Hi Dr. Emma. My 7 year old granddaughter's new big front tooth is coming down and it seems to be a brownish colour beside her other teeth. What has happened? What is to be done? Thanks Dianne (WA)". Click through to see Dr. Emma’s response and read her expert advice on an appropriate treatment plan.

Syphilis Soars 79{c754d8f4a6af077a182a96e5a5e47e38ce50ff83c235579d09299c097124e52d} in RI Thanks to .. Social Media

Sexually transmitted diseases are staging a comeback in Rhode Island – with syphilis leading the pack, the state Department of Health reports. While HIV is up 33{c754d8f4a6af077a182a96e5a5e47e38ce50ff83c235579d09299c097124e52d} from 2013 to 2014 and gonorrhea is up 30{c754d8f4a6af077a182a96e5a5e47e38ce50ff83c235579d09299c097124e52d}, syphilis skyrocketed a whopping 79{c754d8f4a6af077a182a96e5a5e47e38ce50ff83c235579d09299c097124e52d}.