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David Brill
News Articles
Androgen deprivation therapy link to colorectal cancer
THE downsides of prostate cancer treatments are again in the spotlight, with new research linking long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer rates were 30% to 40% higher among prostate cancer patients who received ADT than those who didn’t, US researchers found. The University of Michigan team reviewed data from nearly 108,000 men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer from 1993 to 2002, with follow-up through 2004. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increased with duration of ADT, and was highest in those who had also undergone orchidectomy. ...
Obesity crisis inflated: researcher
THE obesity epidemic has been exaggerated and may, in fact, have peaked more than 10 years ago, a researcher argues. Despite extensive claims of an impending crisis, Associate Professor Michael Gard, of the School of Human Movement Studies at Charles Sturt University in NSW, says obesity in the Western world has essentially levelled off since the late 1990s. Having studied global statistics for his new book, Professor Gard is now taking aim at the “apocalyptic” predictions of obesity experts, which he says have diverted attention away from other important public health issues. “The obesity epidemic began ...
Bushfire survivor scheme helps others
THE trauma of the February 2009 Victorian bushfires could guide the mental health response to future disasters. The Skills for Psychological Recovery program, which helps survivors cope after a disaster, was trialled by 342 health professionals after the fires. Although its impact on patients is not yet clear, a report published last week shows it was popular among trainees, with most finding it relevant and useful. Forty-six percent said they used it with their bushfire survivor patients, while 54% also used it to help people cope with other traumatic events. The Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental ...
Private hospital screening mums for depression
PERINATAL depression screening is making inroads into the private sector, amid a renewed national effort to get parents talking about their feelings. A project launched last week in Sydney will see all pregnant women at North Shore Private Hospital screened, making it the first private hospital to adopt routine screening. The project will train the hospital’s midwives to undertake a comprehensive emotional assessment, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a psychosocial questionnaire. Funded by a $252,000 grant from the NIB Foundation, in partnership with charity the Gidget Foundation, it aims to screen over 2500 women ...
Primary blames job losses on Govt cuts
PRIMARY Health Care is to slash 290 pathology, radiology and administration jobs and will close 23 diagnostic imaging practices in a bid to offset funding cuts to the healthcare sector. The new cost-cutting initiatives come amid slowing demand for pathology services and a levelling off of GP attendances, which have hit the company’s bottom line. The announcement from Primary also follows a national pre-election campaign by its managing director, Dr Edmund Bateman, warning about dire impacts of Federal Government failure to index GP MBS rebates along with reductions to diagnostic imaging and pathology subsidies. The sites ...