Wednesday, December 02, 2009
In response to recent media: Does Morphine Stimulate Cancer Growth? | GeriPal - A Geriatrics and Palliative Care Blog
Please read the full article/discussion. Many questions were asked and responses given which may be helpful for many.
Over the last week Reuters, ABC news, MSNBC, BBC News, and more than 75 other outlets reported on how two "two new studies add to growing evidence that morphine and other opiate-based painkillers may promote the growth and spread of cancer cells." What was most shocking were the headlines used to promote the stories:
* Morphine 'might spread cancer' (BBC News)
* Morphine May Help Tumors Spread in Cancer Patients (US News and World Reports)
* Pain drug morphine may accelerate cancer growth (Reuters, ABC News)
* Common Pain Relief Medication May Encourage Cancer Growth (Science Daily)
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Cochrane Collaboration meta-analysis: Erythropoietin or Darbepoetin for patients with cancer - meta-analysis based on individual patient data
The authors of this new meta-analysis concluded that ESA treatment shortens survival. They could not identify with certainty any subgroup of patients at either increased or decreased risk of dying when taking ESAs. With their doctors' help, cancer patients should consider the risks of taking ESA against the risks of a blood transfusion. Be aware, however, that uncertainties remain about the magnitude of each.
favourite quote of the day
"... if you are really effective at what you do, 95% of the things said about you will be negative." Scott Boras
(incompetent) Ontario Health Ministry press release: Improving Patient Care in Ontario
email to Minister:
Please immediately hire a new writer. This has to be the worst press release I have ever read and has a new found meaning in 'dumbing it down'. Give the public a bit, just a bit of credit for health literacy. Also include in the future a direct link to the bill. Was this reviewed by a panel of patients/citizens before it was released? No need to answer as it is obvious.
Ontario
Improving Patient Care in Ontario
December 1, 2009 2:13 PM
Ontario has passed Third Reading of Bill 179 that would improve access to health care for Ontarians by allowing care providers to use all of their training to perform their jobs and to work more effectively in teams. The proposed legislation would:
Expand What Health Care Providers Do
Health profession Acts (e.g., Nursing Act) under the Regulated Health Professions Act would be changed to allow providers to perform specific health care actions (controlled acts) or order diagnostic tests:
Health Care Provider
Proposed New Controlled Acts and Powers
Nurse Practitioners
* Apply specified forms of energy (e.g., diagnostic ultrasound);
* Set or cast a fracture or dislocation of a joint
Pharmacists
* Prick or lance skin to educate a patient
Physiotherapists
* Tell patients their diagnosis
* Treat a wound
* Insert an instrument, hand or finger into certain body openings for assessment or rehabilitation of the pelvic musculature
* Order certain forms of energy (e.g., diagnostic ultrasound)
Midwives
* Tell patients their diagnosis
* Give suppository drugs
* Place a tube in the nose or mouth of a newborn
* Take blood samples from fathers and donors
Dietitians
* Prick skin to check a patient's blood readings
Medical Radiation Technologists
* On the order of a physician be able to:
- perform procedures below the skin (e.g., give a needle)
- suction a tracheotomy
- put contrast media into certain body openings and artificial openings into the body
- put an instrument, hand or finger past certain body openings and artificial openings into the body.
Professional Practice Changes Regarding Drugs
Health professions Acts (e.g., Pharmacy Act) under the Regulated Health Professions Act would be changed to give providers the power to administer, prescribe, dispense, compound (mix), sell and use drugs as follows:
Health Care Provider
Drug Authorities Proposed to be Added
Chiropodists and Podiatrists
Give a patient certain substances by inhalation
Dental hygienists
Prescribe, dispense, sell or mix certain drugs
Dentists
Sell or mix drugs (can already prescribe and dispense)
Midwives
Give a patient any substance on the order of a physician
Naturopaths
Prescribe, dispense, mix and sell certain drugs.
Nurse practitioners
Prescribe, dispense, mix and sell drugs without restrictions.
Pharmacists
Prescribe certain drugs to manage patient health
Give certain substances through injection and inhalation to demonstrate their use or to educate patients
Physiotherapists
Give certain substances by inhalation as ordered by authorized persons (e.g., a physician)
Respiratory therapists
Independently give a patient certain substances by inhalation
Increase Ability to Order X-Rays
Regulations would be changed under the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act to allow:
* Nurse practitioners to order any X-rays
* Physiotherapists to order X-rays subject to conditions
CONTACTS
* David Jensen
Communications Branch
416-314-6197
media@nullmoh.gov.on.ca
* Ivan Langrish
Minister's Office
416-326-3986
* For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline
1-866-532-3161
null(Toll-free in Ontario only)
* Media Line
Toll-free: 1-888-414-4774
GTA: 416-314-6197
media@nullmoh.gov.on.ca
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
ontario.ca/health
© Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2008 - 2009 - Last Modified:December 01, 2009
Q & A transcript: Outlook: Fighting a smarter war on cancer - washingtonpost.com
"Outlook: Fighting a smarter war on cancer"
Cancers, infections, and endocrine diseases in women with endometriosis
"While ovarian cancer and melanoma were significantly more common than in the general population, breast cancer was surprisingly less common."
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) evaluation of pleural effusions in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian carcinoma can influence....
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) evaluation of pleural effusions in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian carcinoma can influence the primary management choice for these patients.
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