Andrew Griffith's Blog, page 28
October 18, 2012
Chemo on the Rocks – NYTimes.com
A bit of an offbeat take by Susan Gubar on one of the side effects of chemo, lack of pleasure from activities normally pleasurable, in relation to having a drink. While in the first month after transplant, eating was a chore and gave no pleasure (largely due to deadened sense of taste), once that went [...]
Why we need to rethink pink
A nice commentary by Elizabeth Payne on pink, pink-washing, and ‘think before you pink’. “Pink is the quintessential female colour. The profile on pink is playful, life-affirming. We have studies as to its calming effect, its quieting effect, its lessening of stress. (Pastel pink) is a shade known to be health-giving; that’s why we have [...]
Supporting people with cancer all year long
A good list, reminding people that support involves more than buying pink products: Get a flu shot Donate directly (most pink products only direct a small amount) Give blood Register to be a blood marrow donor Join a research study Lend a hand Don’t forget people Make your voice heard Supporting people with cancer all [...]
Multivitamins modestly lower risk of cancer in middle-aged and older men, study finds – The Globe and Mail
A new study showing a small benefit in taking multi-vitamins, particularly for middle-aged and older men. In the new study, multivitamins cut the chance of developing cancer by eight per cent. That is less effective than a good diet, exercise and not smoking, each of which can lower cancer risk by 20 per cent to [...]
Is remission cure? – Sunrise Rounds | Sunrise Rounds
Good discussion of the degrees of remission, and whether or not remission means cure (spoiler alert: it depends on the type of cancer). Quote: Cure is not a purely medical idea, but a statement about life and the human desire to predict the future. We deal fairly well with the challenges of the day but [...]
My Dream Food Label – NYTimes.com
A provocative proposal by Mark Bittman on food labelling, moving to a red, yellow, green light system covering nutrition, ‘foodness’ (or degree to which made with real ingredients), and ‘Welfare’, or how food is produced (e.g., treatment of animals, environmental damage). I am a great fan of informative labelling. In an earlier life, I worked [...]
Expanding Waistlines May Contribute To Cancer Growth
More evidence of the link between obesity and cancer, and how fat tissue and related cells ‘feed’ tumour growth. Some links with specific cancers: Prostate cancer – researchers from Duke University Medical Center explained at the American Urological Association Annual Meeting in 2011 that obese patients with prostate cancer have a considerably higher risk of [...]
Leading Bone Marrow Transplant Expert Recommends Significant Change to Current Practice
This is the first study I have seen comparing the results of stem cell transplant from peripheral blood collection (as in my case and the majority of transplants) and from bone marrow. I recall one of my hematologist noting the main reasons for the shift to peripheral blood collection: ease and reduced period of low [...]
Struggling With Chronic Pain? — Health Hub from Cleveland Clinic
Results of a study that show acupuncture providing some relief from chronic pain. Quote: The authors conclude acupuncture was found to be “superior to both no acupuncture control and sham acupuncture for the treatment of chronic pain.” …. Three thousand years ago, ancient Chinese physicians did not have modern scientific equipment to assess changes in [...]
Medical checkups fail to reduce death rates – Health – CBC News
This study, showing no difference in outcomes between people who have had general health screening and those who have not understandably has been widely picked up by the media. From my lay perspective, there do appear to be some methodological issues (e.g, participant selection did not isolate other factors) but expect some experts will provide [...]
